Najboljša žica za zvočnik z vsemi merilniki – 2021
Katere so najboljše žice za zvočnike in kakšen premer žice resnično potrebujete?
Žica za zvočnik AWG. To je ena tistih tem, ki avdiofile spravijo pod ovratnik. Predstavljena je vrsta znanstvenih testov, analize domačih frekvenc in vseh vrst dokazov, da bi prepričali vse strani, da je premer žice zvočnika pomemben, in zvočni rezultati to potrjujejo.
Ali je vredno razburjenja? Ni presenetljivo, da se tisti, ki začnejo uporabljati hišni kino in HiFi, sprašujejo "Kakšen premer žice zvočnika naj uporabim?".
Če ste prebrali moje objave o stikalih za ojačevanje, ploščati zvočniški žici, banana vtičih in bi-wiringu, boste vedeli, da nimam ekstremnih pogledov na te stvari. Vsekakor mislim, da je pomembno, vendar nisem v taboru visoka cena =boljši zvok. Na splošno verjamem, da so zvok visoke ločljivosti, izjemno dragi kabli in najboljši bananasti vtiči iz čistega zlata, pridobljeni iz samega osrčja Solomonovih rudnikov, veliko manj pomembni od dobrih izvornih datotek, dobrega ojačanja in posebej dobrega para zvočnikov.
Vzemite pretočno glasbo Amazon Music in jo potisnite skozi odpadni HiFi ojačevalnik v par črno-belih ali Q akustičnih zvočnikov in stavim, da bo povprečnemu poslušalcu še vedno zvenelo precej dobro.
Opravil sem obsežno testiranje slušalk za visoke slušalke in to je pogosto povzročilo enak izhod. Kakovost končne dostave je bila vedno tista, ki je najbolj vplivala – to pomeni, da ni bil pomemben vir, ampak slušalke.
Ne bom zanikal, da dolžina kabla vpliva, vendar je najpomembnejše, koliko lahko tipično uho zazna tisto drugačnost.
S tem v mislih si poglejmo vsak priljubljeni premer žice zvočnika, ki je na voljo spodaj, in izberimo nekaj primerov od vsakega, da vidimo, katere premere žice zvočnika imate na voljo za uporabo. Poskušal bom vključiti nekaj zunanjih ljudi, saj je včasih razlika med priljubljenim kablom in ne najbolje prodajanim kablom v dojemanju blagovne znamke in ocenah.
Zato bomo ostali odprti.
Najprej si poglejmo nekaj osnov.
Kaj pomeni AWG?
Najosnovnejša oznaka AWG je kratica za ameriško merilo žice Znan je tudi pod imenom - Brown &Sharpe wire gauge, vendar predvidevam, da si je AWG lažje zapomniti.
AWG je standardizirana meritev katere koli okrogle polne žice. V našem pogovoru tukaj smo osredotočeni na žico zvočnikov AWG. Torej, če greste naprej, če vidite izraz AWG, ga je mogoče zamenjati z "merilnik žice zvočnika", saj bomo to tudi omenjali.
Kaj je zvočniška žica brez kisika?
Žica za zvočnike brez kisika ali OFC , se nanaša na bakreno žico, ki sestavlja kabel zvočnika. Baker je bil dan v poseben postopek rafiniranja, imenovan elektrolitsko rafiniranje . To pomeni, da ima izredno nizko vsebnost kisika v bakru, kar naj bi povzročilo veliko večjo prevodnost ali sposobnost prenosa zvoka pri največji zmogljivosti.
Najbližja analogija, na katero se spomnim, je pitje soda skozi slamico v primerjavi s pitjem vode skozi slamico. Dobiš več vode v slamico in v usta, saj v slamici ni ničesar drugega, kar bi motilo tekočo maso – pri gazirani pijači imaš vse te mehurčke v napoto. Enako velja za baker brez kisika – to pomeni, da je vsa žica tam brez motenj za prenos zvoka do cilja, tj. vaših HiFi zvočnikov.
Kaj je bakreno prevlečen aluminij (CCA)?
Z bakrom prevlečeno aluminijasto ožičenje ali CCA je aluminijasto ožičenje prevlečeno s tanko plastjo bakra. Ta vrsta žice pri uporabah, kot je ethernet, ima mešan odziv, vendar je za zvok veliko bolj priljubljena. Čeprav ima morda nekoliko manjšo fizično fleksibilnost pri upogibu, je prenos še vedno visok in učinkovit – prilagoditi morate premer žice zvočnika, saj ima večji upor. To pomeni, da morate kupiti manjšo številko AWG, da dobite enako odpornost kot žica OFC, npr. če ste po 12AWG OFC, bi morali izbrati 10-11 AWG CCA.
