Suggestions on wires to hook up my HT are welcomed Thanks

dizzyrapper18

I'm getting ideas on some wires and plugs to use for my first HT. I do not want the cheap stuff but I do not want the best stuff. I was also thinking of just going to bestbuy or abt or frys, any electronic store would be easier. Obviously pre-made ones would save time and effort but are they better than ones you make yourself?? Links would be great. Thanks for the input.

Speedskater

Stay away from BestBuys, cables are one of their high profit centers. (along with power conditioners)

Far from the only places, but good starting points:
BlueJeans Cable
MonoPrice
Markertek
Redco

John K.

Dizz, you don't specify exactly what "wires and plugs" you need, and by using "cheap" and "best" as opposites, you may be under the misimpression that there's a close correlation between cost and quality in this area. The previous reply had a good list of possible sources combining high quality and reasonable prices.

For general information on speaker wiring, this explanation of the realities should be studied. Suitable wire at reasonable cost can be obtained from online sources such as those already mentioned or local sources such as Home Depot and Lowes.

As to interconnecting cables, these also perform a very simple job which can be done well at low cost. I've used these cables in various lengths for analog and digital connections for several years and there's no good reason to pay more.

ken brydson

Speedskater wrote: »

Stay away from BestBuys, cables are one of their high profit centers. (along with power conditioners)

Far from the only places, but good starting points:
BlueJeans Cable
MonoPrice
Markertek
Redco

Dont forget signalcable.com. Nice stuff at good prices. Mention you're a CP member for a discount.

Speedskater

Be careful in the big box store's audio/video department. I have read about speaker cable labeled "RCA" being made of aluminum wire. Low budget interconnects can also be made from aluminum.

tonyb

Blue Jeans or Signal cable are the 2 places to start on a budget, forget the others.

daboyz

Go with these:

http://www.douglasconnection.com/Douglas-Connection-Analog-Interconnect-Cables-DCFAIC.htm

And these:

http://www.douglasconnection.com/Custom-Made-Speaker-Cables_c31.htm

Excellent build quality and I doubt you'll get an itch to upgrade. Cost/benefit ratio is very good.

dizzyrapper18

blue jean and signal cable are a lot of money. im better off just getting wire from monoprice and getting plugs and do it myself.

Systems

dizzyrapper18 wrote: »

blue jean and signal cable are a lot of money. im better off just getting wire from monoprice and getting plugs and do it myself.

Well if you are going to do that you would be better off with something from Mogami (2534, 2549 for the IC's), and/or the sky is the limit with their speaker cables (very, very good speaker wire, including their coaxial SC's).
Their coax digital cables are no slouch either.
Highly under rated wire for the money IMHO, and something to think about.

Redco would be your best bet if you decide to go this route.

Thats going to be a great system BTW!
You should get some great enjoyment out of a set up like that.

Speedskater

dizzyrapper18 wrote: »

blue jean and signal cable are a lot of money. im better off just getting wire from monoprice and getting plugs and do it myself.

I think that this is the first time I ever heard BlueJeans labeled an expensive cable brand!

Nothing wrong with DIY. Look for a co-ax with a heavy braided shield. (that BlueJeans page references some other good bulk cables)
With long cables, the most important thing is low end to end resistance of the shield.

Systems

The Mogami mentioned is NOT a coax design, it has Neglex conductors for both pos and return (quads in the case of the 2534).
You also get shielding with this cable, and you can use the shield as a drain wire (connected on 1 side only, whether source or load).
Makes for a far better sounding cable than using a thick braided shield as return with no drain.
Plus you are roughly in the same money category, but much better sounding cables IMHO.

Systems

You might be able to find something within your price range here:
http://www.rivercable.com/

These are good cables and I would not be surprised if they did not out perform most mentioned in this thread.
I only have experience with their Flexgy speaker cables.
I can assure you, having owned both the Flexgy 8's and 6's (still have the 6's), they are unreal for the money.
Worth every penny.
I think they offer something for every price range.
No affiliation, but I have to own a pair of their flexgy speaker cables at all times for some reason.:biggrin:

timalan

www.accessoriies4less.com also has some good deals on the Ixos and Ethereal brands... again, depends on what you want to spend. But I've seen great reviews on some of the Ixos stuff with it being compared to "Kimber lite..."

Also, always worth checking your local craigslist to see if someone has an extra spool of something they are selling... I've gotten some cheap audioquest budget wire that way, and see people posting Monster all the time at a fraction of Best Buy prices. Not saying Monster is good wire, but at 90% off, it suddenly becomes decent budget wire.

tonyb

dizzyrapper18 wrote: »

blue jean and signal cable are a lot of money. im better off just getting wire from monoprice and getting plugs and do it myself.

Aside from some good DIY cables, you get what you pay for. Those 2 companies are on the entry level side but offer better build quality than most other cheap alternatives. In my book, monoprice is no different than the cables you can get at Walmart or Home depot. After spending all that coin on those speakers, is that really what you want to do ?