anzoid Posted June 20, 2022 Share Posted June 20, 2022 After an age just using a small combo, I'm about to take possession of a couple of Warwick Gnome 1x10 cabs, each rated at 150W. They'll be powered by an as yet unpurchased amp - probably 200-300W max, so a little one. I'm planning on getting some custom cables made - speakon one end, jack or speakon the other depending on the amp I end up with. Looking at customs cables... I can have 2×1.5mm²,2×2.5mm², 4×2.5mm² or 2×4mm² cores. I have no clue as to which would be sufficient and/or worth getting. Advice very much appreciated from those who know their cables!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Fitzmaurice Posted June 20, 2022 Share Posted June 20, 2022 I've never used larger than 14 gauge. 16 gauge is sufficient with the short length of an amp to cab lead, but since I always have 14 gauge on hand for use with PA that's what I use. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassBunny Posted June 20, 2022 Share Posted June 20, 2022 1 hour ago, Bill Fitzmaurice said: I've never used larger than 14 gauge. 16 gauge is sufficient with the short length of an amp to cab lead, but since I always have 14 gauge on hand for use with PA that's what I use. So 14 guage is 2.0mm in our money. So bang in the middle of 1.5 and 2.5mm. Personally I'd go for 2.5mm and Speakon both ends, assuming the amp and cabinets can accommodate speakons. I may actually have some from clearing out a shed load of cables. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassmanPaul Posted June 20, 2022 Share Posted June 20, 2022 (edited) I used 12swg for my speaker cables mostly because after installing my landscape lighting I had many off cuts left over. I also agree with only using SpeakOns. 1/4" Phone jacks just can't safely handle much more than a couple of hundred watts. They also can short out the amplifier if pulled part way out of the socket. I switched all of my equipment to SpeakOns years ago and have never regretted the move. Edited June 20, 2022 by BassmanPaul Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anzoid Posted June 22, 2022 Author Share Posted June 22, 2022 Thanks for all the advice! Very much appreciated. I'll definitely look for an amp with SpeakOn jacks - it's kind of annoying that the super-mini amps I'm interested in tend towards jack sockets @BassBunny - thanks for suggesting cables from your clearout I'm thinking of making my own - not exactly rocket science but fancy having a go! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
itu Posted June 22, 2022 Share Posted June 22, 2022 The overhead is there for a reason. When the cable ages, some of the copper may be cut by twisting and bad coiling. 2 x 2.5 mm2 should be enough for most applications. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moley6knipe Posted June 23, 2022 Share Posted June 23, 2022 Personally I use 1.5mm coz the cable is like 75cm long and max output is around 480w on my GK. Means the cable stows away easier! And yeah if you DO have to go with a jack at one end, make sure it’s a good one eg Neutrik! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
agedhorse Posted June 23, 2022 Share Posted June 23, 2022 23 hours ago, itu said: The overhead is there for a reason. When the cable ages, some of the copper may be cut by twisting and bad coiling. 2 x 2.5 mm2 should be enough for most applications. If the copper is damaged like this, there is something very wrong with the cable. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
itu Posted June 23, 2022 Share Posted June 23, 2022 7 minutes ago, agedhorse said: If the copper is damaged like this, there is something very wrong with the cable. ...or the user. I have seen quite a few cables twisted to their limits. Or coiled to their limits. User faults. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassmanPaul Posted June 23, 2022 Share Posted June 23, 2022 32 minutes ago, itu said: ...or the user. I have seen quite a few cables twisted to their limits. Or coiled to their limits. User faults. As have I. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
agedhorse Posted June 24, 2022 Share Posted June 24, 2022 (edited) Can’t fix stupid…or lazy! Edited June 24, 2022 by agedhorse 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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