[Mike S.]

I have an old stereo with two (left and right) audio outputs that I
want to connect to two speakers. Should I use two mono RCA speaker
cables or one stereo RCA speaker cable, or is it the same either way?
I just didn't know if two mono cables are the same as one stereo cable.

[Eeyore]

"Mike S." wrote:

I have an old stereo with two (left and right) audio outputs that I
want to connect to two speakers. Should I use two mono RCA speaker
cables or one stereo RCA speaker cable, or is it the same either way?
I just didn't know if two mono cables are the same as one stereo cable.

RCA jacks have NEVER been used for speaker connections on decent stereos
IME (as opposed to cheap POS computer speakers for example).

Are you SURE those connectors are actually SPEAKER outputs ? Are they
marked as such ? More likely that they are preamp level outputs.

Not even sure what you mean by a "stereo RCA speaker cable". Never met
anything marketed as such in 40 years of taking an serious interest in
audio. To be honest, if you don't know this stuff you probably shouldn't be
touching any wires at all.

Graham

[Mike S.]

Eeyore wrote:
"Mike S." wrote:

I have an old stereo with two (left and right) audio outputs that I
want to connect to two speakers. Should I use two mono RCA speaker
cables or one stereo RCA speaker cable, or is it the same either way?
I just didn't know if two mono cables are the same as one stereo cable.

RCA jacks have NEVER been used for speaker connections on decent stereos
IME (as opposed to cheap POS computer speakers for example).

Are you SURE those connectors are actually SPEAKER outputs ? Are they
marked as such ? More likely that they are preamp level outputs.

Not even sure what you mean by a "stereo RCA speaker cable". Never met
anything marketed as such in 40 years of taking an serious interest in
audio. To be honest, if you don't know this stuff you probably shouldn't be
touching any wires at all.

Graham



The stereo system I'm inquiring about is from the 70's, was top
quality and still produces great sound. It's actually better than some
of the ones currently being made today. Don't believe me? Play Bobby
Helms's Jingle Bell Rock album on a new stereo system, then play it on
mine. What a difference! I'll only listen to that album on my system.

The stereo (amplifier) and speakers does use use RCA/phono
connections. I didn't realize until today that stereo RCA speaker
cable even existed (I never saw it before). Just to be clear, the mono
RCA cable has two plugs (one on each end), and the stereo RCA speaker
cable has four plugs (two on each end). I've always used two mono
cables. I was just wondering if one stereo cable would be better or
the same as two mono cables.

[[email protected]]

On Mar 13, 6:22 am, "Mike S." wrote:
Eeyore wrote:
"Mike S." wrote:

RCA jacks have NEVER been used for speaker
connections on decent stereos

The stereo system I'm inquiring about is from the 70's, was top
quality and still produces great sound. It's actually better than some
of the ones currently being made today. Don't believe me? Play Bobby
Helms's Jingle Bell Rock album on a new stereo system, then play it on
mine. What a difference! I'll only listen to that album on my system.


Are being deliberately secretive?

What is your system? What brand? What model?

[jamesgangnc[_3_]]

"Mike S." wrote in message
...


Eeyore wrote:
"Mike S." wrote:

I have an old stereo with two (left and right) audio outputs that I
want to connect to two speakers. Should I use two mono RCA speaker
cables or one stereo RCA speaker cable, or is it the same either way?
I just didn't know if two mono cables are the same as one stereo cable.

RCA jacks have NEVER been used for speaker connections on decent stereos
IME (as opposed to cheap POS computer speakers for example).

Are you SURE those connectors are actually SPEAKER outputs ? Are they
marked as such ? More likely that they are preamp level outputs.

Not even sure what you mean by a "stereo RCA speaker cable". Never met
anything marketed as such in 40 years of taking an serious interest in
audio. To be honest, if you don't know this stuff you probably shouldn't
be
touching any wires at all.

Graham



The stereo system I'm inquiring about is from the 70's, was top
quality and still produces great sound. It's actually better than some
of the ones currently being made today. Don't believe me? Play Bobby
Helms's Jingle Bell Rock album on a new stereo system, then play it on
mine. What a difference! I'll only listen to that album on my system.

The stereo (amplifier) and speakers does use use RCA/phono
connections. I didn't realize until today that stereo RCA speaker
cable even existed (I never saw it before). Just to be clear, the mono
RCA cable has two plugs (one on each end), and the stereo RCA speaker
cable has four plugs (two on each end). I've always used two mono
cables. I was just wondering if one stereo cable would be better or
the same as two mono cables.

Your post looks more like a troll than a serious one. Allowing that you
really have rca jacks on your speakers, which is possible, unless you wish
to place the speakers right next to each other you need to use individual
rca cables. And not very many sources have rca cables for speakers. The
rca cables for low level signals have even smaller wire that the ones used
for speakers. If you are buying them commercially you want ones where a
single rca to rca cable has wire that looks like a pair of wires side by
side. Not where one rca jack connects to one round wire as these are the
low level shielded cables. The shielded cables will work if used though.

