[StevieM]

It’s been a month or so since I first got my Aksonics up and running. I’ve had a fair bit of private correspondence about them, and it was suggested to me that I post an update on this forum. The honeymoon period is over, and I can confirm I am still delighted with them.
Initial impressions were extremely favourable. But now I have had time to listen to them at length and experiment with the tuning options they offer. I have to say I am more pleased with them now than when I first listened to them.
The bass/midrange driver in particular has freed up a lot.
The movable back panel allows for some subtle but worthwhile changes to be made to the bass, whilst the tweeter switch has a marked effect on the perceived soundstage.  The result of this is a speaker you can tune to suit yourself over a period of time, as you become acclimatised to them. This is definitely preferable to having to make a decision in a shop, based on a relatively brief audition !!
The Aksonics are (IMHO) a cracking speaker, which I cannot fault. I’m currently exploring ways of dealing with their only limitation – the lowest bass notes. The rest of the frequency range is so good that I want to get this bit right too. I’m looking at subwoofer kits from IPL Acoustics (here in the UK) – does anyone have any experience of them ?
The speakers are bi-wired with cheap 79 strand type speaker cable. I’m not inclined to spend much on cables, probably because my mechanical engineering background automatically sizes up any product for its likely manufacturing cost, but can anyone offer any suggestions on speaker cables that don’t cost much ??
You don’t see much about the Aksonics in this forum, which strikes me as regrettable, because they are worth investigating. I suspect many potential buyers are reluctant to buy because you can’t listen to them first. An earlier posting referred to the ‘leap of faith’ needed to buy them, and I would second that. Try them !
System is Linn LP12/Ittok/Audio Technica ATF5 + Rotel RCD855 cd player + inca tech claymore amp (see www.hi-fiworld.co.uk/oldeworldehtml/claymore.html)
Steve

[Raj]

Hi,

I think there's quite a few Aksa guys round here that like the cat5 as a cable, do a search on the web and also on the forum, I'm sure there's someone here that can advise on the cat5 stuff.  I use a silver plated coax.  I'm sure Hugh knows a good budget friendly option?

Thanks
Raja

[TG]

> can anyone offer any suggestions on speaker cables that don’t cost much ??

Try household mains wiring   .  Two single 16 AWG copper wires in parallel, double insulated - available from your nearest friendly hardware store for less than $2/metre.

Some people love it - some hate it (it can be very system dependent) - but for less than the price of a pack of cigarettes its a cheap and revealing experiment.

Cheers
TG

[Malcolm Fear]

Hi StevieM
I am a great fan of CAT 5 for both interconnects and speaker leads.
Go buy some solid core (not stranded) CAT 5 teflon coated (also called plenum coated). If you want 6 foot speaker leads, buy 6 foot of CAT 5.
It costs about US$2.00 a yard. We have difficulty purchasing it in Australia (we had to import a 1000 foot roll). I also got some on a trip to USA at Radio Shack. I was able to purchase it by the foot.
Throw away the outer casing. This leaves you with 4 twisted pairs (of different twist tightness.
Untwist all of the pairs. This gives you 4 coloured strands and 4 white strands. Get 2 coloured strands and 2 white strands.
Start with coloured,white,coloured,white tied together at one end. Take the left (white) and cross over 2 cables (puts it between a white and the rightmost coloured).
Take the rightmost wire (coloured) and pass it to the left (over the white you just moved). Repeat until you have finished.
So it is left over two, right over one. As you work it, you may notic that you ar bringing two whites to the centre, then two coloureds. Using that as a double check ensures you are not making mistakes. I braid at about 2 crossovers per inch. A friend braids a little tighter. I haven't bothered to compare braid densities (they both sound good).
Use 2 coloureds for positive, two whites for negative.
If you think that it is too thin, then do it again and twist together the two sets, giving you 8 strands. Don't go above 8 strands if you are using an AKSA power amp. The AKSA sounds great with 4 or 8, not good with 16. I have done this experiment with two different AKSA power amps and two very different sets of speakers (16 ohm Diatone full range with 92 db efficiency and 6 ohm Ambience ribbon speakers with 86 db efficiency).
I do exactly the same for interconnects. Works a treat.

