Low to Mid grade cables for new LSiM703's? (Current ones are homebuilt)

ZenDawgg

Hello people.

I’ve started a long overdue process of upgrading my speakers and will continue over the next few years. I just put in an SVS SB-2000 and I hope to have my LSiM703’s in house before the weekend.

I don’t have an amp, just straight through to a Pioneer Elite VSX-01TXH AVR and with 12 Ga cables that I made. So I’m sure some store bought ones would be better. But…I can’t afford expensive cables at the moment, I’m thinking more on the line of low end to mid. Something would be a better than I have.

Questions:

1. What manufacture and model cable can I get that will be better than what I have. New or used.

2. When searching for cables I noticed something called biwire. Should I do that with my LSiM703’s? I see they have cables with 2 banana connectors at one end to 4 banana connectors at the other.

3. Sub-woofer cable?

Or don't you think they would even matter at this point?

Thanks.

zD

Nightfall

Budget? Used MIT AVt too expensive? If so than are used MIT EXp too expensive? If so than Canare or something.

ZenDawgg

I haven't checked used MIT, i just assumed they would be out of my price range.

I was looking at something like: bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=&sku=1003279&gclid=CIjn1-uVk8oCFVCQHwodvTcJZQ&Q=&ap=y&m=Y&is=REG&A=details

I could probably even do double that price at the moment...just unsure of the whole biwire thing.

Trusted sources for used cables?

Thanks.

Nightfall

Audiogon. There may be more, some other people will chime in I'm sure.

Nightfall

I bought 2 pairs of MIT EXps for like $80 I can't remember exactly

DollarDave

Blue jeans cables = price performance.

rooftop59

DaveMuell wrote: »

Blue jeans cables = price performance.

Yep, go here: https://www.bluejeanscable.com/store/speaker/index.htm and pick up what's in your budget and assemble them yourself. Obviously won't compete with lots of more expensive options, but great bang for the buck and gives you room and time to grow.

ZenDawgg

I don't mind DIY... as long as I'd see some performance gain. I'll do some more searching tonight and check back.

polkfarmboy

I had a pioneer vsx01 and had monoprice home made speaker cables. I swapped in MIT avt in all 7 channels and had like 40 ft runs 20 ft and 3 10 ft and cost alot money. For me it never brought the results I had hoped for. It was not until I got a dedicated HT pre and power amp that I could notice good and obvious results.

I think if your going to upgrae then do the front three first L/R/C. You can get some branded bare wire and make your own custom runs that would best many pre-made cables equal to the price.

ZenDawgg

All of my current runs and cables are DIY with:

12AWG CL2 Rated 2-Conductor Loud Speaker Cable - 250ft (For In-Wall Installation)
High-Quality Copper Speaker Banana Plugs - Closed Screw Type

I didn't know if I upgraded the cables on the fronts (going to try a phantom center until I can afford a good center) if I could get any improvement with with low to mid manufactured cables.

I am not sure when a dedicated HT pre and power amp would be in the formula.

I guess I'm trying to create an acceptable one system scenario for both HT and music. I listen to music in the same seat that I watch HT!

I'd like to eventually upgrade my center, surrounds and rear before pre's/amps etc. A deciding factor would be my music to HT percentage.

I guess if I upgraded a little each year over the past 8 years I'd be in a better position.

Much to learn...

Thanks.

polkfarmboy

Well iI your upgrade is for stereo listening try buying a nice used pair for stereo. If you let us know how much money you have to drop we can all chime in and argue whos pick was better. One component i recomend to drastically change the sound to become more musical is a tube buffer, its cheap and effective!

ZenDawgg

My upgrade money for this year went into the SB-2000 and LSiM703's that I just purchased (Polk Audio Ebay) and waiting for.

That is not to say I wouldn't spend another $500 at some point in the year for something. Especially if I get busy and sell of some stuff that is collecting dust. I believe I just sold a band-saw that I don't use for $400. Sold to a guy at work and I'm letting him go with a payment plan. Probably should put some of that towards the CC portion of the 703's though.

Please enlighten me on a tube buffer.

mikeyb128

I've seen exp and avt series MIT cables go for pretty cheap. I would keep an eye out for avt 3 at the very least. I sold an older pair I had for years for about 150 Canadian shipping included. And another basically new in box for 200. There are deals to be had if you are patient.

ZenDawgg

nbrowser wrote: »

AVT3s sound incredibly good if I may add.

I will keep my eyes on the look out for these while I use my current DIY cables at the beginning.

Inexperienced question...in regards to banana/banana, banana/spade, spade/banana, spade/spade... does it matter?

ken brydson

ZenDawgg wrote: »

nbrowser wrote: »

AVT3s sound incredibly good if I may add.

Inexperienced question...in regards to banana/banana, banana/spade, spade/banana, spade/spade... does it matter?

Nope, more for preference and convenience.

tonyb

LOOK HERE...

http://www.usaudiomart.com/classifieds/34-speaker-cables/?page=1

I see plenty for 100-150 bucks. How much length do you need ? There is a 10 ft. pair of Reality Speaker cables for 150 bucks which would sound real nice with the Polks.

