Changing Speaker Cables

tommyt21

This is not a thread ment to start a fight but asking a legit question regarding speaker cables. I am asking only those with EXPERINCE in changing out speaker cables.

I was not a big believer in swapping cables hence the reason I was trying to sell 145 feet of Audioquest Hyperlitz f-18's. Since no one showed interest I decided what the heck and I swaped out my Center Channels Blue Jeans cable for the Audioquest Cable. There was a enormous audible difference, however I'm still not sure which cables I like better the blue jeans had way better bass, and the Audioquest had no bass, felt bright yet much more detail in the top. This experince has led me to decide to actually go out on a limb and try even another set of cables. I have now used Monoprice, Blue jeans and Audioquest. Between Blue Jeans and Monoprice cables there was not as big of a difference as there was between the Bluejeans and the Audioquest (talking audible difference, not saying which is better). My price range is little under $300 bucks.

Thinking strongly about Signal Cables Ultra with the Bi-Wire

Any other suggestions?

Thomas

Geoff4rfc

Hmmmmmm, try taking a look at this................hey whats up Tommy 2 Tone?????

http://www.musicdirect.com/c-647-speaker-cables.aspx?gclid=CN7YxOKcwLQCFUdxQgodIXsAQw

F1nut

Did you let the Audioquest cable burn in for at least 200 hours?

The Blue Jean and Signal cable are both made from Belden wire, so they will sound pretty close. I can't remember about Monoprice, but it probably is too.

These will be an upgrade from the above, http://app.audiogon.com/listings/speaker-mit-matrix-18-speaker-interface-8-ft-pair-2012-12-02-cables-75205-village-tx

markmarc

Concur with F1, let them burn in for a while. Also, different cables can be affected in different ways by proximity to power cords. Although not easy try to have a clean run from amp to speakers with as much distance as possible from power cords.

EndersShadow

Check out Kimber Kable. They have some good stuff. The 4VS is within your budget with the possibility of getting 3 cables. Kimber's 8VS and 4TC are also possible if you dont go bi-wire and dont need more than 6 feet of length. Not sure if you could get all 3, but you should be able to get a pair for under 300. Both AudioAdvisor and NeedleDoctor are the only authorized internet dealers. They will make custom length's as well so you are not stuck with the standard lengths.

I moved from MIT EXp2 to Kimber Kable 8VS internal bi-wire and really liked it. Good stuff! steveinaz runs 4TC IIRC.

Some thoughts for you: bi-wire costs a little bit more than standard though so I wouldn't go that route as not all speakers can use bi-wire cable. This could matter if you end up deciding to sell the cables.

tommyt21

F1nut wrote: »

Did you let the Audioquest cable burn in for at least 200 hours?

The Blue Jean and Signal cable are both made from Belden wire, so they will sound pretty close. I can't remember about Monoprice, but it probably is too.

These will be an upgrade from the above, http://app.audiogon.com/listings/speaker-mit-matrix-18-speaker-interface-8-ft-pair-2012-12-02-cables-75205-village-tx

Jessie, the Audioquest is like 20 year old cable i got it from my Medical Director, it should be completly burned in. I might be able to mail you some if you want to check them out your self. They are the flat version. You think the Signal will be simlar to my Bluejeans?

Thanks every one I guess I'll keep looking before I pull the trigger on somethin. Enders I was looking at the Kimber also but thats at the top of my price range.

Whats up Geoff.

EndersShadow

tommyt21 wrote: »

Jessie, the Audioquest is like 20 year old cable i got it from my Medical Director, it should be completly burned in. I might be able to mail you some if you want to check them out your self. They are the flat version. You think the Signal will be simlar to my Bluejeans?

Thanks every one I guess I'll keep looking before I pull the trigger on somethin. Enders I was looking at the Kimber also but thats at the top of my price range.

Whats up Geoff.

You may need to spend that much to really get a good set of cables that will make a audible difference. Plus good cables will work good regardless of the speakers or amps you use.

jbooker82

Lasareath wrote: »

I really don't know what ratio everyone else is at

About where your at. 1K for my RTi's and 400 for my AudioQuest Type 8's.

F1nut

the Audioquest is like 20 year old cable i got it from my Medical Director, it should be completly burned in. I might be able to mail you some if you want to check them out your self.

Got ya. Thanks, but I'm good.

You think the Signal will be simlar to my Bluejeans?

Yep, both are Belden.

Did you check out the link I posted?

BlueFox

tommyt21 wrote: »

Jessie, the Audioquest is like 20 year old cable i got it from my Medical Director, it should be completly burned in.

There's your problem. The electrons are either used up, or worn out.

cristo

For speaker cables to change, they've got to want to change or you're wasting your time. No one sided arguments, interventions, or persistent
persuasions will work.

ravaneli

lol, i have some experience too, but i think its fair if the op doesn't want me in to stay out.

Happy New Year!

tommyt21

F1nut wrote: »

Got ya. Thanks, but I'm good.



Yep, both are Belden.

Did you check out the link I posted?

I did I have heard alot about the MIT's Thats a good price too. I think I may stroll down to the HiFi shop to Demo some different Cables.