[EchiDna]

Hi StevieM
I am a great fan of CAT 5 for both interconnects and speaker leads.
Go buy some solid core (not stranded) CAT 5 teflon coated (also called plenum coated). If you want 6 foot speaker leads, buy 6 foot of CAT 5.
It costs about US$2.00 a yard. We have difficulty purchasing it in Australia (we had to import a 1000 foot roll). I also got some on a trip to USA at Radio Shack. I was able to purchase it by the foot.
Throw away the outer casing. This leaves you with 4 twisted pairs (of different twis ...

er you better put in a disclaimer there Malcolm... from prior experience Hugh DOES NOT recommend braided speaker cables or IC's.
Unless Hugh has changed his view on this? Care to enlighten Hugh?  

[Malcolm Fear]

The problem with CAT 5 speaker cable is that the original recipe calls for 27 pair, 27 for positive and 27 for negative. This raises something (capacitance, temperature, I don't know). This can cause the amplifier to go unstable. A lot of amps have the same problem. I think this is what happens when you use 16 strands or more. My recipe is for very loosely braided cables (4 or 8 strands). The pairs in the CAT 5 (as purchased) are fairly tightly twisted. That is why I untwist the whole lot into 8 individual strands.

Interconnects. I think Hugh actually likes CAT 5 for interconnects. He has imported a reel (1000 feet). He supplies it for internal wiring of the GK-1.

I took my 8 strand speaker leads to the AKSAfest recently. They were liked.

[EchiDna]

The problem with CAT 5 speaker cable is that the original recipe calls for 27 pair, 27 for positive and 27 for negative. This raises something (capacitance, temperature, I don't know). This can cause the amplifier to go unstable. A lot of amps have the same problem. I think this is what happens when you use 16 strands or more. My recipe is for very loosely braided cables (4 or 8 strands). The pairs in the CAT 5 (as purchased) are fairly tightly twisted. That is why I untwist the whole lot into 8 individual  ...

I agree with you Malcolm, almost entirely... the key word is BRAIDED though. Hugh has in the past categorically stated he doesn't support the use of braided wires (of whatever type) FWIW I also use Cat 5 for internal signals in my AKSA and my GK-1 and have experimented with various cat 5 IC's and others.

Perhaps we better wait for Hugh's current standing on this one  

[cheeky comment]
Hugh? whatcha busy doin? don't tell me the documentation for the GK-1 remote still...  

[/cheeky comment]

[AKSA]

Glen, Mal, & Others interested

I do not like braided leads because of the excessive capacitance, and the tendency to act as a big RF aerial, attracting problems with instability and subsequent destruction of fast output stages.  And RF, VHF and even UHF is all around us in modern life, and very obvious to fast moving audio circuits. Nasty, potentially destructive interference, to be avoided where possible.

I won't disagree with Mal's option of four strands of CAT5E per conductor, however, and this seems very good for the AKSA.

I myself prefer simple multistrand PVC covered copper wire for speakers, as used for 15A auto duties.  This is merely because it's not expensive, and does the job well, enabling me to pick up the subtleties of every little tweak I do.  I do like the idea of lots of copper area to minimise resistance;  a speaker at 4R only needs a cable of one ohm and the damping factor can never be better than four, which is appalling and softens bass impact very considerably.

If this doesn't work for you, and everyone has their preferences, that's cool, YMMV.  I won't lay down any hard and fast options about wire or interconnects because it's an area of belief/religion and the last thing I want to do is antagonise.

I do like the U-byte speaker cable designs because they minimise inductance AND capacitance, no bad thing for an amplifier.  I can't find too much which is better than lightly twisted pair CAT5E for interconnects or strip conductors like Alphacore.  These combinations seems to work very well, and are reasonably cheap.  I recoil in horror when I hear stories of $US500 interconnects.  My immediate response is 'Why?  How is this better than the same money spend on upgrading a component?'

