Speaker Wire

Stitchxx
Stitchxx Posts: 7
edited February 2009 in Speakers
Friend of mine said he use's ext. cord for his wires but i'm thinking thats not the best thing ....i mean hell ext cord is there for elect. power not sound ...ooo yea like to have some wire not to hit the old wallet to hard lol
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  • Kchill
    Kchill Posts: 262
    edited February 2009
    Monoprice.com
    Retired Onkyo 520 (returned broken HK 247)
    Now a Pioneer 1018
    CSi3
    2- RTI10's
    2- R50's
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    Polk psw-10

    "Inch by inch lifes a cinch, yard by yard life is hard"
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  • Hawkeye
    Hawkeye Posts: 1,313
    edited February 2009
    I've actually gotten good results from 12 g outdoor lighting wire. Paid about $9.00 for 50 feet and the sound was quite impressive.

    Gordon
    2 Channel -
    Martin Logan Spire, 2 JL Audio F112 subs
    McIntosh C1000 Controller with Tube pre amp, 2 MC501 amplifiers, MD1K Transport & DAC, MR-88 Tuner
    WireWorld Eclipse 6.0 speaker wire and jumpers, Eclipse 5^2 Squared Balanced IC's. Silver Eclipse PCs (5)
    Symposium Rollerblocks 2+ (16)Black Diamond Racing Mk 3 pits (8)
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  • george daniel
    george daniel Posts: 12,096
    edited February 2009
    Signal cable,, tell Frank that you are a CP member,,good reliable cable.
    JC approves....he told me so. (F-1 nut)
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  • NJPOLKER
    NJPOLKER Posts: 3,474
    edited February 2009
    Stitchxx wrote: »
    Friend of mine said he use's ext. cord for his wires but i'm thinking thats not the best thing ....i mean hell ext cord is there for elect. power not sound ...ooo yea like to have some wire not to hit the old wallet to hard lol

    Did you really say he's a friend :)
    You have lots of options so use them. Like George said, Signal Cable for quality cables are hard to beat. If you are real budget conscious start with Mono.
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  • Monster Jam
    Monster Jam Posts: 919
    edited February 2009
    Blue Jeans cable another alternative.
    Do you hear that buzzing noise? :confused:
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  • williamgauci
    williamgauci Posts: 88
    edited February 2009
    Wire is wire, the only property you need to be concerned with is the Gauge. Make sure it's adequate for the length of run you have.

    http://www.roger-russell.com/wire/wire.htm
    _____________________________________________
    Yamaha 6080 Emotiva XPA-5 CSi A6 RTiA-7's RTi A1's Velodyne DLS-4000R
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  • hearingimpared
    hearingimpared Posts: 21,136
    edited February 2009
    williamgauci wrote: »
    Wire is wire, the only property you need to be concerned with is the Gauge.

    Oh no, you didn't go there did you? Here we go again.;)
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  • metal83
    metal83 Posts: 1,219
    edited February 2009
    Did that can of worms seriously just get opened? :eek:

    I'm out of here! lol :D
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  • Knucklehead
    Knucklehead Posts: 3,602
    edited February 2009
    this can be a very volitle subject! Just go with monoprice!
    Polk Audio Surround Bar 360
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    Motorola HD FIOS DVR
    Panasonic 42" Plasma
    XBOX 360[/SIZE]

    Office stuff

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    Life is one grand, sweet song, so start the music. ~Ronald Reagan
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  • NJPOLKER
    NJPOLKER Posts: 3,474
    edited February 2009
    williamgauci wrote: »
    Wire is wire, the only property you need to be concerned with is the Gauge. Make sure it's adequate for the length of run you have.

    http://www.roger-russell.com/wire/wire.htm

    william william william :(:o
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  • williamgauci
    williamgauci Posts: 88
    edited February 2009
    :(OK, Sorry everyone, i've been lurking around here for years and haven't really contributed. I know how volatile this subject is and this is akin to the Bose debate. But I think the emperical evidence suggests that at best there is a marginal improvement when comparing the same gauge wire in blind tests.

