What speaker wire brand should I buy?

ramiror
ramiror Posts: 1
edited March 2009 in Basic Hookup/Wiring Questions
Hello all,

I just bought Polk RM 800 series home theater speakers and I am new at this. I need to buy speaker wire and I see a lot of differences in price. I see a lot of brands such as Rocketfish, Monster, RCA, etc. While I am not looking to break the bank here, I am also not looking to buy cheap stuff either.

Any recommendations? Please share your experiences if you have used different types of speaker wires.

RR:)
Post edited by ramiror on
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  • thsmith
    thsmith Posts: 6,082
    edited March 2009
    Start with monoprice.com. Their 12g is good starter cable. I started there and then went to Audioquest type 4 found here at CP for sale.

    A lot of people use bluejeanscable.com as well.

    Often times people here upgrade and put their old cables up for sale at a great price.

    Don't bother with Monster cable, your better off to buy lampcord from homedepot.
    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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  • Knucklehead
    Knucklehead Posts: 3,602
    edited March 2009
    First off....Welcome to Club Polk! You will get 100 different opinions on speaker cables so here is my opinion. I use Monoprice 14 gauge and it works great for me. If your system isnt built around 2000 dollar amps and what not I think Monoprice will work great for you.
    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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  • Knucklehead
    Knucklehead Posts: 3,602
    edited March 2009
    smith, how are those acoustic panels working for you? Nice set up by the way.
    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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  • thsmith
    thsmith Posts: 6,082
    edited March 2009
    Thanks, they are working fine. Definately took out some reflections and echco. You can buy them local in most cases for a lot cheaperr than online. If your SO is handy with sewing they can make the covers.
    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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  • zingo
    zingo Posts: 11,258
    edited March 2009
    monoprice.com :)
    Jake
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  • bsoko2
    bsoko2 Posts: 1,449
    edited March 2009
    bluejeans.com

    Bill
    My 2012 HT Room - http://www.avsforum.com/t/1416077/bsoko2-new-ht-june-2012
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  • BlueFox
    BlueFox Posts: 15,251
    edited March 2009
    Anything but Monster. I dislike them because of their aggessive lawsuits against anything or anyone who uses the word Monster. It's a good thing Mary Shelly is dead, or she would be getting sued.
    Lumin X1 file player, Westminster Labs interconnect cable
    Sony XA-5400ES SACD; Pass XP-22 pre; X600.5 amps
    Magico S5 MKII Mcast Rose speakers; SPOD spikes

    Shunyata Triton v3/Typhon QR on source, Denali 2000 (2) on amps
    Shunyata Sigma XLR analog ICs, Sigma speaker cables
    Shunyata Sigma HC (2), Sigma Analog, Sigma Digital, Z Anaconda (3) power cables

    Mapleshade Samson V.3 four shelf solid maple rack, Micropoint brass footers
    Three 20 amp circuits.
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  • digitalvideo
    digitalvideo Posts: 983
    edited March 2009
    I always had good luck with Bluejeans or Mediabridge cables for HDMI connections. You can get Mediabridge cables on amazon.com for great prices, many under $10 bucks. Mediabridge is a premium company.

    http://www.mediabridgeproducts.com/index.html
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  • Conradicles
    Conradicles Posts: 6,119
    edited March 2009
    I would get Monster if I were you.
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  • rengnath
    rengnath Posts: 118
    edited March 2009
    I got suggestions for blue jeans and signal cable when I was re-wiring my system. I looked in to the different prices, and ended up just buying the 14 ga. Phillips speaker wire from the hardware store. It works fine for me, but Im only running an AVR, no amps.
    AVR - Yamaha Aventage RX-A800
    Amps - B&K Components ST2140 (for mains) and Parasound HCA-1000A (bi-amping center)
    Mains - RT1000i Towers
    Center - CS400i
    Sub - BIC Acoustech PL200

    My neighbors listen to very good music, whether they like it or not :cheesygrin:
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,731
    edited March 2009
    For a start up system such as yours, I would recommend Signal Cable and if you mention you are a Club Polk member you get a 5% discount.
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

