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Super Simple theory on speaker cables

Let's call this ESST for "Erik's super simple theory" of speaker cables and how they actually work.

As you may know, I've been involved in the DIY speaker building hobby for a while, and ages ago got to sit in on a class at Georgia Tech.

Since then I have noticed a weird effect. A slight change in impedance in the 100 Hz to 1kHz range Say, between 3.5 Ohms and 3 can cause a noticeable and unexpected change. In one case, I worked on a Focal which had a really wonky crossover. After analysis, it seemed it was deliberately trying to lower the impedance in the bottom of this range. Lots of resistors that did not need to be there.

So, here is what I think is going on:

Speakers and amplifiers are much more sensitive to impedance changes than we think they are. Yes, of course this should be covered in damping factor and amplifier output impedance, but what if it isn't? What if either the ear is more sensitive, or if there's something else in amps that makes them perform worse than their damping factor?

If this hypothesis is right, then speaker cables need add just a little inductance or capacitance to make a difference.

No quantum, wave theory or skin effect needs to be involved.
erik_squires

Showing 2 responses by gregm

gregm
3,395 posts
 
@Erik Interesting, thanks for sharing.
I’ll have to check my cables characteristics! Empirically, I find that slightly capacitive ICs seem to perform slightly better — by which I mean a better sense of clarity & air, i.e. clearer stronger upper mids (& frequencies over 13kHz).

Unless of course, in the case of amps, it comes down to slew arte?

gregm
3,395 posts
 
I meant slew rate, of course
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