which speaker wire for Totem Forrest?

michaelv · « **on:** 27 Jul 2005, 05:32 pm »

Hi,
I was just wondering if bi-wire speaker cable has any different effect to regular speaker wire (non bi-wire) on Totem Forrest. Any where i demo Totem, the saleman always use bi-wire to test out the speaker?

Any affordable brand of speaker wire do you recommend? I'm thinking of using Canare 4S11 , but I will open for more options.

THanks very much.

Watson · « **Reply #1 on:** 27 Jul 2005, 06:26 pm »

Canare 4S11 is great. It's my favorite speaker cable thus far, well-balanced from top to bottom.

michaelv · « **Reply #2 on:** 28 Jul 2005, 11:17 am »

Thanks, Watson.

Do you have any experience with Silver speaker cable? Is silver actually better than copper?

thanks.

Watson · « **Reply #3 on:** 28 Jul 2005, 08:44 pm »

I've never tried pure silver speaker cable, but I have tried silver plated copper. I didn't really like it because it had a bit of an odd high-frequency edge to the sound. (Keep in mind that this is all relative though. Differences between decent speaker cables are smaller than differences between speakers, sources, and amps.)

Zero · « **Reply #4 on:** 28 Jul 2005, 11:02 pm »

What electronics are you running?

michaelv · « **Reply #5 on:** 28 Jul 2005, 11:48 pm »

I have Rotel RC-1070( preamp) , RB-1080 (amp) , rcd-1072 , the speaker is Axiom M60, but i will upgrade to Totem Forrest in the next week or so.

Interconnect : element with bullet plug, speaker wire : Straightwire Rhapsody.

thanks.

thayerg · « **Reply #6 on:** 31 Jul 2005, 04:52 am »

Try 14 gauge magnet wire. Incredibly cheap and very good. I read another thread in the critic's corner comparing speaker cables and decided I had to try it. It's solid core and has a minimal dialectric. I can tell you it added a lot of resolution compared to the Kimber Kable I had in there.

If you can bi-wire go for it. Bi-wiring and passive bi-amping are both worthwhile mods if the rest of the components have the resolution to benefit from the improvement, which it sounds like your system does.

With the money you save by going with magnet wire you are well on your way to a second Rotel power amp for passive bi-amping. And that will further boost resolution, microdynamics and pacing. There is no way that dropping lots of money on cables will give you a comparable increase in performance.

Zero · « **Reply #7 on:** 31 Jul 2005, 05:04 am »

Totem Tress speaker wire, with Totem Sinew interconnects are a good bet with the Rotel you are running!

The Magnet wire is something I have never tried, but with it being so affordable, you will not be losing much if it does not tickle your fancy.

bunky · « **Reply #8 on:** 31 Jul 2005, 10:17 am »

you could try groneberg ts premium ic and speaker cable it is the clearest window into the music that i have ever found .it is not cheap but your speakers are not either. good luck!

KarlDL · « **Reply #9 on:** 3 Aug 2005, 03:39 am »

During the Forests' tenure in my system, they were connected using Alpha-Core Goertz bi-wire ribbons. No deficiencies noted.

michaelv · « **Reply #10 on:** 3 Aug 2005, 05:16 pm »

What is "Magnet wire"? I think i can get a few feet of Canare 4s11 from my friend to try out the bi-wire before i put money down for better cable.

I agree the bi-amping is more effect, but i won't be able to afford another amp for now...

thanks for help.

thayerg · « **Reply #11 on:** 3 Aug 2005, 07:50 pm »

Magnet wire is solid core copper with a very thin dialectric. I continue to be really amazed by the stuff. You can get the thinner gauges at Radio Shack but for 14 ga try a full-line electronics supply house.

Bemopti123 · « **Reply #12 on:** 3 Aug 2005, 09:16 pm »

It seems like the trend of audio and wiring right now favors the simple OCC, continuous strand type of wire, like what used to be the SOTA(now defunct) or the other brand name type 47 Labs OTA(costs $450-600 though)...But then, it seem to me from what I read from other people that there are just 4 factories across the world that are capable of making them. The simple, generic version are sold to Vampire Wire, as well as other companies for "branding." I saw some wires in Parts ConneXion site that are of the same type. Not expensive at all. Try OCC and see how you like them. In questions of Bi-wire vs Bi-amping, it is a matter or economics and money. I would start out with Bi-wire, after all, it is more financially responsible, and then, later, try Bi amping...the issue I see with this is that you need 2 of the same kind of amplifiers, or else, face different volumes, which most regular 2 output preamps are not designed to handle....you need to have gain control on the amplifier end.

Another thing I learned about speakers with bi-wire capabilities and should you NOT WISH to bi-wire or bi-amp and use the jumpers given, try the TOP binder for connection, not the bottom. We at the last NYC Audio Rave did do an experiment and it seemed to us that the top jumpers give more control to the speakers we were playing with.

Sorry for the late comment, just returned from Asia yesterday.

Paul Keum

PS: How do you like the Forests? Where did you get them?

michaelv · « **Reply #13 on:** 7 Aug 2005, 02:31 pm »

Bemopti123,
Totem is coming this week. I got them from audiogon. and it's only 3 or 4 months old. I just cross my finger to hope for the best. However, i auditioned a lot at store and i love it. Sleek, nice design, light, and sound is awesome to my ear.

Now, i think i will do DIY speaker cable to save cost and try out the bi-wire . If not changing in the sound, i will use it for other speakers in the house anyway. Do you suggest any speaker wire to buy? I have used Canare 4S11 before , but not limiting to other brands.

thanks.

michaelv · « **Reply #14 on:** 7 Aug 2005, 02:34 pm »

Bemopti123, by the way, do you suggest that i replace the original jumper by something else? if so , which brand do you suggest?

thanks.

michaelv · « **Reply #15 on:** 11 Aug 2005, 03:11 pm »

I got Totem Forrest. The image is excellent, IMO. Soundstage is huge , even way over my imagination. I probably don't get used to this kind of sound from Totem, but i think after a few days, i'll be ok with the sound. I will try to move speakers closer (8ft apart) to see what happens. In general, i am very satisfied with Totem.

One thing is i dont have the bridge between binding post. So i have only two options:

1> get the quality jumper and use my current Straightwire spk wire i have

2> DIY 2 new pair of speaker cable : The following is in the list
Canare 4s11
Cardas
Audioquest

Anyone has suggestion on both 1 and 2?

thanks.

windwaves · « **Reply #16 on:** 11 Aug 2005, 03:30 pm »

I thought it is pretty clear that bi-wiring is complete b/s. It certainly is clear to me. Whats up with you guys ?

michaelv · « **Reply #17 on:** 11 Aug 2005, 05:54 pm »

I just want to try out. IF not i can use another pair for my hometheater .