Izdelava je veliko cenejša, tako da za svoj denar dobite veliko več, nekatere znamke pa izdelujejo spodobne žice za zvočnike CCA.
Kakšen premer žice zvočnika potrebujem? Kako izberem?
Zanimivo, nižje kot je število AWG, debelejša je žica zvočnika. Zato je pomembno, da to najprej razumemo. Druga pomembna stvar, ki jo je treba upoštevati, je, da to pomeni v smislu odpornosti.
Na splošno je žica kalibra 12 dobra za situacije, ko boste morda morali iti na daljše razdalje ali če uporabljate nižjo impedanco, tj. 4 ali 6 ohmov (samo zaradi tega pogrešam svoj stari 4 ohmski kitarski ojačevalnik Messa Boogie ). Če sem iskren, ni veliko domačih avdio ljudi, ki napeljujejo žico tako daleč, da bi potrebovali kaliber 12, vendar osebno meni gre za žico za zvočnike. Delo z njim je preprosto boljše in bolj prevodno.
Če nameravate napeljati žico za manj kot približno 50-60 čevljev do 8-ohmskih zvočnikov (najpogostejši za HiFi in avdio zvočnike imajo nominalno impedanco 8 ohmov), potem boste lahko uporabili 14 ali 16 AWG žica ni problema. Zaradi tega je nekoliko cenejši in je tudi videti manj okoren, kar pomeni, da je lažje upravljati in vzdrževati čistejšo zvočno omarico.
Kaj je žica za zvočnik z oceno CL2 ali CL3?
Če nameravate žico zvočnika napeljati skozi stene, boste morali imeti žico AWG, ki jo je odobrila UL in je odobrena za to uporabo. To je certificirano posebej za polaganje kablov znotraj sten in je ocenjeno kot CL-2 ali CL-2 (razred 2 ali razred 3). Razred 3 za večino uporab ne bo potreben, vendar se za potrditev vedno posvetujte z lokalnim električarjem ali gradbenim strokovnjakom ali podobnim.
CL-2 običajno zadostuje za žice avdio zvočnikov na tipične HiFi zvočnike.
Odobritev UL je funkcija Laboratorija zavarovalnic. Njihova naloga je opazovati količino toplote, ki jo proizvede tok, ki teče skozi žico. Žica CL-3 prenese veliko več napetosti – več, kot potrebuje tipičen 8-ohmski zvočnik.
Underwriters Laboratory (UL) proučuje toploto, ki nastane zaradi toka, ki teče skozi obremenjeno žico. Zelo pomembno je, da ne tvegate požara. Zato je to pomembno upoštevati pri načrtovanju ožičenja v steni. Po potrebi se vedno posvetujte s strokovnjakom.
Kaj je število pramenov?
To je število bakrenih niti, ki so navite v bakreno žico zvočnika brez kisika. Marketinški hype? No, AWG je debelina žice, zato nisem prepričan, kako lahko to vpliva. Gre za manj pramenov, ki so debelejši, ali več pramenov, ki so tanjši.
V redu, tukaj je seznam.
Žica za zvočnike 12, 14, 16 in 18
Žica zvočnika premera 12 (12 AWG)
Pogosto najpogostejša žica za zvočnike v tipičnih trgovinah z elektroniko po dostopni ceni, čeprav je več kot potrebna za nekatere domače sisteme. Tudi takšen, ki ga kupi veliko domačih navdušencev, ko jim je bilo rečeno, da ga potrebujejo. Ustreza večini banana vtičev in polov na ojačevalnikih HiFi in domačem kinu. Tukaj je nekaj možnosti za vas:
1. Žica za zvočnik GearIT Pro Series 12AWG
Gear IT je sestavil tudi seznam žic za ploščate zvočnike. Trdna in dosledna proizvodnja proizvaja vrsto žic za zvočnike, ki so zadovoljile številne ljubitelje zvoka.
To je uporabno za domači kino (in avtomobilski zvok, če vas to zanima) in je na voljo v paketih od 50 čevljev do 200 čevljev. Na voljo v črni ali beli barvi.
Če takoj predlagate žico CCA, bi lahko zbrali nekaj mnenj, vendar je zelo dostopna in učinkovita, zato si zasluži mesto na seznamu. Zaradi doslednosti seznama sem vključil 12AWG skupaj, čeprav je odpornost nekoliko drugačna od žice OFC.
