So what is your favorite speaker cables to date?
Comments
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I didn't say anything about saving anyone money. I was simply stating my opinion.
Ok, so as F1nut (Jesse) brought up, what cables have you tried to base this opinion upon? That is what this thread is about; finding peoples' opinions about what they consider the best speaker cable and best "bang for buck" speaker cable they have tried. What speaker cables have you tried and what speaker cables do you consider best and best B4B?
Taken from a recent Audioholics reply regarding "Club Polk" and Polk speakers:
"I'm yet to hear a Polk speaker that merits more than a sentence and 60 seconds discussion."![:\](https://forum.polkaudio.com/resources/emoji/confused.png ":\")
My response is: If you need 60 seconds to respond in one sentence, you probably should't be evaluating Polk speakers.....
"Green leaves reveal the heart spoken Khatru"- Jon Anderson
"Have A Little Faith! And Everything You'll Face, Will Jump From Out Right On Into Place! Yeah! Take A Little Time! And Everything You'll Find, Will Move From Gloom Right On Into Shine!"- Arthur Lee -
I've only tried 4 brands. All of them were 12 gauge. Bluejeans, Monsters, Audioquest, and what I currently use monoprice 12 gauge CL2, which I cover with black sleeve, use speaker wire pants, and Swelle deadbolt banana plugs.
Don't ask me the model of the cables since they were borrowed, and given back after completing my speaker wire runs with Monoprice. However, I can say I didn't noticed any difference in sound.AVR: DENON X4000
FRONT L/R: ARX A3RX-C
CENTER: ARX A2RX-C
SURROUND L/R: ARX A3
SUBWOOFER: PSA-XV15
SERVER: UNRAID 15TB
MEDIA PLAYERS: DUNE SMART SERIES D1
HDTV: VIZIO M601D-A3R -
Makes sense to me I used 10ga for the longest time 12ga is so yesterday........
I use 12 coat hangers strung inside a garden hose for insulation :razz:....
Just kidding...
But in all honestly I like my Audioquest FLX 14/4 speaker wire for budget stuff. Its good for bi-wire, bi-amp, or just really large gauge single runs. All from the same cable and its about as cheap as Monoprices speaker wire.
But I LOVE my Kimber Kable 8VS speaker wire. Not as expensive as the MIT stuff, but more costly than Blue Jeans and Signal.
Just got in some of Doug's 9 AWG speaker cables and interconnects and will be playing with those for a bit so will check back and see if things change :biggrin:"....not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." William Bruce Cameron, Informal Sociology: A Casual Introduction to Sociological Thinking (1963) -
EndersShadow wrote: »I use 12 coat hangers strung inside a garden hose for insulation I used Tool Dip worked as well as anything Coconut Audio sells at 1/2 the price
Just kidding...it works better than Coconut Audio at 3x the price
Fixed it fer ya -
Fixed it fer ya
You forgot its sprinkled with pixie dust, and has pieces of unicorn horn pieces embedded in it. That paired with the flawless diamonds hand picked by a blind man in China, tuned by strumming the wire on his guitar. It doesnt get any better till you buy the cables made by the Skidders...."....not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." William Bruce Cameron, Informal Sociology: A Casual Introduction to Sociological Thinking (1963) -
So far the best has been from Signal Cable. However,the mailman just dropped off a pkg.from Clear Day consisting of new shotguns and jumpers. We shall see......Main
Parasound P5
Parasound A21
CA music streamer
marantz 6005
Clear Day dbl.shotgun
Morrow Xlr
1.7 Maggies
Bedroom
adcom Gfp750
Adcom 555
Rotel 1072
CA tuner
LsiM703
Clear day dbl shotgun -
EndersShadow wrote: »You forgot its sprinkled with pixie dust, and has pieces of unicorn horn pieces embedded in it. That paired with the flawless diamonds hand picked by a blind man in China, tuned by strumming the wire on his guitar. It doesnt get any better till you buy the cables made by the Skidders....
