www.blucubespeakers.co.uk
Additional resistance has an increasingly negative effect on sound quality of
a speaker. The sound becomes less dynamic, the definition of the bass
frequencies can be reduced and, in more extreme cases, the high
frequencies can be attenuated. Amplifier power is wasted in the wire,
reducing the maximum power output of the system.
You may find the following chart helpful when deciding on the appropriate
wire gauge for your installation.
Running Speaker wires
Each BluCube loudspeaker will require a separate two-core speaker cable
run from the speaker to the chosen location of your amplifier. In the case of
the CXC-650-S (a single-stereo loudspeaker incorporating both left and
right channels) you must treat this as a pair and run two 2-core speaker
cables from the speaker to the amplifier.
Running cables during a renovation or a new construction project is
obviously more straightforward than running cables after decoration has
been completed. Here are some thoughts on how to make the wiring easier
and most discrete.
Are you using a regular infra-red controlled amplifier?
An infra-red controlled amplifier requires line of sight between the infra-red
remote control and the infra-red receiver. This means the amplifier needs to be
on display or an infra-red extender needs to be used to relay the infra-red signal
to the amplifier. The location of the amplifier in this case is determined by the
control system and is thus less flexible in terms of the cable runs.
Are you using a wireless-controlled amplifier?
If you use a system such as Sonos
®
, that uses wireless technology for remote
control and audio distribution, you can position the amplifier in a location that
minimises cable runs as well as the disruption to the decor of your property. For
example, in the case of Sonos
®
, you could locate the amplifier in a cupboard,
adjacent room, or even the attic. This is because the amplifier does not need to
be visible in order for it to be controlled as it is controlled and receives the audio
content wirelessly. For more information visit
www.blucubespeakers.co.uk/sonos.
Wire resistance (Ohms) versus length of cable run
Cable Length (metres)
Wire Gauge
15m
30m
45m
60m 75m 90m
20 gauge
0.86
1.73
2.59
3.45 4.32 5.18
18 gauge
0.65
1.30
1.94
2.59 3.24 3.89
16 gauge
0.43
0.85
1.28
1.71 2.14 2.56
14 gauge
0.27
0.54
0.81
1.08 1.35 1.62
12 gauge
0.17
0.34
0.51
0.68 0.85 1.02
10 gauge
0.11
0.22
0.33
0.44 0.56 0.67