Speaker wire for lsim 705/706c

mva5580

So I just placed an order on eBay from Polk for a set of refurbished 705's, and a 706c. Definitely looking forward to getting them and I figured this as good a time as any to consider getting some better speaker wire, as I've always just went to stores and bought relatively "generic" stuff.

Without getting too much into the "How much of a difference does it make?" argument, does anyone have suggestions on some quality speaker wire/gauge to use with these speakers?

I stumbled upon AudioQuest G2....would that be a good choice? Or anything comparable?

msg

very nice, congrats. I like the LSiM series.

For your consideration list, I like the Douglas Connection Furez speaker wire. You can order raw materials and make your own, as simple or fancy as you like, or you can have them make the cables for you.

How long are your runs, and what are you connecting them to?

mva5580

The front speakers aren't going far, I'd say around 5 feet max. The rear speakers have to travel though, probably closer to ~30 feet.

For now the Front L/R's are going into a Carver m1.5t, the center and surrounds into a Denon X4100w. But I fully plan on ordering an Emotiva XPA-5 soon. I know Emotiva's are.....divisive around here, but it's just a model I'm willing to try from what I've read.

msg

Is this a combo use system with a bias for music?
Do you have a budget figure in mind for your cables?

I think there was a similar post not long ago where the consensus was to put better cable on the front soundstage and just a good quality of some sort for the surrounds/rears. After you get some more feedback here, maybe give Doug a shout to see what he can recommend for you. Doug's a real pleasure to work with and works with clients over broad ranges of budgets.

voltz

I agree with Scott here, the Furez is a nice way to get into cables, and this lets you decide if they improve your setup or not.

Scott had start a nice thread in the DIY section about cable making. I had fun making some DIY cable myself and Me & Scott keep each other motivated and talked back and forth about what we were gonna try

Also check with Doug at Douglas Connections as he can make you some or sale you wire to make your own and he give members a discount
http://douglasconnection.com/Douglas-Connection-Analog-Interconnect-Cables-DCFAIC.htm

and Audio advisor has some no frills they make for you using wire from audio quest and others thats cheaper then buying them already made

http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=AQT4NF

BTW Enjoy your new Polk's!

F1nut

For the front 3 I recommend MIT Shotgun cables. For the rears, it matters a whole lot less as there isn't much going on back there.

[Deleted User]

and they are on sale for more than 1/2 off!
http://mitcables-clearance.com/products/shotgun-3-3-speaker-interface-10ft.
I can't speak to the shotgun 3.3's

I'm using a AQ Rocket 44 for my 706 and like it o.k. I got monster cable for
70% off when Radio Shack left me and it is at least better than RCA type cable
for the surrounds.

This might work for you:
http://www.latinternational.com/index.php/product/new ! - ss-900 signature bi-wire - new, a lower priced 4 wire speaker cable.html
The SS-800 are a very good step down from these if the 900's are too rich for
your blood.

Using the 80-20 rule this leaves you a couple of hundy for interconnects or
towards that Emo.

gmcman

My first pair of Polks, I ran the common Monster XP on a spool. Once I finally changed to AQ Crystal the difference was immediate, the bass didn't make the mids pop anymore at moderate listening levels either.

My first step into the rabbit hole, just be aware.....it doesn't end...lol.

gmcman

These just became avail today.

http://mitcables-clearance.com/collections/weekly-special/products/shotgun-s1-speaker-interface-bi-wire-8ft-six-moons-review

Keep in mind they are 8'.

boston1450

^^^^ not sure ive ever seen them that low price

mikeyb128

boston1450 wrote: »

^^^^ not sure ive ever seen them that low price

Bought my 8 foot biwire s1 for 599

mva5580

So in the end I just decided to take a bit of a "baby step" from my junky wire and went with Audioquest X2, and even that it's just pretty crazy how much better of a wire it clearly is then the stuff I was using before.

