Thread: New speaker cable options...

I'll be adding some much needed shelving to my room in which my gear will rest on. When this happens I'll need to get some longer runs of speaker cable. Right now I'm using A23 cables. My dealer will let me swap out mine for a longer pair but I'm thinking that maybe this is the time to look into something else.

I'm a believer in cables making a difference. The only problem is that I can't see spending large sums of money in doing so. I'm hoping to keep things at 1K or so, but I'll be needing roughly a 13'-15' pair so I'm not sure how well that budget will work. What I do know is that I want copper cables. No silver for this guy. I know this is an older cable but I've read so many good things about the Kimber 8TC and that it just does everything right that I'm thinking this may be a serious contender. I wanted to get some feedback from you guys here on what else to look at.

I running a nice warm SET integrated with both digital and vinyl.

Doug - I've got a pair of 3 meter WW Eclipse SP Cables for sale (their best copper cable).

Originally Posted by Benson

Mike, How are you liking the AZ double barrel's over the Eclipse?

The AZ are excellent.

Umm...How about making a set ? Easy to try, awesome sound...would save you a bundle and surprise the hell out of the quality

Low-Inductance DIY Braided Hi-Fi Speaker Cables

I love em...took a few days for break and an they made a big difference

Originally Posted by ohbythebay

Umm...How about making a set ? Easy to try, awesome sound...would save you a bundle and surprise the hell out of the quality

Low-Inductance DIY Braided Hi-Fi Speaker Cables

I love em...took a few days for break and an they made a big difference

Hmmm... I might have to look into that.

Real men make their own cables...and make their own swords...damn, made them too short

Originally Posted by ohbythebay

Real men make their own cables...and make their own swords...damn, made them too short

Arnold was the MAN!!! I still can't believe the pictures of him when he was competing. Look at that, are you kidding me!



You are a scrawny little man, POW!!!

Originally Posted by volks

Mike i agree.....ive had the Acoustic Zen's Absolute Shotgun's in my system for a couple years now and i love them
image (2).jpgimage (3).jpgimage (4).jpg

Since I got them, I've stopped thinking about speaker cables to be honest. They get out of the way of the music. Very neutral. Love the price for performance ratio.

Originally Posted by Mike

Since I got them, I've stopped thinking about speaker cables to be honest. They get out of the way of the music. Very neutral. Love the price for performance ratio.

Don't these go for close to $5k retail per pair, Mike? I'm sure they are awesome, but the Satori Shotguns seem more like a price/performance product to me unless I'm mistaken...

Originally Posted by JJinID

Don't these go for close to $5k retail per pair, Mike? I'm sure they are awesome, but the Satori Shotguns seem more like a price/performance product to me unless I'm mistaken...

I would be the last person to spend $5k on cables. I've heard $24,000 cables in my system (loaners). I couldn't hear a $24,000 difference. Not even a $2400 difference. Talk to Jeff at AV Solutions. You will be very surprised.

Originally Posted by JJinID

Don't these go for close to $5k retail per pair, Mike? I'm sure they are awesome, but the Satori Shotguns seem more like a price/performance product to me unless I'm mistaken...

The Absolute shotgun are 5K, they are a hybrid cable using silver and copper conductors. The rest of their line uses all copper conductors and less money.

Originally Posted by A/V Solutions

The Absolute shotgun are 5K, they are a hybrid cable using silver and copper conductors. The rest of their line uses all copper conductors and less money.

I think I have the Satori. I avoid silver like the plague. Better for the bank account too.

Originally Posted by Mike

I think I have the Satori. I avoid silver like the plague. Better for the bank account too.

Hologram II and Satori Shotgun

Originally Posted by Mike

I think I have the Satori. I avoid silver like the plague. Better for the bank account too.

OK that makes sense now - I thought you were saying you had the Absolutes as well...thanks!

Yeah, those. I'm glad someone knows! They sound amazing. I've gained another octave on bass for sure. And a certain haze has been removed.

