Car Audio: Monster Cable? Street Wires?

Toggle sidebar Toggle sidebar
M

MrCraphead

Platinum Member
Sep 20, 2000
2,977
0
76
So I was wondering if I could get the car audiophiles opnion on the best kind of RCA cables to get in my car.

I'm not exactly looking for competitor level sound, just something good enough to run off my Clarion w/ 4V preouts to an amp, which would power some components.


Another thing, what's the best place to buy car audio stuff online? RCA cables, wiring, amps, speakers, etc. I know of www.thezeb.com, but anymore?

Thanks in advance!
 
S

SherEPunjab

Diamond Member
Oct 23, 2002
3,841
0
0
for wiring, i think radio shack is okay. get the standard 16 ga or better OFC copper speaker wire. i think its as good as monster and cheaper. also their premium gold connection RCA plugs are pretty good imho. don't know about speakers. in houston we have a greensheet newspaper and they usually have really cheap prices on speakers.
 
V

Viperoni

Lifer
Jan 4, 2000
11,084
1
71
As long as it's a properly shielded cable (twisted pair is a marketing gimmick, anything that's your regular coaxial style cable (center conductor surrounded by a shield)) is fine. Don't spend more than $20 on a 15-20 footer.
 
S

SherEPunjab

Diamond Member
Oct 23, 2002
3,841
0
0
Originally posted by: Viperoni
As long as it's a properly shielded cable (twisted pair is a marketing gimmick, anything that's your regular coaxial style cable (center conductor surrounded by a shield)) is fine. Don't spend more than $20 on a 15-20 footer.
Click to expand...

i don't know about that. i remember back in the day when i was into this stuff, some guy on audioasylum.com did some tests of conductivity using a meter that gauged the conductive power over a set length of cable. he did twisted pair vs. straight. the twisted pair delivered the signal better and less inteference. these were using DIY cat 5 cables, in a "star" pattern of intertwining if i recall...


edit: but it probably won't make much of a difference and you won't be able to notice it. loose objects in your car will cause more pollution than that, and good components are a good easy way to improve the sound. i tried making those cables as described above. they took long as hell to make, and i never did burn them in, i just got sick of it after about 4 feet and chunked it.
 
H

Howard

Lifer
Oct 14, 1999
47,986
11
81
Let's see...

Belden 1694A/1695A/1505F are all excellent coaxial cables. In fact, you can use balanced cable (like microphone cable) to use with RCA plugs, like Viperoni detailed in his excellent guide (his used Neutrik connectors and Dayton microphone cable), but alas, it seems to have disappeared off the face of Google.

Parts Express carries excellent connectors.
 
H

Howard

Lifer
Oct 14, 1999
47,986
11
81
Originally posted by: SherEPunjab
Originally posted by: Viperoni
As long as it's a properly shielded cable (twisted pair is a marketing gimmick, anything that's your regular coaxial style cable (center conductor surrounded by a shield)) is fine. Don't spend more than $20 on a 15-20 footer.
Click to expand...

i don't know about that. i remember back in the day when i was into this stuff, some guy on audioasylum.com did some tests of conductivity using a meter that gauged the conductive power over a set length of cable. he did twisted pair vs. straight. the twisted pair delivered the signal better and less inteference. these were using DIY cat 5 cables, in a "star" pattern of intertwining if i recall...


edit: but it probably won't make much of a difference and you won't be able to notice it. loose objects in your car will cause more pollution than that, and good components are a good easy way to improve the sound. i tried making those cables as described above. they took long as hell to make, and i never did burn them in, i just got sick of it after about 4 feet and chunked it.
Click to expand...
Loose objects?

Do you remember any more details? Delivered the signal better as in the cable SOUNDED better (and verified by ABX testing)? Or did the cable measure lower capacitance/inductance?
 
