Mercury 2 Core Screened Microphone Cable 6.5mm Black - 100m Reel

The Mercury is a 2-core screened signal cable designed for microphone and line-level audio applications, constructed with oxygen-free copper (OFC) conductors and a dual lap screen. Each core is built from 20 strands of 0.1mm copper wire giving a total cross-sectional area of 0.16mm² per conductor, while the screen uses 51 strands of 0.1mm copper wire per lap. The entire assembly is wrapped in a flexible 6.5mm diameter black PVC sheath.

Intended for permanent installation in studios, live sound rigs, AV systems and multi-room audio setups, the cable is sold as a 100m reel allowing custom-length termination on site. The dual lap screen provides effective rejection of RF and electromagnetic interference, making the cable suitable for runs through environments with mains wiring, LED drivers and wireless equipment nearby. The 0.16mm² core size handles microphone-level signals and line-level audio without excessive capacitance over typical run lengths of 10-50m.

The black PVC sheath is flexible enough to route through conduit, behind wall panels and around equipment racks without kinking, while providing mechanical protection for the cores and screen during installation. OFC conductors reduce signal loss compared to standard copper, though the difference becomes more noticeable in longer runs above 30m. The cable is sold on a wooden or plastic reel (packaging varies) with four reels per carton when ordering in bulk.

What's the difference between single lap and dual lap screening?

Dual lap screening provides two layers of braided copper screen wrapped around the signal cores, offering better rejection of electromagnetic interference than single lap designs. The Mercury uses 51 strands per lap, giving a dense shield suitable for environments with high RF noise.

Can this cable be used for speaker connections?

No. The 0.16mm² core size is designed for low-current signal applications like microphones and line-level audio. Speaker cable requires much larger cross-sectional areas (typically 1.5mm² minimum for short runs, 2.5mm² for longer distances) to carry amplifier power without excessive resistance.

What connectors are typically used with this cable?

The cable is most commonly terminated with 3-pin XLR connectors for balanced microphone and line-level connections. It can also be used with 6.35mm (1/4 inch) TRS jacks for balanced instrument and line-level signals. The cable is sold unterminated, allowing installers to fit the appropriate connectors for the application.

What's the maximum run length before signal loss becomes an issue?

For microphone-level signals, runs up to 50-100m are typically acceptable with the 0.16mm² core size, provided the source and destination equipment have appropriate input and output impedances. For line-level signals, capacitance becomes more relevant — most balanced line-level equipment handles 50m runs without audible degradation, though this depends on output impedance and cable capacitance per metre.