Žica za zvočnik GearIT Pro Series 12AWG2:Žica za zvočnike InstallGear 12 Gauge
To je 99,9 % bakreni kabel brez kisika (kot je večina kablov OFC AVG). Začenši z dolžino tuljave od 30 čevljev do 500 čevljev, boste imeli dovolj za kabelsko napeljavo vaše hiše, ni problema.
Tulec ni predebel, zato je z njim enostavno delati, vendar je dovolj trden, da prenese nekaj obrabe in zlorabe. Večina sistemov za domači kino in HiFi je tako ali tako nastavljenih in pozabite na napeljavo, zato verjetno ni potrebna njihova zmožnost prenašanja zapiranja vrat.
The nice thing about the InstallGear 12 gauge is it’s colour coded cable. It’s a subtle touch but makes it easy to get your polarity right. One cable is slightly more shaded than the next.
Important to all audio lovers is that it’s nice to work with and easy to strip the jacket to terminate the ends – it is so brownie points on that one.
InstallGear 12 Gauge Speaker Wire3:MaxBrite High Performance 12 Gauge Speaker Wire
The MaxBrite 12 gauge speaker wire is UL safety certified CL-2 rated for home and commercial use so it can be run inside walls. Available in 50-200 feet spools you have enough to get it around where you need it.
This is a 99.99% oxygen-free copper cable.
It has an easy to work with red stripe on one wire to assist in getting the polarity right. I usually find a bit of text is sufficient but it does make it easier. If you are not going to maintain a clean wire-free look the red line might bother you?
The rest of the sleeve is clear though and I personally like that too.
Solid price and good quality manufacturing make it a good choice.
MaxBrite High Performance 12 Gauge Speaker Wire14 Gauge Speaker Wire (14 AWG)
Getting slightly thinner than the 12 AWG and still offering increase distance over it’s bigger numbered siblings this is a good choice for 50+ feet distance. We’re going to include a CCA option and CL-2 rated wire at this gauge.
1:Mediabridge 14AWG Speaker Wire
The Mediabridge 14 gauge speaker wire is very affordable, you get a lot of it and it’s got that nice clear sleeve to it.
It comes in 100 feet spools which you can cut to whatever length you require and terminate with some similarly affordable banana plugs. Strand count is 41 and there are polarity markings on the wire every 2 feet so you get them phased correctly.
Definitely an affordable choice for installs less than 100 feet.
Mediabridge 14AWG Speaker Wire2:C&E 14AWG Speaker Wire – CL-2 Rated
Important to have a CL2 rated option in the 14 AWG options. This also comes in 12, 16 and 18 AWG if you’re interested. Also of note, this is an option in a white finish, unlike many others. This suits my living room very well.
Spool length is 50 up to 500 feet. It’s a 99.9% OFC 2-conductor speaker cable.
The CL-2 rating also makes this good for churches, schools, halls etc – not just home use.
C&E 14AWG Speaker Wire - CL-2 Rated3:InstallGear 14 Gauge Speaker Wire Speaker
A CCA cable, the InstallGear 14 AWG comes in 100ft or 500ft spools. I think a 50 feet could be a good idea but by the time you add your floorstanding speakers, centre speaker, surround speakers and maybe some Dolby Atmos speakers you’ll be getting through it quite nicely I expect.
This has even more vibrant coloured sleeves than it’s bigger 12 AWG brother. The 14 AWG has a nice vibrant blue and copper 2 conductor pairing.
While their 12 AWG boasts a 99.9% OFC, this is a CCA cable with a nice soft finish like it’s other siblings. This is really nice in the hand to hold and work with.
InstallGear 14 Gauge Speaker Wire Speaker16 Gauge Speaker Wire (16 AWG)
16 Gauge is where it really starts happening for most home HiFi set ups. There are plenty of choices at this gauge so I might throw in an extra one or two.
1:Mediabridge 16AWG Speaker Wire
Coming in 100 and 200 feet lengths the Mediabridge 16 gauge speaker wire is available in white color. This is oxygen free copper speaker cable with 66 strands
Polarity markings on the wire are every 3 feet and it’s perfect fit for banana plugs, spade tips or bent pin ends.
This is a CL-2 rated speaker wire for in wall use and also ETL listed, meaning it’s tested and certified for North American use.
Mediabridge 16AWG Speaker Wire2:InstallGear 16 Gauge Speaker Cable
It still seems like a good idea to have a CCA cable in the 16 gauge range also which is where InstallGear makes the list, yet again. Their distinct cable colouring changes here to include a red and copper pairing to ensure you don’t get your HiFi speakers out of phase.
