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Coaxial Speaker Cable – Types, Connectors & Applications

May 21, 2024
By Mounika D

We all know how vital each component of musical equipment is in producing excellent sound quality and an engaging listening experience. When it comes to speaker wires, coaxial speaker cables are outstanding in transmitting high-quality audio signals between audio components and speakers. These cables decrease signal loss and interference due to their unique structure and design, resulting in improved sound clarity and fidelity.

In this article, we will go through the features, benefits, and things to think about while utilizing coaxial speaker cables in your audio system.

What is a Coaxial Speaker Cable?

Coaxial cables are commonly employed to accommodate the seamless transmission of radio frequency (RF) signals. These speaker wires transfer the digital signals over analog efficiently. They can handle high-frequency digital transmissions and lower audio output ranging from roughly 20 kHz to 300 GHz through a coaxial connection. Moreover, these cables are known to deliver higher bandwidth of digital signals and increased durability when compared side-by-side with standard audio cables.

Coaxial cable is widely utilized to receive visual and audio signals through composite and component connectors in cable television, audio systems, radio, video equipment, and game consoles.

A coaxial speaker cable is a shielded and insulated electric conducting wire that contains an inner metal conductor and woven copper covering for delivering high-frequency ad high-speed data over long distances.

These days coaxial cables are wide-reaching:

Home stereo systems (including speaker connections).
Audio recording with a microphone.
Connect electric musical instruments to amplifiers.

What Makes a Coaxial Cable?

While there are multiple kinds of coaxial cables with distinct designs for numerous uses, all coaxial cables contain four essential components. These components are listed in order of appearance from the outside to the center:

Core conductor
Dielectric insulator
Metal shield
Plastic jacket

Components of a Coaxial Cable

1. The Central Core Conductor

This is the part that does the work: it transmits the signal and serves as an electrical grounding for the cable. These are frequently made of copper, although they can also be built of steel with a copper wire covering. A dielectric insulator is wrapped around the core copper conductor.

2. The Inner Dielectric Insulator

The insulator exists to separate the metallic shield from the core wire. Depending on the kind of coaxial cable, the type of insulators merged into the core wire may vary from foam plastic, solid plastic (or) air spacers. It also has a PVC-coated sheath, making the insulator’s outer layer easy to stretch.

3. The Woven Copper Metallic Shield

You can often find a coaxial cable with two shields, which is braided copper wire with aluminum foil. This component protects the signal being transmitted against radio wave interference.

4. The Outer Plastic Jacket

The cable’s external plastic jacket, which is typically made of Polyvinyl Chloride, protects the internal components of the cable that manage signal transmission and interference protection.

How Does it Differ From Digital Coaxial Cables?

Coax cable and digital coax cable may be puzzling for people who are unfamiliar with different speaker wires. So, let us look into how a digital coax cable varies from a standard coax cable.

Even digital coaxial audio cables are designed to transmit crystal-clear audio signals from an amplifier to a speaker like a standard coaxial cable.
Moreover, they are engineered in a similar way to serve the same purpose. The digital coax cables include a center wire made of insulation material, a plastic casing, and a metallic shield.
Coaxial digital audio cables can be connected to cable boxes, cable TV modems, runners, satellites, radios, TV antennas, home speakers, high-end speakers, Blu-ray players, and many more because of their wide audio and video applications.
Audiophiles preferably opt for digital audio coaxial cables for their ability to handle a wide variety of electrical frequencies. Although digital coaxial audio cables can carry electrical frequencies over a wide range of audio frequencies, they cannot handle higher-quality, multi-channel audio formats like standard coaxial wires.

Types of Coaxial Speaker Cable

Coaxial speaker wires are broadly classified into different types based on RG standards, features, characteristics, and construction to meet diverse audio system requirements.

Different Types of Coaxial Cables

1. Hardline Coaxial Cable

Hardline coaxial cables are made of high-quality materials such as copper, silver, aluminum (or) steel for the core conductor and shield.
These cables usually have a dielectric buffer, such as polyethylene foam (or) compressed nitrogen, for maximum performance.
They are designed to transmit high-strength signals across long distances of up to 400 feet, making them ideal for military transmissions and radio broadcasts.

2. Subwoofer Coaxial Cable

Subwoofer coaxial cables include solid copper core bass conductors wrapped in a second wire network for clearer and more dramatic sound production.
These cables have RCA connectors on both ends to enhance sound quality, particularly in the low-frequency ranges.
They are particularly designed to connect subwoofers to audio equipment. Indeed they help to bring movies and TV shows to life by providing immersive and realistic audio experiences.