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  • PSOVLSK
    PSOVLSK Posts: 5,220
    edited March 2009
    I just re-wired my system with blue jeans cables. That being said, I have about 150ft of 12ga Phillips wire I'd sell for cheap. I've planned to put it in the FM, but never have gotten around to it. If you're interested, let me know how much you need and I'll give you a price.
    Things work out best for those who make the best of the way things work out.-John Wooden
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  • praedet
    praedet Posts: 314
    edited March 2009
    I REALLY like the Signal Cable speaker cables and interconnects I got today ;)
    HT: Ninja Master LSi9s, Ninja Master LSiC, Slightly Modded LSiFXs, Modded LSi7s, Outlaw LFM-1 EX and Polk PSW125
    Outlaw 970 Preamp, Outlaw 7700 Amp, Velodyne SMS-1, Oppo BDP-83,
    2 APC H-15s and a Panamax 5400 for good measure ;)
    Stereo: DIY Alix Music Server, DODD Audio Battery Tube Buffer, Modded DAC-60 and MF V-Link (for now), DIY Silver ICs, Battery Powered Class D SDS-254 Amp, and GR-Research N2X Speakers
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  • Mike21
    Mike21 Posts: 252
    edited March 2009
    I recommended terminated cables for front left & right speakers and center channel speaker. Signal, Blue Jeans, Zebra, Empirical - check out their web sites.

    For the surround speakers, if you are just a little bit handy, I recommend 14 or 12 gauge bulk unterminated cable. You can cut the lenghts you need, strip off the cable covering and make bare wire connections to the speakers. Check out what PPSOVLSK has. Also check out the 50' spool of Dayton 14g wire at Parts Express:
    http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=100-020

    Also check out Blue Jeans bulk cable. :)
    ____________________________________________
    Home Theater 32"LG LCD; Comcast; 7.1 Onkyo 805; Fronts: Polk M50s; Center: Polk CS2; Sides: Polk M40s; Rear: B&W LM1s; Subs: (2) Sony 12" x 100w; Samsung 1500BDP; Toshiba A-2 HD-DVDP.
    PC stereo: Viper custom PC: Windows XP; ASIO4ALL; JRiver Jukebox> Pop Pulse USB to S/PDIF conv> Monarchy DIP > Musiland MD10 DAC > Parasound 2100 pre> Aragon 4004 MKII amp> Dali Ikon6 towers; Sunfire True Sub; PSA Duet, Ultimate outlet and Noise Harvestors.
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  • CRESCENDOPOWER
    CRESCENDOPOWER Posts: 153
    edited March 2009
    Conradicles wrote: »
    I would get Monster if I were you.

    That is correct! Monster is best value/performance cable on the market.

    POST#15:D
    Buy Polk ****!:D

    http://www.soundandvisionmag.com/assets/image/12222003154728.jpg
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  • apphd
    apphd Posts: 1,514
    edited March 2009
    CRESCENDOPOWER wrote: »
    That is correct! Monster is best value/performance cable on the market.

    POST#15:D


    What qualifies Monster to hold this position (best value/performance cable on the market.)? Because they say so???

    Don't want to start a whole wire debate here, just curious what prompts this comment.
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  • janmike
    janmike Posts: 6,146
    edited March 2009
    Read the rest of his posts and you will have the answer.
    Michael ;)
    In the beginning, all knowledge was new!
    NORTH of 60°
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  • apphd
    apphd Posts: 1,514
    edited March 2009
    Guess I missed something, oh well.
    Thanks janmike
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  • janmike
    janmike Posts: 6,146
    edited March 2009
    apphd wrote: »
    Guess I missed something, oh well.
    Thanks janmike

    The rest of his posts are utter nonsense with the intent of getting a rise out of people here. Don’t worry, you did not miss much, only wasted time.
    Michael ;)
    In the beginning, all knowledge was new!
    NORTH of 60°
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  • jacob.simpson
    jacob.simpson Posts: 481
    edited March 2009
    Get Monoprice 12 awg, and save all the other savings to buy better gear or buy yourself something else, They have one of the best CS and their products are also good quality, Twice had very great exp with their CS and bought lot of gear from them.
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  • wizzy
    wizzy Posts: 867
    edited March 2009
    Just go here and buy the number of feet you need, plus a 20% uh-oh amount

    http://www.markertek.com/Product.asp?cat=CABLESCONN&subcat=BULKCABLE&prodclass=SPKRBULK&baseitem=4S11FT&search=0&off=0&showreturn=0&utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_term=&utm_content=&utm_campaign=

    Canare 4S11 quad star
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  • Blownrx7
    Blownrx7 Posts: 137
    edited March 2009
    Ditto on the Canare Star Quad 4S11
    The bluejeans/Belden is also a good option
    Buy in bulk, do your own terminations and save a boatload!:)

