Here is my review
Speaker Cable Showdown: Greg Straley Reality Cables compared with Paul Speltz Anti-Cables, 06/14/08
I've had my Speltz Anti-Cables for almost 2 years now. They where the first cables I used in my combo AV system (Denon and Tetra). I really didn't want for anything more with that set up. My recent upgrade in amp, pre-amp and speakers provided me with a system with more resolution, so I was curious about optimizing cabling to eek out that last bit. It is suggested by most to pair the Devore's with Auditorium 23 cables. Though I just can't justify the just shy of $1k price. I have not used any other speaker cables in this system.
The Reality Cables were highly recommended, were reasonably priced and had a trial period (though at 20 days a bit shorter than most others). Greg and I conversed for a bit and then he provided me with a pair of 8 footers with cotton covering.
Just before I switched out the cables I gave a listen to one song with the already connected Anti-Cables. Then I listened to the same song with the Reality's in place. Major Revelation? Not really. First impression was that the A-Cs seemed to be tighter in the bass. I've had the Reality's in the system for over 2 weeks. They already had time on them prior to my ownership.
Today I had a showdown.
I created a playlist of familiar songs each with a specific attribute. I played the playlist (below) once with each cable. I took notes of specific sounds and time. Then from them I selected three songs that I thought I noticed something different (with **). Then I played these songs probably 3 times with each cable-I lost count.
At first it I thought it was fairly close. I was listening for the normal musical elements, but focused on realism of the kick drum, guitar string resonance, and bass extension. It was
The Warning by Hot Chip which starts with a few seconds of light bells then fast synth drum is added it that opened my ears. With the Reality's I could swear there was someone standing on top of my right speaker with a bar of small shiny glass bells. Wow. The sound on the A-Cs was clear and nice but the illusion was not there.
I give the A-Cs a very high mark, at less than one-third of the cost of the Reality's, I think they will outperform most at their price point. And the A-C's provide 70-80% of the sound of Reality cables. The A-Cs are neutral, fast, and balanced.
Areas were I found both cables essentially equal:
-Sound stage width and height
-Clear imaging
-No harshness in the treble
What the Reality's seem to do keep with the music. While the A-Cs will drop the note quickly (fast) the Reality's seem to hold on to it longer. That makes it sound more fluid, less rigid. Not mushy but natural. And they effortlessly reach the high frequencies (i.e. glass bells above). Down low I have to get used to not having the tight and a bit shallow bass of the A-Cs. I think the music had more bass just that less was getting to the speaker with the ACs. Based on my comparison session, the bass from the Reality's seems exaggerated - though not flabby at all. Both cables allowed the speakers to get to the upper 20s (granted it was -10dBs or so). It does matter to me as the modern electronica, R&B and rock music I listen to does have bass down there.
What I enjoy about the Reality Speaker Cables:
The amount of detail is great. The naturalness of the sound makes listening a pleasure. They are well rounded.
Things that are a challenge: The cable bend radius. These guys are stiff and tough to get in small spots probably OK to bend a tight but it will stay that way.
I am keeping the Reality Speaker cables for now.
NOTES:
Equipment/Set up:
I used my Mac source with a Brick DAC, RWA 30.2 amp, Modwright Pre and Devore Super8s. More specific system details are available in my signature below. SPL Meter was used to set level to 80db. No difference in output level of each cable. Both set of cables routed over the nest of cables behind my components, including next to power. (see pics) Surprisingly neither exhibit any noise. None.
Pricing:
Anti-Cable speaker cable (8 ft. pair) $85 shipped
Reality speaker cable (8 ft. pair) $275 shipped (add $50 for cotton covering)
Music Playlist used for comparison:
Ice - Sarah McLachlan **
Nightingale - Nora Jones
Gold to Me - Ben Harper
Duke's Place - Louis Armstrong & Duke Ellington
Never Win - Fischerspooner
The Warning - Hot Chip **
song link (starting at 0:23 sec) Behind The Wall - Tracy Chapman
I Used To Love Him - Lauryn Hill
Sombre Detune - Royksopp
Free Radicals - The Flaming Lips
Revolver - Isobel Campbell & Mark Lanegan **
Dream On - Depeche Mode
** Songs used for further comparison
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pics