3. Flexible Coaxial Cables

Flexible coaxial are the braided cables that constantly maintain high-quality signal transmission, interference shielding, and signal loss.
Flexible coaxial cables are specifically built to enable installation flexibility and simplicity of use in a variety of audio applications.
Since the structure of these cables allows for bending and navigating around bends they are used in circumstances where cable routing demands flexibility (or) when space is limited.
Plus they provide ease of use and adaptability for connecting audio equipment, making them suited for a wide range of applications such as home theater setups, studio environments, and professional audio systems.

4. Micro Coaxial Cable

Micro-coaxial cables are small-sized speaker cables that provide outstanding signal integrity and reliable high-frequency signal transmission.
These cables are widely utilized in many kinds of fields, including electronics, telecommunications, medical equipment, and aircraft.
Intendly, these miniature-sized coaxial cables are made for those applications requiring compact and lightweight cable solutions.
You can commonly find them in small electronic components like circuit boards, sensors, cameras, and antennas for accurate signal transmission.

5. Rigid Coaxial Cables

Rigid coaxial cables are constructed with a solid core conductor surrounded by insulation, then added a metal shield and an outer jacket.
The metal shield protects against electromagnetic interference (EMI) and maintains signal integrity.
They don’t bend and stay robust because of their solid construction.
That’s why they are used in applications that require accurate and steady signal transmission over long distances.

6. Semi-Rigid Coaxial Cables

Semi-rigid coaxial cables are robust and sturdy like pipes. An outer metallic coating serves as a secondary conductor while the metal layers help in maintaining a consistent impedance across the length of the cable.
These cables deliver excellent signal integrity and shielding, resulting in low signal loss and interference.
They are widely used in areas like telecommunications, aircraft, and defense, where high-frequency applications require exceptional electrical performance, mechanical stability, and accurate signal transmission.

7. Formable Coaxial Cable

Formable coaxial cables are a kind of coaxial wires that has a tendency to be molded (or) shaped by hand easily. This means these cables can be bent, twisted (or) shaped to match special installation needs (or) difficult routing pathways.
Formable coaxial cables are frequently used in the aerospace, automotive, robotics, and telecommunications sectors, and the places where rigid (or) semi-rigid coaxial cables cannot be used.

8. Twin Coaxial Cable

Twin axial cable aka twinax cable, is composed of two insulated and twisted conductors encased in a single outer jacket.
This unique design allows for the transmission of balanced signals with minimum electromagnetic interference (EMI) and crosstalk.
These cables are extensively used in high-speed and high-frequency data transmission applications such as computer networks, telecommunications systems, and data centers.
In fact, they are ideal for point-to-point connections where signal integrity and noise reduction are essential.

9. Triaxial Cable

Triaxial cable, commonly known as triax cable, has three concentric conductors: a core conductor, an inner shield, and an outer shield that are separated by dielectric shielding. One conductor carries the main signal while the other two act as a ground and return path.
The triple-layered design improves signal transmission qualities, noise reduction, and electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding.
They are widely used in signal transmission applications such as video surveillance systems, professional audio equipment, and instrumentation.

10. Radiating Coaxial Cable

Radiating coaxial cable is often referred to as leaky coaxial cable (or) radiating feeder. these cables are unique and are specifically designed to operate as both transmission lines and antennas.
These cables are provided with slots (or) gaps purposefully in the cable’s outer conductor and emit electromagnetic radiation throughout its length.
They are used in tunnels, subterranean constructions, buildings, and other places where wireless coverage has to be increased.

11. Miniature Coaxial Cables

Miniature coaxial cables are thin, flexible cables that provide the benefits of traditional coaxial cables while being lightweight and space-saving.
They are designed for applications that require smaller form factors and are employed in applications with limited space, such as consumer electronics, telecommunications devices, medical equipment, and automotive applications.
Further, they are mostly used to link tiny components like cameras, sensors, antennas, and PCBs (Printed Circuit Boards).

12. High-Temperature Coaxial Cables

High-temperature coaxial cables are made up of materials that can resist high temperatures without deteriorating. They are particularly engineered to endure severe temperatures while retaining signal transmission reliability.
These cables are used in high-temperature applications such as industrial operations, aerospace, automotive, and high-temperature testing to retain signal integrity and reduce signal loss even when exposed to high temperatures.