I will admit that I do not understand the mentality which propels people into such purchases when they will carefully consider every dollar spent in the purchase of an amp, CD/DVD player, or speaker.  It makes no sense to me, but maybe I'm missing something.  Crummy zip cord cables are certainly injurious to the sound, no contest there, but good cables and interconnects need not be expensive, as many AKSA builders have found.

I do believe I should offer reasonable quantities of CAT5E to interested parties;  this stuff is not expensive at all and it has electrical properties which I can thoroughly endorse.

Hope this puts my view succinctly, and that it's useful to readers.  

Cheers,

Hugh

[MarinRider]

Some months back I emailed Hugh WRT vhf oscillation of AKSAs with high capacitance cables. This is not a loop stability issue it's seems to operate like a colpitts oscillator around the output stage.
The cure is simple - add a 10R (3W) resistor in // with the output inductor. I believe Hugh includes this in all kits now.

In case anyone is worried, the oscillation is momentory at certain points on the negative waveform and is low in amplitude and energy and is NON destructive. Audibly it sounds like a clicking noise related to the music transients, it's not hard to hear so you will know if you've got it.

As Hugh states many amps don't like high cap cables - try CAT5 with a Naim amp for example - and be prepared to fork out for a new output stage (allegedly!).

[Tinker]

> can anyone offer any suggestions on speaker cables that don’t cost much ??

TG

You can try the thin cable thing using ribbon cable as an approximation of a flat strip conductor. You can buy 50way ribbon for about $2 per meter, strip off the ends and carefully twist together. Mind you, many of these are stranded conductors inside, which I am not a fan of.

Incidentally if you are really mad you can buy solid fine silver wire from a jewellers supply for next to nothing (silver is virtually worthless in the current market, unlike copper which is in short supply). You can get this stuff really thin (0.5mm) and laquer it with transformer lacquer, although it is not too flexible. I have tried making ribbon cables with silver foil (not the toasty stuff, but real metal froma metal wright) and THIS IS HARD WORK. Very difficult to insulate it and stop it tarnishing. I now use goertz/alphacore. I have not found a zobel necessary on the AKSA with about 2.5M of cable, although the inductor an resistor already mentioned make this point kinda moot.

Cheers,
B.

[Malcolm Fear]

Ahh, there is some interest in this one.

Hugh doesn't like braided (read high capacitance) speaker leads. AKSA doesn't like high capacitance leads. Hugh is AKSA. So, we all agree that AKSA and high capacitance don't work together.

However 4 strands of teflon coated, solid core CAT 5, loosely braided, is not a highly capacitive load. And it sounds good.

At the AKSAfest, we had some cross coupled coax speaker leads (a la Jon Risch). After some time, we put back the CAT 5. The very few who were listening at that point, preferred the CAT 5.

If you cann acquire some of the plenum CAT 5, give it a try. It is as cheap as chips. It takes a bit of time to braid (I find it a bit like Nigella Lawson - braiding is  like comfort food).
Stop theorising and give it a go. If you find something better, please let me know.

[AKSA]

Steve,

My sincere thanks for your comments on the AKSonic.  I appreciate it.

This is not a product I have pushed all that hard at this stage.  
sheepishly I have to admit the reason is that there is very little profit in it.  It's due for a rise some time soon, probably from $AUD380 to $AUD440, but I have yet to decide exactly how much.

Speakers are strange beasts.  There is not the uniformity of preference that there is with amplifiers, and this is a problem because not everyone likes the same speaker.  Tastes vary hugely, and this accounts for the profusion of speakers in the marketplace.

I hope to release a second preference for the AKSonics in the next month or so, using a Vifa woofer and an X25 ring tweeter from Vifa.  This will involve a different crossover, but it will offer a slightly different sound with slightly more bass impact.  All drivers will be interchangeable, of course.

Thanks once again, tell your friends!  

Cheers,

Hugh

[JohnR]

At the AKSAfest, we had some cross coupled coax speaker leads (a la Jon Risch).

To be fair, I believe those neither had the recommended teflon jacket, nor were they twisted together, so I don't really think they're a la Risch...

