AudioCircle

Industry Circles => Spatial Audio => Topic started by: Jprod on 23 May 2020, 01:27 pm

Title: What are your speaker cables?
Post by: Jprod on 23 May 2020, 01:27 pm
Hello. Just trying to see what everyone is using with their Spatials.  I went with the anticables 3.1 since they were being used to demo the spatials at the various shows. Since I just received my x5s and breaking them in I will reserve comment.  They seem good so far.  One negative for me is how stiff they are

What is everyone else using and what are the pros and cons of your cables ?
Title: Re: What are your speaker cables?
Post by: bbybaudio on 23 May 2020, 01:37 pm
I am using anticables level 5s on my X5s. Like them a lot. They replaced Audience Au24 SE cables.
Title: Re: What are your speaker cables?
Post by: gnatster on 23 May 2020, 01:39 pm
Canare 4S11 twisted pair on M3T speakers
Title: Re: What are your speaker cables?
Post by: bbybaudio on 23 May 2020, 01:42 pm
The audience cables were very good at everything. However I find the anticables more dynamic, voices more well defined and realistic. Imaging is a little better than the Audience cables. Negative, they do not seem to be shielded as well as the Audience cables. Since inserting them I get intermittent crackling sound coming through one of my speakers without any music on, and sometimes hear it with music at low levels. This is the speaker next to the wifi. I may need to move the wifi and router.
Title: Re: What are your speaker cables?
Post by: deadhead on 23 May 2020, 01:53 pm
Duelund 12 ga, no connectors.  Just bare wire on both ends.
Title: Re: What are your speaker cables?
Post by: loki7177 on 23 May 2020, 02:31 pm
I switch between Kimber 8TC and Nordost White Lighting.  8TC is very neutral and great bass.  Nordost when I want airy and big soundstage.  Right now I am using a Primaluna integrated so the Nordost has better synergy.  When I use my Benchmark AHB2 I prefer the Kimber.  Trying to find a used pair of Nordost Heimdall 2 to upgrade to.
Title: Re: What are your speaker cables?
Post by: geerock on 23 May 2020, 02:38 pm
It took me many years to accept the whole cable benefit thing.  Met Paul Speltz of Anticables at an audio show.  I told him about my doubts about cables.  He told me to try some power cables and sold me them at a discount right then and there.  He said if I didn't like them to return for a full refund.  When I got them home I couldn't believe the dynamics and just general better sound I got.  It was obvious and immediate. And that was from power cables!  Needless to say, I called him the following week and ordered a couple more PC's and some speaker cables.  I've been a customer ever since.  I've tried different and more expensive cables over time but always go back to Anticables.  My entire system, including IC's are from Paul except for the Black Magic usb from Mad Scientist Audio for streaming into my DAC.  Anticables is one of the best buys in audio IMHO.  Right now I'm using the 3.1's for SC.  I even have his power cords connected to my X5's.  As for the stiffness of the speaker cables.....it comes in handy as if you shape them right it keeps them off the floor. 
Title: Re: What are your speaker cables?
Post by: Mike B. on 23 May 2020, 02:53 pm
My fairly expensive speaker cables are in storage. I use Duelund 12 gauge wire which Deadhead uses. I use a mild twisting of pairs and the bare wire termination also
Title: Re: What are your speaker cables?
Post by: Downtheline on 23 May 2020, 03:04 pm
Iconoclast TPC. huge improvement in sound stage and smoothness over Signal.
Title: Re: What are your speaker cables?
Post by: rollo on 23 May 2020, 03:19 pm
  Gents just remember one size does not fit all. All systems are different. Different source , different amp and so on. Try as many as you desire. Have fun trying.


charles
Title: Re: What are your speaker cables?
Post by: screener on 23 May 2020, 03:32 pm
Duelund 16g twisted with bare ends.
Title: Re: What are your speaker cables?
Post by: Birdbrain on 23 May 2020, 03:51 pm
Audio Sensibility Impact SE.
Title: Re: What are your speaker cables?
Post by: jseymour on 23 May 2020, 05:26 pm
Bare 10ga Western Electric to M3TM.
Title: Re: What are your speaker cables?
Post by: Manolo on 23 May 2020, 06:10 pm
Jena Labs Twin 4
Title: Re: What are your speaker cables?
Post by: Audiosaurusrex on 23 May 2020, 06:19 pm
I initially went with Anticables 3.1 when I was using my Krell Digital Vanguard. Then replaced my amp/pre with SPL Performer/Director combo. Found them a little harsh. Demoed SR Atmosphere and really love them so I definitely agree with rollo Charles they are system dependent.
Title: Re: What are your speaker cables?
Post by: morganc on 23 May 2020, 11:13 pm
I'm using bare WE Cable at the moment though would like to try Audio Envy and Audio Sensibility cables.
Title: Re: What are your speaker cables?
Post by: HanaEyes on 24 May 2020, 12:31 am
Triode wire labs American speaker cables for me. They replaced a pair of tellurium q ultra blacks (v1). Love twl them as they are super organic and transparent with deep textured bass. As all twl cables, these are really flexible. The only thing I'm not too much a fan of is their use of cardas spring bananas, which fit super tight in some terminals, but over time it can get loose.