    Having said that, the OP made the statement that there must be a difference between wire produced to carry electricity and one designed to carry sound. The signal travelling from source to speaker is electrical isn't it? :)

    I will now go and live in shame. :(
    _____________________________________________
    Yamaha 6080 Emotiva XPA-5 CSi A6 RTiA-7's RTi A1's Velodyne DLS-4000R
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  • Conradicles
    Conradicles Posts: 6,143
    edited February 2009
    george daniel wrote: »
    Signal cable,, tell Frank that you are a CP member,,good reliable cable.

    Never owned Signal but after just checking their website and realizing they are made in the USA, I may try out some of their products.
    Very good prices and shipping is cheap as well.;)



    All I need now is some money.:eek:
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  • NJPOLKER
    NJPOLKER Posts: 3,474
    edited February 2009
    williamgauci wrote: »
    :(OK, Sorry everyone, i've been lurking around here for years and haven't really contributed. I know how volatile this subject is and this is akin to the Bose debate. But I think the emperical evidence suggests that at best there is a marginal improvement when comparing the same gauge wire in blind tests.

    Having said that, the OP made the statement that there must be a difference between wire produced to carry electricity and one designed to carry sound. The signal travelling from source to speaker is electrical isn't it? :)

    I will now go and live in shame. :(


    william
    No reason to go in shame and no reason to say your sorry but........... :D
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  • beardog03
    beardog03 Posts: 5,550
    edited February 2009
    www.audioadvisor.com

    Type 4 speaker cable....it`s a good place to start, IMO

    no affil.
    Cary SLP-98L F1 DC Pre Amp (Jag Blue)
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    Adona AV45CS3 / 3 Tier Rack (Black /Gold)

    :cool:
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  • alphaone
    alphaone Posts: 26
    edited February 2009
    Are the MTI Terminators 4, 2 etc. any good or any better that regular 10 or 12 gage speaker wire?
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  • thsmith
    thsmith Posts: 6,082
    edited February 2009
    beardog03 wrote: »
    www.audioadvisor.com

    Type 4 speaker cable....it`s a good place to start, IMO

    no affil.

    I too owned Mono price 12gauage and recommeded them often. A good deal came up here a couple of weeks ago for a pair of AQ T4s and I thought if cables can make a difference these should be good enough to notice the difference and I would try them to see, if I could not tell a difference I would simply offer them up here for what I paid for them.

    I was prepared to not hear any difference, I almost did not want to because money is tight.

    All I can say is they are not coming out of my system for a long time. Vocals were better centered and sounded to raise up about 2 feet, bass was dramtically tighter. Highs were a bit clearer and sharper but not as dramtic as the vocals and bass.

    YMMV
    Speakers: SDA-1C (most all the goodies)
    Preamp: Joule Electra LA-150 MKII SE
    Amp: Wright WPA 50-50 EAT KT88s
    Analog: Marantz TT-15S1 MBS Glider SL| Wright WPP100C Amperex BB 6er5 and 7316 & WPM-100 SUT
    Digital: Mac mini 2.3GHz dual-core i5 8g RAM 1.5 TB HDD Music Server Amarra (memory play) - USB - W4S DAC 2
    Cables: Mits S3 IC and Spk cables| PS Audio PCs
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  • BjornB17
    BjornB17 Posts: 752
    edited February 2009
    george daniel wrote: »
    Signal cable,, tell Frank that you are a CP member,,good reliable cable.

    What happens with unreliable cable?
    KEF Q150 | Rythmik F12 | Yamaha Aventage RX-A780
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  • skrol
    skrol Posts: 3,395
    edited February 2009
    Unreliable cables often say that they are going to do something and then don't. More seriously this is probably referring to the quality of construction and lack of defects. The most obvious defects would be shorts due to frayed strands of wire or compromised insulation. The converse is high impedance and opens due to poor crimps, soldering, broken conductors or low spring tension on the connectors.

    Beyond the defects, there is the quality of the insulator and quality of the conductors.

    Hope this helps
    Stan
    Stan

    Main 2ch:
    Polk LSi15 (DB840 upgrade), Parasound: P/LD-1100, HCA-1000A; Denon: DVD-2910, DRM-800A; Benchmark DAC1, Monster HTS3600-MKII, Grado SR-225i; Technics SL-J2, Parasound PPH-100.

