[nodiak]

I expect there is an electrical/technical (non opinionated) reason for the answer to this, I just couldn't find it in a search. (Hopefully won't start a diatribathon.)

Am planning to get an O Audio Bash 500 to run dual mono bass cabinets. Monitors will rest on the bass cabinets. (Doubtful will get another for stereo bass, am ok with that.)
I won't mount the sub amp in either bass cabinet. My rack is about a 16' cable run to farthest bass cabinet. Can locate the sub amp on the rack or about 8' away.
So the choice is 2-3' ic from preamp to sub amp, and then 16' speaker cables. Or 8' ic to sub amp and 8' speaker cables.
Pass B1 used for preamp.
Thanks, Don

[srb]

The higher capacitance of long interconnects can attenuate high frequencies, but that's not a concern with subwoofers.  I would probably go with the long interconnects versus long speaker cables.  Obviously that's the scenario for common powered subwoofers, and the long interconnects are rarely a problem.
 
Steve

[brj]

From Steve Nugent at Emperical Audio:

Is it better to have short interconnects and long speaker cables or visa-versa?

Not specific to subs, but useful.  As mentioned, the HF roll-off isn't a concern there.

[mcgsxr]

Not saying it is ideal, but I have run 15 feet of speaker wire before.  I never heard anything that upset me over 5 years.

[nodiak]

Thanks for the link. Will likely go short ic's and long speaker cables. Might be nice to have sub amp on rack anyway.

[Davey]

16 feet are not long speaker cables.  Maybe 50 feet might be. 

Since you're using the Pass B1 (which has a high output impedance) I would definitely go for the shorter IC, longer speaker cable scheme.  Speaker level signals are driven from a much lower output impedance source and at much higher voltage levels so it makes sense for those to be the longer cables.

Cheers,

Dave.

[Big Red Machine]

I have 26 foot IC's and 3 foot SC's.  They are both 4 gauge total each cable though.  DIY.

[nodiak]

Thanks Dave. That's the way I'll go. Will be nice to have a system up and running again.

[drjjpdc]

I'm surprised that no one mentioned the cost factor as well. IC's are always more expensive (especially long ones) than speaker cable/wire.

[srb]

I'm surprised that no one mentioned the cost factor as well. IC's are always more expensive (especially long ones) than speaker cable/wire.

I didn't mention it because I felt it isn't necessary to spend a lot of money on subwoofer signal cables.
 
Ram Electronics Belden 1694A: $21.95 for 17ft.
 
Blue Jeans LC-1:  $31.50 for 16ft.
 
Blue Jeans 1505F:  $33.50 for 15ft.
 
Monoprice Premium:  $5.13 for 15ft.
 
But nodiak has decided on short ICs and long speaker cable, so it's a moot point for him, but for others who decide to go the other way (or split the difference) there are affordable alternatives for subwoofer use.
 
Steve
 

[nodiak]

I'm with Steve on cable costs. All mine are Blue Jeans. Am thinking of going to 20' to get them tucked away better than my current ones are. 40' of 10 gauge at  $.96/ft, ~$40 plus shipping.
Appreciate the responses.
Don