Which cables to have longer XLR or speaker?

[jazznsoccer]

What is the better trade off - having a good stereo amp close to the pre/pro and having longer speaker cables (~20 ft) or putting monoblocks at the speakers and running long XLR cables (~20 ft) from the pre/pro?

The center and surrounds and rears will have to do with 12 AWG zip cord. The surrounds and rears will each need about 40 - 50 ft runs (conduit runs buried in the walls so I can cjange it later) and I won't spend more on cables than amps or speakers! :

[Lex]

Hmmm, this is really a catch 22. Unshielded interconnects typically sound better than shielded. However over longer runs, I'd tend more to recommend shielded. Using XLR will take care of many potential interference problems though, even if not shielded.

Speaker wires don't have to be shielded, as they are not succeptible to the same intereference that interconnects are. So, from a shere technical standpoint, up to a distance of 20 feet, you'd probably be better off with longer speaker cables, and shorter interconnects. Ideally, I like to minimize both. But some situations just allow one or the other, and you must make teh choice.

There is something to be said for shorter interconnects, and with shorter speaker cables, you can afford to buy a little better wire. So, in the end, it's your call, but I'd likely go the longer speaker cable runs which out of my Cattails when in stock wouldn't really break the bank. Problem is, I am currently almost out of stock and can't fill a 40 foot order. I'll know next week when that could change.

Doug
CATCables.com
HTGuide owner