[CGabriel]

It depends on how big and complex the system may be. These recommendations apply to relatively small two channel systems consisting of 3-10 components. I am also assuming you are using one to three system racks. Complex audio/video systems that have multiple dedicated power lines and large distances between components have different requirements.

1) Never run power cables and signal cables together. Do not parallel them to one another even for relatively short distances. Do not cable tie them together.

2) Do not run speaker cables together with interconnects.

3) Do not run digital cables parallel to ANY other cable. Do not let a digital cable directly touch another. Just an inch or two of spacing is sufficient.

4) Do not allow a power cord to touch the speaker’s terminals even when it is running at perpendicular angles to the speaker cable.

You may group interconnects together if necessary if they are good shielded cables but it is not optimal for performance. Keep them separate from power cords and digital cables.

This is how I prefer to manage system cables. I let the power cables have the ground level. So let the power cables drop down and then along the floor to the power conditioner or wall outlet. You may run the power cables parallel to one another between the racks and the wall. Then keep the interconnects relatively short and do not let them droop down towards the power cord level. Run them directly up or across between components. When they intersect a power cord be sure to cross them at perpendicular angles.

Make sure the speaker cables cross at perpendicular angles to any power cords or interconnects.

If your power cords or speaker cables are too long do not coil them up. This creates an inductor that radically increases the inductance of the cable. To take up excess length run the cable back and forth in a figure 8 pattern. It is best to shorten the cables to reasonable lengths. Most power cables will sound worse if the length is much shorter than about 1.5 meters. Many people also report that very short speaker cables sound worse but I have not noticed this. But systems vary.

If you are looking for the absolute best performance then be sure to decouple the power cables and speaker from the floor.

If your system has many components and there are long distances between components ask Ivan for advice and check out his cable management photos.