Well I didn't want to let all your secret's from corporate espionage out...double ought cypher naught. -
As most people around here know I use 14 gu clear primarily out of financial constraint and then not just being well informed. Forget for a second what all your opinions are, I called multiple companies w/ the science rap why their cables are the go to pairs.Lower the gu. and of course it lowers the resistance that's I think is Ohm's Law or part there of and then the whole OFC deal and then quality terminations. Boys I I'm learning and like we used to say I will UPGRADE to the front row some day.2chl- Adcom GFA- 555-Onkyo P-3150v pre/amp- JVC-QL-A200 tt- Denon 1940 ci cdp- Adcom GFS-6 -Modded '87 SDA 2Bs - Dynamat Ext.- BH-5- X-Overs VR-3, RDO-194 tweeters, Larry's Rings, Speakon/Neutrik I/C- Cherry stain tops Advent Maestros,Ohm model E
H/T- Toshiba au40" flat- Yamaha RX- V665 avr- YSD-11 Dock- I-Pod- Klipsch #400HD Speaker set-
Bdrm- Nikko 6065 receiver- JBL -G-200s--Pioneer 305 headphones--Sony CE375-5 disc -
I've only tried 4 brands. All of them were 12 gauge. Bluejeans, Monsters, Audioquest, and what I currently use monoprice 12 gauge CL2, which I cover with black sleeve, use speaker wire pants, and Swelle deadbolt banana plugs.
Don't ask me the model of the cables since they were borrowed, and given back after completing my speaker wire runs with Monoprice. However, I can say I didn't noticed any difference in sound.
looking at the gear in your sig, I would say that your cable choices are commensurate with your needs. I am in no way trying to bash your choices, it's just my opinion.The Gear... Carver "Statement" Mono-blocks, Mcintosh C2300 Arcam AVR20, Oppo UDP-203 4K Blu-ray player, Sony XBR70x850B 4k, Polk Audio Legend L800 with height modules, L400 Center Channel Polk audio AB800 "in-wall" surrounds. Marantz MM7025 stereo amp. Simaudio Moon 680d DSD
“When once a Republic is corrupted, there is no possibility of remedying any of the growing evils but by removing the corruption and restoring its lost principles; every other correction is either useless or a new evil.”— Thomas Jefferson -
Mono 12ga ---> Audioquest Type 4 ---> Signal Cable Ultra ----> MIT CVT-2/MIT (T2) HT2S (center channel)
I slowly went up the chain in speaker cables and found subtle improvements but the MITs hands down were the best BY FAR in all categories.
When I went to the MIT center channel I was blown away in the SQ. It really sounds like a different (better speaker)! -
Agreed. This is a hard point to make without offending someone, but you represent the general population of "cable is cable". Their virtues and downfalls become readily apparent as you step up your game.
Bingo.
No cable will make an entry level system sound like it cost 3 g's more. That's why we always say as your system improves, so should the cabling. Just common sense really.HT SYSTEM-
Sony 850c 4k
Pioneer elite vhx 21
Sony 4k BRP
SVS SB-2000
Polk Sig. 20's
Polk FX500 surrounds
Cables-
Acoustic zen Satori speaker cables
Acoustic zen Matrix 2 IC's
Wireworld eclipse 7 ic's
Audio metallurgy ga-o digital cable
Kitchen
Sonos zp90
Grant Fidelity tube dac
B&k 1420
lsi 9's -
Here a thread from the AVSForum where I learn how to do my "dress" my own 12 gauge cables. If anyone is interested:
http://www.avsforum.com/t/1301573/have-a-look-at-these-beauties-how-to-make-your-own-high-end-cablesAVR: DENON X4000
FRONT L/R: ARX A3RX-C
CENTER: ARX A2RX-C
SURROUND L/R: ARX A3
SUBWOOFER: PSA-XV15
SERVER: UNRAID 15TB
MEDIA PLAYERS: DUNE SMART SERIES D1
HDTV: VIZIO M601D-A3R -
It makes "The Stupid People" feel better.Lumin X1 file player, Westminster Labs interconnect cable
Sony XA-5400ES SACD; Pass XP-22 pre; X600.5 amps
Magico S5 MKII Mcast Rose speakers; SPOD spikes
Shunyata Triton v3/Typhon QR on source, Denali 2000 (2) on amps
Shunyata Sigma XLR analog ICs, Sigma speaker cables
Shunyata Sigma HC (2), Sigma Analog, Sigma Digital, Z Anaconda (3) power cables
Mapleshade Samson V.3 four shelf solid maple rack, Micropoint brass footers
Three 20 amp circuits. -
Was there a point to posting a cable-bashing thread? I must've lost it...
