Standard speaker cable vs Aftermarket

Galaxie390 · 17th September 2013, 13:58

Hi Folks,

I'm looking for everyone's opinion on speaker cable.

I'm planning to swap out my symphony, with stock speakers, cable etc. with a single DIN headunit and 2-way component speakers in the front doors at first.

Eventually, I would like to fit components all round and an underseat subwoofer. I'm not going mad, I just want a bit more 'soul'!

How limiting is the stock speaker cabling? Is it worthwhile runing beefier cables, if so, what size?

Thanks,
Rich

GeraintUK · 17th September 2013, 14:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by Galaxie390

Hi Folks,

I'm looking for everyone's opinion on speaker cable.

I'm planning to swap out my symphony, with stock speakers, cable etc. with a single DIN headunit and 2-way component speakers in the front doors at first.

Eventually, I would like to fit components all round and an underseat subwoofer. I'm not going mad, I just want a bit more 'soul'!

How limiting is the stock speaker cabling? Is it worthwhile runing beefier cables, if so, what size?

Thanks,
Rich

In a word, it's not worth it unless it is a competition system you are putting in place.
I used to fit audio for a professional car audio company and it really isn't worth the hassle unless you have to run cable due to there not being any there in the first place.

Give it a little thicker stuff from an amp to a sub only because you have to, but on my current build i've made a new loom that runs from the amps in the boot to an ISO socket behind the headunit so when the amps are fitted I just need to unplug from headunit and plug into amps and utilise existing wiring.

I don't scimp when I feel it makes a big difference, but i'd challenege you to audibly be able to tell the difference and I use rather expensive Amps and speakers.

Some will disagree, but unless you need to run them, i'd stay clear.
Of course, means you have to mount crossovers in the doors as you won't have the spare feed but there is a space providing you get a suitabily sized set of crossovers.

HTH
Geraint.

Galaxie390 · 17th September 2013, 16:19

Hi Geraint,

Thank for your info. I would be inclined to agree.

I'll fit up the hardware I have planned, and sure, if I'm board one day I could have a look, but prob not worth the bother.

Have you come across any reasonable under-seat type subs that fit ok and work ok too?

Thanks,
Rich

GeraintUK · 17th September 2013, 16:30

i've heard good things about the VIBE underseat sub.

Search Gazza190 posts as he's just fitted one in the rear of his tourer and I plan on doing the same with the passive version (his is active).

Also heard the Alpine is pretty good for the size as well.

They'll never beat a 10, 12 or 15 sub in a large enclosure, but they are a hassle taking up all the space.

I'm going to fit a vibe for day to day use (it's an 8" jobby), but leave it with a banana plug port so I can put in my 12" ADS sub for when I know I want loud sound (like a show or long trip etc). Hopefully best of both worlds then

coolcat · 17th September 2013, 16:56

Same as Geraint, really not worth doing for the minimal gains vs hassle doing it

Unless you are going 'full on' with high end components, amps, door treatment etc you would struggle to discern any difference with the oem cables over high end ofc cable.
Put the money you saved on cabling into investing a little more on speakers etc for more worthwhile gains

MangoMan · 17th September 2013, 19:46

This is the Subwoofer I want to install eventually..... I've heard really good things about these!

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Pioneer-TS-W.../dp/B0036YEWHO

http://www.pioneer.eu/eur/products/2...210A/page.html

Jakg · 17th September 2013, 19:51

Unless you have a large amp, there really is no point - it's not very expensive but getting the cables through the doors is a PROPER PITA!

So no, not "worth" it. However, larger cables = less resistances, which will make it sound better. But whether you'd notice it, I doubt it...

Having said all that, I've done it. I just like using OTT speaker wire everywhere - all the mids in my car are wired up with 2.5mm² cable as is my 500w home cinema system downstairs.

