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Cheap RG6 coax or LC-1? (select all that apply)

  • That's the wrong type of coax, don't use it

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I have a dilemma. I have some cheap (it was given to me by a friend, so free really...) RG6 coax that I was planning on using for my subwoofer runs. The markings on the coax cable read: "Southwire RG6 CATV 18 AWG CCS quad shield CATV or CL2 - SUN RES swept to 3.0 GHz ROHS-2 compliant." Is this coax good enough to use for my subwoofers, or should I get the Blue Jeans LC-1 cables? I will have 3 runs so the cost ends up being just under $200.

Thanks in advance!
 

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I have a dilemma. I have some cheap (it was given to me by a friend, so free really...) RG6 coax that I was planning on using for my subwoofer runs. The markings on the coax cable read: "Southwire RG6 CATV 18 AWG CCS quad shield CATV or CL2 - SUN RES swept to 3.0 GHz ROHS-2 compliant." Is this coax good enough to use for my subwoofers, or should I get the Blue Jeans LC-1 cables? I will have 3 runs so the cost ends up being just under $200.

Thanks in advance!
sub cables are just rca connectors, like old fashioned red & white cables for audio haha 😂
media bridge is good enough but you can try blue jeans 👖 im, may be more durable.
Not sure if anyone can tell a difference tho .
look like wrong cable
 

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I have a dilemma. I have some cheap (it was given to me by a friend, so free really...) RG6 coax that I was planning on using for my subwoofer runs. The markings on the coax cable read: "Southwire RG6 CATV 18 AWG CCS quad shield CATV or CL2 - SUN RES swept to 3.0 GHz ROHS-2 compliant." Is this coax good enough to use for my subwoofers, or should I get the Blue Jeans LC-1 cables? I will have 3 runs so the cost ends up being just under $200.

Thanks in advance!
As long as you can terminate it properly the rg6 cable you already have should be perfectly fine.
 
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If its in wall, I'd go with BJC. If not, try the RG6, since its free. If you don't have any hum or noise, thats all that matters.

Will they sound different? If you don't get hum/noise with RG6, no. If you get a lot of hum and noise, yes, they'll sound different if the LC1 is quiet.
 
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Sub signals are just a flow of electrical current at different voltages - nothing more. As long as the cable is terminated well and well insulated to eliminate any interference, that is all that matters. You will not hear an audible difference between RG6 coax cable and Blue Jeans cable ( which is probably RG-59 coax cable anyways ) . Spend your money elsewhere.
 

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I'm using a 25' (7.6m) Mediabridge cable that is based on RG6. It uses CCS (copper clad steel), which is commonly used in cheap RF co-ax. Works fine. The input impedance of most subs is high (kilohms or tens of kilohms), so the DC resistance of the cable isn't significant. It works very well; no audible EMI pickup. Connector quality and cable shielding are the most important factors, IMHO.

Some people use type F co-ax connectors plus RCA adapters, but I'd prefer direct RCA connectors.
 

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The key is how tight the RCA cables fit on the amp/receiver and sub connections. RG6 and good tight connectors should be fine. I have tried several expensive cables and the connectors were not tight enough. It may be a matter of trial and error to get the ones that will work well.
 

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The key is how tight the RCA cables fit on the amp/receiver and sub connections. RG6 and good tight connectors should be fine. I have tried several expensive cables and the connectors were not tight enough. It may be a matter of trial and error to get the ones that will work well.
Is RG6 another rca cable ? How are you connecting this to a subwoofer?
 

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I have a dilemma. I have some cheap (it was given to me by a friend, so free really...) RG6 coax that I was planning on using for my subwoofer runs.
I've made dozens of "subwoofer cables" with RG59/6 over the years. Proper F-connector termination and F-connector to RCA adapters. Never had issues with them.

RG59 is more convenient if you have to put tight(er) bends on the cable.
 

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I’ve used a diy 30’ RG6 coax cable with crimped RCA connectors for about the last 17 years. Works like a charm. Only issue is the stiffness makes it more of a challenge for routing.
 

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I’ve used a diy 30’ RG6 coax cable with crimped RCA connectors for about the last 17 years. Works like a charm. Only issue is the stiffness makes it more of a challenge for routing.
So all you do is add this and coaxial became sub cable??

 
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So all you do is add this and coaxial became sub cable??

Yup, that’ll work fine and it’s simpler than what I did. I used crimp on RCA’s from Radio Shack similar to below because all I had was RG6 with bare ends. Back then Radio Shack stores still existed and Amazon didn’t... :sneaky:

 
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Monoprice has the connectors that are of good quality. No need to pay Audioquest crazy prices.


 

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If you don't get any noise with cheap RG-6, you are good to go. This isn't the case for everyone. RG-6 is a very generic classification and doesn't really tell you how well constructed or shielded the cable is:
RG-6 article

For folks that use cheap RG-6 or crap Monoprice subwoofer cables and get a bunch of noise and hum, The BJC LC-1 often resolves the issue as it is better quality. I use them because they also have better quality terminals.
 
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