Wait for it...
Wait for it....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sTSA_sWGM44"Some people find it easier to be conceited rather than correct."
"Unwad those panties and have a good time man. We're all here to help each other, no matter how it might appear." DSkip -
I once thought as you did young Padawan, BUT since I have actually tried different one's I can Honestly tell you there IS a Difference..
All depends on your budget..Speaker wire is speaker wire, it doesn't matter how you pretty they are. I can't believe how much money people spend on these! Then again, if you have the money that's cool :cheesygrin:ATC SCM40's,VTL TL 2.5 Preamp,PSB Stratus Goldi's,McCormack DNA 500,McCormack MAP-1 Preamp,Pro-Ject Xtension 10 TT,Ortofon Cadenza Red/Nordost RedDawn LS Speaker cables, Bryston BDP-2, Bryston BDA-2,PS Audio AC-3 power cables -
I once thought as you did young Padawan, BUT since I have actually tried different one's I can Honestly tell you there IS a Difference..
All depends on your budget..
True enough it took us awhile to brainwash him into believing, but it was worth the effort....wasn't it? -
WTF??
Why is pepster listed as a "guest" now under his username????
Did I miss something?"....not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." William Bruce Cameron, Informal Sociology: A Casual Introduction to Sociological Thinking (1963) -
Political Correctness'.........defined
"A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."
President of Club Polk -
EndersShadow wrote: »WTF??
Why is pepster listed as a "guest" now under his username????
Did I miss something?
That would mean he asked for his membership to be terminated.Political Correctness'.........defined
"A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."
President of Club Polk -
About 3 years go I picked up a pair of Nordost Vallhalla's at an estate sale. They had no idea what they were, even though they had some high end equipment priced accordingly. Paid $25 for a set of $5000 cables. My best pick to date.
They were excellent cables, but I sold them on A-gon and purchased my motorcycle. -
Right now....used AudioQuest CV-6s.
I also liked the MIT T4s I used to have in my RTiA9s. -
Kimber 8TC, for over 9 years. No desire to replace.Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Shop Spkrs: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
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The absolute best speaker cable that I have ever used were completely custom built to my specifications. The cable detail;
A #4 solid, oxygen free conductor, gold plated and then covered with a kapton coating for the first layer of insulation. The second layer of insulation was a high dielectric, low swell, EPDM rubber - this was primary insulation. The third layer of insulation was a high modulus, EPDM breathable rubber. Lastly, the cable was then covered in a bedding jacket to prevent mechanical damage. The connector ends were formed into a spade configuration from the same solid conductor, and also gold plated. The cables were rated for usage up to 400*F, and were pressure tested to 1500 PSI for an extended duration. During the pressure test period the wires were also burned in at 3289 volts, but the cables were rated for 5,000 volts. The wires were meticulously made for my system, and as its a solid conductor it is quite stiff. The wires must be pre-bent at the factory to exact measurements.
Unfortunately, I sold the speakers that these wires were manufactured for, and as everything was prebent to spec, the wires went with the speakers. The price was ungodly high for these cables, and I don't think I even want to share that information. -
Dude, those sound awesome....do you have any pics?
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Dude, those sound awesome....do you have any pics?
