Signal Cable vs Blue Jeans Cable

MKZ
MKZ Posts: 1,068
edited October 2007 in Basic Hookup/Wiring Questions
I'm a little confused to buy these affordable cables. Which one is better interconnect?
Is capacitance matter for sound quality? Blue Jeans 12.2 pF/ft vs Signal 17.3 pf/ft.
Thanks.
Signal Cable
Blue Jeans Cable
Post edited by MKZ on
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  • SolidSqual
    SolidSqual Posts: 5,218
    edited October 2007
    This is a no-brainer. Signal all the frickin' way. Unless you are on a really tight budget. Signals worst speaker cable sounds better than BJC's best. Detail, Bass, Resolution, Soundstage, Dynamics are all better from Signal.

    That being said, Signal costs considerably more than BJC. Both are excellent valuers for the money.
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  • janmike
    janmike Posts: 6,146
    edited October 2007
    I cannot speak of BJC as I do not own any of their products. My entiire HT is wired with cables from SC. You just cannot beat the price and quality. End of story.
    Michael ;)
    In the beginning, all knowledge was new!
    NORTH of 60°
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  • cfrizz
    cfrizz Posts: 13,415
    edited October 2007
    I have never used any Signal Cable. But that being said, I certainly have no complaints about BJC. Well made, wonderful connectors that slip on & off like a dream, and at a reasonable price.
    Marantz AV-7705 PrePro, Classé 5 channel 200wpc Amp, Oppo 103 BluRay, Rotel RCD-1072 CDP, Sony XBR-49X800E TV, Polk S60 Main Speakers, Polk ES30 Center Channel, Polk S15 Surround Speakers SVS SB12-NSD x2
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  • zombie boy 2000
    zombie boy 2000 Posts: 6,641
    edited October 2007
    I've owned both and Signal Cable is the flat out champion in this duel to the death.
    I never had it like this where I grew up. But I send my kids here because the fact is you go to one of the best schools in the country: Rushmore. Now, for some of you it doesn't matter. You were born rich and you're going to stay rich. But here's my advice to the rest of you: Take dead aim on the rich boys. Get them in the crosshairs and take them down. Just remember, they can buy anything but they can't buy backbone. Don't let them forget it. Thank you.Herman Blume - Rushmore
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  • Ricardo
    Ricardo Posts: 10,636
    edited October 2007
    There's no difference; all cables sound the same.
    _________________________________________________
    ***\\\\\........................... My Audio Journey ............................./////***

    2008 & 2010 Football Pool WINNER
    SOPA
    Thank God for different opinions. Imagine the world if we all wanted the same woman
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  • Gaara
    Gaara Posts: 2,415
    edited October 2007
    This isn't a cut and dry question, Signal cable has 3 different models of cable while Blue Jeans can have close to 20 depending on the coax picked.

    Capacitance is important, so is inductance, resistance and shielding.
    janmike wrote: »
    You just cannot beat the price and quality. End of story.

    That is a matter of opinion.

    If you are looking at the Analog 2s (the spec you gave) all they are is Belden 89259, which you can get at BJC for less. If you want bullet plugs you can get them at Heartland Cables for less then Signal as well.

    I have had good experiences with all three companies, with my preferred vendor being HeartlandCables.
    The Basement HT
    PC Rig
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  • Pauly
    Pauly Posts: 4,519
    edited October 2007
    Just go get some Rat Shack cables and call it a day
    Life without music would♭
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  • SolidSqual
    SolidSqual Posts: 5,218
    edited October 2007
    Techincal specs? What are those . . . I bought Signal because they are pretty.
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  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,203
    edited October 2007
    I use coat hangers, uncoated of course.
    "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!
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  • Gaara
    Gaara Posts: 2,415
    edited October 2007
    heiney9 wrote: »
    I use coat hangers, uncoated of course.

    I never understood this comment, how on earth would you use a coat hanger as a cable? I can see speaker cable, use 2, but I can't see this being physically possible for interconnects.
    The Basement HT
    PC Rig
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  • disneyjoe7
    disneyjoe7 Posts: 11,435
    edited October 2007
    2 Coat Hangers are needed, 4 are needed for Bi-Wiring. ;)



    Ok 6 are needed for Tri-Wiring :p

    Speakers
    Carver Amazing Fronts
    CS400i Center
    RT800i's Rears
    Sub Paradigm Servo 15

    Electronics
    Conrad Johnson PV-5 pre-amp
    Parasound Halo A23
    Pioneer 84TXSi AVR
    Pioneer 79Avi DVD
    Sony CX400 CD changer
    Panasonic 42-PX60U Plasma
    WMC Win7 32bit HD DVR


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  • SolidSqual
    SolidSqual Posts: 5,218
    edited October 2007
    Coat hangers are great for bending and setting your interconnects around tricky corners. The dynamics aren't as great as other solutions, but with the right Eichemann Bullet PLugs you can get some good results. :)
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  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,203
    edited October 2007
    Gaara wrote: »
    I never understood this comment, how on earth would you use a coat hanger as a cable? I can see speaker cable, use 2, but I can't see this being physically possible for interconnects.