Which is why you got a lot of questions about the rca connection for
speakers. RCA connections are typically for low level signals, not
speakers. When they were used for speakers it was only for amplifiers with
rather limited output power. Like computer pc sound cards and "boom box"
style systems.

No one really listens to albums anymore either.

[Eeyore]

jamesgangnc wrote:

No one really listens to albums anymore either.

No ?

Graham

[jamesgangnc[_3_]]

"Eeyore" wrote in message
...


jamesgangnc wrote:

No one really listens to albums anymore either.

No ?

Graham


Let's just say the bulk of the world quit listening to albums. I won't
argue that there is still some music that never got re-released on cds. But
that's because it's audience was quite limited which just further supports
my statement. If there was a market someone released it on cd.

[WindsorFox[_3_]]

jamesgangnc wrote:

No one really listens to albums anymore either.



I bet more than you think.

--

h4x0r5 0n teh yu0r pC??
OH NOS!!! Yu0r MEGAHURTZ HAEV BEEN ST0LED!!!!11!
Clicks h3re 4 hlep!

http://tinyurl.com/yjm842

[[email protected]]

On Mar 13, 12:13*pm, "WindsorFoxSS" wrote:
jamesgangnc wrote:
No one really listens to albums anymore either.

* * I bet more than you think.

--

* * * * h4x0r5 0n teh yu0r pC??
OH NOS!!! Yu0r MEGAHURTZ HAEV BEEN ST0LED!!!!11!
* * * * * Clicks h3re 4 hlep!

* * * *http://tinyurl.com/yjm842

I'll bet for every album listener there is 10,000 listening to some
other format.

[jakdedert]

Mike S. wrote:

Eeyore wrote:
"Mike S." wrote:

I have an old stereo with two (left and right) audio outputs that I
want to connect to two speakers. Should I use two mono RCA speaker
cables or one stereo RCA speaker cable, or is it the same either way?
I just didn't know if two mono cables are the same as one stereo cable.
RCA jacks have NEVER been used for speaker connections on decent stereos
IME (as opposed to cheap POS computer speakers for example).

Are you SURE those connectors are actually SPEAKER outputs ? Are they
marked as such ? More likely that they are preamp level outputs.

Not even sure what you mean by a "stereo RCA speaker cable". Never met
anything marketed as such in 40 years of taking an serious interest in
audio. To be honest, if you don't know this stuff you probably shouldn't be
touching any wires at all.

Graham



The stereo system I'm inquiring about is from the 70's, was top
quality and still produces great sound. It's actually better than some
of the ones currently being made today. Don't believe me? Play Bobby
Helms's Jingle Bell Rock album on a new stereo system, then play it on
mine. What a difference! I'll only listen to that album on my system.



I believe you--as far as the RCA speaker connectors go. Those plugs
have been used for speakers over the years, may even be so today, in
some gear.

They were even more common in the 70's; but they were never--repeat,
*never*--used for high quality equipment; which is why many here have
never experienced the practice. As far as 'better than some...made
today'; well, you're right there. There has always been lo-fi crap
available, and there still is today.

This is a forum which deals mostly with mid to high fidelity equipment.
Most gear produced with RCA speaker outs was in the range of three or
four lo-fi watts per channel. Mostly, the speaker cabling used was 20
gauge or even smaller. Radio Shack used to carry them. They might
still....

The stereo (amplifier) and speakers does use use RCA/phono
connections. I didn't realize until today that stereo RCA speaker
cable even existed (I never saw it before). Just to be clear, the mono
RCA cable has two plugs (one on each end), and the stereo RCA speaker
cable has four plugs (two on each end). I've always used two mono
cables. I was just wondering if one stereo cable would be better or
the same as two mono cables.

No offense, but your question(s) and comments belie a general lack of
technical acumen. For instance, as another responder queried; how would
you use a stereo cable unless you put your speakers directly beside each
other? That's not accepted practice...at least if your intention is to
hear what the artists and engineers of the source material intended. If
you're happy with your 'system' as it is, then fine. Who am I to say
that you shouldn't be? Buy some speaker cables at the Rat Shack...or
strip some long stereo signal cables apart and use those (many--but not
all--can be separated and used individually..shouldn't hurt anything in
this application--although again--not 'best practice'). At the very
least, though, you should separate the speakers by a distance roughly
equal to the distance from which you listen to them.

OTOH, you might want to audition some really high (or even mid) fidelity
gear. Check out an audio retailer...or perhaps friends' systems. If
the difference doesn't astound you, then there's little hope, and you
might as well enjoy what you have. Not everybody cares...but don't
trumpet 'quality' of which you have little concept.

jak

[WindsorFox[_3_]]

Mike S. wrote:

Eeyore wrote:
"Mike S." wrote:

I have an old stereo with two (left and right) audio outputs that I
want to connect to two speakers. Should I use two mono RCA speaker
cables or one stereo RCA speaker cable, or is it the same either way?
I just didn't know if two mono cables are the same as one stereo cable.
RCA jacks have NEVER been used for speaker connections on decent stereos
IME (as opposed to cheap POS computer speakers for example).

