best subwoofer cable

Best Subwoofer Cable Reviews

Speakers have always been in high demand when a lot of people got together. Moreover, parties without great tunes won’t kick into high gear.

However, the ideal listening experience will be influenced by more than just the size of the speakers and the nature of the playlist you decide to play. For better room harmony, you should go for the best subwoofer cables. The following recommendations rely on cable capacity, screening, and plug rating, and apply only to mono cables, i.e., cables equipped with a single connection point at both ends.

For more information regarding things to pay attention to in selecting the overall finest subwoofer cable, we’ve put together a shortlist of subwoofer cables offered in the upcoming segments to facilitate your selection of the most suitable cable for your purposes.

Best Subwoofer Cables Reviews

AudioQuest Black Lab – best overall

AudioQuest Black Lab

The AudioQuest Black Lab subwoofer cable is a favorite among buyers all over the world as it offers excellent quality at a reasonable price.

Delivering rich bass to your active subwoofer, AudioQuest’s Black Lab cable features a pair of suitable conductors, each made from a solid, pristine strand of AudioQuest’s ultra-clean long-grain copper. Solid conductors provide impressive suppression of electrical and magnetic interference, which is often a cause of brittle sound in cables with multiple conductors.

AudioQuest Black Lab photo

The Black Lab contains custom long-grain copper (LGC) solid conductors and features a metal film noise suppression system (NDS) that ensures continuity of the signal flowing through. A foamed polyethylene jacket further aids this process, meanwhile cold-welded, gold-plated plugs guarantee reliable signal delivery at the attachment points. Audioquest uses balanced coaxial geometry for this best subwoofer cable, and a ground lead is included to reduce unwanted hum.

Customers are enthusiastic regarding the audio performance of the subs cable, along with the actual cable itself. It is the outright finest subwoofer cable that makes it simple to hook up, is built to last, simple to get started with while being reasonably priced.

Key specs

  • Cable length, feet: 6.5

Pros

  • Flexible
  • Audio Quest’s material quality is consistently superb
  • Amazing noise cancellation

Cons

  • A short ground cable

Mediabridge – best budget

Mediabridge

The 8-foot Mediabridge ULTRA series subwoofer cable has a long-range and can handle low-frequency signals. Those who choose this cable will be surprised at how much audio detail their subwoofer can reproduce. The result of this feature is better audio output quality and greater precision in sound reproduction.

Mediabridge

This Mediabridge subwoofer cable is made from a massive copper conductor covered with a dual-layer of copper, aluminum shielding, and a total jacket. Aluminum aids in reducing costs and delivers superb shielding at low levels (not as effective at higher rates). Gold-plated RCA connectors wrap up this splendid proposition for music listeners who are on a budget. And unlike the majority of subwoofer wires, the Mediabridge Ultra product range is equally useful as a dedicated audio or video solution cable. Meaning should you ever make an upgrade at some time in the future, it will still be a very practical interconnect cable.

This is a seriously good quality cable offered for a truly acceptable cost. I sincerely agree that these cables are extremely well done. Honestly, if you are а casual listener but not ready to invest ridiculous sums on audio cables, then you won’t notice any difference between the lot of them. Personally, I will take this cable and couple it with the AudioQuest Black Lab and get to know if you will notice the difference.

Key specs

  • Cable length, feet: 15
  • Also available length, feet: 2, 4, 8, 25

Pros

  • Works extremely well on lower-frequency sounds
  • Profound and impressive audio sound quality
  • Great for concealed applications
  • Turbine-style design ensures a safe connection

Cons

  • Cable housing is rather rigid

AudioQuest Irish Red – premium

AudioQuest Irish Red

If longevity and output are your number one criteria, this strong, dual shield cable is exactly what you’re looking for. Perfect for connecting subwoofers, it is equally useful for hooking up speakers to a speaker or amplifier.

These cables deliver tight, powerful sounding lows along with crisp mids. The cables effectively cut out potential RF disturbances and EMI for a crisp, undistorted musical experience with no loss of signal frequency, too.

