Re: Actuator Cable as Speaker Cable--It Works!

Cable Asylum

Interconnects, speaker wire, power cords. Ask the Cable Guys.

In Reply to: Actuator Cable as Speaker Cable--It Works! posted by BillH on September 17, 2001 at 13:01:40:

One of the other Inmates posted about RS's Actuator cables used as speaker cable, praising it for it's sweet sound.
Perhaps they use some decent PE insulation, and a copper that is not too impure.
I do feel compelled to point out that, according to EM theory concerning audio cables AND from personal frist hand experience, that having a shield in close proximity to a pair of current carrying speaker cable wires is not a good thing. This can: cause RFI problem, add a sort of "ghost" signal to the main signal, cause the amp to oscillate, and generally does not help the overall sound. Other conductors (as in unused wires) would also tend to generate similar problems.
The gist of the problem as far as the EM fields, is that having a conductor that is NOT carrying current so close to those that are, tends to short out the E field, and damp or reduce the magnetic fields. See:
http://www.geocities.com/jonrisch/emf3.htm
and
http://www.geocities.com/jonrisch/emf4.htm
One way to remedy this, is to use the shield as a part of the negative signal leg, connecting it at both ends. This should lower inductance, and minimize any deleterious effects. If this connection sounds worse to you, then it may be that you like the extra ghost signal, as it can sound spacious and airy. However, it is not going to be accurate sound reproduction. If you have any dry studio recordings (ala the Sheffield Drum Record or the Sheffield Track record), then they should not sound like they have ANY reverb or spaciousness to them.
Of course, what YOU like and prefer is the deal, just so you are aware of this kind of potential effect.
If you want to try some other DIY speaker cables, you will eventually want to try some superior insulation, ala the CAT5, or the CC89259 recipes. PE or vinyl is just not as good sonically as teflon.
Many people have been down this road, of DIY cables, and by all means experiment, but it also helps to know that some really good sounding designs have evolved over many years of listening and effort, and that these are avialable as a sort of reference point, if nothing else.
Good luck with your oddessy, and happy listening!
Jon Risch

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Follow Ups Full Thread

Topic - Actuator Cable as Speaker Cable--It Works! - BillH 13:01:40 09/17/01 (4)

Re: Actuator Cable as Speaker Cable--It Works! - Jon Risch 09/19/0110:14:33 09/19/01 (1)

Re: Now that was really interesting--thanks! - BillH 06:39:09 09/20/01 (0)

Re: Actuator Cable as Speaker Cable--It Works! - sgb 13:51:40 09/17/01 (1)

Re: Actuator Cable as Speaker Cable--It Works! - kingdaddy 09:27:41 09/19/01 (0)

Follow Ups

Re: Actuator Cable as Speaker Cable--It Works! - Jon Risch 09/19/0110:14:33 09/19/01 (1)

Re: Now that was really interesting--thanks! - BillH 06:39:09 09/20/01 (0)

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