Wonder how they stack up against the anti 3.1or 5.1
Title: Re: What are your speaker cables?
Post by: johnto on 24 May 2020, 12:33 am
I'm using Knukonceptz 8 guage with their bananas from Pass to Maggie's.
Title: Re: What are your speaker cables?
Post by: aniwolfe on 24 May 2020, 01:59 pm
If you want to take the Duelund wire to another level. Convert them into the Helix DIY design. I am currently using them and its shockingly good...like better than big buck cables. Here is a link > http://www.image99.net/blog/files/category-002ahelix-image-speaker-cable.html
Title: Re: What are your speaker cables?
Post by: ric on 25 May 2020, 01:40 pm
Thanks for the link!
Title: Re: What are your speaker cables?
Post by: mikeeastman on 25 May 2020, 02:51 pm
My cables are a combination of Neotech gold/silver and Neotech silver wire with bare ends in a cotton sleeve. They are incredibly clean and detailed.
Title: Re: What are your speaker cables?
Post by: mrotino332 on 26 May 2020, 02:22 pm
I'm using the Ven Haus Audio CHeLA cables bare wire connection.  They are made of 48 individually insulated copper conductors in a counter helical litz array.
Title: Re: What are your speaker cables?
Post by: paolocaminiti on 9 Jun 2020, 02:14 pm
I'm using DNM speaker cables and interconnects. They are solid core designs, alike but even more budget friendly then anticables. I tried their xlr first and much preferred them to anticables 3.1 xlr, just much more muscial and full bodied in my setup. So I went on with their speaker cables.

This is my first speaker cable upgrade as I get more and more sold on the whole cable and fuses thing: compared to a pair of bluejeans speaker cables I had before they have somewhat of a harder sound, and perhaps are a bit lighter on the extreme bottom end, but definitely more detailed and refined - so they stayed. DNM also offer and upgrad to the cables with a circuit in parallel to stabilize impedeance and help with negative feedback aberrations (my understanding) but didn't try them out yet.
Title: Re: What are your speaker cables?
Post by: diyman on 9 Jun 2020, 11:16 pm
You might want to watch this video before getting too excited about solid core speaker cables.

https://www.audioholics.com/audio-video-cables/speaker-cable-length-differences-do-they-matter
Title: Re: What are your speaker cables?
Post by: paolocaminiti on 10 Jun 2020, 02:11 pm
Thanks, did you had bad experience with solid core?

I went with the dnm out of the good experience with their xlr. The bluejeans is a 10awg. I may compare them again, but the dnm certainly sounded more refined and revealing. They are also cheap enough to try.

But then I'm not sure I'm totally satisfied and something in the easiness of the bluejeans is lost with the dnm, so it's on my list of things to try to beat soon.

What would you recommend as a step up from the bluejeans? It's really hard to make a choice, most companies out there have just to many models to pick one. Good thing about bluejans anticables and dnm is their choice is very limited and makes sense.

PS. For the xlr the dnm clearly wins against the others I have: anticables 3.1, a pair of silver blue van damme cables from nordacoustics and regular dj shop xlr cables (they best they could sell me).
Title: Re: What are your speaker cables?
Post by: morganc on 10 Jun 2020, 02:37 pm
There's always a divide between the engineers who want to measure everything and I get that, but what they miss is that everything can't be measured, and the Golden Ears who prefer to judge for themselves what they like or don't like.  It's an age old debate on this and other forums.  Though I don't have golden ears, I've learned to find those that do, and I listen to where they point me and I try their suggestions and if it sounds great I go for it and if not I sell the item. 

At the moment I have the WE Cable from EBay and like it and am also going to demo some Audio Envy SC's as well as I have heard they have great synergy with the Spatials and the 2-Cherry that I'm using as an amp. 

Title: Re: What are your speaker cables?
Post by: diyman on 10 Jun 2020, 07:00 pm
I can't speak directly from any experience with solid core.  I was just pointing out a video by some true experts who discuss the facts about signal currents moving through speaker cables.

What you learn from it is that for mid to high frequencies solid core attenuates the signal much more than stranded wire.  At low frequencies there really is no difference, since the current stays pretty much centered and doesn't move out towards the skin.  But the cable resistance is much higher for mid to treble signals than for bass in solid core compared to stranded due to the difference in skin effect.

So even though you may think that the solid core cable is giving you more bass, that's just an illusion.  What is really happening is that the mid to high range is being attenuated in proportion to the signal frequency. It may sound like more bass, but it's not.  It's less upper end instead, so it appears relatively that there is more bass.  You're actually losing some of the high end.

Title: Re: What are your speaker cables?
Post by: Don_S on 10 Jun 2020, 07:24 pm
I can't speak directly from any experience with solid core.  I was just pointing out a video by some true experts who discuss the facts about signal currents moving through speaker cables.

What you learn from it is that for mid to high frequencies solid core attenuates the signal much more than stranded wire.  At low frequencies there really is no difference, since the current stays pretty much centered and doesn't move out towards the skin.  But the cable resistance is much higher for mid to treble signals than for bass in solid core compared to stranded due to the difference in skin effect.

So even though you may think that the solid core cable is giving you more bass, that's just an illusion.  What is really happening is that the mid to high range is being attenuated in proportion to the signal frequency. It may sound like more bass, but it's not.  It's less upper end instead, so it appears relatively that there is more bass.  You're actually losing some of the high end.

Thank you for the education.
Title: Re: What are your speaker cables?
Post by: paolocaminiti on 10 Jun 2020, 09:30 pm
So even though you may think that the solid core cable is giving you more bass, that's just an illusion.  What is really happening is that the mid to high range is being attenuated in proportion to the signal frequency. It may sound like more bass, but it's not.  It's less upper end instead, so it appears relatively that there is more bass.  You're actually losing some of the high end.

