Audio from amp to speakers using CAT5e?

New Start Neil

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Hi all,

I'm getting closer to finishing my setup, and I'm now in a position to plumb in the surround speakers (Jamo A102s), and someone has suggested using CAT5e cable.

Now I'm a complete novice when it comes to wiring, so I'd appreciate any comments/thoughts on using CAT5 cable (inc an idiot's guide if possible! :D )

I'm planning on running it from my Denon 1906 amp to all 4 surround speakers and the centre speaker.

Cheers. :)
 
Not a bright idea, the current loading on the cable would be exceed BIG time + the cable is of a low grade, first thing to notice will total lack of bass.
First source of reading http://www.homecinemachoice.com/art...icles/PowerAmpsExploded/PowerAmpsExploded.php note the amount of amps comming out? = Large cable.
Some VERY good advice http://www.homecinemachoice.com/articles/wvarticles/hardware/200211.php as it states "Don't buy any old cheap and nasty speaker cable as this can dramatically affect sound quality."
You have just spent loads of money do not ruin it now.
 
Not a bright idea, the current loading on the cable would be exceed BIG time + the cable is of a low grade, first thing to notice will total lack of bass.
First source of reading http://www.homecinemachoice.com/art...icles/PowerAmpsExploded/PowerAmpsExploded.php note the amount of amps comming out? = Large cable.
Some VERY good advice http://www.homecinemachoice.com/articles/wvarticles/hardware/200211.php as it states "Don't buy any old cheap and nasty speaker cable as this can dramatically affect sound quality."
You have just spent loads of money do not ruin it now.

Thanks for that, I'm also looking at Richer Sounds list of cabling that they offer, but it is all a bit of a minefield for me. :oops:

http://www.richersounds.com/productlist.php?cda=productlist&sgroup=SPEAKERESSENTIALS2
 
Not a bright idea, the current loading on the cable would be exceed BIG time + the cable is of a low grade, first thing to notice will total lack of bass.
First source of reading http://www.homecinemachoice.com/arti...psExploded.php note the amount of amps comming out? = Large cable.
Some VERY good advice http://www.homecinemachoice.com/arti...are/200211.php as it states "Don't buy any old cheap and nasty speaker cable as this can dramatically affect sound quality."
You have just spent loads of money do not ruin it now.

Think people that use CAT5 would dissagree with that somewhat.

CAT5 is a good option. Lets not get into a cable debate, dont believe everything you read. im sure someone will post a guide on how to do it later.
 
Think people that use CAT5 would dissagree with that somewhat.

CAT5 is a good option. Lets not get into a cable debate, dont believe everything you read. im sure someone will post a guide on how to do it later.


Azzin go to the search button above and type CAT5 :smashin:

It is an excellent idea in fact to use CAT5 as speaker cable. Also check out the Cable FAQs posted by Spectre :

http://www.avforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=241191

As for CAT5 not being able to take high loads - :lease: , you simply multiply the amount of CAT5 wires you use ie for 3 to 6 CAT5 cables combined. Plenty of reading above and dont wish to get into an argument so good luck old boy.
 
Some VERY good advice http://www.homecinemachoice.com/articles/wvarticles/hardware/200211.php as it states "Don't buy any old cheap and nasty speaker cable as this can dramatically affect sound quality.".

To be clear, this doesn't say that the more you spend the better it gets. Just that wire of tiny cross-sectional area (like small bell-wire) will be a bad buy. You need to spend very little more than bell-wire to get very good performance. Using multiple runs of CAT5 is certainly in that camp, and it is actually very very good cable to start with (Cat5e is good from DC to >a 100Mhz, is fully twisted pair, so rejects inteference, and each conductor is insulated from every other one)

Cheers

Greg
 
I use Cat5 on all my speakers. Excellent reproduction.

cat5_cabling.gif
 
The shorter lengths are fairly easy to braid into a nice compact form. If you have the right wire strippers (I didn't!) then you could knock up a length in about 30 minutes tops. The longer lengths are very difficult to braid, even if starting in the middle and braiding twice to each end. In the nd I just loosley braided and then covered them in a braided tube affair that can be slipped over the cable and then smoothed tight.

Be warned though, 6 lengths of cat5 cable for the rears is not thin. Sure, I madeit look neat with the braiding, but it's still pretty thick.
 
An alternative is not to braid at all for the longer lengths, especially if they are out of sight. For my rears I simply ran the cables parallel and used electricians tape to keep them aligned. Took very little time. I did braid the fronts, which were 6 runs for each side, and configured as a bi-wire. That took a little longer, but with a friend to help, it was still well under an hour for both sides.

Greg
 
ive got some cat5e LSZH cable left from when i made up my cables, im really happy with it, ive made several set ups with it, made some more just last week actually.
Let me know if you want to buy some, will be cheaper than buying by the metre from maplins or wherever. :)
 
ive got some cat5e LSZH cable left from when i made up my cables, im really happy with it, ive made several set ups with it, made some more just last week actually.
Let me know if you want to buy some, will be cheaper than buying by the metre from maplins or wherever. :)

Is it ready to connect up? :smashin:
 
Is it ready to connect up? :smashin:

well, atm its just straight off the reel.

what config are you looking for?
ie, single wire, biwire, biamp ?

its straightforward to do, just time consuming.
 

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