13. High-Frequency Coaxial Cables

High-frequency coaxial cables are built with accuracy and attention to detail to carry and transmit signals at high frequencies with very less signal loss and distortion.
These coaxial cables include four main components namely: a solid (or) stranded core conductor, a dielectric insulation layer, various layers of shielding, and an outer protective jacket.
They are popularly used in various high-frequency applications including telecommunications, data networking, microwave communications, radar systems, and high-frequency test equipment.

14. Water-Cooled Coaxial Cable

Water-cooled coaxial cables feature a cooling system that dissipates the heat generated during high-power signal transmission by utilizing water (or) another coolant.
The internal cooling system of these coaxial cables circulates water or coolant through channels or tubes within the cable to absorb and transport the heat produced by the high-power signals
These cables are mostly used in high-power applications such as radio frequency (RF) amplifiers, broadcast transmitters, particle accelerators, and medical equipment.

15. Coaxial Ribbon Cable

Coaxial ribbon cables combine the benefits of coaxial and ribbon wires. They are made up of several coaxial conductors stacked side by side in a flat ribbon-like form to provide a compact and orderly signal transmission solution.
These cables offer good signal integrity as well as protection against electromagnetic interference (EMI) and radio frequency interference (RFI).

Sizes of Coaxial Speaker Cable

Coaxial cables are manufactured in various sizes to serve various purposes. Here is a list of some commonly used cable sizes.

1. RG-6 Coaxial Cable

RG-6 coaxial cables have a core diameter of 1.024 mm and an outer diameter ranging from 6.86 mm to 7.57 mm with an impedance of 75Ω for transmitting high-quality videos and data without any signal loss.
F-type connectors are often used to terminate RG-6 coaxial wire, providing a secure and durable connection. These coaxial cables are used in cable television, satellite television, broadband internet, and video surveillance systems.
RG-6 coaxial cables are perfect for lengthy cable runs as it supports efficient signal transmission over long distances.

2. RG-7 Coaxial Cable

RG-7 coaxial cables have a core diameter of 1.3 mm and an outer diameter of 8.13 mm with an impedance of 75Ω for high-quality video and data transmission with signal integrity.
F-type connectors are used to terminate RG-7 coaxial wire, providing a secure and durable connection. Even, these coaxial cables are used in cable television, satellite television, and modems.

3. RG-8 Coaxial Cable

RG-8 coaxial cables have a core diameter ranging from 1.47 mm to 2.17 mm and an outer diameter ranging from 6.1 mm to 10.3 mm with an impedance of 50Ω for high-frequency digital transmissions.
RG-8 coaxial cables are commonly used for radio transmissions since it is an ideal match for various transmitter antennas and radio transmitters.

4. RG-11 Coaxial Cable

RG-11 coaxial cables have a core diameter of 1.63 mm and an outer diameter of 10.5 mm with an impedance of 75Ω for high-quality data transmission.
These heavy-duty coaxial cables can handle and support a wide variety of frequencies up to 3 GHz (or) more for reliable digital transmissions over long distances.
They are used in signal transmission applications like satellite signals, large-scale cable TV distribution networks, and broadband internet traffic that need low signal loss and good performance.

5. RG-56 Coaxial Cable

RG-56 coaxial cables have a core diameter of 1.49 mm and an outer diameter of 7.82 mm with an impedance of 48Ω for high-voltage signal transmission.
They are commonly designed to handle voltages up to 8000 v and are used in high-voltage applications.

6. RG-58 Coaxial Cable

RG-58 coaxial cables have a core diameter of 0.81 mm and an outer diameter of 5 mm with an impedance of 50Ω for effective communications.
They are ideal for radio communications, amateur radio, and nuclear electronic instruments.

7. RG-59 Coaxial Cable

RG-59 coaxial cables have a core diameter of 0.64 mm and an outer diameter of 6.1 mm with an impedance of 75Ω for low-frequency data transmission without signal loss.
They are mostly used for lower-frequency video and audio applications, such as CCTV systems, video surveillance installations, and older composite video connections.

8. RG-60 Coaxial Cable

RG-60 coaxial cables have a core diameter of 1.024 mm and an outer diameter of 10.8 mm with an impedance of 50Ω for high-voltage signal transmission.
They are commonly designed to handle high-speed applications such as HD cable TV, High-speed cable internet, etc.

Have a glance at the Radio Guide (RG) standard for a quick overview.

