Zero Resonance Cables
-The White Paper-
INTRODUCTION:The Zero Resonance loudspeaker cables where developed as a result of our inquiry into the dynamic nature of and mystery surrounding the many claimed reports of perceived sonic differences exhibited by various brands and types of speaker cables available in the high-end audio marketplace. Orthodox engineering principles suggest that, assuming the wire gauge of a given cable for use with a given speaker is sufficient in size such that no significant power losses are incurred within the cable, there should be essentially no difference in the sound of one cable with respect to another - all other variables being equal. To this day the bulk of the engineering community has adopted this view and therefore, has been reluctant to seriously investigate the matter.
At the same time, we find a preponderance of anecdotal claims to the contrary. It is the author’s view that dismissing such claims “out of hand” without due diligence expended in a thorough scientific investigation of the issues… would be an extremely vain and arrogant position to take. It was our belief that statistically, it is just as unlikely that all such observations are the result of observer imagination, as it is that orthodox science has given sufficient scrutiny to the matter to begin with. Besides, much to our initial chagrin, we have heard significant differences ourselves. Consequently, we have sought to unravel the mystery and find ways of improving system performance through superior technological speaker cable solutions.
At the onset of our inquiry, we must state the author of this paper does not accept the possibility of “mystical” properties at work as we believe all physical observations to be causal in nature and therefore, subject to scientific scrutiny and analysis. We also consider the principles of Occam’s Razor in our analysis, such that any so called “alternative physics” is unlikely to be the root cause of such observations. Having taken this position, we have decided to undertake a course of analysis that requires a comprehensive view of the entire amplifier/speaker cable/ loudspeaker system. In our view, such a system approach was and is the only course likely to yield potential for success and hence, has become the guiding light in our research and development of the Zero Resonance loudspeaker cables.
DEVELOPMENT:Seeing that all conventional electrical parameters governing loudspeaker cables manifest themselves as relatively small resistive and reactive terms - in comparison to either that of the driving amplifier or the loudspeaker load, we have concluded and since proven (at least to ourselves) that the resulting differences in cables experienced by listeners are a result of the interaction of all three major variables. This is in stark contrast to the common belief that an individual cable has a certain characteristic “sound” of its own. Conversely, such observations are more likely to be the result of system “synergy” and how a given cable will interact with the amplifier/loudspeaker combination. This is why we find that heretofore there has been little scientific information available to assist a potential customer in his speaker cable purchasing decisions. To be sure, the situation is quite complex in nature and lends itself to a “hit or miss” approach. One cable design may work well in one system and seem to perform poorly in another. There seems to be no “method to the madness” whatsoever, so the consumer finds himself on an endless journey of experimentation to find a cable that brings out the best performance within the context of his system. As complex as the problem may seem, we believe there must be a better way.
Upon examination, we find within the market that certain brands and types of cables are repeatedly perceived as being “superior” to others and therefore more “successful” in their quest for market share. Upon further scrutiny we also find that this is often the case even when top performers are compared with respect to their differing geometries. This would indicate that in fact, there is “more than one way to skin a cat” – so to speak. In that, it seems reasonable to assume that a handful of manufacturers have “stumbled” upon a construction method that performs well in a variety of systems. From our perspective we would interpret that to mean that a given cable formulation exhibits a certain combination of resistive and reactive terms that tend to work well with a higher percentage of system combinations… than those of the inferior competition. This also means that if we can find out what the values for these “optimal” terms are, it may then be possible to reproduce the effect in a variety of construction formulas and geometries. In the end, one type of construction should rise to the forefront as representing the most “optimal” solution.
Given the above, an even deeper analysis can be made. Knowing these variables we can then create complete system models to study the complex component interactions, with the hope of adjusting key variables to further optimize results. Such a model would include certain amplifier parameters, as many cable parameters as possible and as many loudspeaker parameters as can be known. The author has undertaken this method of analysis and has since discovered a primary source of distortion that arises within virtually every playback system. These distortion components tend to manifest themselves as small “resonances” as well as other types of errors within the system. If a means to reduce or eliminate these distortion products is not provided within the system, then the loudspeaker will simply reproduce these undesirable artifacts.
In our analysis we have found that if certain variables are adjusted and optimized within the construction of the loudspeaker cable, these distortion artifacts can be significantly reduced, if not altogether eliminated. Our observations have not only included the effect upon the loudspeaker, but also that of the driving amplifier. It is a well-known engineering fact that if caution is not observed in the design of a cable, an excess of electrical reactivity can be presented to the amplifier. Under extreme conditions, such a design can actually damage or destroy the amplifier. Even in the event that a poor cable design does not actually cause any damage, it can still present and unstable condition within the amplifier that results in inferior sound. The Zero Resonance cables have been constructed to exhibit a stable amplifier load all the way out to 100MHz – well beyond the operational limits of any audio amplifier.
As a result of our research we have found a combination of materials and geometries that yield both a stable load to the driving amplifier as well as a mechanism for reducing the heretofore-mentioned distortion products. As a final consideration we have designed the cables to be “active,” in that a constant voltage source is applied across the cable dielectric materials. This method is commonly known to reduce dielectric hysteresis and shorten cable break-in time for the end user.
We have chosen two forms of metallurgy for the construction of these cables in order to provide solutions that will appeal to the broadest possible range of consumers. Only the finest Mundorf OFC Copper or Silver-Gold Foil alloys are used in the Zero Resonance cables as well as dielectric materials exhibiting the lowest possible Dielectric Constants. Additionally, the Zero Resonance speaker cables are made available in three separate forms, each optimized for use with a correspondingly appropriate amplifier. The options are: Solid-State/Low Output Impedance, Push-Pull Tube/Moderate Output Impedance, and SET/High Output Impedance. As a final added feature, cable lifters made from fine American Hardwoods are included with each cable set as well.
It is inevitable the audiophile market will continue to see loudspeaker cables being offered at staggering prices, but it is unlikely that it will find any product that offers more engineering, better materials or superior performance than that offered by the Zero Resonance loudspeaker cables.
Robert A. Smith
04/09/08