F1nut

ZenDawgg wrote: »

in regards to banana/banana, banana/spade, spade/banana, spade/spade... does it matter?

What, no bare wire? I'm offended.



























Joking

ZenDawgg

tonyb wrote: »

LOOK HERE...

http://www.usaudiomart.com/classifieds/34-speaker-cables/?page=1

I see plenty for 100-150 bucks. How much length do you need ? There is a 10 ft. pair of Reality Speaker cables for 150 bucks which would sound real nice with the Polks.

Thanks for the link. 8 to 10 ft and 10 ft would maybe work better.

Is it safe to assume that with any extra cable from a speaker, that you don't want to coil it up?

ZenDawgg

F1nut wrote: »

ZenDawgg wrote: »

in regards to banana/banana, banana/spade, spade/banana, spade/spade... does it matter?

What, no bare wire? I'm offended.

tonyb

ZenDawgg wrote: »

tonyb wrote: »

LOOK HERE...

http://www.usaudiomart.com/classifieds/34-speaker-cables/?page=1

I see plenty for 100-150 bucks. How much length do you need ? There is a 10 ft. pair of Reality Speaker cables for 150 bucks which would sound real nice with the Polks.

Thanks for the link. 8 to 10 ft and 10 ft would maybe work better.

Is it safe to assume that with any extra cable from a speaker, that you don't want to coil it up?

If the cables are shielded, not really an issue if you have a few extra feet. You always want to leave yourself some leeway in case you have to reposition stuff or change the room around.

MrBuhl

ZenDawgg wrote: »

Is it safe to assume that with any extra cable from a speaker, that you don't want to coil it up?

IIRC @DarqueKnight has a post that de-bunks that common belief - it's more important how your cables interact with your power cords as I remember the discussion/post (not running parallel).

Speedskater

Very few speaker cables are shielded. Real long shielded speaker cables can make so amplifiers unhappy.
If the speaker cables are twisted pair, then you can coil them up no problems. The send current in one wire cancels the return field in the other wire. With a spaced pair, do a jumble wind coil.

ZenDawgg

Buyer accepted my offer of $125 ($142 shipped) for:

2pcs MIT AVt3-Series Speaker Cables Interface S3 AVT3S-12 Feet each

ebay.com/itm/2pcs-MIT-AVt3-Series-Speaker-Cables-Interface-S3-AVT3S-12-Feet-each-/161939011233?nma=true&si=7KiMsLu8VjKGRWv3hcaHvmoYo7c%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

I was a little hesitant since he has a real low rating, so I contacted him.

1. To ask about the cables and he said they are 13 months old and hardly used. He was selling his hi-fi system because he wasn't using it and to create some room. His latest sell was a McIntosh MC275 Tube Amplifier, 75 WPC, All Orignal for $3499...I'm only gambling $142

2. I also made sure that there were pcs like the title states. He replied there are 2pcs and he should have included both in the listing picture.

We'll find out in a week or so!

DarqueKnight

MrBuhl wrote: »

ZenDawgg wrote: »

Is it safe to assume that with any extra cable from a speaker, that you don't want to coil it up?

IIRC @DarqueKnight has a post that de-bunks that common belief - it's more important how your cables interact with your power cords as I remember the discussion/post (not running parallel).

Here:

http://forum.polkaudio.com/discussion/comment/2158502#Comment_2158502

gp4jesus

MrBuhl wrote: »

...it's more important how your cables* interact with your power cords .

Speaker or ICs? If speaker, I am SO missing something. Yeah I read DK's thread debunking coiled speaker cable, etc.

gp4jesus

ZenDawg: if your new cables are 14 ga or smaller, anticipate reduced bass response & control. My $0.02: I think you'd enjoy, to a much greater degree, improved SQ w/a power upgrade* w/those speakers than any cable - sorry I didn't chime in sooner.
* and I don't mean power increase

mikeyb128

I think you will be truely happy with those avt3's they were my first "real" cable after some audioquest stuff.

I use 4 meter nordosts in my system, when I have about 6 feet to go, I have them zig zagged over to the speakers. I have coiled, snaked, zigzagged, and couldn't hear a difference. Nordost cables are not shielded, they recommend longer runs for this reason. Not sure though, I'm no expert. Maybe my local hifi shop is up selling me?

As for my shot guns, they make it exactly to my speakers.

ZenDawgg

Hi,

What used MIT cable series would work well with my S3 AVT3S?

Thanks.

Nightfall

If a cable is NOT shielded I would think shorter would be better. Less chance of picking up "interference"?

Like you, though, what do I know.

F1nut

I don't know of any speaker cable that is shielded.

F1nut

ZenDawgg wrote: »

Hi,

What used MIT cable series would work well with my S3 AVT3S?

Thanks.

Other AVt series.

Ignore gp4jesus' comment on gauge. There's more to cables than that.