Speaker Cables

Antman27 · « **on:** 5 May 2006, 08:47 pm »

I know there is Much debate on this subject But thought I would ask,
I now have a Denon 3805 with Paradigm Ref Studio 40's speakers,my speaker wire now is 12 gaugage SJ cable ( power cord)
I am not looking to spend alot of $$ But would be willing to drop some $$ IF I actuly would hear a diffrence?
I looked into audioquest & they have a wide line of speaker cables.IF I do upgrade should I bi-wire the speakers ?
Thanks ~

SET Man · « **Reply #1 on:** 6 May 2006, 12:52 am »

Quote from: Antman27

I know there is Much debate on this subject... IF I actuly would hear a diffrence?...

Hi,

Cables... a very touchy subject indeed.

The perfect cable should not have any impact or sound of thier own at all. But as we all know that is not the case.... too many variations come in to play.

Well, let not get in to the never ending debate....

So, you are looking for a new speaker cable? Well, my friend I think you better sit down. There are so many out there to choose from and this could drive you crazy!

I've never used Audio Quest speaker so I don't know about the AQ. And I've never used very $$$$.

I started out with Monster 12ga. It was okay. Then I got some Kimber 4VS better. Than I got the 4TC better still. Than in the mid to late 90's I got the MIT T2 (my most expensive cable I've ever bought)... you know the Network Box thingy was in fashion back then. I put the old Kimber 4TC in the closet and used the MIT for about 2 years. Than got in to tube stuffs and one day pulled out the old Kimber 4TC and put them back in the system.... than I realized that I hear more with the 4TC than the MIT

So, I sold the MIT. And I've been using the good old Kimber 4TC for many years after that. Until last year when I decided to make my own interconnects and speaker cable. Well, guess what? The 4TC is now back in the closet!

My simple no bull shit homemade cables sound better in my system than those Kimber.... I have not try them with other system yet.

All I know that I don't think I will buy brand name cable again.

So, what is my conculsion? Well, the good old Kimber 4TC is a very good cable I've used them for many years. If you don't want or can't make your cable than I do recomend you check out Kimber 4TC. Other interesting one would be those lower end Cardas.... should be smoother. I think you might beable to find them on the used market for less.

Well, have fun and good luck. There are more cable and opinions out there... I'm sure other will fill in on this.

Take care,
Buddy

JoshK · « **Reply #2 on:** 6 May 2006, 12:54 am »

My opinion..... Pick up a bunch of 14gauge telfon coated silver plated copper wire from apexjr. Take 4 wires and twist them together in a star quad configuration and you have one hell of a great speaker cable for peanuts compared to audiophile stuff.

SET Man · « **Reply #3 on:** 6 May 2006, 01:16 am »

Quote from: JoshK

My opinion..... Pick up a bunch of 14gauge telfon coated silver plated copper wire from apexjr. Take 4 wires and twist them together in a star quad configuration and you have one hell of a great speaker cable for peanuts compared to audiophile stuff.

Hi,

Hey! Josh... after twisted the cable together than you could put them in a fancy colorful sleeve and sell them for $500 per 8ft pair!

Yup! DIY is great way to save money.

Take care,
Buddy

WEEZ · « **Reply #4 on:** 6 May 2006, 01:51 am »

Yup...If your system doesn't sound like you want it to, cables won't fix it.

Cable make a difference, all right, but not always for the better. IMHO; the way to improve your listening pleasure is to follow a few basic rules:

1) Get the best sounding speakers you can afford that work well in your listening space. Experiment with placement and (if you can, room treatments).

2) Use the best source you can afford.

3) Find the most neutral electronics you can afford. Colorations will show their ugly head in due time.

4) use cables that do the least harm.

Careful listening will dictate the above.

(this advice is worth everything you paid for it)

WEEZ

warnerwh · « **Reply #5 on:** 6 May 2006, 02:34 am »

Josh has given you the best advice. I bought my silver plated teflon insulated wire on Ebay. The guy will sell you only what you need if you ask.

Then all you need are quality spade lugs and/or banana plugs.
Just put the wire in a drill with the wire pulled tight and twist, terminate and bingo, you have a very good speaker cable that will be problem free.

Gordy · « **Reply #6 on:** 6 May 2006, 02:49 am »

Some very nice no BS spade connectors.... http://vampirewire.com/mcart/index.cgi?code=3&cat=7

bhobba · « **Reply #7 on:** 6 May 2006, 03:16 am »

If even a little bit of DIY is a concern think about the Anti Cables - dirt cheap and people seem to rave about them.
http://www.anticables.com/products.html

Note - I have not used them so can not speak from direct experience.

Thanks
Bill

TheChairGuy · « **Reply #8 on:** 6 May 2006, 03:36 pm »

I've tried a bunch of speaker wire in the past...solid core, litz, magnet wire (anti-cable type), various gauges, Kimber 4TC (very nice), CAT6...by no means an exhaustive list, but pretty deep.

Nothing compares to the Alpha-Core MI-2. Nothing. It's the only speaker cable that was a definitive upgrade - all others were mostly sideways. It has the lowest inductance of any wire in existence, and probably the highest capacitance (not an issue for good, modern power amps as it is with preamps and line level components; in fact, it may be a great asset with high level signals). Bass is simply tremendous.

When you think of a speaker wire as an actual extension of your speaker that leads right to your speaker inductor, and know of the profound affect using Alpha-Core inductors mean (minimal skin loss, high q, low FM distortion, low hysteresis) to the sonic picture, you'll get why the Alpha-Core cable wire is so good.

The Alpha-Core IC's use the same technology, but are not recommended. High capacitance is NOT what is needed in that link between components.

I cryo'ed it, too, on my own...didn't notice any betterment from having done so.

It's not a lot of money, either (by inflated audiophool standards). $200.00 gets you about a 8' run terminated in your choice of ends by Alpha-Core (or dealer). And, It's got a 30 day money back guarantee.

MrCool78 · « **Reply #9 on:** 6 May 2006, 04:27 pm »

hi antman
If you're really in thight budget you can try Art Cable, I've read good review in audiogon, the price is $79/pair mono $158/pair biwire, I haven't tried this yet but I'm gonna give it a shoot soon. never ever use AQ with Denon AVR(my one was AVR 3803), I used their bottom of range C 4 with my JM Lab Cobalt sound was dry and grainny, I don't know their top of the range. Unless your speaker is not in neutral/bright side, I think that's ok. since denon has smooth and neutral character. the best match for AVR Denon was Kimber 4VS (double run) in my set up before. so listen is a must before you buy it.

drunkonjack · « **Reply #10 on:** 6 May 2006, 05:29 pm »

I'm one that feel Cables are over hyped . I like to choose a well constructed cable and one that looks good . when someone pokes their head around the backside to look at the gear , I want it to look as good as the front .

I like to put more $$$ into speakers and electronics than Expensive cables that I can't tell a difference in sound .

arthurs · « **Reply #11 on:** 6 May 2006, 08:52 pm »

Gregg Straley Reality Cables....hard to beat at many price points, cannot be touched at what he sells them for...IMO