Actually in my system dnm solid core vs bluejeans 10awg yelds quite the opposite effect as I wrote... I'd like to found something with the bass of the bluejeans but with better refinement (as the dnm), any suggestion is wellcome.
Title: Re: What are your speaker cables?
Post by: diyman on 10 Jun 2020, 09:57 pm
Thank you for the education.

I don't claim to be an expert.  I'm just repeating what I saw in the video. It's best to watch it yourself and come away with your own conclusions.
Title: Re: What are your speaker cables?
Post by: Audiosaurusrex on 10 Jun 2020, 11:02 pm
Actually in my system dnm solid core vs bluejeans 10awg yelds quite the opposite effect as I wrote... I'd like to found something with the bass of the bluejeans but with better refinement (as the dnm), any suggestion is wellcome.
I have the M3 Sapphires and initially started with Solid Core Anticables 3.1. While they were transparent they sounded harsh and just didn’t impress me with my system, SS SPL Combo- Performer/Director. I demoed some SR Atmospheres from Alfred at HighEnd Audio. Did not charge my card until I decided. I would certainly recommend doing a demo either with HighEnd or The Cable Co. But I think you’ll find the High end is top notch!
Title: Re: What are your speaker cables?
Post by: paolocaminiti on 10 Jun 2020, 11:40 pm
Thanks, a bit over budget for now. Also I'm starting to buy into the cables thing after I heard such differences with the xlr, but synergistic research advertising is still somewhat hard to digest...

The big problem I've with these upgrades is that buying from companies that offer you one choice like dnm and bluejeans or a sensible set like anticables with its 2 levels (plus a cost no objection super one) is a thing, but trying to make sense of other companies large offers with scattered prices just seems like buying compromises... it's difficult to decide within one brand, and impossible to compare between brands.
Title: Re: What are your speaker cables?
Post by: Audiosaurusrex on 10 Jun 2020, 11:55 pm
Yes understood completely. I still have my Anticables 3.1s 12 footers bananas if anyone is interested. Anyway I really had to force myself to sit down and do some critical listening. Actually took some effort for me in my senior years but for me I really wanted to justify that what I was hearing was real and not some idea in my head. Anyway I think many companies will demo cables. Good Luck and happy listening!
Title: Re: What are your speaker cables?
Post by: Jprod on 11 Jun 2020, 02:48 pm
I can't speak directly from any experience with solid core.  I was just pointing out a video by some true experts who discuss the facts about signal currents moving through speaker cables.

What you learn from it is that for mid to high frequencies solid core attenuates the signal much more than stranded wire.  At low frequencies there really is no difference, since the current stays pretty much centered and doesn't move out towards the skin.  But the cable resistance is much higher for mid to treble signals than for bass in solid core compared to stranded due to the difference in skin effect.

So even though you may think that the solid core cable is giving you more bass, that's just an illusion.  What is really happening is that the mid to high range is being attenuated in proportion to the signal frequency. It may sound like more bass, but it's not.  It's less upper end instead, so it appears relatively that there is more bass.  You're actually losing some of the high end.

I have a a pair of anticables 3.1  with my x5s. I noticed that although the bass is good , the mids and highs sound like they have a "veil" ( especially the mids) .  It seems more of an issue since I switched from a  ss to a tube amp.  I have ordered some audio envy speaker cables to give them a try in my system.  Will give an update once i get them .
Title: Re: What are your speaker cables?
Post by: bbybaudio on 11 Jun 2020, 06:29 pm
I went with the anticable 5s after conversing with Paul. He definitely felt the 5s would sound better than the 3s, but big difference in price.
Title: Re: What are your speaker cables?
Post by: CSI on 11 Jun 2020, 07:37 pm
I believe the Spatials were developed with anti cables. In any case, I went with them and was happy for three years. Then we moved and the bright red stiff anti cables failed the WAF in our new digs. So I am now using Morrow SP4 cables and they are just fine. And much less conspicuous along the base board behind the speakers.
Title: Re: What are your speaker cables?
Post by: Jprod on 11 Jun 2020, 09:48 pm
I went with the anticable 5s after conversing with Paul. He definitely felt the 5s would sound better than the 3s, but big difference in price.

I’m sure they are great but that’s a lot of scratch. Can’t bring myself to spend a few grand on 10
Foot cables.   I wish anticables had an in between option
Title: Re: What are your speaker cables?
Post by: ric on 12 Jun 2020, 01:17 pm
I had the Morrow sp 3 or 4's, can't remember which, and liked them and then one day saw a Craigslist ad for a pair of MIT MH750's for cheap.Tried out the MIT's and they just sounded right, and the Morrows sounded thin by comparison, so I sold them. I've since moved up the MIT line with Magnum M1's, and say what you will about price, MIT is doing something right, even if they're newer stuff is made of unobtanium.
Title: Re: What are your speaker cables?
Post by: Lndryguru on 13 Jun 2020, 04:48 pm
I am using Audio Envy throughout my system, M3T driven by Cherry amps, with a tube pre, Aric Audio, and phono stage, Tavish.
Audio Envy is a great product, open, clean, and has great synergy with my system.  I have used several cables, these are far and above the best.  The owner, Cap, could not be any more helpful or pleasant to work with.  Don't let the reasonable price imply that they are not amazing.
 
