Does size matter?

[icehockeyboy]

Would I hear an audible improvement if I used a 4 mm speaker cable, compared to a 2.5 mm one?
Using between 1 and 3 metre runs.

Thanks!

[Pharos]

In about '02 I went through several speaker cables, and ended up with Kimber 4TC and later 8TC. The latter, fatter, weirdly altered the sound, it losing clarity and top, and making the bass boosted and boomy. This was an anomalous effect IMO, and was costing hundreds of pounds.

Now I just use a good 2.5mm cable, and this is for 3m pairs.

[Wakefield Turntables]

Ive always gone with big fat cables as things seem to improve when I listen to large cross sectional areas. Current cables have 10mm2 cross sectional area.

[CageyH]

Would I hear an audible improvement if I used a 4 mm speaker cable, compared to a 2.5 mm one?
Using between 1 and 3 metre runs.

Thanks!

I have no idea if you will hear an improvement. I very much doubt it.
I think there is more to it than just the CSA of a cable.

[Macca]

Would I hear an audible improvement if I used a 4 mm speaker cable, compared to a 2.5 mm one?
Using between 1 and 3 metre runs.

Thanks!

In theory, no. You could run much longer lengths of 2.5mm with no attenuation.

[AJSki2fly]

Would I hear an audible improvement if I used a 4 mm speaker cable, compared to a 2.5 mm one?
Using between 1 and 3 metre runs.

Thanks!

This article about cables is quite interesting and informative https://www.audioholics.com/gadget-reviews/speaker-cable-and-audio-interconnects

[icehockeyboy]

To clarify, same brand and model of cable

[Filterlab]

i guess you're using Van Damme? If so, do try the terminated 6mm variant. Absolutely superb.

[WullieD20]

In principle, I would agree with most that cables shouldn't make any (or much) difference. However, in my experience they can and do make a difference on occasions, sometimes possibly due to the synergy involved with the rest of your system.

From experience, I would offer that upgrading invariably does little in the way of perceivable change and after a few days / weeks, you will be comfortable with the sound you are listening to. However, if you then substitute your previous cables back into the system the sound will be easily identified as inferior if the upgraded cables have achieved anything. Interestingly, I don't believe that SIZE actually matters.... just look at Audience / Mogami which are not only tiny in cross section, but also coaxial!

If possible try an upgrade set of cables and see how they sound, but don't reintroduce your old cables for a few days or a week. If then, you don't detect any difference when you revert the system to your old cable you have answered your own question.

[Landloper]

Essentially the claim from some manufaturers is that '...by using a thicker cable, you increase the dynamic range, and add (sic) detail and resolution to the sound you are carrying...'. I'm not sure my experience underwrites that assertion. Why stop at 4 mm or 6mm, when 12mm or 24mm will 'add' more to the dynamic range and to the detail and to the resolution?

[Barry]

Over a 1 to 3 m length, I seriously doubt you would hear any difference in changing the cables to ones with a larger CSA.

There will be a difference to the transmission loss and in the damping factor, but these effects will be too small to be audible.

[Barry]

Essentially the claim from some manufaturers is that '...by using a thicker cable, you increase the dynamic range, and add (sic) detail and resolution to the sound you are carrying...'. I'm not sure my experience underwrites that assertion. Why stop at 4 mm or 6mm, when 12mm or 24mm will 'add' more to the dynamic range and to the detail and to the resolution?

Agreed - why not use car battery jump leads, or the leads used for arc welding whilst you're at it?

[karma67]

This article about cables is quite interesting and informative https://www.audioholics.com/gadget-reviews/speaker-cable-and-audio-interconnects
what article?

[AJSki2fly]

what article?

Sorry my mistake I was interrupted mid post

https://www.audioholics.com/gadget-reviews/speaker-cable-and-audio-interconnects

[Pharos]

Everything in that link is entirely consistent with what I studied at college 50+ years ago.

[karma67]

i need 5meters so based on that article i ordered some Van Damme UP-LCOFC Hi-Fi Speaker cable 1.50 mm2,i already have the 6mm2 and 4mm2. i prefer the 4mm over the 6mm so we shall see what the 1.5mm2 does. cheap to try.

[Barry]

Everything in that link is entirely consistent with what I studied at college 50+ years ago.

I agree - but it won't stop manufacturers and/or users claiming beneficial effects.

Nor will it stop some manufacturers talking absolute bollocks concerning such things as: skin effect; proximity effect; dielectric relaxation; dielectric loss; boundary interface scattering and the necessity of using 'single crystal' copper; cable directionality, etc., etc.

But if users can hear differences, and are happy to pay the often very high prices the cables can command, then so be it. It's their money and their ears.

[walpurgis]

:)

[icehockeyboy]

i need 5meters so based on that article i ordered some Van Damme UP-LCOFC Hi-Fi Speaker cable 1.50 mm2,i already have the 6mm2 and 4mm2. i prefer the 4mm over the 6mm so we shall see what the 1.5mm2 does. cheap to try.

Similar here, I have 2.5 and 4.
Got some more 2.5 on the strength of the replies on this thread.
I have to say it really is a great, inexpensive cable, and to my ears didn’t need any burning in, unlike the Silver Anniversary XT which took ages

[karma67]

its just a good honest cable,i think i like the 1.5 best so far although i wonder if the 2.5mm is the sweet spot?

[Pharos]

I agree - but it won't stop manufacturers and/or users claiming beneficial effects.

Nor will it stop some manufacturers talking absolute bollocks concerning such things as: skin effect; proximity effect; dielectric relaxation; dielectric loss; boundary interface scattering and the necessity of using 'single crystal' copper; cable directionality, etc., etc.

But if users can hear differences, and are happy to pay the often very high prices the cables can command, then so be it. It's their money and their ears.

But . . . . isn't it sad that the falsity enables BS mongers to get rich at the expense of the deluded?

[Macca]

But . . . . isn't it sad that the falsity enables BS mongers to get rich at the expense of the deluded?

Sad if they bankrupt themselves spending on that sort of thing. But I'd guess 99.9% of people buying super-expensive cables have money to burn. So it's good for the economy and the tax revenue is handy too. Lots of VAT on a set of £10 grand interconnects.