RG cable	Impedance	Core diameter	Outer diameter	Applications
RG-6	75Ω	1.024 mm	6.86 mm – 7.57 mm	Cable TV, satellite TV, and modem
RG-7	75Ω	1.3 mm	8.13 mm	Cable TV, satellite TV, and modem
RG-8	50Ω	1.47 mm – 2.17 mm	6.1 mm – 10.3 mm	Amateur radio
RG-11	75Ω	1.63 mm	10.5 mm	High-frequency applications like cable TV and satellite TV
RG-56	48Ω	1.49 mm	7.82 mm	All high-voltage applications
RG-58	50Ω	0.81 mm	5 mm	Radio communications, amateur radio, and nuclear electronic instruments
RG-59	75Ω	0.64 mm	6.1 mm	CCTV, RF Video Transmission with HD and Ultra High-Quality
RG-60	50Ω	1.024 mm	10.8 mm	HD cable television and high-speed cable internet

Impedance of Coaxial Speaker Cables

The impedance is an important factor that distinguishes coaxial cables. This feature represents the degrees of power transmission and standing waves and also impacts the cable’s compatibility with the speaker system. The most common impedance values are as follows.

50Ω	Coaxial cables with a 50-ohm impedance are used for radio transmissions because they are a suitable fit for different transmitter antennas and radio transmitters. This type of cable is also utilized in Ethernet networks that utilize coaxial cables, as well as in high-frequency digital transmissions.
75Ω	Coaxial cables with a 75-ohm impedance are increasingly popular in homes, particularly with video/audio transmission (television) and telephony (landline). These cables are also employed by both cable TV and RF video transmission systems (cable TV boxes (or) cable TV satellite dishes) because of their unique features.
93Ω & 52Ω	Coaxial cables with impedances of 93 and 52 ohms are not commonly utilized by the general public, but they may be employed in specific applications where exact impedance matching is necessary.

Types of Connectors for Coaxial Cables

There are several types of connectors used for coaxial cables in conjunction with their RG classification type. Listed below are some of the most popularly used connectors.

Kinds of Connectors for Coaxial Cables

BNC Connector

BNC connectors are utilized in RF and video applications that are capable of handling frequencies ranging from 4 GHz to 10 GHz.
They are mostly utilized for commercial purposes such as RF video transmission (CCTV), test equipment, scientific apparatus, RF devices, amateur radio equipment, and so on.

N-type Connectors

N-type connectors are used for various RF applications such as communications and broadcast equipment that can handle lower microwave frequencies ranging from 11GHz to 18 GHz.
Due to their rugged and weather-proof design, the N-Type connectors are employed for low-frequency applications like spectrum analyzers, antennas, etc.

SMA Connectors

SMA connections, like N-Type connectors, are utilized at microwave frequencies ranging from DC to 12 GHz, and even higher frequencies up to 26.5 GHz.
Microwave frequency equipment, telephone antennas, Wi-Fi Antennas, SDR (Software Defined Radio) antennas, and other applications use SMA Connectors.

F-type Connectors

F-type connectors are typically seen in the market as they’re highly suited for antennas and satellite and cable TV. They are designed to handle frequencies up to 1GHz. They are budget-friendly and can be easily afforded by everyone.

RCA Connectors

RCA cables can support frequencies up to 10 MHz and can be used for both audio and video communications.

MCX Connectors

MCX connections are not often required for all devices. They are designed specifically for applications with restricted size (or) space.
It is an excellent choice for telecommunications, wireless connectivity, and GPS applications operating at up to 6GHz.

Comparison: Coaxial Vs Optical Vs HDMI cables

The coaxial connections have a higher bandwidth range than an optical digital connection since they provide greater capacity for various services such as voice, multimedia, video, and even data.
The optical connections reduce noise traveling from the source device to the circuit. They can be directly linked to the DAC of AV receivers and the optical fibers are used in optical communication cables instead of copper wires.
Although coaxial cables may transmit more data than an optical digital link but both of these cables are incapable of supporting lossless audio formats. Plus installation of coaxial wires is pretty simple than optical connections.
When compared to coaxial and digital optical lines, an HDMI connection provides unrivaled bandwidth. These connections can support all sound formats including Dolby Digital, Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Atmos, and DTS Master Audio.
Moreover, HDMI cables work well with the video formats such as 4K Ultra, HD resolutions, and multiple HDR combinations. This connection is commonly found in source devices such as an AV receiver, soundbar, and television.

Benefits and Limitations of Coaxial Speaker Cable

Coaxial cables are an excellent option to carry the signal from your receiver (or) amplifier to your speakers as they carry high-frequency signals with minimal interference. Here is the list of advantages and disadvantages of coax cables.