Title: Re: What are your speaker cables?
Post by: sjsfiveo on 16 Jun 2020, 01:40 am
I use Verastarr speaker cables, there 2 inch flat foil copper cables they eliminate  the skin affect associated with round wire. Fantastic detail best cables I’ve ever owned.
Title: Re: What are your speaker cables?
Post by: Corsentino on 19 Jun 2020, 02:21 pm
Another vote for Anticables! I'm running series 5 speaker cables, 6.2 and 4.1 Interconnects, and Level 3 Power Cords. Paul's cables have trounced everything else I've tried, some substantially more expensive and well know. I have recently incorporated a Nordost Fray II Tonearm Cable which I also find a worthwhile investment.
Title: Re: What are your speaker cables?
Post by: ElGatoRon on 24 Jul 2020, 01:39 am
I don’t believe much of the snake oil used to sell high end cables.
My cables of choice are BlueJeans Cable.
Currently running their #10 white with spades at both ends. Belden 5000 shielded solid copper conductors- $94 for a pair 12ft long
Audioholics has tested these and they test very well
Title: Re: What are your speaker cables?
Post by: johnnybravo on 24 Jul 2020, 03:57 am
Don't have Spatials, but recently bought some Emerald Physics for my man cave.
Will be using mid-range/older MIT speaker cables; hope its a good match.
If not, I will try different cables from the ubiquitous "old cable box".
Think I've got some Clear Day biwire, Music Metre Signature, Pure Note silver, Bob Crump brand (Luminous(?) forgot the name).
Any thoughts on best match?
Title: Re: What are your speaker cables?
Post by: Vince in TX on 24 Jul 2020, 03:59 am
You might want to watch this video before getting too excited about solid core speaker cables.

https://www.audioholics.com/audio-video-cables/speaker-cable-length-differences-do-they-matter

You know, as they say, hindsight is 20/20.   I really wish I knew of this forum before I talked to the "experts" at Magnolia.   They saddled me with Audioquest SLiP-DB 16/2 for in-wall to handle my 7.2.4 Atmos setup.   Watching this video and looking at their gauge versus distance chart, 16 gauge was a mistake for the front channel.  So not only do I have cheap wire, I have the wrong gauge wire.   The only saving grace is I ran two sets of wires for the LF and RF with plans for bi-amp.

I ran the wires myself, and the walls are already closed up, so I am stuck with them now.   How bad of a mistake was this?   The longest run is to the LF speaker, which is probably close to 35-40' from the source.   Not good.


(https://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=212259)
Title: Re: What are your speaker cables?
Post by: geerock on 24 Jul 2020, 02:43 pm
Don't have Spatials, but recently bought some Emerald Physics for my man cave.
Will be using mid-range/older MIT speaker cables; hope its a good match.
If not, I will try different cables from the ubiquitous "old cable box".
Think I've got some Clear Day biwire, Music Metre Signature, Pure Note silver, Bob Crump brand (Luminous(?) forgot the name).
Any thoughts on best match?

I have to ask you.  What determined your decision to buy Emeralds over Spatials?
Title: Re: What are your speaker cables?
Post by: geerock on 24 Jul 2020, 04:23 pm
You know, as they say, hindsight is 20/20.   I really wish I knew of this forum before I talked to the "experts" at Magnolia.   They saddled me with Audioquest SLiP-DB 16/2 for in-wall to handle my 7.2.4 Atmos setup.   Watching this video and looking at their gauge versus distance chart, 16 gauge was a mistake for the front channel.  So not only do I have cheap wire, I have the wrong gauge wire.   The only saving grace is I ran two sets of wires for the LF and RF with plans for bi-amp.

I ran the wires myself, and the walls are already closed up, so I am stuck with them now.   How bad of a mistake was this?   The longest run is to the LF speaker, which is probably close to 35-40' from the source.   Not good.


(https://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=212259)

Did you ever consider moving your equipment to one of the side walls near your speakers?  You can run your cables behind your baseboard trim.  And you should be able to fish the Atmos stuff up the walls from the floor up also.  But you sure do have long runs from where you are located with your equipment.
Title: Re: What are your speaker cables?
Post by: Vince in TX on 24 Jul 2020, 06:41 pm
Did you ever consider moving your equipment to one of the side walls near your speakers?  You can run your cables behind your baseboard trim.  And you should be able to fish the Atmos stuff up the walls from the floor up also.  But you sure do have long runs from where you are located with your equipment.

Unfortunately that was never in the plan.   Nothing is painted yet (just tape, float and texture), so ripping things apart is on the table, just not desirable.   I had a dedicated 20A circuit installed in that cubby specifically for the equipment, and I already ran the HDMI and CAT6 from there to the projector.

My thought was that if it becomes a problem I would combine the pair of 16AWG wires at both ends since I plan to amp the front channel anyway (pre-amp out of the receiver).   My receiver is an 11 channel, but only 9 of them are amplified.   So I'd run direct from the receiver to the Atmos and surrounds, and then pre-amp to a three or five channel amplifier for the front.

EDIT:  Wait!   What if I were to pre-amp to those long runs, and then amp them at the front of the room?    :D


