In Reply to: Re: Thanks to Chris, great Cat 5 speaker cable design posted by sonny on October 15, 1999 at 13:11:16:
Sonny,I think it is a good idea to realize that 27 pairs of 24 gauge wires is better than 10 gauge equivalent, while it only takes about 16 pairs to equal 12 gauge. In most cases, except for longer runs to a difficult load, the 12 gauge total equivalent should be sufficient to achieve good sound.
Seldom will a single tweeter for a bi-wired speaker require even the equivalent of a 12 gauge cable, 12 (or even 8 for less demanding loads, and shorter runs) pairs, which is equivalent to about 13 gauge, should be plenty in most cases.
The amount of effort and complexity goes up as the number of pairs is braided, and it becomes harder and harder to keep them tight and firmly braided together to prevent looseness and a fuzzy sound as a result.
Odd numbers of pairs can be arrived at by braiding different options together, or twisting a pair of the intermediate braided bundles together.
For instance, to reach 18 pairs, braid three pairs together, then tightly twist two of these triple pairs together, then braid the result together in another three braid. Somewhat easier to braid would be taking two pairs, and twisting them together, and then three braiding and three braiding again to reach 18. Two four braids will reach 16 pairs, or a four braid and then a three braid (or vice versa) to reach 12. Two three braids to reach 9 pairs, which is about 14 1/2 gauge.Jon Risch
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