    Is that why i get no sound?
    "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!
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  • SolidSqual
    SolidSqual Posts: 5,218
    edited October 2007
    Did you sauder the connections? Try crimping.
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  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,203
    edited October 2007
    Seriously, BJC is good stuff as well as Signal Cable. I went with Signal because Frank has helped out a lot on this forum and he's a stand up guy and gives a 5% discount to Polkies.

    I work hard for my money and I don't mind giving it for Signal Cable products.

    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!
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  • MKZ
    MKZ Posts: 1,068
    edited October 2007
    SolidSqual wrote: »
    Did you sauder the connections? Try crimping.

    It might needs ceramics or cements for connections and better sounds.:D
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  • tryrrthg
    tryrrthg Posts: 1,896
    edited October 2007
    Gaara wrote: »
    If you are looking at the Analog 2s (the spec you gave) all they are is Belden 89259, which you can get at BJC for less
    BINGO!

    Blue Jeans cable version is not as "pretty" though. And Signal Cable supports the Polk Community.
    Sony KDL-40V2500 HDTV, Rotel RSX-1067 Receiver, Sony BDP-S550 Blu-ray, Slim Devices Squeezebox, Polk RTi6, CSi3 & R15, DIY sub with Atlas 15
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  • WilliamM2
    WilliamM2 Posts: 4,781
    edited October 2007
    tryrrthg wrote: »
    BINGO!

    Blue Jeans cable version is not as "pretty" though. And Signal Cable supports the Polk Community.

    How does he support the Polk community? By charging $6.00 a foot for the same cable BJC sells for $0.55 a foot? And then giving 5% off? Wow, incredible support.
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  • zombie boy 2000
    zombie boy 2000 Posts: 6,641
    edited October 2007
    That might quite possibly be the most trollish post I've ever seen on this forum.
    I never had it like this where I grew up. But I send my kids here because the fact is you go to one of the best schools in the country: Rushmore. Now, for some of you it doesn't matter. You were born rich and you're going to stay rich. But here's my advice to the rest of you: Take dead aim on the rich boys. Get them in the crosshairs and take them down. Just remember, they can buy anything but they can't buy backbone. Don't let them forget it. Thank you.Herman Blume - Rushmore
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Ricardo
    Ricardo Posts: 10,636
    edited October 2007
    He supports the Polk community by giving away products at our gatherings; at the Chicagofest everyone came out with something.

    Not sure how you get to that $0.55 per feet; I went to the BJC site and the cheapest 3 ft interconnect is $26.75????

    Because we are talking Analog 2 comparisons here, right?

    EDIT: I found the 89259 in BJC; price is $22.50 for ONE 3 ft. cable. Does not sound like $0.55/ft to me
    _________________________________________________
    ***\\\\\........................... My Audio Journey ............................./////***

    2008 & 2010 Football Pool WINNER
    SOPA
    Thank God for different opinions. Imagine the world if we all wanted the same woman
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  • MKZ
    MKZ Posts: 1,068
    edited October 2007
    Gaara wrote: »

    If you are looking at the Analog 2s (the spec you gave) all they are is Belden 89259, which you can get at BJC for less. If you want bullet plugs you can get them at Heartland Cables for less then Signal as well.

    I have had good experiences with all three companies, with my preferred vendor being HeartlandCables.

    Yeah, I found that Heartland cables are most bang for the buck if they use the same cable. Is it?

    BJC
    Heartland Cables
    SC
    Or
    DIY
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  • shack
    shack Posts: 11,154
    edited October 2007
    WilliamM2 wrote: »
    How does he support the Polk community? By charging $6.00 a foot for the same cable BJC sells for $0.55 a foot? And then giving 5% off? Wow, incredible support.


    Let's see... I have a 6' pair of SC Ultras in my 2 channel rig that Frank DONATED as a door prize for the Polkfest at Troy's house.

