Most factory car audio systems use 1.5 mm² oxidized copper cables. In these situations, industry experts advise choosing cables made of oxygen-free copper (OFC) with significantly better conductivity, while discerning audiophiles immediately buy cables with larger cross-sections (2.5 – 4.0 mm) with a mixture of silver or made entirely of silver – which obviously costs much more.
Tasker’s cable range – The result of such a replacement is often a significantly cleaner, more selective and quieter sound, which is immediately noticeable by the experienced listener – as long as the car is well dampened and the user does not feel loud noises from tires, wheel arches, A-pillars and side mirrors. Just as important as the speaker cables are the signal cable that connects the radio and the amplifier. In this case, multiple shielding is important to protect the sound from noise and other interference from the vehicle’s electrical system or other elements of the car’s audio system. The final key wire is the amplifier power wire, which connects it to the battery. In addition to its good protection against mechanical and temperature influences (it can heat up under the hood), it must, above all, have a sufficiently large cross-sectional area, corresponding to the intensity of the current passing through it (current consumption by the amplifier) and its length. For an amplifier with a current consumption of 50 A, a cable with a cross-section of approximately 1/2 of this value, i.e. 20-25 mm², should be chosen.
Cable lugs and XLR plugs – This point obviously refers to connectors, which are probably the weakest link in cable construction and largely determine the longevity of cabling. To improve the performance of the car audio system, high conductivity cables (see previous section) and silver or gold plated XLR connectors with a screw-on tip should be considered. They ensure firm contact and increased resistance to deformation.