Does speaker cable length really matter?

All speaker cable is bad, the shorter the better. Why would you want the extra cost and sound issues of 12ft cables? Most audiophiles have speakers set in "near field" position forming 6-9ft equilateral triangle with listening position. 8ft should be plenty, even 6ft can work, bi-amp systems can be even shorter. If you want equipment rack on side wall use long run of interconnect to amp which remains on floor centered between speakers....regards Sam

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Hi Carl, Sam, Thanks for your thoughts, they helped ease some tension I need to keep my rack on one side of my system for now, forcing me to use longer cables than I would normally use. I hadn't thought of longer interconnects with amp in center, hmmm... Going from an expensive 1 meter to a 3 meter interconnect seems a little impractical financially, and might that not create as many problems as it solves?

Most cable Gurus prefer longer interconnect to amp, as oppossed to long speaker cables. Every system is different cost wise depending on your cables, but for HT 12ft of Pro-9 speaker cable will run you $1180 new, and 12ft of Truthlink interconnect will run $555. Ideally empty space would be between speakers to maximize imaging and soundstage, but I have small equipment rack against rear wall centered between speakers which are pulled out 5ft from rear wall. This keeps all my cables and interconnects short, but I give up a little soundstaging with rack in center....Regards Sam

Thanks guys,I have installed the 12' cables and they are breaking in as I write. So far they don't seem to have any negative affects. sam, i'll think about your advice in future applications. Appreciate all the help here. Bye for now.