Why is there a ~$60 difference between these 100ft 12awg 1/4″ audio cables?

[Ty Ford]

Hello Greg and welcome to the Cow Audio Forum.

It appears as though the less expensive one is zip cord (like lamp cord) and the other one is coaxial like a guitar cord. There’s some fancy talk about oxygen free cable. Dunno what to tell you about that. If it’s just for speakers, get the cheap cable.

Regards,

Ty Ford

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[Greg Happersteen]

The cable would be for passive PA speakers powered by an amp for event setups. There would be runs of varying lengths from 100ft and 250ft.

Both types of cable that I linked to heavy duty 12awg cable, not the cheap lamp cord type of cable (20awg).

That’s why I’m scratching my head as to the price difference.

Granted, for most event setups, I’ve only seen cables with durable black sleeves, but not cables with clear sleeves. Maybe the clear sleeves aren’t as durable?

Not sure what the oxygen free cable means either. Special corrosion prevention, or sales gimmick?

[Ty Ford]

[Greg Happersteen] “Both types of cable that I linked to heavy duty 12awg cable, not the cheap lamp cord type of cable (20awg).
“

I never said it was lamp cord, I said it was LIKE lamp cord and I can read pretty well, thanks. I know what you said. 🙂

You haven’t seen 12 awg zip cord? I have. The other appears to be coaxial which may offer a modicum of shielding. As you continue to research the situation, I’m sure you find out a lot about oxygen free this and that.

Regards,

Ty Ford

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[Will Salley]

The more expensive black cable is designed for more for rigorous use such as nightly road shows where the cable is subjected to people, beer and road cases.

The clear jacketed cable is best suited for fixed installations – but should perform equally as well – unless it’s subjected to repeated conditions described above.

Also, although they look identical, the connectors MAY be different – but not a $60 diff. There seems to be a lot of hype and snake oil when it comes to cables, especially signal cables. Some esoteric manufacturers even claim that they have “directionality” in the copper itself. Now it’s all about the power cables, with some even charging $350 for a basic 6 ft. IEC power cable. Those bozos don’t mention that it gets plugged into a 75 cent wall receptacle!

If you learn some soldering basics, you can make your own version of that same cable for about $20 in components.

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[John Livings]

Hi All,

I have used these for a few years now.

The price is for 2.

https://www.speakerrepair.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Category_Code=ts-ts-spkr-cable

Regards, John

[Jordan Wolf]

I recommend looking at the bulk offerings from these dealers:

Audiopile.net

CamelTraders

Buy a 1000ft. spool and make your own – you’ll save money and learn something in the process…if you don’t want to go that route, either place also has good prices for ready-made cables.

Wolf
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[Richard Crowley]

They are BOTH overpriced. Cable is NOT magic. Don’t throw your money away on something that makes absolutely no difference.

[Joel Servetz]

Everything I’ve ever read about oxygen free cables says it’s all bunk, mostly sales hype. Get good quality cables with good soldered (not molded) connectors, treat them well and they should last you for many years. I have 50 and 100 foot speaker cables that have lasted for 10 – 15 years, some even longer.

Joel Servetz
RGB Media Services, LLC
Sarasota, Fl
videobyjoel@aol.com

[Ty Ford]

For speaker wire, I prefer tack welding automobile jumper cables to the appropriate terminals. The tough part is not blowing up the circuitry attached, but it’s soooo worth it.

Regards,

Ty Ford

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[Greg Happersteen]

Thanks for all the input folks 🙂

I ended up going with 12awg 100ft of this cable, which ran about $80:

https://accessories.musiciansfriend.com/product/Horizon-Speaker-Cable?sku=336620

I used the cables in a big event last week, and had no problems.