(https://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=212255)
Title: Re: What are your speaker cables?
Post by: musicdre on 2 Feb 2021, 09:25 pm
resuscitating this thread as its relevance continues.   after a kind lending by a circle member - i will be using anti-cables 3.1s on my saph M3s.  the difference between the 3.1s and the decent no-name-on-them speaker cables i had been using was pretty stunning.  more openness, space, impact, liveliness, etc etc.   the sound is amazingly good right now.  not that i will not keep trying to improve it further :)
Title: Re: What are your speaker cables?
Post by: zimpah on 3 Feb 2021, 01:01 am
I make my own.  I use well insulated stranded copper wire, twisted pairs, and terminated with qood quality banana connectors.  Anything else is wasteful and is just a gimmick.  No offense to Monster Cable or any of the other big names out there.  It's just the honest truth.
Title: Re: What are your speaker cables?
Post by: aniwolfe on 3 Feb 2021, 09:31 am
Best cable by far is DIY HELIX Cable by Steve Reeve. I use them with my X2's. I compared them to mega buck cables from Audience, Stealth, High Fidelity and Inakustik. The only issue with this DIY recipe is that you cannot use these cable with Amps that have Balanced "symmetrical" amp design.  Not many amps I know have this design but it exists. If you make or have someone make them for you, be prepared for amazement.
Title: Re: What are your speaker cables?
Post by: mav52 on 3 Feb 2021, 01:08 pm
Bluejean cables and just added a Cullen speaker cable to my system,
Title: Re: What are your speaker cables?
Post by: jtwrace on 3 Feb 2021, 01:14 pm
Belden 1313A
Title: Re: What are your speaker cables?
Post by: musicdre on 3 Feb 2021, 02:00 pm
Best cable by far is DIY HELIX Cable by Steve Reeve. I use them with my X2's. I compared them to mega buck cables from Audience, Stealth, High Fidelity and Inakustik.

do you have a link for these?  thanks
Title: Re: What are your speaker cables?
Post by: aniwolfe on 4 Feb 2021, 01:16 pm
do you have a link for these?  thanks

Sure > http://www.image99.net/blog/files/d048bbacfce9bcad4a025be804771d9a-76.html
Title: Re: What are your speaker cables?
Post by: Mr. Big on 8 Feb 2021, 02:13 pm
I found analysis plus Black Mesh Oval 9 to work really well with the M3, which brought out the bottom end better, and give more weight to the midrange and highs. Just a nice balance and presence top to bottom. I have some Audio Envy cables coming this week to try out. 4 power cords and XLR interconnects for the system. Keeping the speaker cables as is.   
Title: Re: What are your speaker cables?
Post by: GrsZ06 on 28 Feb 2021, 01:29 pm
Morrow SP7, spade connectors.
Title: Re: What are your speaker cables?
Post by: DRHamp on 1 Mar 2021, 12:57 pm
Cables from Pine Tree Audio.  They build my speaker cables, interconnects, and power cables.  Jesse at Pine Tree is great to work with and will build you whatever you need and it won't break the bank.
Title: Re: What are your speaker cables?
Post by: sarora9 on 1 Mar 2021, 02:45 pm
DIY Furutech alpha 36 (12awg) for Spatial X3's. 7 ft length.

Used bluejeans 12awg for many years and they now sound v. veiled in hindsight. Also tried Kimber 8tc for a couple months and prefered the Furutech by a noticeable margin. Wireworld eclipse mini was roughly similar to bluejeans.
Title: Re: What are your speaker cables?
Post by: jcai on 3 Mar 2021, 06:17 pm
I used to use Transparent Music Ultra and it is smooth and great. Now I also use Morrow Audio SP7 and seems get more dynamics... 
Title: Re: What are your speaker cables?
Post by: Tom Bombadil on 4 Mar 2021, 01:38 am
I don’t believe much of the snake oil used to sell high end cables.
My cables of choice are BlueJeans Cable.
Currently running their #10 white with spades at both ends. Belden 5000 shielded solid copper conductors- $94 for a pair 12ft long
Audioholics has tested these and they test very well

Good choice.  I am using something similar to those, sometimes switching to some ultrafine stranded 8GA.  Over the years I brought in some higher price speaker cables to test against mine, and even some fairly common 12GA stuff I have on hand.   I never heard any difference, even with speakers which would cost over $10K new. 

I've spent quite a bit of money on my system over the years, but I don't spend it on things for which I don't hear a difference.  I was certainly willing to drop $1000 or more on speaker cables but was never able to find a reason why. 
Title: Re: What are your speaker cables?
Post by: ljiminez on 23 Mar 2021, 03:46 am
I recently switched from Monster M1.5 speaker cable to Anticables 3.1. The things I noticed most on my M3S were increased bass and dynamic range.
Title: Re: What are your speaker cables?
Post by: mrotino332 on 23 Mar 2021, 03:04 pm
I just received the silversmith Fideliums.  They were a little lean the first hour or so but really opening up now.  They are a very thin wide ribbon foil and use no connector, the speaker foil itself is the connector.  We will see but so far they are very revealing and the micro details and trailing of sounds to the back of the soundstage is exceptional.
Title: Re: What are your speaker cables?
Post by: Mr. Big on 23 Mar 2021, 05:40 pm
I tried many speaker cables, in the end, the ones that work magic with the M3's were Analysis Plus Black Mesh Oval 9's. Really brought balance to the sound with a terrific bottom end finally. I've kept them to date. Audio Envy is updating their speaker cables and Cap said they really sound great so much so that he did not need to use a subwoofer with one speaker he tested them with.
Title: Re: What are your speaker cables?
Post by: musicdre on 23 Mar 2021, 08:08 pm
I just received the silversmith Fideliums.  They were a little lean the first hour or so but really opening up now.  They are a very thin wide ribbon foil and use no connector, the speaker foil itself is the connector.  We will see but so far they are very revealing and the micro details and trailing of sounds to the back of the soundstage is exceptional.