Are you SURE those connectors are actually SPEAKER outputs ? Are they
marked as such ? More likely that they are preamp level outputs.

Not even sure what you mean by a "stereo RCA speaker cable". Never met
anything marketed as such in 40 years of taking an serious interest in
audio. To be honest, if you don't know this stuff you probably shouldn't be
touching any wires at all.

Graham



The stereo system I'm inquiring about is from the 70's, was top
quality and still produces great sound. It's actually better than some
of the ones currently being made today. Don't believe me? Play Bobby
Helms's Jingle Bell Rock album on a new stereo system, then play it on
mine. What a difference! I'll only listen to that album on my system.

The stereo (amplifier) and speakers does use use RCA/phono
connections. I didn't realize until today that stereo RCA speaker
cable even existed (I never saw it before). Just to be clear, the mono
RCA cable has two plugs (one on each end), and the stereo RCA speaker
cable has four plugs (two on each end). I've always used two mono
cables. I was just wondering if one stereo cable would be better or
the same as two mono cables.


Consider this: If you take a ordinary RCA plug patch cable and grab
the red plug in one hand and the black in the other and pull it into two
single pieces of wire, does that change the functionality of the cable?

And I'm with Dick, what exactly is this mystery machine??

--

h4x0r5 0n teh yu0r pC??
OH NOS!!! Yu0r MEGAHURTZ HAEV BEEN ST0LED!!!!11!
Clicks h3re 4 hlep!

http://tinyurl.com/yjm842

[whosbest54[_2_]]

In article ,
says...

The stereo (amplifier) and speakers does use use RCA/phono
connections. I didn't realize until today that stereo RCA speaker
cable even existed (I never saw it before). Just to be clear, the mono
RCA cable has two plugs (one on each end), and the stereo RCA speaker
cable has four plugs (two on each end). I've always used two mono
cables. I was just wondering if one stereo cable would be better or
the same as two mono cables.

Yes, I've seen several inexpensive systems that used RCA (phono) plugs for
speakers. Typically, the wire is 2-conductor 20 gauge speaker wire, not 75 ohm
shielded cable like normal line level audio stereo cables.

In your instance, it doesn't really make any difference what sort of connector
you use, whether speaker or line level. The existing connectors are probably
fine as long as we're not taking about an excessive length of wire.

whosbest54
--
The flamewars are over...if you want it.

Unofficial rec.audio.opinion Usenet Group Brief User Guide:
http://www.geocities.com/whosbest54/

Unofficial rec.music.beatles Usenet Group Brief User Guide:
http://www.geocities.com/whosbest54/rmb.html

[dizzy]

Mike S. wrote:

The stereo system I'm inquiring about is from the 70's, was top
quality and still produces great sound. It's actually better than some
of the ones currently being made today. Don't believe me? Play Bobby
Helms's Jingle Bell Rock album on a new stereo system, then play it on
mine. What a difference! I'll only listen to that album on my system.

Idiot.

[Richard Crowley]

"Mike S." wrote ...
I have an old stereo with two (left and right) audio outputs that I
want to connect to two speakers. Should I use two mono RCA speaker
cables or one stereo RCA speaker cable, or is it the same either way?
I just didn't know if two mono cables are the same as one stereo
cable.

There is no functional difference between "two mono cables"
and "a stereo cable". It isn't magic.

HOWEVER, it is highly questionable whether any
output from audio equipment using RCA jacks is
*speaker level*. I would assume that it is NOT and
will not work to connect speakers to, unless proved
otherwise.

Note that unless you identify the equipment you are
talking about, we can only speak in generalities which
is of doubtful usefuleness to you.

[Dave Platt]

In article ,
Richard Crowley wrote:

HOWEVER, it is highly questionable whether any
output from audio equipment using RCA jacks is
*speaker level*. I would assume that it is NOT and
will not work to connect speakers to, unless proved
otherwise.

I've seen a few radios and receivers which did in fact use RCA jacks
for the speaker-level outputs. They were either very old models, or
very cheap low-end models, or both.

--
Dave Platt AE6EO
Friends of Jade Warrior home page: http://www.radagast.org/jade-warrior
I do _not_ wish to receive unsolicited commercial email, and I will
boycott any company which has the gall to send me such ads!

[Mr.T]

"Dave Platt" wrote in message
news
I've seen a few radios and receivers which did in fact use RCA jacks
for the speaker-level outputs. They were either very old models, or
very cheap low-end models, or both.

That is my experience too. Always very low quality, and most usually the
"all in ones".

MrT.

[GregS[_3_]]

In article , "Mike S." wrote:
I have an old stereo with two (left and right) audio outputs that I
want to connect to two speakers. Should I use two mono RCA speaker
cables or one stereo RCA speaker cable, or is it the same either way?
I just didn't know if two mono cables are the same as one stereo cable.

How did you do it before ?

greg