Speaker Cables

[drsmith]

I'm looking to replace the cables that came with the Logitech Z-5500 speakers and I am interested to know what AWG rated cable I should get for cable lengths up to 12m.

[jules123]

For those logitech speakers I don't think it would be worth getting anything over 16 gauge - provided it's of reasonable quality.

I think you'd find the cables that come 'in the box' would be no thicker than 20 gauge or so - and for those sort of speakers I think upgrading the cable would do little to alter performance.

The length of 12 metres is a bit of length (no more than regular surrounds though) and would normally require a smaller gauge (thicker wire) to cope with the distance - but the satellite speakers never cover the frequency range that a thick cable would be needed for.

[byte-me]

I would think that 14 or 16 would be quite OK for the job.

[Roderick]

There is an article on the "Audioholics" web site about speaker cables. They recommend 16AWG for up to 50 feet, and that's for 100+ watts speakers.

For your Logitechs, though, 18 AWG is more than adequate over 15 metres, and the cheapest source of 18 AWG is 240 volt light flex, at about $0.70 per metre. You won't hear any difference with heavier wire, or oxygen-free wire, etc, etc .

Rod

[drsmith]

Thanks for the replies. The replacement calbes will be 18 AWG.

The main reason for replacing the cables is that the cables that came with the speakers are not long enough.

[Roderick]

Drsmith, this Web site is quite useful : - http://www.hometech.com/learn/spkrcbl.html.

If you type "speaker wire size" into Google you will be inundated with info, some of it good .

A 15 metre run of 18 AWG wire has a resistance of about 0.6 Ohms going both ways (ie. 30 metres).

Thats about a 7.5% loss for an 8 Ohm speaker, or about 1.5 Decibels. Probably not worth worrying about for rear speakers, and the HT calibration procedure will compensate for it.

15 metres is a long run for rears. Most rooms would require less than half of that, so losses of 4% would be typical. (I now see you mentioned 12 metres, not 15).

Another thing to think about is that your original Logitech cables probably have a higher resistance than 18 AWG cable. The Logitech decoder might have built in compensation for the supplied cables, so a longer replacement cable should perhaps have a similar resistance to the supplied cable. Get your multimeter out and measure the resistance of the supplied cables. On the other hand, I don't think this is a terribly important factor!

Rod

[Mannah]

While we are on the topic of Logitech z5500, has anyone else realised how absolutely amazing their sound is for $390? as much as I despise in the box packages, for under $400 for five speakers, sub and a decoder, it is very well priced.

For action movies and game console play, I really don't think it can be beat.

[drsmith]

I have found them to be very good for the price. I paid around $450 just under 12 months ago.

The only drawbacks are:

1) The cable from the control unit to the subwoofer is a little too short.

2) Interference when some other electrical appliances turn on/off. The main culprit is the fridge turning off as this can result in a loud "pop".

3) The fuse in the back of subwoofer unit as blown twice (the first time a couple of day's after purchase). Fortunately this fuse is user replacable and can be purchased for a few cents. I still have a couple of spares.

[Mannah]

Yeah I haven't owned a set myself, so I haven't ran into those problems, but two mates have them for their computers and they are great. The mid and high end is obviously no where near the league of dedicated home theatre speakers, but I find they work extremely well together with the sub. I find that sub to be very lively to listen to, it has very fast response times and is definitely not shy when turned up.

[betty boop]

wouldnt bother on the logitechs its not liek theyre goign to be suckign up the amps !

fi the cables are damged fine replace them with somethign equivalent wouldnt spend any mroe