Speaker cable is an important element of your home audio system. It makes an electrical connection between your loudspeakers and your audio amplifier. It consists of two or more individual electrical conductors and individual insulation. Speaker cable has different qualities. The highest-quality wire is a multi-stranded speaker cable that is made of twisted-pair copper.
The gauge and cross sectional area of speaker wire are important factors to consider. The smaller the cross section of the wire, the greater the resistance. Copper is the most common conductor material, but you can also use aluminum and other metals. Copper is expensive and easy to bend. Copper is also the most common material for speaker wire.
Speaker cable comes in two-conductor and four-conductor models. The latter are usually used for external volume control or multiple speakers in the same room. The best cable for your home audio system is the one with the lowest cost-performance ratio. In general, speaker cables with a lower gauge are more reliable and cost-efficient.
While speaker cables are similar to guitar cables, they serve different purposes. Choosing the right type for your system will make a huge difference in how well your speakers sound. Different people have different sound preferences, so the gauge and length of your speaker wire should match.