Cabling

What effect does speaker cable have on system impedance and delivered power?

It can be a little or a lot, depending on the length and thickness of the cable. Below is a power-loss chart shown in percentages given various cable gauges over various distances:

Cable Loss / Distance Chart

WIRE GAUGE(AWG)	LENGTH (FT.)	SPEAKER LOAD (OHMS)	POWER LOSS (%)
18	25	2	23.44
18	50	2	39.33
18	100	2	58.95
16	25	2	15.76
16	50	2	27.98
16	100	2	45.43
14	25	2	10.34
14	50	2	19.10
14	100	2	33.08
12	25	2	6.41
12	50	2	12.21
12	100	2	22.24
18	25	4	12.94
18	50	4	23.44
18	100	4	39.33
16	25	4	8.41
16	50	4	15.76
16	100	4	27.98
14	25	4	5.39
14	50	4	10.34
14	100	4	19.10
12	25	4	3.9
12	50	4	6.41
12	100	4	12.21
18	25	8	6.82
18	50	8	12.94
18	100	8	23.44
16	25	8	4.35
16	50	8	8.41
16	100	8	15.76
14	25	8	2.75
14	50	8	5.39
14	100	8	10.34
12	25	8	1.67
12	50	8	8.41
12	100	8	12.21

One thing worth noting here is that power loss is much greater for say, 2-Ohm speakers than for 8-Ohm speakers. This may partially explain why big touring systems rely on 8-Ohm speakers. On the other hand, compact club systems where the cable runs are shorter often work best with 4-Ohm speakers.

Products