Advantages of Coaxial Cables

High-quality audio signals are transmitted at a higher-speeds.
These cables are simple to set up and are extremely long-lasting.
Designed with excellent shielding against interference (or) noise from other transmissions.
Delivers reliable performance and better sound quality over shorter distances.
They are widely used in professional settings because of their excellent endurance and ability to create superior digital audio.
They are highly affordable without compromising video and audio transmission quality.
Coaxial cables are adaptable and may be utilized in a variety of sectors and contexts, including TV and radio transmission, home entertainment systems, security systems, and data networking.

Disadvantages of Coaxial Cables

Signal loss is an issue with lengthy wires.
Coax cables are more difficult to conceal as they are larger, heavier, and less flexible.
Highly sensitive to electromagnetic interference.
Compatible with only some audio devices.
It is more difficult to terminate (or) end precisely.
Coaxial setups do not support popular sound systems such as DTS-HD Master Audio.

How to Choose the Right Coaxial Speaker Cable?

Here are some of the important factors that must be considered while selecting a coaxial speaker cable.

1. Cable Gauge

Usually, the gauge of a cable refers to the wire’s thickness (or) diameter. Thicker cables offer lower resistance and are capable of supporting higher power levels.

Generally cables with smaller gauges such as 12 (or) 14 are suggested for higher-powered speaker systems whereas the cables with larger gauges such as 16 (or) 18 can be used for lower-powered systems.

2. Cable Material

Choose cables made of high-quality materials for excellent signal transmission and durability. However, copper is widely used for speaker cables because of its excellent conductivity characteristics. Moreover, go for cables with appropriate insulation and shielding to prevent signal interference and retain signal integrity.

3. Cable Length

First, measure the distance and select the length of wire needed for your speaker system. Check that the wire is not excessively long or too short. Always use a long enough wire to connect the audio source to the speakers. And avoid leaving excessive cable length since it may cause signal loss and reduce audio quality.

4. Connector Type

Choose the right connection type for your speakers and audio equipment. Make sure that the connectors you select are made of high-quality materials to provide a safe and reliable connection, eliminating signal loss, and ease of installation.

5. Budget

Set your budget before purchasing the coax cables. Choose the cable that is compatible with your audio system and accommodates the required features. However, there are multiple cables with abundant features that come in an affordable range.

6. Reviews

We always recommend you read the feedback shared by other users from various online platforms before purchasing the cables. Genuinely, these reviews will help you understand the performance of the cables and get the right one according to your needs.

Conclusion

Winding up, coaxial cables are an everyday component of audiophile equipment, with applications ranging from cable boxes to audio and video signal transmission and even speaker connections. They are a form of electrical cable that can transfer radiofrequency (RF) signals. And that’s all about coaxial speaker cables. We hope this article has included all the important aspects including what they are, classification, benefits, limitations, and the factors that must be considered while choosing the right coax cable that suits your requirements.

These days, many people are gravitating to coax cables because of their cost, high-bandwidth transmission, and durability. We hope even you will use it as a speaker wire because of its low induction and thick conductor. Please let us know…

Coaxial Speaker Cable – FAQs

1. Is coaxial cable good for audio transmission?

Ans: Yes, a coaxial cable works well for audio transmission. Apart from standard speakers and subwoofers, coax wires can also be used as microphone cables due to their ability to produce low frequencies to high noise ratios.

2. Can I use a coax cable as a subwoofer cable?

Ans: Coaxial cables can be utilized as subwoofer cables over long distances greater than 40 feet because of their improved shielding and lower cost.

3. What is the most common coaxial cable?

Ans: RG-6 coaxial wire is one of the most prevalent and commonly used varieties of coaxial cables. It is often used for cable television installations, satellite television installations, and high-speed internet connections.

4. Can I connect multiple coaxial cables for longer runs?

Ans: Of course, you can connect multiple coaxial cables together using coaxial connectors (or) couplers for extending the cable length for longer runs.

5. Are coaxial cables suitable for outdoor installations?

Ans: Yes, coaxial cables can be used for outdoor installations. In fact, they are specifically designed with weatherproofing and UV-resistant jackets to withstand exposure to the elements and provide reliable signal transmission in outdoor environments.

6. What type of coaxial cables are used for internet connections?

Ans: RG-6 and RG-11 coaxial cables are widely employed for internet connections to deliver the bandwidth and signal integrity required for high-speed data transmission in cable internet and broadband applications.

7. Is there a coaxial to speaker wire adapter available?

Ans: Yes, coaxial-to-speaker wire adapters are available. They have a coaxial input on one end and speaker wire connectors on the other end. These adapters are used to convert a coaxial connection to a speaker wire connection.