17th September 2013, 13:58	#1
Galaxie390 Regular poster 2002 Conn SE Tourer CDT auto Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Naas, Co Kildare Posts: 72 Thanks: 4 Thanked 5 Times in 4 Posts	Standard speaker cable vs Aftermarket Hi Folks, I'm looking for everyone's opinion on speaker cable. I'm planning to swap out my symphony, with stock speakers, cable etc. with a single DIN headunit and 2-way component speakers in the front doors at first. Eventually, I would like to fit components all round and an underseat subwoofer. I'm not going mad, I just want a bit more 'soul'! How limiting is the stock speaker cabling? Is it worthwhile runing beefier cables, if so, what size? Thanks, Rich __________________ To Do: towbar,, stereo & speakers, autobox 'funny' behaviour (2-3 upshift delaying to 2800rpm, clunk on rev to forward change), FBH pcb & timer, rust proof, drivers cup holder. Done: Full service,airbag dcu,pcv valve,aux belts, front discs & pads, 2 x rear springs, engine fan, cleaned plenum, plenum spyhole mod, bonnet catch divider mod, bonnet catches lubed, second key, x-power upgrade, aircon recharge,2nd acc socket, winter tyres on 15" rims, strut bearings, spring protectors,

17th September 2013, 16:19	#3
Galaxie390 Regular poster 2002 Conn SE Tourer CDT auto Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Naas, Co Kildare Posts: 72 Thanks: 4 Thanked 5 Times in 4 Posts	Hi Geraint, Thank for your info. I would be inclined to agree. I'll fit up the hardware I have planned, and sure, if I'm board one day I could have a look, but prob not worth the bother. Have you come across any reasonable under-seat type subs that fit ok and work ok too? Thanks, Rich __________________ To Do: towbar,, stereo & speakers, autobox 'funny' behaviour (2-3 upshift delaying to 2800rpm, clunk on rev to forward change), FBH pcb & timer, rust proof, drivers cup holder. Done: Full service,airbag dcu,pcv valve,aux belts, front discs & pads, 2 x rear springs, engine fan, cleaned plenum, plenum spyhole mod, bonnet catch divider mod, bonnet catches lubed, second key, x-power upgrade, aircon recharge,2nd acc socket, winter tyres on 15" rims, strut bearings, spring protectors,

17th September 2013, 16:56	#5
coolcat This is my second home Audi Q3 TDI S-Line Quattro Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Clacton On Sea/On the boat somewhere Posts: 51,162 Thanks: 9,890 Thanked 12,235 Times in 8,232 Posts	Same as Geraint, really not worth doing for the minimal gains vs hassle doing it Unless you are going 'full on' with high end components, amps, door treatment etc you would struggle to discern any difference with the oem cables over high end ofc cable. Put the money you saved on cabling into investing a little more on speakers etc for more worthwhile gains __________________ Jeff.

17th September 2013, 19:46	#6
MangoMan This is my second home Looking.... Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: England Posts: 10,911 Thanks: 862 Thanked 1,111 Times in 868 Posts	This is the Subwoofer I want to install eventually..... I've heard really good things about these! http://www.amazon.co.uk/Pioneer-TS-W.../dp/B0036YEWHO http://www.pioneer.eu/eur/products/2...210A/page.html __________________ *Regards, Bill - (MangoMan).* (Member 00854) http://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/...d.jpg~original

17th September 2013, 16:30	#4
GeraintUK Passed Away MG ZT-T 160 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Chester Posts: 1,307 Thanks: 64 Thanked 222 Times in 145 Posts	i've heard good things about the VIBE underseat sub. Search Gazza190 posts as he's just fitted one in the rear of his tourer and I plan on doing the same with the passive version (his is active). Also heard the Alpine is pretty good for the size as well. They'll never beat a 10, 12 or 15 sub in a large enclosure, but they are a hassle taking up all the space. I'm going to fit a vibe for day to day use (it's an 8" jobby), but leave it with a banana plug port so I can put in my 12" ADS sub for when I know I want loud sound (like a show or long trip etc). Hopefully best of both worlds then

17th September 2013, 19:51	#7
Jakg This is my second home N/A Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Suffolk Posts: 6,867 Thanks: 0 Thanked 397 Times in 302 Posts	Unless you have a large amp, there really is no point - it's not very expensive but getting the cables through the doors is a PROPER PITA! So no, not "worth" it. However, larger cables = less resistances, which will make it sound better. But whether you'd notice it, I doubt it... Having said all that, I've done it. I just like using OTT speaker wire everywhere - all the mids in my car are wired up with 2.5mm² cable as is my 500w home cinema system downstairs.