Got my new Emotiva XPA-3 yesterday and having that along with 705's and 706c.....man. One hell of a setup and we all know we're never really "done" in this hobby but I'm not sure I can imagine myself having anything better for quite a long time.

motorhead43026

LAT International cables, I just installed a set a couple days ago. These are fabulous speaker cables for the price. They recommend 100hrs burn in, but I noticed a difference right from the get go. It was like a veil had been lifted from my system. If these get just a little better in the next 80hrs I will be very happy, and I will see no need to upgrade again. Also they have a 60 day trial period, not happy return for a full refund.

http://www.latinternational.com/index.php/wire and cables/speaker cable.html

[Deleted User]

I think you will be very happy at the 40-50 hour mark.

motorhead43026 wrote: »

LAT International cables, I just installed a set a couple days ago. These are fabulous speaker cables for the price. They recommend 100hrs burn in, but I noticed a difference right from the get go. It was like a veil had been lifted from my system. If these get just a little better in the next 80hrs I will be very happy, and I will see no need to upgrade again. Also they have a 60 day trial period, not happy return for a full refund.

http://www.latinternational.com/index.php/wire and cables/speaker cable.html

tonyb

mva5580 wrote: »

So I just placed an order on eBay from Polk for a set of refurbished 705's, and a 706c. Definitely looking forward to getting them and I figured this as good a time as any to consider getting some better speaker wire, as I've always just went to stores and bought relatively "generic" stuff.

Without getting too much into the "How much of a difference does it make?" argument, does anyone have suggestions on some quality speaker wire/gauge to use with these speakers?

I stumbled upon AudioQuest G2....would that be a good choice? Or anything comparable?

Generic stuff usually gives you generic sound.....if that's what your after. Putting together a system is like putting together a jigsaw puzzle. Some pieces, including cables, will work, some won't. There is more to cables than the simple explanations presented.....and manufacturers always recommend entry level stuff as to not scare people off.

Just going from your generic stuff to the AQ G2's was audible to you, yes ? I will tell you those jumps in Sound quality continue as you move up the chain. Point being, don't be afraid to try new things, that's the only road to discovery that gets you to the sound that pleases you.

[Deleted User]

As the poet of Chicago often states, everything matters.

F1nut

Actually, the "everything matters" phrase is from our very own Madmax.

tonyb

xcapri79 wrote: »

Keep in mind that everything matters, but each to its own degree. All things are not equal. There is a hierarchy of importance with a law of diminishing returns to observe and to put into perspective.

.....and those diminishing returns are usually ruled by ones wallet, not their ears.

F1nut

tonyb wrote: »

.....and those diminishing returns are usually ruled by ones wallet, not their ears.

Not to mention closed minds and preconceived biases.

tonyb

Except that old adage has no bearing with this topic. Nor does living in an apartment. Music is music, should be enjoyable at any volume in my humble opinion. How one enjoys their music is up to them....obviously.

The pursuit of better is human nature. Standing still leaves you to discover zip, and when you discover zip, you don't grow.

tonyb

xcapri79 wrote: »

[
For example, connecting good speakers to a cheap AVR doesn't make a cheap system into a good system. Substitute components and the same holds true. There should be a reasonable balance between the performance and compatibility of the components to optimize the result.

X....except that isn't the topic of conversation now is it ?

....and yes, I have lived in an apartment before, I know the score. Trick is optimizing your system for lower level volume performance. You obviously aren't going to be blasting out the walls. You can enjoy music at any volume, you simply have to adjust the system for it is all I'm sayin'.

Totally agree on making wise decisions though. When it comes to making wise choices, you look to those with experience in what you don't know, right ? To at least guide you anyway. I wouldn't ask a car mechanic about building a deck now would I ?