I have a pair that are made according to the recipe, could bring 'em over sometime if you like

JohnR

[Larry]

"I refuse to prove that I exist," says God, "for proof denies faith, and without faith, I am nothing." -- The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy, by Douglas Adams

I am not here to spoil everybody's fun. In fact I can tell you that I am using cables without "proof" either, having great satisfactions:

Speaker Cable: bi-wired;
woofer: cross-connected twisted semi air cell satellite coax;
tweeter: single semi air cell satellite coax (initially for ease of making only and I found it sounds great to me so I left it as it is, until I would find something better.)

Interconnects: twisted pair, however shielded.

[StevieM]

Hi  folks

thanks for all the advice about cables. I shall certainly be experimenting in the near future, but whatever I do will be in the spirit of this thread i.e. home made and inexpensive.

Does anyone have any experience (success or otherwise) of integrating a subwoofer with the Aksonics ?

Hugh - at the risk of stating the obvious - please don't throw out the baby with the bathwater when revising the Aksonics (no offence intended....) but as they stand they have a lovely musical sound. I hope that doesn't sound too stupid, but a lot of speakers don't actually sound very musical do they ?

Steve

[AKSA]

Hi Steve,

Ah, yes, thanks for your cautionary note;  I'll not throw out the BWTBW, I promise you that!!  (I have to get it past Ron anyway, and nothing escapes his gimlet eye!!)  

Cheers,

Hugh

[Jens]

Hugh (et al),

Your idea for using the Vifa XT and a Seas driver is absolutely great. When I tested drivers for my Equilibrium speaker system I borrowed a pair of Vifas. They sounded absolutely great. Unfortunately, they lacked some sensitivity to match my Focal midrange, so I had to opt for the Scan-Speak Ring Radiator instead. The SS unit is better in a few respects, but at the price the Vifa is sensational, as the difference in sound between the two is not very large. But the difference in price is!

You should definitely be able to find a good bass/mid in the Seas range. Just don't go for any of the metal diaphragms. I have yet to hear a speaker where they do not sound awful   , and they have the added penalty of requiring fairly complex x-overs to block out ringing.

BTW, anyone wanting to know about the Equilibrium speakers check out my homepage at:

http://j-a-thorsen.homepage.dk

I have just finished making the prototype speakers, giving them an acceptable finish (wooden front, grey felt on the sides - actually looks good!). There is also a photo of my AKSA 55N ...  

Cheers,

Jens

[The Oracle]

Jens
I read Hugh will be using a VIFA woofer in his post - Was it 2am when you read it

Hugh
Would this version's crossover be totally different in price to the current?
And, I was expecting you to make a comment about the treble with this new tweeter, rather than about the bass

The Oracle

[AKSA]

Hi Jens,

Thank you for your post!  I lingered at your great website, and marvelled at the beautiful construction of the amp and the speakers, which are most impressive!

The woofers are from Vifa, don't recall the model number yet, but the ring tweeter from Vifa, the X25, is simply sensational, with breathtaking treble, no trace of harshness or beaming.  I agree, better value by far than the Scan-Speak which looks almost the same...

Oracle, no, the price won't be markedly different, about 15% more for the new crossover at the retail point.  I have been producing this speaker essentially as a loss leader, and in a month or so the price must go up.

Sadly price is always an issue.  People might get quite a surprise if I ever take a wage from this company...... The secret seems to be advertising, and there is a perception out there that my stuff is too cheap.  I can't go on doing this as a hobby and will need to bite the bullet soon, particularly with all this expensive R&D.  One must charge a price, within the limits of the competition, which enables comfortable survival in business.  I have teenagers and a wife at home, and see little evidence of deflation at this time.

Back to my documentation!

Cheers,

Hugh

[Jens]

Jens
I read Hugh will be using a VIFA woofer in his post - Was it 2am when you read it The Oracle

Must have been at least 2am, hence the mistake  

No problem with the Vifas - they have a number of good midbass woofers available.

Cheers,

Jens