    If you go bare wire, that can be best BUT only if you disassemble and periodically clean off the oxidation.
    The termination is as important as the wire itself
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  • curved
    curved Posts: 664
    edited March 2009
    Don't waste your money on Monster. Check out Bluejeans or Monoprice.
    Living Room:....................[HTML] [/HTML] Zone 2 (Workout Room):
    AVR - Yamaha RX-V757......JBL 4312 Pro Monitors
    Pre - Nak CA-5
    AMP - Adcom 555 (Main)
    Main - Polk RTI8**/RTiA5
    AMP - Adcom 545II (Center)
    Center - Polk CSiA4**
    Sub - Snell Basis 300:p......Zone 3 (Outside)
    CD - Yamaha CDC-555.......Def Tech AW5500
    TV - Pani TH-42PZ80U
    BR - LG BD390
    Monster HTS1600 Power Center
    Dedicated Circuit - (2) 20amp, (1) 15amp
    Ben's IC, Canare 4S11
    **Dayton and Sonicap Caps with Mills Resistors**
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  • TECHNOKID
    TECHNOKID Posts: 4,298
    edited March 2009
    curved wrote: »
    Don't waste your money on Monster. Check out Bluejeans or Monoprice.
    Agreed and also agree that monoprice and bluejeans will more likely be your best bang for the buck! You might also go thru this discussion and see what type of audiophile you consider to be (:rolleyes:) :

    http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=80453
    DARE TO SOAR:
    “Your attitude, almost always determine your altitude in life” ;)
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  • mrkedmnd
    mrkedmnd Posts: 1
    edited March 2009
    ramiror wrote: »
    Hello all,

    I just bought Polk RM 800 series home theater speakers and I am new at this. I need to buy speaker wire and I see a lot of differences in price. I see a lot of brands such as Rocketfish, Monster, RCA, etc. While I am not looking to break the bank here, I am also not looking to buy cheap stuff either.

    Any recommendations? Please share your experiences if you have used different types of speaker wires.

    RR:)
    Monster Cable is good
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  • BlueFox
    BlueFox Posts: 15,251
    edited March 2009
    mrkedmnd wrote: »
    Monster Cable is good


    Nice first post. (I wanted to use a sarcastic smiley, but I wasn't sure which one was sarcastic.)
    Lumin X1 file player, Westminster Labs interconnect cable
    Sony XA-5400ES SACD; Pass XP-22 pre; X600.5 amps
    Magico S5 MKII Mcast Rose speakers; SPOD spikes

    Shunyata Triton v3/Typhon QR on source, Denali 2000 (2) on amps
    Shunyata Sigma XLR analog ICs, Sigma speaker cables
    Shunyata Sigma HC (2), Sigma Analog, Sigma Digital, Z Anaconda (3) power cables

    Mapleshade Samson V.3 four shelf solid maple rack, Micropoint brass footers
    Three 20 amp circuits.
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  • cnh
    cnh Posts: 13,284
    edited March 2009
    CRESCENDOPOWER wrote: »
    That is correct! Monster is best value/performance cable on the market.

    POST#15:D

    It's OK you can tell us who 'you' 'really' are crescendo..we won't tell anyone! Scouts honor.
    Currently orbiting Bowie's Blackstar.!

    Polk Lsi-7s, Def Tech 8" sub, HK 3490, HK HD 990 (CDP/DAC), AKG Q701s
    [sig. changed on a monthly basis as I rotate in and out of my stash]
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  • TECHNOKID
    TECHNOKID Posts: 4,298
    edited March 2009
    Keiko wrote: »
    LMAO! :D Welcome to the Bozo list kid.
    LOL Looking at your post coming up (with the big grin face), just like a jack in the box popping out! LOL

    I think going with PSOVLSK's offer could be a good innexpensive way to start and experiment!
    DARE TO SOAR:
    “Your attitude, almost always determine your altitude in life” ;)
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  • PSOVLSK
    PSOVLSK Posts: 5,220
    edited March 2009
    Just looked at what I have and it's actually 14ga RCA. If you don't need too much, I'll give it to you for shipping cost. Let me know.
    Things work out best for those who make the best of the way things work out.-John Wooden
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  • bigaudiofanatic
    bigaudiofanatic Posts: 4,415
    edited March 2009
    You are going to get a million different opinions on this subject but I would recommend any of them. Speakers wire is speakers wire unless you are pushing something like 550+ watts per speakers. I use lamp cord or the rca brand speakers wire iit's all the same to me.
    HT setup
    Panasonic 50" TH-50PZ80U
    Denon DBP-1610
    Monster HTS 1650
    Carver A400X :cool:
    MIT Exp 3 Speaker Wire
    Kef 104/2
    URC MX-780 Remote
    Sonos Play 1

    Living Room
    63 inch Samsung PN63C800YF
    Polk Surroundbar 3000
    Samsung BD-C7900
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