AudioQuest Irish Red

The connectors used are made of silver instead of aluminum, so the cable won’t wobble and twist once a subwoofer is connected to the receiver. On either end of the cable, you will find a long ground cable. Thereby external power is kept from being transferred through the cable, which can create interference and distortion in the sound image.

While a little bit higher in price, these cables are able to excel in terms of quality – something you definitely want when shopping for a home theater. This long subwoofer cable is addressed to all the audio enthusiasts in the world today.

One thing that distinguishes this cable from the AudioQuest Black Lab is the inclusion of silver inside and a progressive NDS system.

The Irish Red cable shielding provides 100% strength and durability and is constructed of metal, not carbon. Backed by a 5-year guarantee, it is long-lasting, tough, superior quality, and preferred by audiophile music lovers.

Key specs

  • Cable length, feet: 6.5

Pros

  • Great cable featuring a fairly long ground wire
  • Offers superb audio
  • No buzzing or remaining static noise

Cons

  • A dedicated grounding cable might not be necessary

SVS SoundPath – also a great choice

SVS SoundPath

SVS SoundPath Interconnect cables maintain your appliances at the highest point of their efficiency by protecting audio quality and reducing interference with noise. SVS SoundPath interconnect cable, sometimes also known as RCA cable for subwoofer, delivers high-end sound by creating a strong link between your subwoofers or other devices and a speaker receiver or pre-amp while keeping costs down.

The gold-plated hardware assures ultimate audio clarity and punch, in particular at peak volume settings. With the SVS SoundPath RCA Audio Interconnect Cable, you will be able to continue experiencing your music regardless of the volume you set on your amplifiers and speakers.

SVS SoundPath photo

These cables are gorgeous in their appearance and are finished to appear like a seashell. With bead-blasted metal ends, a super cushy cotton jacket, and a dual-layer of insulation (metal mesh and foil), make them just fine for every purpose. These are indeed terrific cables, and they come at a great competitive price.

It won’t matter if your equipment runs a thousand dollars or a few hundred, the SVS cable hooks it up and delivers virtually the same accurate sound you desire to hear out of your speakers.

Key specs

  • Cable length, feet: 10
  • Also available length, feet: 3.2, 6.5, 16.4, 26.2, 39.3, 49.2

Pros

  • Long cords
  • Robust and durable wires
  • The wires are smooth

Cons

  • Product texture could be better

BlueRigger

BlueRigger

This is a tough and diverse cable that is excellent for users seeking to hook up their subs, AV receivers, as well as related appliances using a cable designed for longevity without going too overpriced.

This best wire for subwoofer is provided in three lengths, is loaded with gold-plated RCA plugs, and overall performs quite acceptable in terms of output sound.

BlueRigger

The inner segment of the cable comprises a copper conductor and dielectric isolation, whereas the outer part is topped with a dual-layer of insulation, giving it great robustness as well as, first of all, superior stability with respect to buzzing and related disturbances.

The BlueRigger cable features exceptional style and comfort and is exactly what you need for in-ceiling installations. To conclude, the BlueRigger subwoofer RCA to RCA audio cable is an outstanding cable in terms of cost, being more than a robust pick if you’re hunting for the cream of the crop subwoofer RCA cable at a smart cost.

Key specs

  • Cable length, feet: 15
  • Also available length, feet: 6, 8, 25, 35, 50

Pros

  • Durable and versatile
  • Guaranteed functionality with multiple components
  • Good tone for almost all purposes

Cons

  • Stiff, cumbersome to operate
  • A certain amount of buzzing can occur

Subwoofer cables buying guide

Cables shielding

A cable shielding is an essential part of any audio or video cable. It helps protect the cable from interference and noise, ensuring that your signal stays clean and clear. There are a few different types of shielding available, so you can choose the one that best suits your needs. Some common types of cable shielding include:

Aluminum Mylar Foil Shielding

This type of shielding is made from two layers of aluminum foil with a layer of polyester in between. It’s lightweight and effective at preventing electromagnetic interference, making it an ideal choice for audio cables.

