Are there good stereo systems that use something better than speaker wire to connect to receivers? Optical?

Question

I know this is a weird question, but I just hate dealing with speaker wire... it seems like we should have something better by now. I've heard something about optical. Anyways, what's good and new in the home stereo world?

Answer 1

Since speakers are low frequency analog devices speaker wire or lamp cord is the cheapest way to hook them up. It is simply not necessary to use anything else, not to mention more expensive.

Fiber optic cables are one of the ways to transmit digital sound from a source to your receiver. They are in no way suited for speaker level signals.

Also there is only one important spec having to do with speaker wire, and that is the gage or thickness of the wire. 16ga wire is more than adequate for all but the longest runs.

Don't waste your money on exotic or expensive wire or other types of connections. There is little or no difference. I use $5 cables throughout my system and it works just fine.

Answer 2

About the ONLY thing that's cool would be the WIRELESS speaker systems, but there's a tradeoff...

You are limited to 50 watt speaker output...plenty in most situations, but somebody is going to want 100 Watts....

And given a year or two, somebody will Deliver......

Other than that the only thing you might consider is that OVERPRICE Monster speaker wire...on longer runs, it can maintain the higher frequencies and limit loss of the highs in music....

Answer 3

Speaker wire is cheap and easy.

Keep in mind that speakers are MOTORS.  The speaker wires are power for them.

A company called "Meridian" has a system where the central receiver connects to the self-powered speakers with computer network wire.  Each speaker needs an AC power cord because it has a monoblock amp inside.  But its a pricey system.