Speaker cable break in question

2

2FlyingYorkies

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I've been using the same speaker cables for 20+ years. They're Tara Labs Prism Biwire, which was a 2x 14 or 2x12 gauge per conductor star-quad arrangement, terminated with single bananas on each end. They've served well, but are at the end of their life (insulation cracking, bananas barely make contact with the terminals, etc).

As part of my new system, I acquired an equivalent length of Kimber 12TC with WBT610 locking bananas. This represents the top of my financial comfort zone for speaker cable at the moment (~$1.0k). Installed Monday evening as the only change made at that time. Immediately noticed a reduction in bass (impact, presence, and extension), and an etching in the upper midrange. The system suddenly sounds "thin".

Am I experiencing cable break in effects, and should be patient, or am I hearing a real difference in the cable?

Note that until now, I would consider myself in the "skeptical" camp when it comes to cables. But both me and my wife heard this instantly, and independently came to the same conclusions about the sound. We're both a bit shocked that this new and rather expensive cable sounds so much worse than an ancient piece that was literally falling apart.

Thanks for any input!
 
Here is how I break in my speaker cables.

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Sorry a little early morning audio humor.......I have heard the weave configuration in the Kimber speaker wire can produce large audible swings based on the amp and load (speaker). I am sure we will get more knowledgeable members to reply. I would go back to the Tara labs cables and return the Kimber if it were me.
 
nc42acc said:
.............................I have heard the weave configuration in the Kimber speaker wire can produce large audible swings based on the amp and load (speaker). I am sure we will get more knowledgeable members to reply.
Click to expand...
I would do the opposite.
Because of their very low end-to-end resistance and rather low high frequency impedance, they are very accurate cables.
So if you want accuracy keep the Kimber's. If you want euphoric coloration maybe go back to the Tara cables, I guess.


I would go back to the Tara labs cables and return the Kimber if it were me.[/QUOTE]
 
I am using the same exact Tara cables in my secondary system along with matching ICs. I once tried PBJs and 8TC in place and also did not like the sound as much so switched back. I know it's of no help, but a similar personal experience.
 
IMO

Cables do require break-in and it seems like a couple three hundred hours at least. So to be apples to apples, you should listen to broken-in cables to broken-in cables.
 
Me too......Using the Kimber 12TC at the office.

Shadowfax said:
I am using the same exact Tara cables in my secondary system along with matching ICs. I once tried PBJs and 8TC in place and also did not like the sound as much so switched back. I know it's of no help, but a similar personal experience.
Click to expand...
 
I presently have 5 sets of speaker cables including a pair of Kimber 8tc.
I find the Kimber to be middle of the road in it's tonal balance. Other cables I have do bass or treble or detail or depth better than the 8tc in one way or the other. And prefer to use one of my other cables vs the Kimber,which is delegated to 2nd system usage. (not sure why I'm holding on to it).
I am not familiar with the Tara cables and therefore cannot make a direct comparison. However I do know that the etch and or brightness will dissipate with break-in but in my experience the bass will not get deeper nor stronger.
It sounds like this cable may not be the best match for your system.
I would look elsewhere if I were you. YMMV.
 
Seems to be a consensus that this is a characteristic sound of the cable that isn't going to change much (at least not on the bottom end). Drat...

If that's the case, any recommendations for a different speaker cable that might work better? I finally remembered to update my signature with the new system components so I don't have to type it all out... I really don't want to get into the business of flipping components, but this may be a case where it's the right thing to do.
 
Jeff,

If you want a GREAT cable that will not break the bank, check out

http://www.avantiaudio.com/speaker-cables-1.html

I am using them now and love them.


I love Kimber cables but not crazy about the 8/12TC line. Just not my flavor.


On my JBL 4367, I use a bi-wire Neotech which is awesome too. They were more money.

With the Avanti Audio cables, I have Mike's jumpers and I am using them on my Studio2. Love what I hear.

On my Strads I use the Kimber all copper with bananas. I forget the model (KS6063?) but they look like a thick hose.
 
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So I've given the 12TC some additional break in time, and my opinion has changed somewhat. It seems fairly clear now that my ears had become accustomed to the old Tara cables (after "just" 20 years, I'm sure that's hard to believe!), and the Tara apparently had a pronounced midbass hump of some kind that made it rather boomy and one-note. The 12TC clearly has more detail and goes quite a bit deeper; it just took some time to adjust to hearing the new sound as not only different, but better. Should be noted that there has been a change in sonic character of the Kimber over the past few weeks too, and it has been for the better - smother mids and more integrated bass. Let this be a lesson to us all that familiarity can breed a false sense of "correctness"...

There may be gains to be had from yet another cable, but I'm going to live with this one for a while before exploring options.
 
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