Zones & Cables

[tnr]

What caliber cables should be used to run to 2nd/3rd zones? Are there reasonable cables for running 50 or more feet? I realize there are probably hundreds of options, but I am just looking for recommendations for a decent cable at a reasonable price. Thanks for your help!

[Cal Blacksmith]

I suppose it depends on how much magic is in the wire or at least how much one may think is in the wire.

At 50 feet, 14 gauge speaker wire or zip cord is what I would run but then I do not put much magic in the wire. No I have not used the super expensive stuff but I did try with O2 free copper, 10 gauge and down, my old ears did not hear a difference. Someone else may I suppose.

[tnr]

I was referring to the RCA style audio component interconnect cables for supplying to a 2nd amp or receiver from a primary AVR or processor, so the same source material can be played on multiple floors, or outside. Are you saying you are using speaker wire for this and putting your own ends on it, or are you just using it to supply speakers in another room?

[Cody_Mack]

Have not researched this but they are making devices to transmit signals over Ethernet cables, for distance up to 100 meters. Here's one: http://www.monoprice.com/Product?c_id=101&cp_id=10105&cs_id=1010502&p_id=3597&seq=1&format=2

Google audio over cat5

You can probably find one that will carry HDMI, if you wanted digital signal.

Rick

Edited June 24, 2014 by tubes-n-horns

[Rivervalleymgb]

I use Cat5e for making my own RCA interconnects for such distances. Twisted wire does cut down on the noise. Two Cat5e cables, use the white with stripes for -, and the colored wires for +; or the other way around. I twist the cables with a drill motor. You will need more than 50' for a 50' cable, to account for the twisting of the cables. hope that makes sense! I should also state that my ears don't hear a lot of difference at this age, so zip cord should be fine also and be the easiest. Making cables from Cat5e is a lot of work, but one guaranteed to eliminate cable noise. Obviously twisted wire is necessary to protect the signal in data transfer, and does the same for signals other than data. You can also slip a wiring shield over this cabling if you are crossing power wiring. Make sure that any cable you run does not run parallel, or alongside, of power cables. If you must cross power wiring, do so at a right angle to the power wires.

Remember that at 50', you are reaching the limit on HDMI without amplification. I never understood (yes, I know it has to do with profits of designing a new connector) why consumers didn't force the use of ethernet cabling for all digital signals. The use of Cat5 would have made everything easier for all of us!

[dDave]

I run two 14 gauge wires at lengths of 54' each to my surround speakers and it definitely works just fine. I wouldn't recommend running anything more than 10' for main speakers.

Yeah, and when running wire I always give it a couple feet extra just to have some breathing room. This would be especially important if you're twisting the cable as it will effectively be a bit shorter.

Remember that at 50', you are reaching the limit on HDMI without amplification. I never understood (yes, I know it has to do with profits of designing a new connector) why consumers didn't force the use of ethernet cabling for all digital signals. The use of Cat5 would have made everything easier for all of us!

Very true. I run both amplified HDMI and CAT5 for sending digital signals in a dual projector setup at my church, both are extremely useful in the right situation. It's a shame that CAT5/CAT6 didn't become the standard because it's able to go a lot longer without any help.

Edited July 7, 2014 by dDave