Polk Cobra Speaker Cables

organ

I just got my Polk Cobra speaker cables back from the technician. I haven't used them in years since the termination went bad. The stock cables were teminated with some some crappy leads.
I got bananas on them now.

There was a lot of talk before about not using this cable on SS amps. I asked the tech about it and he said not to worry unless you're using a vintage SS amp. He said it's known to make some old amps oscillate.

That was definitely good news because I'm back to using my SS amp again. For the first time, I'm now using the cables on my NAD and no problem at all.

I really like these cables. I remember the first time I used them. The difference was clearly obvious. Other cables I tried before it (nothing too fancy) made subtle differences but with the Cobras, it was loud and clear lol.

So a heads up to the Polk Cobra cables. Worth looking into if you run across a pair.

mhardy6647

They're fine on any amplifier that doesn't mind a reactive load (high capacitance and/or impedance) - any amp that doesn't care for such a load runs the risk of (typically) HF oscillation and self-immolation. The issue is usually injudicious and/or poorly implemented negative feedback (and, indeed, typically in older designs). I wouldn't assume a prior that every modern ss design will be immune to the potential effects of the Cobra Cables, though (FWIW).

EDIT: If memory serves, the issue with the Cobra Cables is high capacitative reactance.

Lost240

I'll keep my eyes opened for a pair.

zingo

Congrats on the good results, and they do have a nice look to them.

organ

Mrh,
Thanks for sharing that info. Is there any way to tell if a modern design is not suitable with the cables?

Lost,
There are two versions of the Cobra. I have the flat one. There is also a round version of it.

Zingo,
Thanks. Pretty funky looking up close. Every single wire is insulated and braided.

Toolfan66

They have to be the oldest speaker cable that keeps its value and the hardest to find..

ZLTFUL

What I find the most entertaining about this whole thread..."Polk" Cobras plugged into B&W speakers...That's right B&W...take that banana like a man!!! :twisted:

organ

Toolfan66 wrote: »

They have to be the oldest speaker cable that keeps its value and the hardest to find..

You're right. I think I've only seen them pop up 3 times in the past 10 years. 2 here and another on ebay. I got mine here from Madmax or HBomb. Can't remember.

ZLTFUL wrote: »

What I find the most entertaining about this whole thread..."Polk" Cobras plugged into B&W speakers...That's right B&W...take that banana like a man!!! :twisted:

Ha ha:cheesygrin: My cobras have been around. I made them polk some Klipsch years ago lol.

billbillw

Arthur Salvatore has been praising these for years, however, he says they must be used in a very specific manner (short runs in parallel).
http://www.high-endaudio.com/RC-SpkrCab.html

zingo

What was their new MSRP? Have they appreciated?

shota

Any of you honorable Gentlemen would be willing to contribute a small cut of these cables for a sonic evaluation and an experiment? I am looking for an up to 2m round Polk Cobra cables (already acquired the flat ones) to test a novelty idea, which I am not at liberty to disclose at this point for the fear of being laughed away and chased with the pitchforks. Anyhow, really, if anyone has them and can part with 2 meters (two runs of 1 meter each would suffice as well) worth, I'd be more than happy to pay all relevant postage and remunerate for a reasonable price.

By all means, do forgive if this is viewed as solicitation and goes against the board rules, in which case, I humbly rest my case until such times as I rack up 25 posts to proceed further with begging at the WTB section of the forums.

Thanks,
shota

jacks2start

glad those work well for you

drumminman

billbillw wrote: »

Arthur Salvatore has been praising these for years, however, he says they must be used in a very specific manner (short runs in parallel).
http://www.high-endaudio.com/RC-SpkrCab.html

Thanks for the link BB. Fascinating info. The speaker cables I've been using for 10 years are DIY made from teflon insulated Belden 1585A Cat 5 wire. All the individual wires are removed from the PVC outer sheath and braided together in pairs of three. Three of this run (6 wires) are then braided together to created a 9 wire braid, and then three of these are braided together to create a 27 wire braid, which = 9 awg. I run these to the low terminals and a similar but 15 awg to the hi terminals.

Same idea as the Polk Cobra cables: capacitance (with stable amp designs) is not important, but inductance must be as low as possible. Only recently have I gotten the urge to try something else, and it's more of a curiosity thing than a performance issue.

BTW, the design is a recipe from Chris Ven Haus. Very labor intensive, but well worth it.