Whats in a cable?

[swiftone 10+ year member]

So I am having problem with the singer RCA cables that came with my wiring kit. Not being sure if I have any recourse against the dealer, I will probably just go buy a new set. But there seems to be so much range in price, that I am wondering what is the difference between all of these cables and what should I look for when I choose which to buy? Do I really have to go to a car audio dealer and buy a pair, or can I just go to Radio Shack?

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[Chevyaudio 5,000+ posts]

You are going to get a lot of different answers on this topic...IMHO when it comes to RCA Cables Cheapo ones wont cut it for me. Cheaper ones usually have less shielding and then there is more room for inducted noise in your system. Now you dont have to go out and buy 100 dollar cables but this set should work nice

http://www.tsunamionline.com/product.php?id=315

 

[stones 10+ year member]

I've always used the generic black cables with the red and white ends and never had a problem with noise what so ever.

 

[JimJ 5,000+ posts]

Since you haven't said what "problem" you're having, it's difficult to recommend something that would fix it...

 

[thisisausername 10+ year member]

generic cables are fine unless your wires are tie wrapped to high tension power lines, in which case you'de better rethink your situation anyways. The signal voltages used by audio equipment are well over the voltages you would pick up from running a normal cable, let alone a shielded one.

buy monster cable!!!(not) haha sorry i used to work for circuit city, they were always pushing us to sell monster cable cuz they made a lot of profit off it. We wern't even supposed to show them the cheapie cables unless they outright refused to buy monster cable. The sad truth of it is, monster cable is a complete ripoff but we still got 4/5 of people to buy it.

 

[swiftone 10+ year member]

Since you haven't said what "problem" you're having, it's difficult to recommend something that would fix it...

Theyre defective, one side is louder than the other. And when I switch the L and R on the amp the loud side switches accordingly. I just need a new pair is all...

 

[PatFitz9 10+ year member]

get a pair of the cheap ones, worst that can happen is you are out 15-20 bux. and most stores will let you return em or at least exchange them, if you complain about the quality

 

[squeak9798 5,000+ posts]

Main difference are the quality of the end connectors and build quality. There's been multiple stories on here about someone buying the cheap-o cables, and having the connections actually go bad inside of the wire. And the cheap-o cables have worse connectors....sometimes the fit just isn't right with them.

 

[Pyro_By_Nature 5,000+ posts]

Theyre defective, one side is louder than the other. And when I switch the L and R on the amp the loud side switches accordingly. I just need a new pair is all...

Sounds more like something is out of phase......

BTW: I've always used "cheap" cables.Never gave me any problems.Can't hear a difference between them and a $80 set.

 

[qtipextra 5,000+ posts]

I have tried cheap cables, and I get noise imedietly. If I use a some with more shielding, the noise goes away. I have knuconcepts RCA's. They are very well priced, and are good quality.

 

[alteraudiousa 10+ year member]

connectors and shielding are usually the only difference between them. I've used stinger,monster, tsunami and knu and they all acted the same. The knu seemed to work the best until i found theseRCAs which know i sell. They are just like the older Knu series(the purple ones) and cost around the same. They are very good with good amount of shielding and the connectors are good too, good and tight. Just look for cables with good shielding and most of the time you'll be fine.

 

[n2audio 5,000+ posts]

alter, are those co-axial? The price looks good.

I always recommend Stinger Hypers. Also - darvex.com carries the whole stinger line at good prices plus a Stinger-owned company called Sound Quest. They have a knock-off version of the hypers for a few bux less.

 

[squeak9798 5,000+ posts]

They Dayton Audio cables are good affordable RCA's....but only available in lengths up to 12'..........

 

[swiftone 10+ year member]

Sounds more like something is out of phase......
BTW: I've always used "cheap" cables.Never gave me any problems.Can't hear a difference between them and a $80 set.

what do yuo mean by out of phase, and if this is in fact true how can i fix it

 

[n2audio 5,000+ posts]

what do yuo mean by out of phase

having a +/- backwards on a speaker