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If I were to make a non-bi-wire speaker cable with four conductors (2+, 2-) of stranded, silver-over-copper PTFE, should I separate and twist the two positives and two negatives, or twist each positive and negative together? Any reliable sonic results that I can expect with either configuration? Thanks all.
Follow Ups:
Using two conductors for each leg creates additional opportunities for vibration and RF resonance mode problems, so I would go with a single conductor for each leg. IME, 14-gauge stranded silver-plated copper with Teflon insulation is excellent wire, but it does have a directional sonic characteristic.It is easy to DIY a cable that has self-cancellation of this characteristic.
With a single conductor for each leg, cut each conductor in the middle and reverse one half. Rejoin and insulate. Twist the two conductors together.
With two conductors for each leg, reverse one conductor in each leg with respect to direction taken from the reel. Twist all four together to minimize inductance, or twist each leg's conductors and keep the legs separate to minimize capacitance. The length of the run and the nature of your amps and speakers will indicate which is the preferred arrangement.
RF and acoustic resonances can be reduced by covering with carbon fiber sleeve, then over-wrapping with Teflon thread-seal tape. Use care to avoid shorts with loose carbon fibers, and use the best spades you can afford. Support the cables off the floor with stiff and non-resonant lifters.
Additional RF resonance control can be accomplished by adding R-C filters to the ends of the cables. Solder these onto the spades along with the conductor wires.
try it.
I run mine 3-4" apart.
Thanks for posting info on the carbon sleeves, Al. Audio supply outfits are charging about 5x more for it.
I've actually been running single legs of lightly-twisted 14 ga. for the past few months off and on, substituting my trusty old XLO Type 5 cables now and then. The 14 ga. stuff seems to have a nice speed and clarity in my Quicksilver Horn Monos/Fostex BLH rig.But...(1) being the experimenter, (2) wanting to permanently retire the too-long, too stiff and unwieldy XLO cables and (3) firmly subscribing to the "bigger-might-be-better" school, I got some 12 ga. wire to play with.
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