Lets put it this way....if the $5000 silver ones were so good, I think Jeff would have them! . Like Jeff, I'm anti-silver anything. Even IC's and PC's now. Less is more? I think so.

I do think silver could work in an overly dull system.

Originally Posted by volks

5K is full MSRP......i never paid anywhere near that though lol........its the only silver in my system cables.....at least compared to my WireWorld Eclipse 7 XLR's(which use copper) and WireWorld Electra 7 Power cords.

I bet you know a guy who knows a guy!

Originally Posted by Mike

I bet you know a guy who knows a guy!

had to do it

ziplock.jpg

Originally Posted by A/V Solutions

had to do it

ziplock.jpg

Originally Posted by A/V Solutions

had to do it

ziplock.jpg

LMAO!

Don't laugh....selling all those WW cables sans boxes cost me on average, about $20-25 per cable vs normal market conditions.

Argh.

Originally Posted by A/V Solutions

had to do it

ziplock.jpg

Sigh...I hate to be the bee in the ice tea BUT (I will..lol)

I am not now nor will I ever be convinced that a set of cables over $100 will make an audible difference. Psychological difference? Yes...spend 2K or 5K on cables and you are convinced they sound amazing..I would have to be shown.

I am willing to bet (hypothetical bet) that I could bring my self made speaker cables (cost under $100) and match them against anything above..from $500 to $5000...it is impossible in physics and has been proven, there is no difference. It is electrical conductivity. No more, no less and the frequency carried by the variations.

Its sort of like advertising how your system is good from 5hz to 50000hz. Great. wonderful. But the normal human ear can only hear 20 to 20000..a few exceptions hear a little higher (near 25k) or a little lower (10hz) but otherwise..inaudible.

Do you know there have been blind listening tests with expensive cables vs coat hangers...and the coathangers won or were indistinguishable

So not trying to be a wet blanket...but wish someone was close who could bring one of these killer cables and prove it to me....its the best marketing snake oil since Dr. Drakes Magic elixir....

http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/03/a...ter-cable-and/

http://www.gizmodo.com.au/2008/03/au...coat_hanger-2/

Okay..said my piece

Originally Posted by volks

hahha really Mike?

Yup, really!

Tara Labs Temporal Continuum, yes they are old BUT they still do a very good job.

Later, a simple control device inside a box fitted to the cable (The Temporal Continuum) allowed the user to adjust the amount of high frequency energy to be heard.

600x337xTara_Labs_Temporal_Continuum_Speaker_Cables.jpg - - - ( 1990 )

Hey, if its good for the house, its good for the system...lOL...plus you can wire more outlets in the house with leftover


Romex® Indoor Copper Wire, 12 Gauge x 50' - Amazon.com

Originally Posted by BobM

Wait till you guys start hearing Pete's new speaker cables. The Triode Wire Labs speaker cables should finally be ready for commercial sale this summer. As a beta tester I can tell you they have replaced many different wires in the test group's home systems.

A very fine product at a very fair price.

You know we all love pics..

Thanks to Allen I've been listening to a set of Cardas Quadlink sc's. They are giving me a little more bass and a more full sound than my A23's. They are a bit warmer and don't have the crisp highs that I would like so I'm still looking. Having a tube amp doesn't help with the warmer Cardas cables I don't think. Allen switched to Transparent cables and thinks they may be just the ticket for my system.

The journey continues...

Doug...what budget range are you looking at for per speaker cable and per interconnect and how many ICs do you need?

Originally Posted by cmalak

Doug...what budget range are you looking at for per speaker cable and per interconnect and how many ICs do you need?

Cyril, you know I haven't really given it much thought. My IC's are A23 and are fine, so I'm good there. The main reason for new SC's is due to my rearranging things and needing longer runs, approx. 12 feet. My A23 dealer can take mine back and send me what I need, but I figure it's a good time to try some different cables out. I'm also interested in the Acoustic Zen Hologram II's which I believe retail around $1400.00 but since Jeff carries the line I'm sure he can get me a good price. I am very interested in the Transparent line and may have the opportunity to try some out down the road.

