Re: [ARSCLIST] Cables- was Can 78s sound better than LPs?

[Mike Richter <mrichter@xxxxxxx>]

Steven Smolian wrote:
> Seems to me the theory of matched impedence comes into play here 
> somewhere. What is the size of the wire attached to the connector on the 
> inside of the box?
>
> Unknown.  Many of us the "it couldn't hurt" theory.  So do I.  I use 
> heavy lamp wire for speaker connections.
>
> I expect cable length has more to do with it than thickness.  All other 
> things being equal, I've found powered speakers sound better- more open- 
> than the same speakers with external amplification.
>
> This is heresy.  None of the classic speakers were made that way and we 
> all venerate age- of equipment.
>
> Steve Smolian

I have been using 10 gauge zip cord for decades, since I first heard a 
shop selling junk speakers by hooking up AR3s with "speaker wire" for 
comparison.

It's easy enough to calculate the impedance of any length of 
standard-gauge wire. That yields the damping factor for speaker 
resonances since it is almost always far more than the output impedance 
of a modern amplifier. Said damping factor then goes into classic 
expressions for the Q of the tuned circuit which is the electrical 
aspect of a speaker.

In short, run a few feet of high-impedance wire to turn your 
high-quality speakers into a boom box.

Mike
--
mrichter@xxxxxxx
http://www.mrichter.com/