Cable Dressing - yet again

Posted by: mykel on 11 June 2001

I've done some searching on the forum.
Basically the "rules" seem to be ...

Keep Power and signal cables seperate.
Cross cables at right angles if necessary to reduce interference.
Let signal cables "hang" in free air as opposed to zip tying.
Use bubble wrap or similar to provide accustic isolation - ie speaker cable along floor.
Suspend speaker cables where possible - ie bubble wrap pads on floor or suspended by elastic bands.
Keep L&R speaker cables apart as far as possible.

Now keeping in mind that many of us have sub-optimal listening enviornments - we make due with what we have.

If you don't have the room to have all cables seperate what is the "best comprimise"
What do you do with excess cables ? Sometimes it is just not possible to follow the "rules" - even tho we wish we could. ie. My rack in to the right of the speakers, ( nothing between the speakers )I have several feet of excess speaker cable - how do I tidy this up - especially if coiling or zig-zagging and zip tying is a no-no.

Same with extra power cable, signal cables length. What do you do with the extra length? If I let it drop it ends up bunched up on the floor, and I don't have the room to "stretch it out" ( My listening room is about 10' x 11' / 3m x 3.2m )

Any help would be greatly appreciated... and be ready for more questions !!!!

thank-you all - yet again

The guy with too many questions....

mykel

Posted on: 11 June 2001 by Mike Hanson

Whatever you do, don't coil it. Perhaps you can suspend to middle up in a "W" configuration.

-=> Mike Hanson <=-

Posted on: 11 June 2001 by Andrew L. Weekes

I wouldn't get too hung up over cable dressing. Whilst it's effects are audible, the surface your kit sits on will have a far greater effect than whether your speaker cable is cable tied.

I fold the excess cable back upon itself and tie or tape it in place - it works fine.

The interconnects (SNAICS) are more greatly affected by dressing, but it's going to the nth degree. My system, whilst adressing these issues, is far from ideal, yet I still enjoy it enormously.

Try this tip - with no music playing, crank the volume to full, then adust the interconnect / mains cabling for minimum noise / hum etc. This process is simple and effective, particularly with phono inputs. I also find the advice of not overtightening Din's beneficial.

Andy.

Andrew L. Weekes

Posted on: 15 June 2001 by Rockingdoc

I've found that it helps to keep signal cables away from big chunks of metal, like radiators and window frames. Also keep them away from any tuner/tv aerial leads, as these seem to degrade the sound in my system.