Originally Posted by dlb2

Cyril, you know I haven't really given it much thought. My IC's are A23 and are fine, so I'm good there. The main reason for new SC's is due to my rearranging things and needing longer runs, approx. 12 feet. My A23 dealer can take mine back and send me what I need, but I figure it's a good time to try some different cables out. I'm also interested in the Acoustic Zen Hologram II's which I believe retail around $1400.00 but since Jeff carries the line I'm sure he can get me a good price. I am very interested in the Transparent line and may have the opportunity to try some out down the road.

I have a pair of 3 meter WW Eclipse if you're interested.

Originally Posted by dlb2

Cyril, you know I haven't really given it much thought. My IC's are A23 and are fine, so I'm good there. The main reason for new SC's is due to my rearranging things and needing longer runs, approx. 12 feet. My A23 dealer can take mine back and send me what I need, but I figure it's a good time to try some different cables out. I'm also interested in the Acoustic Zen Hologram II's which I believe retail around $1400.00 but since Jeff carries the line I'm sure he can get me a good price. I am very interested in the Transparent line and may have the opportunity to try some out down the road.

Yup, yes you will, bud!
I have the 'in-wall' cables from TA. The dealer who sold it to me said it was like their MusicLink level line of cables, sans the network box. I think the resolution is a bit higher than the Cardas without being overly bright. But I think my SC length is something like 20' or more, LOL!

Originally Posted by Mike

I have a pair of 3 meter WW Eclipse if you're interested.

Remember we talked about this already Mike. You know, the whole WW thing?

Originally Posted by socfan12

Yup, yes you will, bud!
I have the 'in-wall' cables from TA. The dealer who sold it to me said it was like their MusicLink level line of cables, sans the network box. I think the resolution is a bit higher than the Cardas without being overly bright. But I think my SC length is something like 20' or more, LOL!

You rock, dude! I'll just wrap the extra around my speakers so they look like something from "The Fifth Element!"

Originally Posted by Dewster

You know we all love pics..

Top of the line solid copper Cardas spades used (3 sizes available) as well as their top of the line bananas available. Cold fused (no solder) using a 16,000 lb. hydraulic crimp... I also incorporated some of my own passive design of "ground plane technology" to help remove any spurious noise (EMI/RFI)... Super Quiet, dynamic & natural sounding...Triode Wire Labs speaker cables w: connectors.jpg

Originally Posted by Triode Wire Labs

Top of the line solid copper Cardas spades used (3 sizes available) as well as their top of the line bananas available. Cold fused (no solder) using a 16,000 lb. hydraulic crimp... I also incorporated some of my own passive design of "ground plane technology" to help remove any spurious noise (EMI/RFI)... Super Quiet, dynamic & natural sounding...Triode Wire Labs speaker cables w: connectors.jpg

Those look really nice Pete. I like that they're all copper. You got any loaners?!!!

Originally Posted by dlb2

Those look really nice Pete. I like that they're all copper. You got any loaners?!!!

Hey Doug,
I'd be happy to send you a pair but the ten beta pairs that went out across the USA never made it back to me... Currently trying to get my website updated & starting to get ready (with a bunch of cables) for Capital Audiofest... I will be in two rooms, 817 & 806... should be a blast!

Anyone going to CAF, please join me for a libation of your choosing in one of my two rooms... I think the good stuff will be in Room 817, a large corner room...

Cheers,
Pete

Originally Posted by Triode Wire Labs

Hey Doug,
I'd be happy to send you a pair but the ten beta pairs that went out across the USA never made it back to me... Currently trying to get my website updated & starting to get ready (with a bunch of cables) for Capital Audiofest... I will be in two rooms, 817 & 806... should be a blast!

Anyone going to CAF, please join me for a libation of your choosing in one of my two rooms... I think the good stuff will be in Room 817, a large corner room...

Cheers,
Pete

I think that's a good sign Pete! I'll keep checking your website for more info. Thanks.