Optimum length of speaker cable

Posted by: John Schmidt on 15 February 2004

I'm running 32.5/Hicap/250 (old style) and NACA4 cable. The cable is about 6m long, which is way more than needed to get from the 250 to the speakers. She-who-must-be-obeyed really hates the sight of cables, particularly since we've just finished major redecoration and now have a living room that actually looks like something you'd invite friends over to enjoy.

I have two alternatives: 1) Stuff the excess cable under the cabinet housing the gear (what I'm doing now), 2) Trim the cable, respecting, of course, the minimum 3.5m stipulated by Naim for stable operation.

The unofficial Naim FAQ says that 10m is optimum, suggesting that sonically I'd be better off to keep the excess length. However, I understand that another principle in audio is that one should avoid coiling long lengths of cable to avoid signal degradation due to inductive effects. While the excess cable under the cabinet is not neatly coiled, one can't avoid having the cable fold back on itself several times.

Anyone have experience to share on this issue?

Cheers,

John Schmidt
"90% of everything is crud" - Theodore Sturgeon
Posted on: 15 February 2004 by Tuan
I think 4-5 m is better than 10 m.
Posted on: 15 February 2004 by Manu
John,

Any length of NACA5 is better than 10m of NACA4. Wink

Emmanuel
Euphonie

All opinions are my own, and reflect those of the organisation i work for, even if not stipulated.
Posted on: 16 February 2004 by AlanK
Hello John,

According to Richard of Naim UK:

"the minimum length for NACA5 is 3.5 metres per channel. Optimum length is around 5.5 - 6 metres. Maximum length is around 25 metres."

I was using 10 meters per channel initially. Now I cut it down to 6 meters per channel, and notice that there is more dynamic to the sound.

Alan
Posted on: 16 February 2004 by Goldstar
When was naca5 introduced? Trying to determine whether I have A4 or A5.

Cheers Robert
Posted on: 17 February 2004 by Nime
My wife likes tidying things up with tiewraps. The mixed bundle of loose cables becomes more manageable as a thick sausage under tight restraint. Purists will no doubt bemoan the mixing of different cables but rather that, than lose hifi privileges. Anything for a quiet(noisy) life.Big Grin


Nime

Everyone has the right to be wrong.
Posted on: 17 February 2004 by John Schmidt
Thanks for your input guys.

My default position is to leave the cable the length it is. The only concern I had was whether the unavoidable folding back of the cable upon itself under the cabinet would cause any signal degradation similar to what occurs due to induction when long lengths of cable are coiled.

Note to Manu: Replacing the existing cable with NACA5 is on a to-do list. Unfortunately, it's a long way down the list after things like replace the roof and put my kids through university!

Cheers,

John Schmidt
"90% of everything is crud" - Theodore Sturgeon