This only comes in a 100 ft length and comes with the same nice soft touch outer sleeve on it, which as mentioned before is nice to worth with.
This is an affordable choice as it is a copper clad aluminum speaker wire and it’s unlikely you’ll notice any sound quality issues.
Easy to strip and compatible with any banana plugs or spade tips etc you might want to fit on.
InstallGear 16 Gauge Speaker Cable3:AmazonBasics 16-Gauge Stereo Speaker Wire Cable
The price of this is almost a mic drop and walk out of the room event. A 100 ft spool will set you back less than a round of Grande Lattes.
For the audiophiles in the room this is not an OFC cable. For the non-audiophiles in the room, I expect you won’t notice the lack of oxygen free copper on this speaker cabling.
It’s available in a 50 ft spool and a 14AWG also.
AmazonBasics 16-Gauge Stereo Speaker Wire Cable4:InstallGear 16 Gauge Speaker Wire OFC 100-feet
Seems unfair to put InstallGear in the list twice but this is their OFC Oxygen Free Copper 16AWG version of their speaker wire. It’s new to market.
The color coding for polarity is the same as the equivalent CCA cable listed above.
Like all the speaker cables on this list it is also suitable for car audio use but not CL-2 rated for in wall home use.
The soft touch external sleeve is not too fat and easy to manoeuvre around your home theatre or HiFi cabinet or stand.
InstallGear 16 Gauge Speaker Wire OFC 100-feet5:Next 16 Gauge Speaker Wire – 16 AWG UL Listed In-Wall (CL2/CL3)
Offering something a little more commercial is the Next 16AWG speaker cable with CL2 and CL3 rating for anyone needing very compliant speaker wire for a build.
The 2 conductor wires come in individual sleeves housed in an external jacket which also includes a ripcord for faster stripping for installation.
If your in the building trade and need a 500 ft pull box OFC 16 gauge wire this makes a good choice.
A great feature of the external sleeve is pre-printed room and termination point labels. The means things like Entry / Kitchen / BDR1 / BDR2 are already printed on the external sleeve so you just need to mark the wire and you’ll know where it needs to be run to, or where its been run from.
Also available in a 10AWG, 12AWG and 14AWG option.
Next 16 Gauge Speaker Wire - 16 AWG UL Listed In Wall (CL2/CL3)18 Gauge Speaker Wire (18 AWG)
Ending with the thinest speaker cable for this article we stop at the 18 gauge speaker wire which is about as small as I’d want to go short of connecting a couple of small computer speakers or a short connection to a HiFi amp or similar. Great for in-dash car use.
1:Pyramid Power 18 Gauge Speaker Wire – 100ft
This 100 ft spool of 18 gauge speaker wire from Pyramid Power is not an OFC cable which won’t bother most of you.
Plastic sleeve/jacket and a red line which will help with your polarity and ensure in-phase speakers.
A good clean choice for car audio or home theatre speaker use.
Pyramid Power 18 Gauge Speaker Wire - 100ft2:GearIT Pro Series 18 Gauge Speaker Wire
At 18 gauge the cost of speaker wire is going to get more affordable. So it is with the GearIT cable which, as a CCA cable is also cheaper than an OFC equivalent.
A CCA cable on a 100 ft spool it is also available in a 50ft and 200ft length. There are three colors – white, black and clear but not all lengths are available for all cables.
The fine strands of an 18AWG CCA mean it’s super easy to work with and easier to hide with the diameter coming in at about 0.04″.
Lifetime guarantee makes you know they back their products.
GearIT Pro Series 18 Gauge Speaker Wire3:Pyle 18-Gauge Speaker Wire – 50 ft Spool
Pyle audio are older than I am. They’ve been in the audio game. This is a 18 gauge zip wire on a 50 foot spool and it comes in under $10 which is very attractive.
Simple red line polarity marker and a high quality copper with spool makes it a super affordable choice for your home audio or in-car sound needs.
Pyle 18-Gauge Speaker Wire - 50 ft SpoolZaključek
If one speaker cable a lot like the other? At this price point and level, yes. The decisions you will make will be:
- CCA or OFC Cable
- What gauge (AWG) to go with – 12 Gauge tends to be my choice by default
- What price you’re willing to pay
- What length of speaker cable you need – 50ft/100ft/200ft/500ft/+
- What color you might need – this won’t apply to everyone
Ultimately, the above selection will all give the typical home theatre enthusiast or car audio lover a great sound. Don’t hurt yourself overthinking it.
At the very least, you could put some trust in the reviews on each product.
Enjoy your sound!