Anyone here use Cat5 for speaker wire?

[MisterJackson]

I actually have some decent speaker wire, but I need to replace it for certain reasons. That and I need longer wiring than what I currently have on my four rear speakers.

I have plenty of Cat5 handy. My question is, is it decent quality and is there a special way to run it?

Thanks in advance

 

[jtvang125]

Cat5 would be a poor choice for speaker wire. The inside wires are just too small and fragile.

 

[jtvang125]

Cat5 would be a poor choice for speaker wire. The inside wires are just too small and fragile.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Actually Cat5 is a very popular way to do speaker wires but I don't use it and haven't tried it so I can't provide any personal experience beyond the multitude of guides out there.

 

[PurdueRy]

Originally posted by: MisterJackson
I actually have some decent speaker wire, but I need to replace it for certain reasons. That and I need longer wiring than what I currently have on my four rear speakers.

I have plenty of Cat5 handy. My question is, is it decent quality and is there a special way to run it?

Thanks in advance

You could use it. It depends on if you plan to use two cables(one signal/one return) or use half the wires in the cat5 for each.

If you chose to use two runs of Cat5 cable...one to the speaker and one back, you would effectively be using 15AWG cable. That's fairly decent for shorter runs.

If you only wanted to run one cable to each speaker you would have slightly less than the equivalent of 18AWG wire which is a bit small, especially for longer runs.

I have seen people use Cat5 as speaker wire, if you have a ton sitting around you might as well try it out.

 

[sdifox]

Originally posted by: jtvang125
Cat5 would be a poor choice for speaker wire. The inside wires are just too small and fragile.

? plenty of people use cat 5 to build speaker cable, you use multiple run, braid them together.

I have a spool 1000' nib at home... maybe when I am not lazy I'll braid me some.

 

[heyheybooboo]

I've used everything from lamp cord, solid copper romex, cat5, low voltage cable and (gasp!) speaker wire and can't really tell a difference ...

 

[sdifox]

Originally posted by: heyheybooboo
I've used everything from lamp cord, solid copper romex, cat5, low voltage cable and (gasp!) speaker wire and can't really tell a difference ...

That is because you have not experienced Fututech products....
































In case you are wondering </sarcasm>

 

[sportage]

I used cat5 for digital audio and it didnt work. You need a thicker gage and better isolaton.
I doubt it would be a good choice for speakers, especially if your run is 20 feet or more.

 

[Gillbot]

Originally posted by: sportage
I used cat5 for digital audio and it didnt work. You need a thicker gage and better isolaton.
I doubt it would be a good choice for speakers, especially if your run is 20 feet or more.

+1

It might work but is less than ideal

 

[PurdueRy]

Originally posted by: sportage
I used cat5 for digital audio and it didnt work. You need a thicker gage and better isolaton.
I doubt it would be a good choice for speakers, especially if your run is 20 feet or more.

Coaxial cables are far different from CAT5. CAT5 is not that different from speaker cables.

As stated before...it worked pretty well.

 

[montypythizzle]

Clearly Monster Cables will be suitable for this situation, get the good stuff man.

 

[EvilYoda]

The main three pages that pop into mind:

TNT Audio
Chris Venhaus
Audioholics comparison

I've tried one method before, going try a few others too...I use a DIY Canare star quad cable right now.

 

[sdifox]

Originally posted by: sportage
I used cat5 for digital audio and it didnt work. You need a thicker gage and better isolaton.
I doubt it would be a good choice for speakers, especially if your run is 20 feet or more.

lol, digital link requires 75ohm impedance. For speaker wire use, you use multiple runs to make up 1 cable, thus increasing gauge.

 

[Rio Rebel]

As long as you use Monster brand cat5, you should be okay.

 

[sdifox]

Originally posted by: Rio Rebel
As long as you use Monster brand cat5, you should be okay.

Monster is nothing compared to Furutech.

 

[heyheybooboo]

Originally posted by: sdifox

Originally posted by: Rio Rebel
As long as you use Monster brand cat5, you should be okay.

Monster is nothing compared to Furutech.

I sense an opportunity here ...

Galactic nucleus super-conducting multi-phase Fututech Monster certified cable

 

[montypythizzle]

Originally posted by: heyheybooboo

Originally posted by: sdifox

Originally posted by: Rio Rebel
As long as you use Monster brand cat5, you should be okay.

Monster is nothing compared to Furutech.

I sense an opportunity here ...

Galactic nucleus super-conducting multi-phase Fututech Monster certified cable

With M00N Juice infused jacket so your signals will travel faster than light.

 

[Rio Rebel]

Originally posted by: montypythizzle

Originally posted by: heyheybooboo

Originally posted by: sdifox

Originally posted by: Rio Rebel
As long as you use Monster brand cat5, you should be okay.

Monster is nothing compared to Furutech.

I sense an opportunity here ...

Galactic nucleus super-conducting multi-phase Fututech Monster certified cable

With M00N Juice infused jacket so your signals will travel faster than light.

You guys think you're so funny. I happen to know that Monster makes the best cables. At least 4 guys in Best Buy all agreed.