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Multichannel Audio Cables
We offer all of our analogue audio cables not only in stereo pairs, but also in five, six, seven or eight-channel sets for use with SACD or Dolby 5.1 or 7.1 surround-sound systems. Each cable is terminated with a different colour boot, for ease of installation. We offer these cables in a wide variety of lengths and will cut to custom lengths also. Note: if you're looking not for a multichannel analogue audio cable, but for a single digital audio cable, visit our Digital Audio Cable department.
The Cable: Blue Jeans Cable LC-1 Low Capacitance Audio Cable
Our recommended cable for analogue audio use is our own proprietary design, BJC LC-1 Low Capacitance Audio Cable. The principal considerations in audio cable choice are low capacitance (to prevent rolloff of high frequencies) and high noise rejection, and we designed LC-1 (which is manufactured in bulk form for us by Belden Wire and Cable in Richmond, Indiana) for the best possible combination of performance in these two areas. Its dense double-braid, all-copper shielding provides high coverage and a low resistance path to ground for superb rejection of electromagnetic interference from such sources as power cords, fluorescent lights, and household appliances. We found this specific shield design to be the best at hum rejection -- see our report of our own hum rejection test for more detailed discussion on this subject. Meanwhile, by maximizing the space between center conductor and shield, and foaming the dielectric, we've produced an analogue audio cable with extremely low capacitance -- just 12.2 pF/ft. For more information on the design and specs of BJC LC-1, see our LC-1 Design Notes article. One note: LC-1 is thick, and when several runs are bundled together, makes a heavy and less-flexible cable; for that reason, we generally recommend that you not bundle it in the optional Techflex covering (described below).
The Connectors: Taversoe Crimp RCA Plugs
Connectors are a critical part of any audio cable, because if the cable isn't well-joined to the connectors, or if the connectors don't make firm electrical contact with the jacks, it doesn't much matter how good the cable is. Our LC-1 cables are terminated with the Taversoe RCA plug, a high-quality RCA plug with an all-metal body and shell specifically designed for the perfect dimensions for use with LC-1. Its all-metal body, crimped tightly to the shield braid, completes the shielding assembly from cable end to cable end, to ensure that the cables do not become an entry point for noise. These plugs are gold-plated on all jack-contact surfaces, and employ a set of leaf-spring style grippers on the outer RCA ring which apply just the right amount of force to the jack to grip it firmly without overtightening.
These cables are all assembled here in our own shop in Seattle using precision stripping and crimping equipment, and are individually tested before they go out the door. We think you'll be impressed with their performance; but we also offer a simple and easy return policy. If for any reason you're not completely satisfied, just return the cables, undamaged, within 30 days and we'll refund your purchase price in full.
Other Alternatives:
Different Cables:
In addition to our standard LC-1/Taversoe RCA configuration, we can supply audio cables in any of a number of different cable types. Our other cables do not fit the Taversoe RCA body, so are each matched with an appropriately-sized, similarly-constructed Canare RCAP plug. For a complete list, click here to see all the cables we currently offer.
Belden 1505F:
Belden 1505F was our recommended audio cable prior to the introduction of LC-1. It also has double-braid shielding, and is a bit thinner, more flexible, and more economical. If you will be wanting to have your audio cables bundled together in Techflex wrap (see below), we recommend 1505F because LC-1 becomes quite thick and heavy when bundled and can pull hard on equipment jacks. View the technical specs for Belden 1505F.
Belden 1694A:
Belden 1694A is also a superb choice for analogue audio; its foil/braid shield, though slightly less effective at excluding low-frequency EMI than 1505F's double braid shield, provides better RFI rejection, so 1694A may provide better shielding performance if you are beset with RFI issues. 1694A is an RG-6 type solid-core cable, and so is somewhat thicker and stiffer than 1505F. View Belden's technical specs for 1694A.
Techflex Braided Cable Jacket:
All of our cable sets above will be delivered as separate cables of identical length. However, if you prefer cables which are grouped together in a common jacket, we also offer Techflex, a black plastic braided covering similar to a "finger trap," for cables up to 12 feet in length.
To Order:
Select the length you need, and any applicable options, below, hit the "calculate" button, and the price will appear to the right. To purchase, click "Add to Cart." PLEASE NOTE: the ".1" channel in a surround system is a full-fledged, albeit restricted bandwidth, channel; accordingly, if you need to carry all the channels for 5.1 audio, for example, that requires a six-channel, not a five-channel, cable set. If you'd like to view a list of the prices for these cables in a variety of sample lengths, see our five, six, seven or eight channel price tables.