    HT:
    Marantz SR7010, Polk: RTA11TL (RDO198-1, XO and Damping Upgrades), S4, CS250, PSW110 , Marantz UD5005, Pioneer PL-530, Panasonic TC-P42S60

    Other stuff:
    Denon: DRA-835R, AVR-888, DCD-660, DRM-700A, DRR-780; Polk: S8, Monitor 5A, 5B, TSi100, RM7, PSW10 (DXi104 upgrade); Pioneer: CT-6R; Onkyo CP-1046F; Ortofon OM5E, Marantz: PM5004, CD5004, CDR-615; Parasound C/PT-600, HCA-800ii, Sony CDP-650ESD, Technics SA 5070, B&W DM601
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  • reeltrouble1
    reeltrouble1 Posts: 9,312
    edited February 2009
    Stitchxx wrote: »
    Friend of mine said he use's ext. cord for his wires but i'm thinking thats not the best thing ....i mean hell ext cord is there for elect. power not sound ...ooo yea like to have some wire not to hit the old wallet to hard lol


    it will certainly work, but not something I would do.

    another is www.parts-express.com
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  • BjornB17
    BjornB17 Posts: 752
    edited February 2009
    skrol wrote: »
    Unreliable cables often say that they are going to do something and then don't.

    i hate it when they do that.
    KEF Q150 | Rythmik F12 | Yamaha Aventage RX-A780
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  • hearingimpared
    hearingimpared Posts: 21,136
    edited February 2009
    alphaone wrote: »
    Are the MTI Terminators 4, 2 etc. any good or any better that regular 10 or 12 gage speaker wire?

    Better by leaps and bounds.
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  • tonyb
    tonyb Posts: 33,023
    edited February 2009
    alphaone wrote: »
    Are the MTI Terminators 4, 2 etc. any good or any better that regular 10 or 12 gage speaker wire?

    Oh boy....Ok,if you have,lets say,monitor 30's with a sony low end cdp,and a 500$ AVR,then no,you probably won't hear a big difference.When your gear starts getting better,along with your speakers,the more cables will play a role in the quality of sound you get from your system.Look at most members here,or on other audio forums,and you'll see when they move up the chain in their gear,they also move up in cables.There is a reason for that ya know.While regular 12 ga. home depot cable will suffice for alot of stuff,it won't cut the mustard when you start getting into the RTI line an above.Everything has it's usefull place in audio.
    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
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  • dee1949
    dee1949 Posts: 1,425
    edited February 2009
    ;;;;;........my 4 cents. Start with 12 gauge extension cord or Monoprice. Get your system together where you like it....then tweak it with the wires.
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  • Knucklehead
    Knucklehead Posts: 3,602
    edited February 2009
    tonyb wrote: »
    Oh boy....Ok,if you have,lets say,monitor 30's with a sony low end cdp,and a 500$ AVR,then no,you probably won't hear a big difference.When your gear starts getting better,along with your speakers,the more cables will play a role in the quality of sound you get from your system.Look at most members here,or on other audio forums,and you'll see when they move up the chain in their gear,they also move up in cables.There is a reason for that ya know.While regular 12 ga. home depot cable will suffice for alot of stuff,it won't cut the mustard when you start getting into the RTI line an above.Everything has it's usefull place in audio.

    This is probably THE best advice Ive read on speaker wire!
    Polk Audio Surround Bar 360
    Mirage PS-12
    LG BDP-550
    Motorola HD FIOS DVR
    Panasonic 42" Plasma
    XBOX 360[/SIZE]

    Office stuff

    Allied 395 receiver
    Pioneer CDP PD-M430
    RT8t's & Wharfedale Diamond II's[/SIZE]

    Life is one grand, sweet song, so start the music. ~Ronald Reagan
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  • comfortablycurt
    comfortablycurt Posts: 6,745
    edited February 2009
    I was thinking about removing the huge power lines in front of my house and using them as speaker wire. What are those? Like 000 Gauge?...lol

    Wire is wire, so yes, lamp cord or extension cords will work. There is a reason that not many people use them though...lol...There's a lot more to wire than just gauge. People are willing to spend hundreds, even thousands of dollars on speaker wire for good reason.

