what to use for a Subwoofer interconnect.

Greetings all you Outlaws:

I want to ask you what you recomemnd for usage of an subwoofer interconect. I will be using the 1070 and a HSU VTF-2 Mk2 sub. I know subwoofer cables are regular interconnects in longer runs.

There has to be electrical or real world reasons why some cables seem to work better. The values I know of are impedance, inductance, and resistance. I know shielding is necesaary to prevent interference and hum.

Cable design too is what I would like to know. Should the cable be coaxial, twisted pair, solid core, etc?

The Outlaw PCA cable is one that I am considering. What are the cables that all of you are using? Do you make youir own or buy preterminated cables ?

I see other brands out there like Belken PureAV, Bettercables, Cobalt, etc. I avoid monster Cable and try and stay away frrom Audiophile companies like Audioquest, Kimber Kable, etc.

I am looking forward to hearing from al of you.

Liz

The cables I have are from cables for less,they seem to be R59 coax cable with canare ends, they work great and are reasonable in price

I've got a 3-meter BetterCables sub cable that I got for a bit under $30 when I bought my SVS sub back in 2002 (they offered a heavily discounted price when you bought a sub). If I were buying today, I'd probably use either Outlaw or Blue Jeans.

Hey Gonk,

Thanks for the input. I am leaning towards Outlaw as my first choice since I plan on using the PCA. I read what you wrote about them so I figured I should be consistent. The Outlaw sub cable is long and i do not need that much lenght so I will have cable lying on the floor.

I have seen on their sites that both Bettercablesand Cobalt make assorted lenghts so that is good.

Do I need to be concerned about extra cable or not at all?

What ar

I don't think that excess cable length is going to hurt you any. Depending on how much excess length, it might even allow you a little extra flexibility in sub placement - although whether or not that's true to a useful degree depends on your space.

Ok, so lenght should matter. For the Lows, does is really matter what type of cable I use? There are many types, Coax, twisted pair, 75 ohm , etc. What works best for subs?

I prefer rg59 coax terminated with a 75ohm connector. rg59 is more flexible than rg6 so it is easier to route. I like the idea that for longer sub runs coax cable can fend off interference from other sources (e.g. electrical lines). There are many internet sites to purchase this type of cable including Cables for Less, Cables to Go, and Blue Jean. If you are comfortable with your sub placement you can get a cable closer to the exact lenght you need from these sites. Enjoy!

Hi,

You made your cable I see. I an not a mechanictal type. I wil use a premade cable from some company. What I want to know is what to look for, what resistance, inductance, impedance, coax. twisted pair, etc.

Liz

Liz,

This is an example of a pre-made sub cable I have used with success http://www.cablestogo.com/product.asp?cat%5Fid=2018&sku=29118 . I don't see any specs on the web page but it will work well.

Hi AVfan,

That looks good. My firt choice in the Outlaw Audi PCA sub cable, then Belken Pure AV silver series. Now i like what you have sent so I will think about then.

Thanks again.

Liz

By the way, how do you like you pIoneer Elite DV-45A? I am thinking about a denon 2390CI or 3930Ci.

The Outlaw cables are an excellent choice. I use their balanced cables between my 990 and ATI 2005 with good results.

The 45A has served me well for about three years. It is a fine progressive scan universal player. I think if I was looking for a new DVD player today I'd probably purchase an Oppo. I understand the 45A is available but Pioneer has added the 46AV that is an upconverting universal player like the Oppo. Lots of choices...

The denon two players use the HQV chip which can output 1080p! They upconvert to 1080P over HDMI.

Glad to read you like the outlaw cables. I am thinking of going with the PCA cables.

You may have already decided, but for what it's worth, I use the Cat Cables Coolcat sub cable and have been pretty happy with it: http://www.catcables.com/coolct.htm

Hi,

The cat cable looks cool. I am thinking of going with the Outlaw PCA sub cable to be using their cables.

Hi all,

I went ahead and got the Signal Cable's 8 foot Subwoofer mono cable with The Bullet RCA plugs.

Anyone here use this cable before?

Liz

Hey Lizard King. Just wondering how those Signal Cables are working out. I noticed a couple of months back you were trying to find out how Cobalt Cable interconnects stood up to Outlaw's PCAs. I've recently had some experience with both: I just substituted a 5m Outlaw Subwoofer PCA with a 7.5m Cobalt RCA, in order to run it along the wall of my living room because my wife was not happy that my attempt at cost-cutting meant the Outlaw interconnect was visible on one tiny part of the floor.

Anyway, although I was quite pleased with the Outlaw PCA (would have bought another without hesitation if it was offered in 7.5m, rather than just 5 or 10 meter lengths), I must admit that the sound of the Cobalt is a bit more clean and tight when matched with my subwoofer, an Orb Audio Super 8. I couldn't tell (or better, I thought the Cobalt was a tad brighter) until I put on Miles Davis' Kind of Blue followed by a contemporary R&B album, Raphael Saadiq's Instant Vintage. Miles' muted trumpet felt more clarion and intense, and each of the bassy, syncopated components in Saadiq's songs (drums, electric bass, keyboards, congas) were more split up and distinct. I still like Outlaw's handsomely built locking connectors more, though; the Cobalts work great, but look somewhat flimsy by comparison.

Oh yeah, and just to clarify I probably should add that the rest of my interconnects are Outlaw PCAs (connecting an RR 2150 receiver to a CD player, a passive preamp and a monoblock). As I'm quite satisfied with the fidelity, there are no plans to replace them.

Hi,

The Signal cables subwoofer cable with the Bullet Plugs is great!

Hello Fellow Outlawers!

I recently tried using a BK-Link RF wireless unit to send my subwoofer signal across the room so I wouldn't have to run wires in the attic (again!). It worked fine for about two months before I started getting some pretty loud rumble coming from my subwoofer that I can't seem to figure out, so it looks like I'm gonna have to break down and run about 40 to 50 feet of cable through my attic for the subwoofer. My question is, which would be better to use (from a sound and installation perspective): pre-terminated F-type coaxial cable or regular subwoofer RCA-type cable (assuming I can find one in the required length)? Thanks.

It's what I chose!!

anybody have the link to those "Signal cables subwoofer cable with the Bullet Plugs..." their site's a little lean on direction ;-}

Venice Will,
In the signal cable web site... cruise to analog section - select which one (3 choices).

In the following page you will see pricing and’ how to order’.
“To add bullet” price is listed.
If you want a single cable - reduce price by 50%. At least I saw this for analog 2.

…and if this is still confusing or you want to verify your thinking .... give signal cable a call.

Wow, this post still lasts! I really dig Signal cables. The phone number for the owner is listed on the front page so you can always call.