Conductive PVC Sheathing

This type of shielding is made from a conductive PVC layer that surrounds the entire cable, protecting it from outside interference and noise. It’s best suited for use with video cables, such as HDMI or CAT5e/CAT6 cables.

Braided Shielding

Braided shielding is made from a woven layer of copper or aluminum wire that surrounds the cable. It’s effective at preventing both electromagnetic and radio frequency interference, making it an ideal choice for use with audio and video cables alike.

Spiral Shielding

Spiral shielding is made from a layer of copper or aluminum wire that’s wound around the cable in a spiral pattern. It’s effective at preventing electromagnetic interference, making it an ideal choice for use with audio and video cables alike.

Cables length

Different types of cables will react differently to different lengths, and what might be ideal for one person might not be ideal for another. That said, there are a few general guidelines you can follow to help you choose the right cable length for your needs.

In general, shorter is better when it comes to reducing signal loss and interference. Cables that are too long can also cause problems with signal clarity and latency. So, if you’re looking for the best sound quality, it’s generally best to keep your cables as short as possible. Of course, this isn’t always possible or practical, so just use the shortest cable that will work for your situation.

Subwoofer wire thickness

Thicker wires can carry more power and provide cleaner sound, while thinner wires can be more susceptible to interference. The thickness of the home theater subwoofer cable you’ll need will depend on the wattage rating of your subwoofer and amplifier, as well as the length of the wire run. For most applications, a 16-gauge speaker wire is sufficient. If you’re running long lengths (more than 50 feet/15 meters) or connecting multiple subwoofers, you may need to use a thicker wire.

Cable conductors quality

In order for an electronic device to produce sound, it needs a conductor. This is a material that allows electricity to flow through it so that the audio signal can be transferred from the device to your ears. In most cases, the conductor is a metal wire, and in some cases, it’s a thin film. The type of conductor used in a sound cable can have a big impact on the quality of the sound that is produced.

There are two types of conductors that are commonly used in sound cables: copper and aluminum. Copper is the most popular choice because it is an excellent conductor of electricity. It also has low resistance, which means that it can transfer the audio signal quickly and without much interference.

However, aluminum is also used in sound cables because it is a good conductor of electricity and has a low density. This allows for thinner wires to be used, which can reduce the weight of the cable overall. While many people prefer copper conductors due to their superior performance, aluminum cables

Is cable conductors’ quality important?

Yes, the quality of cable conductors is very important. This is because the conductor is responsible for transferring the audio signal from your electronic device to your ears. If the conductor has poor quality, it may not be able to transfer the signal efficiently, which can result in interference or loss of sound. Additionally, a low-quality conductor may not be able to withstand the demands of daily use, leading to potential damage or component failure. Therefore, it is important to carefully consider the quality and durability of cable conductors when making your purchase.

FAQ

Does a subwoofer need a special cable?

A subwoofer doesn’t necessarily need a special cable to function, but it may help to improve the quality of the sound. Most subwoofers have a stereo RCA output, which can be connected to an audio input on your TV, receiver, or amplifier. If your subwoofer doesn’t have a stereo RCA output, you can use a standard speaker wire to connect it to an audio input.

Do you need 2 RCA cables for the subwoofer?

The answer is no, you don’t. In fact, using two cables may actually degrade the sound quality of your system.

Can you use a regular RCA cable for a subwoofer?

There is a lot of confusion surrounding subwoofers and the cables that connect them to amplifiers. Some people believe you can only use special subwoofer cord, but that is not true. In fact, you can use a regular RCA cable for a subwoofer without any problems.

Can I use the speaker cable for the subwoofer?

Yes, you can use the speaker cable for the subwoofer.

Is a subwoofer cable the same as a coaxial?

No, a subwoofer cable is not the same as a coaxial. A subwoofer cable is typically thicker than a coaxial and is used to send low-frequency signals from a receiver to a subwoofer.

Does the thickness of the subwoofer cable matter?

Yes, the thickness of the subwoofer connection cables matters. A thicker subwoofer cable will have less resistance and deliver a cleaner signal than a thinner one. This is why most pros recommend using at least 12-gauge wire for your subwoofer cables.