    As TonyB said, it makes more of a difference depending on the equipment your running. If you have a Sony HTIB setup...going out and getting MIT Oracles to hook them up with isn't going to really give you much of an improvement. If you have some higher end gear though, the wire that came with your Sony HTIB isn't going to cut it.
    The nirvana inducer-
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    Audioquest Speaker Cables and IC's
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  • Knucklehead
    Knucklehead Posts: 3,602
    edited February 2009
    Curt, im looking at stepping up to the Onkyo 606, how do you like yours?
    Polk Audio Surround Bar 360
    Mirage PS-12
    LG BDP-550
    Motorola HD FIOS DVR
    Panasonic 42" Plasma
    XBOX 360[/SIZE]

    Office stuff

    Allied 395 receiver
    Pioneer CDP PD-M430
    RT8t's & Wharfedale Diamond II's[/SIZE]

    Life is one grand, sweet song, so start the music. ~Ronald Reagan
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  • ben62670
    ben62670 Posts: 15,969
    edited February 2009
    beardog03 wrote: »
    www.audioadvisor.com

    Type 4 speaker cable....it`s a good place to start, IMO

    no affil.

    I'll second that. I can't believe the lack of cable knowledge in this thread. Roger Russell. Damn it. I said I would scream the next time I heard that name. Kids are home. I think I'll go kick a chicken...
    Please. Please contact me a ben62670 @ yahoo.com. Make sure to include who you are, and you are from Polk so I don't delete your email. Also I am now physically unable to work on any projects. If you need help let these guys know. There are many people who will help if you let them know where you are.
    Thanks
    Ben
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  • Knucklehead
    Knucklehead Posts: 3,602
    edited February 2009
    I was **** slapped the last time i used the R-R name! LOL!
    Polk Audio Surround Bar 360
    Mirage PS-12
    LG BDP-550
    Motorola HD FIOS DVR
    Panasonic 42" Plasma
    XBOX 360[/SIZE]

    Office stuff

    Allied 395 receiver
    Pioneer CDP PD-M430
    RT8t's & Wharfedale Diamond II's[/SIZE]

    Life is one grand, sweet song, so start the music. ~Ronald Reagan
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  • pearsall001
    pearsall001 Posts: 5,094
    edited February 2009
    ben62670 wrote: »
    I'll second that. I can't believe the lack of cable knowledge in this thread. Roger Russell. Damn it. I said I would scream the next time I heard that name. Kids are home. I think I'll go kick a chicken...

    That guys name sure does raise some feathers. Maybe because he knows what he's talking about & we simply choose not believe a word of it. His wallets probably a lot fuller than ours. After all if someone dropped a cool $grand$ or so on some speaker cables...you damn well better believe he's going to hear a difference. Or at least he'll keep telling himself that over & over again until he actually does believe it.
    "2 Channel & 11.2 HT "Two Channel:Magnepan LRSSchiit Audio Freya S - SS preConsonance Ref 50 - Tube preParasound HALO A21+ 2 channel ampBluesound NODE 2i streameriFi NEO iDSD DAC Oppo BDP-93KEF KC62 sub Home Theater:Full blown 11.2 set up.
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  • ben62670
    ben62670 Posts: 15,969
    edited February 2009
    pearsall001 wrote: »
    That guys name sure does raise some feathers. Maybe because he knows what he's talking about & we simply choose not believe a word of it...
    Phil after trying many cables it's obvious they make a big difference. The most surprising recent example was using different IC's with SDA's. The SDA effect was totally gone with one set of IC's. My buddy and I thought that there was something wrong with the speakers. We swapped out the IC's and the SDA were back in full effect.
    Ben
    Please. Please contact me a ben62670 @ yahoo.com. Make sure to include who you are, and you are from Polk so I don't delete your email. Also I am now physically unable to work on any projects. If you need help let these guys know. There are many people who will help if you let them know where you are.
    Thanks
    Ben
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