The OP was simply asking about cables, not life lessons nor balance or living in an apartment.

mva5580

Oh I understand that the cables matter, sorry. I didn't mean it that way, I just meant that I was bumping back up a ~month old thread about one guy did with speaker wire....not really a big deal. That's all I meant. Thank you for the feedback thought!

tonyb

xcapri79 wrote: »

This all applies to cables by analogy. One must ask, what is the purpose of the cables with respect to the rest of the system, which I stated previously, and then choose wisely again based on what I have suggested including Polk Audio's recommendations.

For example, suggesting a pair of cables that approach or exceed the cost of the speakers themselves doesn't strike a very good balance between system cost and its performance. Would you agree?

Polk also suggested running SRT's with 100 watts too, would anyone agree to that ? Hook up a 100 watt receiver and see how that goes.

I won't tell anyone what the purpose of cables are, they can find that out themselves. What they will find, is that everything in the chain colors the sound to a certain degree. Some more than others and some cables more than others. Trick is finding the characteristics that some cables provide to compliment your other gear and speakers and of course your preferences. That too means offsetting certain sound characteristics you may not like.

The OP has already discovered that different cables sound ......well, different. If he stood still had believed the pre-conceived notions that they don't matter, he would not have discover that. That's my point X. Has nothing to do with making a silk purse out of a sow's ear.

mikeyb128

Man I've made so many mistakes along the way in audio and life in general. It made me a stronger, better person. I may have got some character out of it too!

tonyb

mikeyb128 wrote: »

Man I've made so many mistakes along the way in audio and life in general. It made me a stronger, better person. I may have got some character out of it too!

We all have.....don't know if I gained character though. Maybe better sound and a lighter wallet. Maybe tendencies to rip clothes off and rub up against things, other than that my character is as it always has been....suspect.

F1nut

mva5580 wrote: »

Without getting too much into the "How much of a difference does it make?" argument, does anyone have suggestions on some quality speaker wire/gauge to use with these speakers?

Seems the request in bold has been ignored.

mantis

mva5580 wrote: »

So in the end I just decided to take a bit of a "baby step" from my junky wire and went with Audioquest X2, and even that it's just pretty crazy how much better of a wire it clearly is then the stuff I was using before.

Got my new Emotiva XPA-3 yesterday and having that along with 705's and 706c.....man. One hell of a setup and we all know we're never really "done" in this hobby but I'm not sure I can imagine myself having anything better for quite a long time.

Good choice to get started. It's their basic speaker cable and it's pretty damn good wouldn't you say?
It's gets a lot better then the X2 stuff even when you just move to the Custom cable in the SLP 14-2 or 14-4 stuff. At this level they still use Long Grain copper but they now twist the pairs together. I have some G and X stuff laying around as I tested it when it came out.
I've used it in cabinets for bookshelf speakers and small SAT setups. This wire is very affordable and retains some of the qualities you get when you move up the ladder.

Congrats on the new wire and speakers.

[Deleted User]

I stand corrected.

F1nut wrote: »

Actually, the "everything matters" phrase is from our very own Madmax.

erniejade

1st congrats on the 705. That is what I am currently running as well. I can say I have noticed a differece between the 3 sets of speaker cables that I have tried with the 705. They are not as picky on the cables as the Bryston Mini T I had but, there was definitely a difference.

Ist cable I tried was audio quest type 4. Then dh labs, lastly Acoustic Zen bubble barrel ( thanks @tonyb for that one!). I would actally rank them in that same order as I listed them.

Like its been said in here, don't be afraid to try different cables. Go used and save yourself some burn in time and some cash.

erniejade

By the order aq type 4 last, dh labs a step above the type 4 and the acoustic zen sounding the best on it.

vmaxer

xcapri79 wrote: »

erniejade wrote: »

Ist cable I tried was audio quest type 4. Then dh labs, lastly Acoustic Zen bubble barrel ( thanks @tonyb for that one!). I would actally rank them in that same order as I listed them.

erniejade wrote: »

By the order aq type 4 last, dh labs a step above the type 4 and the acoustic zen sounding the best on it.

Are you sure? Thanks for the smile.

Not the first time missing it huh??