Cavi di potenza

Cavi di potenza

The speaker cable connects the amplifier to the speakers and carries the amplified signal to the loudspeakers. It's worth noting right away: a good speaker cable won't transform a system, and the differences between two well-made cables are usually small. What really matters is that the connection is correct and stable, that the cross-section is adequate for the length, and that the materials last over time without rusting. Once these basics are clear, a higher-quality cable can be a final refinement, to be considered after the speakers, amplifier, and placement. For more information, read our guide: Do hi-fi cables really matter?

Section and length

The longer the cable, the more important the conductor cross-section is: a thin, very long cable adds resistance between the amplifier and the speaker, and this can be especially noticeable with speakers that are demanding to drive. For standard-length home audio connections, a medium cross-section is sufficient; larger cross-sections make sense when the runs are longer. Try to use the same length for the left and right channels, even if one of the two speakers is closer, and avoid leaving meters of cable coiled behind the cabinet.

Endings: banana, fork, or peeled

• Banana: they can be inserted and removed in an instant, convenient if you often move the speakers or make comparisons.
• Fork (spade): they tighten under the screw clamp and guarantee a wide and very stable contact.
• Stripped: The wire is connected directly to the terminals; twist the wires well and avoid letting loose strands touch the adjacent terminal, as a short circuit can damage the amplifier.

Whichever termination you choose, tighten the terminals carefully and recheck them every so often: a loose contact does more damage than a cheap cable.

Bi-wiring and bi-amping

If your speakers have two pairs of binding posts, you can use a single cable, leaving the jumpers in place, or you can bi-wire them, using separate cables for the bass and mid-high sections, with the jumpers removed. Using two amplification channels per speaker is called bi-amping. Before connecting, always check the speaker's manual and observe the polarity: red to red and black to black.

The speaker cables you find with us

Among the new speaker cables you will find Van den Hul, AudioQuest and Supra Cables, both in pre-terminated pairs and as loose copper cable by the metre. Among the most popular are the Supra Classic 2×6, Van den Hul The Magnum MkII Hybrid, Van den Hul CS-122 Hybrid and AudioQuest Rocket 11. If you are still choosing the rest of your system, take a look at the amplifiers.

You can view the cables and listen to complete systems in the listening room at our Carpi (MO) showroom, or order them online from our website with shipping. If you have any questions about the gauge, length, or terminations, please email us.