Yes, and why those specifications?Lumin X1 file player, Westminster Labs interconnect cable
Sony XA-5400ES SACD; Pass XP-22 pre; X600.5 amps
Magico S5 MKII Mcast Rose speakers; SPOD spikes
Shunyata Triton v3/Typhon QR on source, Denali 2000 (2) on amps
Shunyata Sigma XLR analog ICs, Sigma speaker cables
Shunyata Sigma HC (2), Sigma Analog, Sigma Digital, Z Anaconda (3) power cables
Mapleshade Samson V.3 four shelf solid maple rack, Micropoint brass footers
Three 20 amp circuits. -
The absolute best speaker cable that I have ever used were completely custom built to my specifications. The cable detail;
A #4 solid, oxygen free conductor, gold plated and then covered with a kapton coating for the first layer of insulation. The second layer of insulation was a high dielectric, low swell, EPDM rubber - this was primary insulation. The third layer of insulation was a high modulus, EPDM breathable rubber. Lastly, the cable was then covered in a bedding jacket to prevent mechanical damage. The connector ends were formed into a spade configuration from the same solid conductor, and also gold plated. The cables were rated for usage up to 400*F, and were pressure tested to 1500 PSI for an extended duration. During the pressure test period the wires were also burned in at 3289 volts, but the cables were rated for 5,000 volts. The wires were meticulously made for my system, and as its a solid conductor it is quite stiff. The wires must be pre-bent at the factory to exact measurements.
Unfortunately, I sold the speakers that these wires were manufactured for, and as everything was prebent to spec, the wires went with the speakers. The price was ungodly high for these cables, and I don't think I even want to share that information.
That much attention to detail on cables and no detail spent buying Emotiva. Something doesn't quite add up here. For now I'm taking your cable post as tongue in cheek. Convince me otherwise. Pressure testing and heat testing aren't relevant for in home audio cables. Explain the significance in a home audio arena.
H9"Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass Pass Labs XA25 | EE Avant Pre | EE Mini Max Supreme DAC | MIT Shotgun S1 | Pangea AC14SE MKII | Legend L600 | BlueSound Node 3 - Tubes add soul! -
H9, if you paid attention at all to my previous posts in the bickering threads, you'd have read that I have had much more prestigious gear in my past, and that due to life changes I was forced to part with it all. At that point is when I settled for what was attainable, which happened to be Emotiva. That is when I started getting into vintage hi-fi as well, as it is much cheaper than what I had been accustomed to.
For the rest of you, I am working on a reply with some details of why certain components were used, and the relevance to not just home audio, but cables and electrical conductivity as a whole. -
The most favorite wires I have ever used is .052 copper coated welding wire insulated individually by continuous heat shrink then twisted in pairs for 25 ft runs. Shrunk in the powder coat oven for about 15 minutes then sealed again with an outer layer of 1/4 inch vacuum line. We hard soldered gold plated ring terminals and clipped the end to make them spade connectors. The speakers involved were a dual ten inch Altec model ? with the sticky paper cones. We used a Vector research 35 watt receiver that weighed a metric ton. I swear we could pick up Siberia with that thing.
Anyway. I kid you not. These wires were the most amazing and unexpected upgrade to any stereo system I have owned to date. I have not tried them again on any other rig and no longer have them but since this jog in memory I may assemble another pair.Too much **** to list.... -
....Post by shokdu on Jan 5, 2013 at 11:37am
All of my cables come from Monoprice, and that will never change...Political Correctness'.........defined
"A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."
President of Club Polk -
H9, if you paid attention at all to my previous posts in the bickering threads, you'd have read that I have had much more prestigious gear in my past, and that due to life changes I was forced to part with it all. At that point is when I settled for what was attainable, which happened to be Emotiva. That is when I started getting into vintage hi-fi as well, as it is much cheaper than what I had been accustomed to. .shokdu wrote:Post by shokdu on Jan 5, 2013 at 11:37am
All of my cables come from Monoprice, and that will never change...
Put it together, Sherlock. Your Google-Fu is incredible, but your logic is not.
My future purchases wont ever change, due to my life circumstances.
