Can The Coaxial Cable Be Used For Speaker Wire?
Coaxial cable is a versatile communication wire that can even be used as a speaker wire. Or can it? Is it worth converting the coax wire into a coaxial speaker cable or use a specialized a coaxial audio cable in speakers? Read this blog to find out.
Common Applications Of A Coaxial Cable
A coax cable is used for the transmission of radio frequency signals. In practice, it implies a whole range of very different applications.
Coaxial cables are commonly used:
- For Carrying Audio And Video Signals
- In Cable Television CATV
- In CCTV
- For Wired Internet
- In Modems
- For Broadcasting
- In HDTV
- As A Speaker Cable for Audio Transmission
- For Subwoofers
- In Test Equipment
- In Satelite Dish Connections to Receivers
- In Radio Frequency (RF) Applications
Using Coaxial Cable As A Speaker Wire
As the list of coax cable applications demonstrates, a coax cable is perfect for a wide range of broadband, audio, and video frequency applications. A coaxial cable can also be used as a speaker cable, though it might not seem obvious to everyone. In fact, a coax cable is used in speakers quite often, though a regular speaker cable is a way more popular and obvious choice.
Pros of Coaxial Speaker Cable
- A coaxial cable has thicker insulation and conductors that demonstrate less signal loss compared to other audio cables. Thickness also makes coaxial audio cables more durable, and they are less prone to damage due to various environmental conditions.
- You can carry a coax speaker wire for longer distances than a regular speaker wire, and it generally carries more power. This is great for large-scale audio installations, such as theaters and outdoor venues, or large residential properties, where speakers must be placed far from the audio source.
- A coaxial cable provides a higher quality of sound than regular speaker wires laid in parallel. Their construction helps to protect the signal from noise and interference, which can distort sound quality. This results in clearer and more accurate audio reproduction, which is especially noticeable in high-fidelity audio systems. Coax cables also offer high data transfer speeds.
- The unique structure of coaxial cables, consisting of a central conductor surrounded by a tubular insulating layer, metallic shield, and an outer insulating layer, minimizes signal attenuation (loss) over long distances. This means that coaxial cables can maintain signal integrity better than standard speaker wires, especially over longer runs, making them ideal for large venues or multi-room audio setups.
- Using coaxial cables in audio setups provides more flexibility in system design. Their ability to function effectively over long distances and through complex routing scenarios without significant signal loss allows audio system designers to be more creative and expansive in laying out their installations.
Cons Of A Coax Cable In Speakers
- Typical coaxial cables have an impendance of 50 ohms or 75 ohms, which does not fit well with regular speakers, which have an impendance of 14-16 ohms. Coaxial audio cables with non-regular impendance can help avoid this issue.
- Coaxial cables are much more expensive compared to regular speaker wires.
- Coaxial cables are of higher weight and are less flexible as a result. For this reason, they don't work as great in tight spaces and within walls. However, this issue can be solved if you use a special flexible coax cable with a braided exterior conductor made of fine wires).
- Coaxial cables take longer to install compared to regular speaker wires. DIY guides available online might be inconsistent. The coaxial audio cable requires precise cutting, stripping, and shielding to maintain its integrity and performance, which can only be possible with the proper tools and expertise.
- Coaxial cables are bulky and more difficult to conceal than other audio cables.
- For most typical home audio setups, the advanced features of coaxial cables, such as extensive shielding and robust construction, may be unnecessary. The simpler and more cost-effective standard speaker wire is usually sufficient for these applications.
- Coaxial audio cables don't have the bandwidth that is needed to support the newest high-quality audio formats, such as Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio for home theaters. HDMI is the best cable for these purposes.
Which Types Of Coaxial Cables Work Best For Speakers?
Choosing the best coax speaker boils down to the gauge. Currently, RG11 is the best option for speakers as it has an optimal size of 14 AWG. This size does not compromise the quality of the sound at typical lengths of using speaker cables in the house.
Other cables are not the optimal option. RG58 and RG59 will not work because their small gauge makes it impossible to run the sound at long distances. RG-6 cables are not recommended for use because of their metal shielding. Shielded design is to be avoided with speakers.
For high-level speaker signals, it is best to use high-power coax cables, like RG213/U.
While its perfectly fine to use standard coaxial cables as long as you are aware of their potential shortcomings, it may be even more useful to use coaxial audio cables. These are the subtype of coaxial cables specifically marketed for audio signals. While they share a similar coaxial construction, the specifics can vary to better suit audio transmission. For instance, they might be designed to handle lower frequencies or balanced audio signals. These cables also have lower impendance and are suitable for line-level audio signals.
When To Use Coaxial Cables For Speaker Wire?
- Long Distance Runs
- High-Interference Environments
- High-Power Applications
- Permanent Installations (including outdoor ones)
- Low-power Signals (e.g. sending audio to powered speakers). Powered speakers have internal amplifiers capable of handling the power amplification internally.
When Not To Use Coaxial Cables For Speaker Wire?
- Standard Home Audio Setups ( because of high cost, low distances, and the fact that the installation is more difficult)
- Cost-Sensitive Projects
- Complex Installations Requiring Flexibility (Unless it is a flexible coax cable)
- Systems Requiring Specific Impedance Matching
- DIY Projects and Quick Setups
Digital vs. Coax -Which Has Better Sound Quality?
Both digital audio cables and optical audio cables are good in terms of sound quality, and most casual users will not notice a difference in their setups.
There are some subtle differences:
- Coaxial cables have higher bandwidth, which improves sound quality in some cases.
- Some devices might experience lower jitter with coaxial connections. These may include CD players, DACs, and AV receivers.
- Conversely, some devices might exhibit higher jitter levels with optical cables.
- Optical cables are nearly immune to various noise types, unlike coaxial cables, and they offer complete ground isolation, protecting against ground noise and power surges.
- Additionally, certain equipment might allow coaxial connections to support higher sample rates, often up to or exceeding 24/300k, while many optical connections max out at 24/96k. This limitation is typically due to specific hardware rather than an inherent difference.
- Coaxial connections can sound better than optical precisely because they support higher bandwidth and higher audio quality.
- Coaxial cables are sturdier and more difficult to install compared to digital audio cables.
Afterword
All in all, it is perfectly fine to use a coaxial cable as a speaker wire unless a few disadvantages are not critical for you. However, with the abundance of high-quality speaker wires on the market, converting your coaxial cable to a speaker wire or buying a specialized coaxial audio cable might not be necessary.
The decision whether to convert the coaxial cable to speaker wire is entirely up to you. If you decide to use a coaxial cable as a speaker cord, go for variations with improved flexibility, the so-called flexible coax cables. There are plenty of options for that variation on the market.
While a coaxial cable might not be the orthodox choice for the speaker wire and choosing a regular speaker wire is the all-around safest option, a coaxial wire is an excellent choice when it comes to the Internet, carrying audio and video signals, and TV. Nassau National Cable carries an extensive range of high-quality coaxial wire and cable at excellent prices.