    Wow...that IS incredible support!
    "Just because you’re offended doesn’t mean you’re right." - Ricky Gervais

    "For those who believe, no proof is necessary. For those who don't believe, no proof is possible." - Stuart Chase

    "Consistency requires you to be as ignorant today as you were a year ago." - Bernard Berenson
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  • Ricardo
    Ricardo Posts: 10,636
    edited October 2007
    William? William where are you? Please come back and fix the mess you left around here...
    _________________________________________________
    ***\\\\\........................... My Audio Journey ............................./////***

    2008 & 2010 Football Pool WINNER
    SOPA
    Thank God for different opinions. Imagine the world if we all wanted the same woman
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  • tryrrthg
    tryrrthg Posts: 1,896
    edited October 2007
    WilliamM2 wrote: »
    How does he support the Polk community? By charging $6.00 a foot for the same cable BJC sells for $0.55 a foot? And then giving 5% off? Wow, incredible support.
    I don't know what you're looking at but you can't get Belden 89259 coax for $0.55 a foot anywhere!

    Blue Jeans 89259 IC's are like $8-9 less expensive but the terminations don't look near as nice as Signal Cable.
    Sony KDL-40V2500 HDTV, Rotel RSX-1067 Receiver, Sony BDP-S550 Blu-ray, Slim Devices Squeezebox, Polk RTi6, CSi3 & R15, DIY sub with Atlas 15
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  • WilliamM2
    WilliamM2 Posts: 4,781
    edited October 2007
    Not sure how you get to that $0.55 per feet; I went to the BJC site and the cheapest 3 ft interconnect is $26.75????

    Add 6 feet to it, price goes up $3.25. Add 6 feet to the Signal cabe, price goes up $36.00. And the Signal cable is $49 for two feet, so 3 foot is $55. Just a little more (over double) than BJC, for the same cable.
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  • danger boy
    danger boy Posts: 15,722
    edited October 2007
    why limit yourself to just these two brands of cables?
    PolkFest 2012, who's going>?
    Vancouver, Canada Sept 30th, 2012 - Madonna concert :cheesygrin:
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  • Ricardo
    Ricardo Posts: 10,636
    edited October 2007
    And how does that compare to saying $0.55 a foot???? Yes, there are price differences, but there are also different terminations, and also different profit margins maybe?? I will gladly pay a bit more for Signal just for the personalized service I get from Frank. But I will never bash BJC.

    And yes, Frank and Signal Cable supports the Polk community, no matter what you say.
    _________________________________________________
    ***\\\\\........................... My Audio Journey ............................./////***

    2008 & 2010 Football Pool WINNER
    SOPA
    Thank God for different opinions. Imagine the world if we all wanted the same woman
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  • WilliamM2
    WilliamM2 Posts: 4,781
    edited October 2007
    And how does that compare to saying $0.55 a foot???? Yes, there are price differences, but there are also different terminations, and also different profit margins maybe??

    The terminators are different, so I compared the price of the wire. Different margins? I'll say...
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  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,203
    edited October 2007
    WilliamM2 wrote: »
    How does he support the Polk community? By charging $6.00 a foot for the same cable BJC sells for $0.55 a foot? And then giving 5% off? Wow, incredible support.

    WM2, you are a putz, He has donated a lot of cable to many of our events with no questions asked. At the lllinois gathering he gave away 3/pr reg speaker cables; 3/pr bi-wire speaker cables; 6 power cords; and close to a dozen interconnect pairs. No questions asked and he didn't even know most of us.

    Plus giving a 5% discount across the board to any Polk Club member is certainly not nec., but he does it anyways. In my book I'll recommend him everytime. Not to mention his cables are hand assembled at his shop and the quality is top notch as well as the sonics. I'll pay extra knowing his character and the fact that he will make things right *if* there is a problem.

    You can certainly choose not to buy his products, but STFU when it comes to questioning his integrity and what he has done as far as support around here. All you seem to do is troll around here acting like an ****.

    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!
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  • cfrizz
    cfrizz Posts: 13,415
    edited October 2007
    Both are homegrown companies. Both use the same wire. One makes it pretty & makes you pay for it & one doesn't.

    Both are quality cables. I let my wallet, & practical nature decide who got my business.

    Basically it went something like this... Wires stuck in the back of a machine that were not distinctly in plain view that weren't really going to be touched after connected.

    Winner BJC!
    Marantz AV-7705 PrePro, Classé 5 channel 200wpc Amp, Oppo 103 BluRay, Rotel RCD-1072 CDP, Sony XBR-49X800E TV, Polk S60 Main Speakers, Polk ES30 Center Channel, Polk S15 Surround Speakers SVS SB12-NSD x2
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