Help a newb....make it stop!

madrigal · February 2003

Hello Polkers...

Ok, so there was a bunch of sales/coupons this January, and I bought me a home theater.
audio stuff:

Onkyo TX-SR800
Polk RM6700
Polk PSW404
...and maybe a couple RM2350's later for 7.1

Problem is, I dunno what I'm doing when it comes to hooking it up (suprise!). I've lurked several forums for the past week (here, HT SPOT, audioreview, HardOCP, SMR, even UseNet), and everybody has his own take on low end cabling. For example on this forum, the mantis lady is a Monster advocate, while several of the pragmatic folks (like Dr. Spec) suggest Woods Speaker wire from HD/Lowe's. I just wanna buy something soon, cuz the TV speakers ain't no makin' it.

In general I'm *cheep*cheep*, but I wouldn't mind spending the xtra money for Monster XP; IF, their shielding/stranded/forged high atop mount Rube-con stories from their ads hold water. There's a good bit of inteference in my area, so I'd rather not get the cheap stuff, only to find out what I've been missing two years later w/ an upgrade. But, if there's going to be no noticeable difference to somebody like me (who's only used Koss, Sony, & Aiwa), then by all means tell me how bogus Monster cable is...

should I:

Pick up a 250' spool of 12awg Woods from HD then price match @ Lowe's
Get 4 spindles of Monster XP 50ft (I've got a 10% off coupon @ Tweeter, who'll have everything on sale this week)
Make my own cables out of CAT5 (looks like a pain in the ****; but, I like to DIY, and I have a few thousand feet of it)
buy something else you suggest

Also, would someone please explain why a lower guage is better/worse? I know lower is thicker, and I guess a better pipe for electrons(?), but I'm confused about length, thickness, & impedence. Longest run I'll have is <30ft. to rears.

TIA for all your help

btw, nice place you got here, "Mr. Polk"

geekmedic · February 2003

I picked up a Monster home theatre speaker package without the video cables (they have two versions). Got it at Circuit City for $99.

Came with 12 foot wires for the front L/R surrounds, 12 foot for the center, 25 foot wires for the rear L/R surrounds, and wires for the subwoofer, which didn't cut it. I ended up buying a subwoofer cable (Monster 12') from Circuit City as well. I think I paid $35 for it.

I'm happy with it. I'm sure you could probably find a better deal or find better wire, but for me it was what I was wanting -- something quick to throw the speakers to the receiver and get some sound out of it. After I do a bit of research, I might upgrade. That was my original plan, but I'm happy with the wire and probably won't upgrade now.

The only thing I'll probably do is add some banana plugs to the wire in the near future.

HBombToo · February 2003

If your just getting started I would suggest the economical approach first then as the upgrade bug hits ya you can then start spending. This approach will familiarize you with your system and when you begin the upgrades you can see first hand what the differences are.

I would say that your (A) approach will be very effective and cost efficient. 12 guage is a very good wire at any lenght and will minimize any losses associated with resistance. Go ahead and buy some bannana plugs and start enjoying.

The only thing I would insist on is you keeping in mind that this hoobie is very addictive and frustrating so don't get all wrapped around the axel.

Keep posting and have fun.

HBomb

madrigal · February 2003

thanks, but sounds like one of Monster's overpriced "you don't save more because we're important" bundles. besides, 12ft. is too long, and 25ft. is too short.

appreciate your speedy delivery tho...glad it worked for ya

btw, your nick is very familiar....

Originally posted by geekmedic
I picked up a Monster home theatre speaker package without the video cables (they have two versions). Got it at Circuit City for $99.

Came with 12 foot wires for the front L/R surrounds, 12 foot for the center, 25 foot wires for the rear L/R surrounds, and wires for the subwoofer, which didn't cut it. I ended up buying a subwoofer cable (Monster 12') from Circuit City as well. I think I paid $35 for it.

MxStYlEpOlKmAn · February 2003

the mantis lady

THATS A CLASSIC! HAHHAHAHHAHA! LMAO! LMAO! ROFL!!! LMAO!

geekmedic · February 2003

Originally posted by madrigal
btw, your nick is very familiar....

Which message forum have you seen me on?

I frequent a lot of discussion forums.

By the way, I bought the bundle because I was too lazy to cut the wire and set it up. I wanted to use the speakers pronto.

I did spend some money on the component video cables... $90 each. I am very pleased with these.

madrigal · February 2003

Originally posted by MxStYlEpOlKmAn

THATS A CLASSIC! HAHHAHAHHAHA! LMAO! LMAO! ROFL!!! LMAO!

oh good, I got her right, then

geekmedic: I dunno. just remember that nick somewhere. did you go to Mercer?
once upon a time I played around on the various medschool forums, but then I realized how long it was going to take to pay off all those loans....dropped out and didn't look back (was shooting for cogni-neurosci....HAHA!).

yo-ho, yo-ho, a pirate's life for me

geekmedic · February 2003

Originally posted by madrigal
geekmedic: I dunno. just remember that nick somewhere. did you go to Mercer?

I'm still at Mercer.

Who are you?

madrigal · February 2003

noone of consequence.....

but as much as I like a good segue, fellow trolls, we now return you to:

madrigal's efficacious speaker wiring

HBombToo · February 2003

Originally posted by madrigal
noone of consequence.....

but as much as I like a good segue, fellow trolls, we now return you to:

madrigal's efficacious speaker wiring

quite the vocabulary you have over there! I'm feeling like the idiot I am.;)

HBomb

geekmedic · February 2003

Originally posted by madrigal
noone of consequence.....