how do you connect the wide foil to the binding post?  roll it up into a tube and stick it into the bare wire opening and then screw down on it?
Title: Re: What are your speaker cables?
Post by: TomS on 24 Mar 2021, 01:33 am
how do you connect the wide foil to the binding post?  roll it up into a tube and stick it into the bare wire opening and then screw down on it?
Gently fold them into a "U" shape, slide the exposed square conductive pad with "U" shaped slot onto the binding post, then tighten the post down onto the flat conductive pad. Works like a charm. If the posts are really close you end up with a side by side "UU" shape, black/red. They self insulate from each other with a film, so that's not an issue.
Title: Re: What are your speaker cables?
Post by: jjss49 on 24 Mar 2021, 02:10 am
all copper belden 9497's made by tuneful in brooklyn... great match to the m3 sapphires
Title: Re: What are your speaker cables?
Post by: 2oldcranks on 24 Mar 2021, 06:24 am
Kimber 12Tc to M4TM's,they sound grrrrrreat! :thumb:
Title: Re: What are your speaker cables?
Post by: morganc on 24 Mar 2021, 07:24 am
I just upgraded to Cerious Cables and am really enjoying the improvements in tonality over the Audio Envy’s I have been using.
Title: Re: What are your speaker cables?
Post by: ChevChelios on 24 Mar 2021, 08:56 pm
Hi, I have M3 Sapphires and currently use Kimber 8TCs at a three meter length. 
No one in my household noticed as I switched from Blue Jeans, Mogami, to
Kimber, but I can’t complain!
Title: Re: What are your speaker cables?
Post by: ChevChelios on 24 Mar 2021, 09:09 pm
I should have mentioned that my M3 sapphires are powered by a Devialet Expert 220 Pro.
Title: Re: What are your speaker cables?
Post by: James Edward on 5 Apr 2021, 10:37 pm
Now using Supra Classic 6.0. 9 gauge works well for my 22 and 24 ft. runs. I have some anticables 2.1 for sale if anyone interested...
Title: Re: What are your speaker cables?
Post by: sarora9 on 5 Apr 2021, 11:01 pm
7.5ft run of Furutech Alpha 36 DIY cable (using supplies from VH Audio). Prefered them to 8TC and Wireworld mini eclipse.
This is for X3
Title: Re: What are your speaker cables?
Post by: tdangelo on 7 Apr 2021, 09:41 pm
With my X2 I’m using Audioquest Robin Hood Zero and Bass - 4 individual cables. Sounds better than anything else I’ve tried but as always YMMV.

Tony
Title: Re: What are your speaker cables?
Post by: chezrock5 on 10 Apr 2021, 08:38 pm
I have been using MIT for the last 5 years, but when I switched to Spatial M3, they didn’t seem to make as much of a difference as with my previous speakers. 
Title: Re: What are your speaker cables?
Post by: tamcongdinh on 21 Apr 2021, 04:29 am
anyone can share idea about wireworld speaker cables. I'm considering WW silver 7 series
Title: Re: What are your speaker cables?
Post by: aniwolfe on 22 Apr 2021, 02:05 pm
anyone can share idea about wireworld speaker cables. I'm considering WW silver 7 series

I like the Wireworld Eclipse the best. I thought the Silver Eclipse was a bit too forward and grainy in the highs and upper mids. Something about silver copper clad that is annoying to my ears. I prefer either going all copper or all silver wire.
Title: Re: What are your speaker cables?
Post by: sarora9 on 22 Apr 2021, 02:49 pm
I tried wireworld mini eclipse, figuring that my Spatial X3's high sensitivity doesn't require thicker cables. I thought it was inferior to Kimber 8TC in my system, which in turn was inferior to Furutech 36 Alpha (DIY).

My wife picked it out immediately as much worse sounding, like within a minute.

We did allow a few days of burn-in.
Title: Re: What are your speaker cables?
Post by: Charles Calkins on 22 Apr 2021, 04:51 pm


   B J C ten white.  White jacket 10 AWG
Title: Re: What are your speaker cables?
Post by: morganc on 22 Apr 2021, 06:01 pm
I like the Wireworld Eclipse the best. I thought the Silver Eclipse was a bit too forward and grainy in the highs and upper mids. Something about silver copper clad that is annoying to my ears. I prefer either going all copper or all silver wire.

Have you tried the Cerious cables at all?  Wondering how those compare to the Wireworld and Furutech.
Title: Re: What are your speaker cables?
Post by: aniwolfe on 22 Apr 2021, 08:54 pm
Have you tried the Cerious cables at all?  Wondering how those compare to the Wireworld and Furutech.

Yes..the Graphene Extremes. They sounded like I put a blanket over my speakers. No thanks. The best cables I have heard is the DIY Helix.
Title: Re: What are your speaker cables?
Post by: mrotino332 on 23 Apr 2021, 12:27 pm
I've settled on the Silversmith Fideliums as the best I've tried with my X5s.  Previously I used the all silver Ridge Street Poiema speaker cables which have no connector, the speaker cable itself is the connector.  This is the same for the Fideliums as they just have a notch at the end of the cable.  I also tried the Ven Haus Chela litz speaker cable without any connectors bare wire.  My preference is Fideliums first, followed closely by the Poiemas then the Ven Haus.  All three are excellent however the Fideliums just have that extra detail, speed, resolution and trailing of musical sounds to the back of the stage and just sound absolutely neutral, no coloration whatsoever.
Just my opinion of course and I haven't tried other speaker cables. 
Title: Re: What are your speaker cables?
Post by: Audiophile58 on 4 May 2021, 04:13 pm
Wire world Eclipse are better then most in a lot f ways ,any type of stranded in a minus to start with
For all strands micro arc that is a dac which = more distortions  Wireworld use individual wires different gauges
In the lowest dielectric out there and the Purest OCC Copper = 7-9s pure none better .
And  very important connections ,pure Copper silver plated , and spades or bananas can be changed by their screw on connectors and they have the Eclipse Copper then 3 grades higher up to the Platinum line ,
Vs the competition very accurate and clear ,excellent value perr $$ ratio. I have tried many  ,I am speaking through experience ,check them out before making and decisions.
Title: Re: What are your speaker cables?
Post by: musicdre on 4 May 2021, 04:56 pm
Wire world Eclipse are better then most in a lot f ways ,

