speaker cables under $200?

dayneger · « **on:** 7 Dec 2003, 03:03 pm »

I've been ignoring my speaker cables while working on the rest of my mostly DIY system, but now it's time to get serious! This is a very serious hobby after all. . .

What would you suggest for new, used, or DIY speaker cables in the $100-200 area?

Are there massively compelling reasons to spend a lot more?

Thanks!

Dayne

PS System is currently cheap Pioneer DVD as transport, Boulder DIO, Foreplay, AKSA 100W and Studio speaks from AV Reality.

jasonc · « **Reply #1 on:** 7 Dec 2003, 03:24 pm »

Analysis Plus Oval 12 speaker cables are good for the money. Open, detailed, good bass.

Jonathan · « **Reply #2 on:** 7 Dec 2003, 03:47 pm »

I, too, am interested in this question. I'm particularly intrigued by the new companies that seem to be offering reasonably priced cables based on DYI recipes (Belden w/Eichmann bullets, etc.) in a finished, professional-looking product, e.g., Signalcable, Heartlandcables, Bluejeancables, etc. Does anyone have any experience with these cables?

Thanks,

Jon

earlmarc · « **Reply #3 on:** 7 Dec 2003, 04:13 pm »

I use Signal Cable single run speaker cables for my HT setup. This cable is excellent for the money and you would have to spend between $300-$500 for better cable. I have Wasatch Cableworks LC-540 speaker cable on my two channel system which retails for $500 for an 8ft. pair. The Signal cable comes very close to the LC-540 performance at 1/5 the price.

bubba966 · « **Reply #4 on:** 7 Dec 2003, 04:52 pm »

Well, you could get a set of M-80 speaker cables from Bolder in that price range.

Wayne made me a nice center channel M-80 cable that's on it's way. I've not heard his M-80 speaker cables yet, but from what I've been told by people that have heard them is that they're quite hard to beat unless a decent amount of $ is outlayed.

earlmarc · « **Reply #5 on:** 7 Dec 2003, 05:10 pm »

I think the Bolder M-80 speaker cable is also an excellent cable. Currently an 8ft pair would cost about $144.00 plus shipping. I purchased a 10ft pair and 8ft single speaker cable from Signal cable for $141.00. I don't know which cable is better between the two. Positive Feedback compared Signal Cable speaker cable and IC to cables costing 5 times their price and preferred the Signal cables. The Wasatch LC-540 cables in my opinion is a sleeper. I would be interested to find out how this cable compares to the Bolder Nitro. I doubt the M-80 cable is on the level of the LC-540.

JackStraw · « **Reply #6 on:** 7 Dec 2003, 05:29 pm »

I haven't heard them, but I've heard great things about the Mapleshade speaker cables. Has anyone compared them to the M-80?

Hantra · « **Reply #7 on:** 7 Dec 2003, 05:51 pm »

Audience Conductor. They are 90% of the AU24's performance, but much, much cheaper. Best for the money I have ever heard. . .

Mad DOg · « **Reply #8 on:** 7 Dec 2003, 06:36 pm »

i run Onix SP-200 speaker cable because it is the best sounding cable that i've heard for the money (a little less than $10/meter)...

it's well constructed, looks good, is way affordable and most importantly for me, sounds great to my ears in my current system...

Raj · « **Reply #9 on:** 7 Dec 2003, 07:08 pm »

How about some pure silver wire like audioconsulting or audiocomm, wrap it in cotton if you are afraid of teflon 'smearing' the sound.........

you should still be able to stay within your budget, and i'll bet it outperforms most other cables too.

Thanks
Raja

Tyson · « **Reply #10 on:** 7 Dec 2003, 07:18 pm »

2nd the m80 rec, I use them in my HT and they are very good.

Chris · « **Reply #11 on:** 7 Dec 2003, 07:49 pm »

It's my understandng that Signal Cable interconnects and speaker cables are built purely from the John Risch designs, as were the old bolder cables (type1, type2). The new bolder cables (M80, nitro) are supposed to be departures from these designs, for the better. FWIW, i have heard neither of them so

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MaxCast · « **Reply #12 on:** 7 Dec 2003, 11:45 pm »

I have the M 80s and really like them. The center conductor is the same as the one used in the Nitro. If these are on sale too, get a pair.

Pin · « **Reply #13 on:** 8 Dec 2003, 02:39 am »

I have ordered a 10-foot set of Audioquest Type 2 in a double-run config, terminated with spades, for less than USD120 from www.ozenterprises.net. IMO, the sound quality of the double-run Type 2 can not even be touched by the more expensive model "Slate." Hope this helps.

bubba966 · « **Reply #14 on:** 8 Dec 2003, 02:46 am »

I had AQ Type 2 cable before. Sounded great.

But it's quite brittle. Very easy to break the cable at the base of the connector. Maybe you could use multiple layers of heatshrink as a sort of strain relief.

I gave up on it after re-terminating it 5 or 6 times. While it sounded great, the damn thing kept breaking all of the time. And it just wasn't worth the hassle & expense of re-terminating it again and again and again...

KKM · « **Reply #15 on:** 8 Dec 2003, 02:53 am »

I find the AQ GR8's to be one of the better values out there, it sounds great and is very nicely constructed, I like it better than my Analysis Plus 12's:

http://members.aol.com/hcmaudio/audioquest/gr8.html

Pin · « **Reply #16 on:** 8 Dec 2003, 03:00 am »

Bubba996,

Thanks for the input.

Yes the dealer has agreed to reinforce the cables with heatshrink where he sees necessary. Hope I will not have to deal with the breaking problems of the Type 2 like you did before.

John Casler · « **Reply #17 on:** 8 Dec 2003, 04:27 am »

Quote from: KKM

I find the AQ GR8's to be one of the better values out there, it sounds great and is very nicely constructed, I like it better than my Analysis Plus 12's:

http://members.aol.com/hcmaudio/audioquest/gr8.html

I recently became an AudioQuest dealer and am not familiair with the GR8. Is it a discontinued cable??

dayneger · « **Reply #18 on:** 8 Dec 2003, 07:27 pm »

Hey, great feedbacks!

I've assembled a list with all of the suggestions and the approximate price for an 8ft/2.5m pair:

Bolder M-80 $144 on sale
Signal Cable Single Run $77
Signal Cable Double Run $121
Audioquest Type 2 approx. $100
Audioquest GR8 discontinued?
Analysis Plus Oval 12 $175
Audience Conductor $245
Onix SP-200 ??
Mapleshade Clearview Golden Helix $85, $105 with spades
Mapleshade Clearview Golden Helix Plus $155, $175 w/ spades

Looks like it'll be challenging chosing which one(s) to try. Anyone have some additional thoughts, ideas, comparisons, experiences, etc. to help narrow it down? Don't suppose anyone's up for doing a massive cable comparison?

Dayne

Tonto Yoder · « **Reply #19 on:** 8 Dec 2003, 10:32 pm »

Quote from: John Casler

I recently became an AudioQuest dealer and am not familiair with the GR8. Is it a discontinued cable??

I suspect so---HCM audio has some, labeled "Closeout"
http://www.hcmaudio.com/comp.asp?compID=59

Seems like HCM often offers last year's models at discounts (not that there's anything wrong with that).