Not fair at all, but anyhow...

Monster speaker cable is good, but you do pay for the name.

Tour2ma · February 2003

Originally posted by madrigal
Hello Polkers (1)
In general I'm *cheep*cheep* (2)
should I:
Pick up a 250' spool of 12awg Woods from HD then price match @ Lowe's(3)

1. I thought we were Polkies.

2. WADR, I think you answered your own question.
3. HD's price match policy will only save you an extra $4 or so, call each, but Lowe's should be cheaper, if they have a 250' spool get it there. If they don't, they'll give you a printed quote that you can take to HD.
Key is, are you buying enough for Lowe's to consider you a contractor? If yes, their price will drop from ~$.35/ft to ~ $.21/ foot.... at least it did in my case.

madrigal · February 2003

1. heh, I originally said "polkies" but edited it since it seems that's the newbie classification around here...
2. cool, but I'm still wondering about Monster's claims...especially if their special weave cancels interference (and if OFC will make a difference w/ oxidation over time...I don't want green **** peeping at me through the jackets in a couple years)
3. is 500' enough to be a "universal" contractor? or did you just get lucky on your own visit to Lowe's? (yes, like you, I have a use for that much wire)

I'm also a lil' confused about length/thickness/interference....
what's the maximum distance I can get with 12awg without noticeable signal loss?

thanks again

Tour2ma · February 2003

500' qualified me as a contractor. Even with out that discount Lowe's was still ~$25 cheaper + tax.

The HD/ Lowes Woods wire has a speical wind to it. About 6 twisted "clusters" then spiraled together. In my orginal run, still in place, I used true, 12 gauge lamp cord... no twisting, clusterring, no nothing. It did what it was supposed to do, i.e., got the amp output to the speakers.

As for Ox... spool I bought had clearly been on HD's shelf for a while and I see no signs of it... lotta dust, but no Ox...

The Wood's is a big step up for me, and a good stating place for you. Even those in the High-wire ranks who have posted in your thread agree you should start low, so go to it...

They'll try to convert you later... you sound like just the kind of mind they love to sink their little "low-O2 content, esoteric windings posts" into...

A lot of the rest of us "wonder about Monster's claims", too...

F1nut · February 2003

Since I'm so PC

I think we should be called Polkpersons. If you buy that one, I've got a bridge you'll love.

IMHO, the Lowes wire is perfect for your system. When you get into seperates (mid-fi/hi-fi) then wire makes a difference.

F1nut
Polkperson

geekmedic · February 2003

Originally posted by F1nut
IMHO, the Lowes wire is perfect for your system. When you get into seperates (mid-fi/hi-fi) then wire makes a difference.

I doubt high grade wire is going to make a difference with your speakers. It just hit me that you're using small satellite speakers.

F1nut · February 2003

geekmedic,

Your comments are directed to madrigal, right? That's what I was trying to tell him/her, using high grade wire would be like pissing into the wind.....pointless.

MxStYlEpOlKmAn · February 2003

I use HD wire - I will compare when Russ sends me that terminator??? wire -- that'll be when i get my new preamp...which will be soon! im 155 dollars away!

gacole2000 · February 2003

I was informed about some great wire (IXOS on closeout) for cheaper (.49) than the Monster XP. Check it out, call and talk w/ them, they're very helpful.

Greg

http://accessories4less.com/aless4/Corporate/itemdesc.asp?CartId=683-ACCWARE-1053UHORS814&ic=IXOS%2D6007P&cc=&tpc=

Tour2ma · February 2003

Above link is to a dead end, expired cart. This one works...

http://accessories4less.com/aless4/Corporate/index.asp?CartId=10823-ACCWARE-614RPYHZ62

Edit: My apologies gacole, my link now doesn't work either... see Madrigals post below...

madrigal · February 2003

ok, good. guess I'll go w/ Lowe's unless I see something else on clearance.

gacole2000, you might wanna read this @ audioreview on the 6003P gammas (the 13awg @ $0.99 a foot). one person lauds them while another rates them as a ripoff, seeing no difference between Congo Co. 12awg lampwire. There's also one review on the 15awg version.

do you know whether or not these cables come terminated with bananas?....if all I have to do is specify a length in the quantity field, I'll order from them ASAP.

btw, audiovisionsystems has the 6003P for seven cents less, plus a number of other IXOS interconnects @ half price. They also display the actual color of the jackets, which is a swanky purple (should be the same @ acs4less, but they depict black/red/white jackets)

EDIT: For anybody else who might be interested, acs4less's linking system works on an indivisual basis....click the "Speaker
Wire & Pin" link on the left side of the page under "CATEGORIES." This is the 4th or 5th time I've seen ppl link to that site on this forum; the ones that "work" always drop to a page with Canton & Marantz receivers.

danger boy · February 2003

i'm a big fan of IXOS interconnects.. less expensive than over hyped monster. and just as good. they are or were the only ones who made a 6 RCA to 6 RCA interconnect for my DVD-audio player.. monster and others don't that I can find. Yeah i could have used three (pairs) of interconnects.. but why? IXOS came thru.

for speaker runs.. i use Liberty High Def 14 guage wire.. looks identical to monster XP at about half the price.

liberty wire

Help a newb....make it stop!

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