which level of eclipse do you use?  i see at least platinum, silver, gold and mini.  as well as level 8 and 7.  thanks
Title: Re: What are your speaker cables?
Post by: Flip49er on 4 May 2021, 06:45 pm
Just got through the burn in process on a pair of Audio Sensibility Signature cables. Very open and detailed. All copper, so no strident "silverness" in these and I enjoy them very much.
Title: Re: What are your speaker cables?
Post by: Mr. Big on 11 May 2021, 05:15 pm
I just purchased some AQ William Tell Zero speaker cables and my jaw hit the floor on the positive impact driving the M3 Sapphires. A match made in heaven and literally transform the sound production from the M3's, now I have to say they are fully better than my Quad speakers, same great midrange, detail is natural also but now with full dynamics and bass to die for. The noise floor is lower, and the imaging is so natural, color and the timber of brass are dead-on, and piano is reproduced if well-recorded like it is in your room, neither pushed forward into the room or back behind the speakers, it is just there in the room. Vocals are also superb just played Ricky Lee Jones, Pop, Pop recording, and it's never as it sounded so good, like you in the studio right in your room, I was always fair on this recording, but no longer it is superb now. The M3's are truth-tellers, they add little and they will give you back what you feed it. So don't skimp.
Title: Re: What are your speaker cables?
Post by: Rosswell105 on 13 May 2021, 02:36 am
I have tried my old Kimber 8tc and Audioquest Gibraltar on M5 and both sounded very good. I built speaker cables using Mogami w3104 for fun but bass on mogami was a bit loose. Recently I bought used audience ohno 3 and shunyata venom cables for different set ups but the best cables for M5 to my ears are Shunyata venom with low background, good tight bass and wide sound stage. venoms are staying with M5.
Title: Re: What are your speaker cables?
Post by: Tyson on 13 May 2021, 02:51 am
I've switched over to pure silver in a teflon sleeve and 'beeswax treated', multiple small strands braided together to get to 15ga for my downstairs system.  For my upstairs system I have the DIY UPOCC braided copper cable that Danny at GR Research sells.
Title: Re: What are your speaker cables?
Post by: musicdre on 13 May 2021, 11:21 am
I've switched over to pure silver in a teflon sleeve and 'beeswax treated', multiple small strands braided together to get to 15ga for my downstairs system.  For my upstairs system I have the DIY UPOCC braided copper cable that Danny at GR Research sells.

you have 2 systems utilizing spatials?!?  if so, how cool.
Title: Re: What are your speaker cables?
Post by: doggie on 13 May 2021, 01:03 pm
I am still waiting for my X5's to arrive but I will be using Duelund DCA16 hookup wire which is based on the old Western Electric design and has been popularized by Jeff Day who is now writing for Positive Feedback. I used it with my Omega Audio speakers for a couple of years.

I believe that it is the same wire that the X5 speakers use.

Title: Re: What are your speaker cables?
Post by: Tyson on 13 May 2021, 03:47 pm
you have 2 systems utilizing spatials?!?  if so, how cool.

Doh, didn't notice that this was in the Spatial forum.  I do run OB speakers similar to the Spatials in my downstairs setup, but I run box speakers in my secondary (upstairs) system.  Sorry about that!
Title: Re: What are your speaker cables?
Post by: Kreepin on 22 Jun 2021, 11:25 am
I'm new here so hello all. Interesting thread, so many different cables and opinions. I like to tinker a bit and found some cables seem to work better with different equipment. I didn't like the the Kimber 12VS on my Pendragons but they did sound good on my Gallo's.
Title: Re: What are your speaker cables?
Post by: Mr. Big on 23 Jun 2021, 01:09 pm
Audioquest William Tell's, or Analysis Black Mesh 9 Gage, for a cost vs. performance a little known brand called Audioblast their 8 gage speaker cable, no bling, solidly made, but a lot of perforance. In fact, my Quad speakers were as good as a $1,500 set of speaker cables I was using, Quads of course have no woofer, tweeter, etc but even on the M3's, they sounded really good, fast, and clean with good bass.
Title: Re: What are your speaker cables?
Post by: Grahamps on 1 Jul 2021, 12:10 am
After getting my M3 Sapphires, I upgraded to Transparent Music Wave Ultra Gen 5... they were an upgrade from Music Wave Super MM2 I bought when I worked at a Transparent dealer.
Title: Re: What are your speaker cables?
Post by: forky on 30 Aug 2021, 10:03 am
I found analysis plus Black Mesh Oval 9 to work really well with the M3, which brought out the bottom end better, and give more weight to the midrange and highs. Just a nice balance and presence top to bottom. I have some Audio Envy cables coming this week to try out. 4 power cords and XLR interconnects for the system. Keeping the speaker cables as is.

