[Brodel]

Hi,

So I'm setting up my first separates system and want to connect some biwire to my speakers. I've read the CAT5e posts and now understand which cable to buy, what heat shrink is and how to use it, banana plugs etc. One thing I don't understand yet is how much cable to use.

It seems some people braid two sets, others 4 etc etc. What is the advantage of this, and can I not just use one length of cat5e cable with banana plugs at each end of the 4 wires within the CAT5 cable to save on time braiding lengths together and money on heat shrink? It's starting to add up quite a bit when you double your cable length and account for buying heat shrink etc.

thanks for any help.

[MarkTaylor]

The reason you need to braid it is to get enough copper as the cores in cat 5 are not all that thick so one single cable really won't do.

Which amp and speakers do you have?

[Brodel]

Ah okay, thanks for the reply. Is there anything stopping you from just braiding at each and and running two cat5 cables along side each other for each speaker to save on braiding the entire thing?

I'm going to be connection Wharfedale 9.1's to a Cambridge 540r.

[MarkTaylor]

I think Mr Incredible is one of the resident Cat 5 guru's so I'll let him comment on the need to braid, but from my understanding you'd want to be using 3 lengths of Cat 5 to get the sort of copper dimensions that would make sense, maybe 4 for the sub.

Alternative is to use Van Damme or similar which seems pretty popular around here.

I assume you've read the links here? :

CABLES FAQ/RESOURCES. Got a question? Check here first.