Are You Planning To Set Up Your Home Theater Or Audio System, And Wondering Which Type Of Cable To Use For Your Speakers? Look No Further Than Coaxial Speaker Cable. In This Article, We'll Cover Everything You Need To Know About Coaxial Speaker Cable, Including Its Features, Benefits, And How To Choose The Right Cable For Your System.
1. What Is Coaxial Speaker Cable?
Coaxial Speaker Cable Is A Type Of Audio Cable That Consists
Of A Central Conductor Surrounded By A Layer Of Insulation And An Outer Shield.
The Central Conductor Carries The Audio Signal, While The Outer Shield Serves
As A Ground, Providing Shielding From Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) And
Radio Frequency Interference (RFI).
2. How Does Coaxial Speaker Cable Work?
The Audio Signal Is Transmitted Through The Central
Conductor Of The Coaxial Speaker Cable, While The Outer Shield Serves As A
Ground. The Insulation Layer Between The Central Conductor And The Outer Shield
Prevents The Two From Touching And Shorting Out The Cable. The Outer Shield
Also Provides Protection From EMI And RFI, Which Can Cause Interference And
Degrade The Sound Quality.
3. Benefits Of Coaxial Speaker Cable
Coaxial Speaker Cable Offers Several Benefits Over Other
Types Of Audio Cables. First, It Provides Better Shielding From EMI And RFI,
Which Can Cause Distortion And Noise In The Audio Signal. This Makes Coaxial
Speaker Cable Ideal For Use In Areas With High Levels Of Interference, Such As
Near Power Lines Or Other Electronics.
Second, Coaxial Speaker Cable Has A Lower Capacitance Than
Other Types Of Audio Cables, Which Means It Can Transmit Higher Frequencies
More Accurately. This Makes Coaxial Speaker Cable Ideal For Use With High-End
Audio Systems Or In Applications Where Accurate Sound Reproduction Is Critical.
Finally, Coaxial Speaker Cable Is Easy To Install And Is
Available In A Wide Range Of Lengths And Configurations, Making It Suitable For
Use In A Variety Of Audio Systems.
4. Factors To Consider When Choosing Coaxial Speaker Cable
When Choosing Coaxial Speaker Cable, There Are Several
Factors To Consider. First, You'll Want To Choose A Cable With The Right Gauge
(Thickness) For Your System. Thicker Cables Have A Lower Resistance And Can
Carry More Current, Making Them Ideal For Larger Systems Or Longer Cable Runs.
Second, You'll Want To Choose A Cable With The Right
Impedance (Measured In Ohms) For Your System. Most Speakers Have An Impedance
Of 8 Ohms, So You'll Want To Choose A Cable With A Matching Impedance.
Finally, You'll Want To Consider The Quality Of The Cable. Look
For Cables Made From High-Quality Materials, Such As Oxygen-Free Copper (OFC)
Or Silver-Plated Copper, Which Offer Better Conductivity And Less Resistance.
5. Types Of Coaxial Speaker Cable
There Are Several Types Of Coaxial Speaker Cable To Choose
From, Including:
RG-6: This Is The Most Common Type Of Coaxial Cable And Is
Typically Used For Cable TV And Satellite Installations. It Has A Thicker
Conductor And Insulation Than Other Types Of Coaxial Cable And Is Suitable For
Longer Cable Runs.
RG-59: This Is A Thinner Coaxial Cable That Is Typically
Used For Video Signals. It Has A Lower Bandwidth Than RG-6 And Is Not Suitable
For Long Cable Runs.
Quad-Shielded: This Type Of Coaxial Cable Has Four Layers Of
Shielding, Providing Even Better Protection From EMI And RFI Than Standard
Coaxial Cable.
Plenum-Rated: This Type Of Coaxial Cable Is Suitable For Use
In Air Handling Spaces, Such As In Commercial Buildings Or Schools. It Has A
Special Insulation That Meets Fire Safety Codes And Is Less Likely To Release
Toxic Fumes In The Event Of A Fire.
6. How To Install Coaxial Speaker Cable
Installing Coaxial Speaker Cable Is A Relatively Simple
Process. First, Measure The Distance Between Your Amplifier Or Receiver And
Your Speakers To Determine The Length Of Cable You'll Need. Next, Choose The
Right Type Of Coaxial Cable For Your System And Cut The Cable To The
Appropriate Length.