Bumping this from a few mos. ago. Thanks for this post and just wanted to let you know I bought Black Mesh Oval 9s per your post and reading other reviews online. Just wondering if you kept the 9s or went w/ something else. I've probably got about 50 hours on mine and will probably keep them for a year before I think about upgrading but have a general ? for you all which is:

How much $ will you spend on speaker cable for speakers which cost $5k (for me, M3s). I read some great reviews on here about the William Tell - and am intrigued but they cost about 1/2  of what the speakers cost. The Anticables level 5 series cost about the same (at  7-8'). While I'm not completely opposed to doing this (prefer 30% max/below) if it is a substantial difference (I understand dissipating returns or whatever that term is as you move up w/ hifi) I just think about how much work, development and the materials that went into making the M3s and spending half of that on speaker cable - well doesn't seem "right". I know this can be a contentious subject and not trying to start anything in that regard but just wondering how much one would consider spending on speaker cable for $5k speakess. I know this varies but I think my "mental" max would be aroudn 30% of the speakers which is $1,500 (and about double what I spent on the Oval 9s). Maybe I can find some used William Tells someday when I'm in the market.  :)
Title: Re: What are your speaker cables?
Post by: doggie on 30 Aug 2021, 11:31 am
Bumping this from a few mos. ago. Thanks for this post and just wanted to let you know I bought Black Mesh Oval 9s per your post and reading other reviews online. Just wondering if you kept the 9s or went w/ something else. I've probably got about 50 hours on mine and will probably keep them for a year before I think about upgrading but have a general ? for you all which is:

How much $ will you spend on speaker cable for speakers which cost $5k (for me, M3s). I read some great reviews on here about the William Tell - and am intrigued but they cost about 1/2  of what the speakers cost. The Anticables level 5 series cost about the same (at  7-8'). While I'm not completely opposed to doing this (prefer 30% max/below) if it is a substantial difference (I understand dissipating returns or whatever that term is as you move up w/ hifi) I just think about how much work, development and the materials that went into making the M3s and spending half of that on speaker cable - well doesn't seem "right". I know this can be a contentious subject and not trying to start anything in that regard but just wondering how much one would consider spending on speaker cable for $5k speakess. I know this varies but I think my "mental" max would be aroudn 30% of the speakers which is $1,500 (and about double what I spent on the Oval 9s). Maybe I can find some used William Tells someday when I'm in the market.  :)

Why not use Duelund wire. You can make a DIY pair for less than $100-200 depending upon the length that you need. As far as I know it is what Spatial uses internally to connect the drivers. Sounds great with my X5's.
Title: Re: What are your speaker cables?
Post by: musicdre on 30 Aug 2021, 11:34 am
Why not use Duelund wire. You can make a pair for less than $100. As far as I know it is what Spatial uses internally to connect the drivers. Sounds great with my X5's.

link?
Title: Re: What are your speaker cables?
Post by: doggie on 30 Aug 2021, 12:50 pm
I got my wire from Parts Connexion. I looked back through my old email receipts to see what I had purchased, how much, and what it cost.

I got 12 meters(36 feet) of DCA16GA. It looks like it cost closer to $150 then. That made for a pair of ~8 foot DIY speaker cables allowing for twisting each pair. You will need to figure out the lenght from your amp to your speaker and multiply that by 4 to get the amount that you need. Remember that they are in Canada and use meters. If you make them yourself you will probably twist the pair so add on some extra lenght for that. I use bare wire at each end.

Looks like they now sell premade cables at custom lengths and with a Techflex sheath. The pre-made cables come in 12 and 20 gauge. 12 for speakers and I assume 20 for interconnects. I use have been using Duelund for my interconnects also.
Title: Re: What are your speaker cables?
Post by: pumpkinman on 30 Aug 2021, 01:07 pm
Belden 9497 16 AWG 2 Conductor High-Conductivity Copper Speaker Cable Open Twisted Construction
Title: Re: What are your speaker cables?
Post by: Mr. Big on 30 Aug 2021, 01:45 pm
For more performance with just superb balance top to bottom and I mean a well-detailed dynamics, the AQ Firebird or William Tell, but then you cannot skimp on the interconnects, your build a whole connection network from the wall AC to the power amp, and then to your speakers.

Title: Re: What are your speaker cables?
Post by: consttraveler on 30 Aug 2021, 02:49 pm
Analysis Plus Oval 9's.
Title: Re: What are your speaker cables?
Post by: sunnydaze on 30 Aug 2021, 05:44 pm
I got my wire from Parts Connexion. I looked back through my old email receipts to see what I had purchased, how much, and what it cost.

I got 12 meters(36 feet) of DCA16GA. It looks like it cost closer to $150 then. That made for a pair of ~8 foot DIY speaker cables allowing for twisting each pair. You will need to figure out the lenght from your amp to your speaker and multiply that by 4 to get the amount that you need. Remember that they are in Canada and use meters. If you make them yourself you will probably twist the pair so add on some extra lenght for that. I use bare wire at each end.

Looks like they now sell premade cables at custom lengths and with a Techflex sheath. The pre-made cables come in 12 and 20 gauge. 12 for speakers and I assume 20 for interconnects. I use have been using Duelund for my interconnects also.

In the past few months I bought enough of this Duelund 16 gauge cable to make 3 pair of single wire SC: 16ft, 12ft and 8ft.

Bought it used from hobbiests.  Watch the marketplaces for guys that buy in bulk for projects, then sell what they don't need cheap.  I paid only $1.75 per ft.  Works great on every speaker I've put them on:  Sunny H2W10, Klipsch Forte IV,  JM Reynaud Twins, Wharfedale Denton 80th Anniversary.  Sorry, can't comment on their performance into Spatial.  Hopefully some day!     :thumb:

I too use bare wire ends.
Title: Re: What are your speaker cables?
Post by: dallaire1 on 20 Sep 2021, 04:12 pm
GR Research 24 strand DIY with spades.