S

SherEPunjab

Diamond Member
Oct 23, 2002
3,841
0
0
Originally posted by: Howard
Originally posted by: SherEPunjab
Originally posted by: Viperoni
As long as it's a properly shielded cable (twisted pair is a marketing gimmick, anything that's your regular coaxial style cable (center conductor surrounded by a shield)) is fine. Don't spend more than $20 on a 15-20 footer.
Click to expand...

i don't know about that. i remember back in the day when i was into this stuff, some guy on audioasylum.com did some tests of conductivity using a meter that gauged the conductive power over a set length of cable. he did twisted pair vs. straight. the twisted pair delivered the signal better and less inteference. these were using DIY cat 5 cables, in a "star" pattern of intertwining if i recall...


edit: but it probably won't make much of a difference and you won't be able to notice it. loose objects in your car will cause more pollution than that, and good components are a good easy way to improve the sound. i tried making those cables as described above. they took long as hell to make, and i never did burn them in, i just got sick of it after about 4 feet and chunked it.
Click to expand...
Loose objects?

Do you remember any more details? Delivered the signal better as in the cable SOUNDED better (and verified by ABX testing)? Or did the cable measure lower capacitance/inductance?
Click to expand...

no, the latter, not sound. i know its just technical. about the loose objects, i am referring to doing something to the trunk (like dynamatting), and tightening anything loose (license plates for example), or removing loose objects from the car. i have a lot of friends that had awesome amps and speakers, but then something would jingle everytime the bass hit hard. that sucked. even worse is those people who don't tighten or remove their license plate covers and you hear that thing rattling.
 
H

Howard

Lifer
Oct 14, 1999
47,986
11
81
Well, it's all moot anyway if he picked a crappy concentric cable. BTW, I heard Second Skin is better than Dynamat at dampening vibrations.
 
S

SherEPunjab

Diamond Member
Oct 23, 2002
3,841
0
0
Originally posted by: Howard
Well, it's all moot anyway if he picked a crappy concentric cable. BTW, I heard Second Skin is better than Dynamat at dampening vibrations.
Click to expand...

i heard there is a generic roofing material that does the same job but its much cheaper because it isn't marketed as sound dampening material. i'm sure someone on here knows what it is.
 
V

Viperoni

Lifer
Jan 4, 2000
11,084
1
71
It's available under a few names, Peel and Seal being one of the most popular.
It's not quite as stick as dynamat, but if applied properly it won't cause any problems. Defientely recommend a strong roller and heatgun.
 
S

SherEPunjab

Diamond Member
Oct 23, 2002
3,841
0
0
Originally posted by: Viperoni
It's available under a few names, Peel and Seal being one of the most popular.
It's not quite as stick as dynamat, but if applied properly it won't cause any problems. Defientely recommend a strong roller and heatgun.
Click to expand...

cool thanks. i am no longer into car audio, but it will come in handy when i setup a home theater system.
 
M

MrCraphead

Platinum Member
Sep 20, 2000
2,977
0
76
Wait, so how would I go about making these RCA cables? And should I return the 4 channel street wire cables I bought from Cartoys for $70? :eek:

And can anyone recommend any more online sites I can shop around at and compare prices? Thanks!
 
H

Howard

Lifer
Oct 14, 1999
47,986
11
81
Originally posted by: MrCraphead
Wait, so how would I go about making these RCA cables? And should I return the 4 channel street wire cables I bought from Cartoys for $70? :eek:

And can anyone recommend any more online sites I can shop around at and compare prices? Thanks!
Click to expand...
Depends on the length, but you probably did get ripped off.

4 channel cables? :confused:
 
B

bmacd

Lifer
Jan 15, 2001
10,869
1
0
if you want monster cables, find a friend who works at Best Buy...the cables are MUCH less expensive on employee discount.

-=bmacd=-
 
M

MrCraphead

Platinum Member
Sep 20, 2000
2,977
0
76
So I guess what you guys are telling me, is that if I take microphone wire, and do the DIY process as listed @ http://members.rogers.com/viperoni/Audio/DaytonSubCable1/index.html , that it'll be just as good as purchasing RCA cables from street wires or monster cable?

I guess I've believed too much of the hype, but somehow, I"m skeptical? :\ I mean, there has to be SOME truth to what they're advertising, what with the functions and all. Is it just that it's not worth the money, or is it all really a huge gimmick?

EDIT: Holy crap, I just found out that the ZN3504 cables that I bought from Car Toys for $64 are $36.95 at Sounddomain. :Q GOOD GRIEF!!! Looks like I'll be making a return tomorrow.....

You guys think just paying $34 for these cables beat making them yourself? like, not going through the trouble and all? :\ I guess it depends on how valuable my time is huh......
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

COMPANY
RESOURCES
FOLLOW
Top Bottom