Strip The Insulation From The Ends Of The Cable To Expose
The Central Conductor And The Outer Shield. Connect The Central Conductor To
The Positive (+) Terminal On Your Speaker And The Outer Shield To The Negative
(-) Terminal. Repeat This Process For Each Speaker In Your System.
7. How To Choose The Right Coaxial Speaker Cable
When Choosing Coaxial Speaker Cable, It's Important To
Choose A Cable That Is Appropriate For Your System. Consider The Distance
Between Your Amplifier Or Receiver And Your Speakers, The Impedance Of Your Speakers,
And The Power Requirements Of Your System. Look For Cables That Are Made From
High-Quality Materials And That Offer Adequate Shielding From EMI And RFI.
8. Common Misconceptions About Coaxial Speaker Cable
There Are Several Common Misconceptions About Coaxial
Speaker Cable, Including:
Coaxial Cable Is Only For TV Signals: While Coaxial Cable Is
Commonly Used For Cable TV And Satellite Installations, It Is Also A Popular
Choice For Audio Systems.
Thicker Cable Is Always Better: While Thicker Cable Can
Offer Lower Resistance And Better Conductivity, It Is Not Always Necessary For
Smaller Systems Or Shorter Cable Runs.
Expensive Cable Is Always Better: While High-Quality Cables
Can Offer Better Conductivity And Shielding, They Are Not Always Necessary For
Every System.
9. Maintenance And Troubleshooting Tips For Coaxial Speaker Cable
To Ensure Optimal Performance From Your Coaxial Speaker
Cable, It's Important To Keep It Clean And Free From Damage. Avoid Kinking Or
Bending The Cable, And Keep It Away From Heat Sources Or Other Electronics That
Could Cause Interference.
If You Experience Issues With Your Audio System, Such As
Distorted Or Noisy Sound, Check Your Coaxial Speaker Cable For Damage Or
Interference. You May Need To Replace The Cable Or Move It Away From Sources Of
Interference.
10. Frequently Asked Questions
What Is The Difference Between Coaxial And RCA Cables?
Coaxial Cables Are Designed For Transmitting High-Frequency
Signals, Such As Those Used In Audio Systems, While RCA Cables Are Designed For
Transmitting Low-Frequency Signals, Such As Those Used In Video Systems. Coaxial
Cables Have A Central Conductor Surrounded By A Shield, While RCA Cables Have
Two Conductors, One For The Signal And One For Ground.
Can I Use Coaxial Speaker Cable For My Subwoofer?
Yes, Coaxial Speaker Cable Can Be Used For A Subwoofer, As
Long As It Is Compatible With The Subwoofer's Impedance And Power Requirements.
Can I Use Different Types Of Speaker Cables For My System?
Yes, You Can Use Different Types Of Speaker Cables For Your
System, But It Is Important To Ensure They Are Compatible With Your Speakers
And Amplifier Or Receiver.
Does The Length Of The Cable Affect The Sound Quality?
Yes, The Length Of The Cable Can Affect The Sound Quality,
As Longer Cables Can Result In Signal Loss Or Other Issues. It Is Important To
Choose A Cable That Is The Appropriate Length For Your System.
Can I Make My Own Coaxial Speaker Cable?
Yes, It Is Possible To Make Your Own Coaxial Speaker Cable,
But It Can Be Challenging And Requires Specialized Tools And Knowledge. It May
Be More Cost-Effective And Easier To Purchase Pre-Made Coaxial Speaker Cable.
Conclusion
Coaxial Speaker Cable Is A Reliable And Popular Choice For
Connecting Audio Systems. It Provides High-Quality Signal Transmission,
Excellent Shielding From Interference, And Is Relatively Easy To Install. When Choosing
Coaxial Speaker Cable For Your System, Consider The Distance Between Your
Amplifier Or Receiver And Your Speakers, The Impedance Of Your Speakers, And
The Power Requirements Of Your System. Look For Cables Made From High-Quality
Materials And That Offer Adequate Shielding From EMI And RFI. By Following
These Tips, You Can Ensure Optimal Performance From Your Audio System And Enjoy
High-Quality Sound For Years To Come.