Ravioli, I dont have the best ears, however I heard a audible difference, my brother in law heard a difference and so did my wife, who could care less about my constant tinkering. I did not say one was better than the other just that cables do influence audible differences in the signal they carry to your speakers.

ErasmusBDragon

Installed tara labs space and time speaker cables in my bedroom system and it made a megadifference.

Geoff4rfc

cristo wrote: »

For speaker cables to change, they've got to want to change or you're wasting your time. No one sided arguments, interventions, or persistent
persuasions will work.

That cracked me up and yes!!!!!! IF it doesn't WANT to change, all the money in the world won't make a difference

ravaneli wrote: »

lol, i have some experience too, but i think its fair if the op doesn't want me in to stay out.

Happy New Year!

tommyt21 wrote: »

Ravioli, I dont have the best ears, however I heard a audible difference, my brother in law heard a difference and so did my wife, who could care less about my constant tinkering. I did not say one was better than the other just that cables do influence audible differences in the signal they carry to your speakers.

What the heck did I miss here?? Was another ravitrolli quote deleted?

tommyt21

what do you guys think about the kimber kables 4&8 vs series mind you im 90/10 ht

EndersShadow

tommyt21 wrote: »

what do you guys think about the kimber kables 4&8 vs series mind you im 90/10 ht

Well I like em a LOT personally. I went with 8VS internally bi-wired so I could bget the equivalent of 2 4VS connectors at the speaker end for my LSI's. I still havent gotten the center channel speaker cable yet, but its on my list shortly. I like them better than the MIT EXp2's I had but I did not run them both at the same time. I sold the MIT stuff and then a month later went to Kimber 8VS. The 8VS is VERY flexible and looks really nice as well behind my rack .

I would suggest using their banana's as they are quite nice and by no means cheap and they dont cost any extra whereas the other spades add quite a bit to the cost.

tommyt21

EndersShadow wrote: »

Well I like em a LOT personally. I went with 8VS internally bi-wired so I could bget the equivalent of 2 4VS connectors at the speaker end for my LSI's. I still havent gotten the center channel speaker cable yet, but its on my list shortly. I like them better than the MIT EXp2's I had but I did not run them both at the same time. I sold the MIT stuff and then a month later went to Kimber 8VS. The 8VS is VERY flexible and looks really nice as well behind my rack .

I would suggest using their banana's as they are quite nice and by no means cheap and they dont cost any extra whereas the other spades add quite a bit to the cost.

Enders i found a place that sells it at a great price if you do the diy kit

EndersShadow

tommyt21 wrote: »

Enders i found a place that sells it at a great price if you do the diy kit

Sells the wire without the connectors? I didnt think they had any other authorized distributors but for local hi-fi stores and AudioAdvisor and NeedleDoctor.....

Systems

Percy Audio has the VS REALLY cheap at the moment, on sale, by the foot, no termination.

I built a 10 foot pair about 3 weeks ago for a guy.

tommyt21

The place was called speakerlabs im going to check out the place pepsters talking about first

mantis

I suggest Type 4 from Audioquest , 4vs or 8Pr from Kimber Kable. Both are very good cables and should fit your budget well. I looked over your system and I believe either of these would be a nice fit. I'm leaning towards Kimber as you already are using the PPJ's.

leroyjr1

Have you tried MIT AVT s2/s3 cables?

tommyt21

Im going to go diy with the 8vs from the place pepster recommended you just cant beat the price. Funny thing is i just sold my pbjs to Viperz, however i do plan on getting some heros

EndersShadow

I am going to keep that place for reference as I would love to get another set of 8VS for my home office setup but cant afford em right now and dont really need em terminated......

mantis

tommyt21 wrote: »

Im going to go diy with the 8vs from the place pepster recommended you just cant beat the price. Funny thing is i just sold my pbjs to Viperz, however i do plan on getting some heros

Hero's mate extremely well with 8TC. Don't even bother to terminate Kimber unless you have some Wire experience. They are difficult to terminate.

EndersShadow

mantis wrote: »

Hero's mate extremely well with 8TC. Don't even bother to terminate Kimber unless you have some Wire experience. They are difficult to terminate.

I agree, they look like they suck, although maybe Pepster will terminate em for ya :biggrin::razz:

As a FYI I have heard rumors there is a 12VS in the works. They would also be a pretty cool option and personally they would work great internally bi-wired.

tommyt21

I was thinking bare with tinned tips and pretty heat shrinking along with maybe some Techflex...

mantis

tommyt21 wrote: »

I was thinking bare with tinned tips and pretty heat shrinking along with maybe some Techflex...

Why? Why not just buy them terminated? Kimber has wonderful spade and banana terminations.

tommyt21

I am buying a bulk run at a signifigant savings it would cost me 3-4 times as much as to get a precompleted set.

Geoff4rfc

I'm considering that same thing now as well......Thank you very much Tommy 2 Tone!!!!

I looked into the Kwik 12 from Kimber, they have the bulk roll but it looks pretty expensive. I'm going to do some searching around to see if I can find it cheaper.