Max Reveals the Magic of Impedance-Matched Townshend Cables
In this YouTube video, Max demonstrates how the characteristics of speaker cables can significantly influence audio quality. The focus is on measuring the voltage drop across different cables to understand their characteristic impedance (Zo) and how it relates to their construction.
The investigation presented in the video aligns with electrical theory and computer simulations. It highlights that speaker cables behave akin to transmission lines, necessitating a match between the cable’s impedance and the speaker load for distortion-free audio transmission.
The measurement method involves examining the signal waveform voltage between the amplifier ground terminal (black) and the speaker ground terminal (black). The ideal scenario is to have a signal identical to that between the amplifier ground (black) and the live terminal (red), albeit with a reduced amplitude due to the cable conductor’s resistance. Any deviation from a flat frequency response between 20Hz and 20kHz is both measurable and potentially audible as tonal changes in the audio output. This comprehensive analysis sheds light on why different cables produce discernible differences in sound quality, and the examples provided in the video serve to illustrate these effects effectively.
"If you can measure this on an oscilloscope the human ear will be able to perceive it "
