replace jumper straps with speaker wire ?

[begbie]

I heard claims that sound quality improved when high quality speaker wire was used in its place. Plus I think some of us have experimented with this.

I was wondering how good is that stock jumper that comes with Polk's bi-wireable speakers? It's just a thin piece of gold plated metal of some sort.

I replaced them with some 12ga. wire I had left over and initially there seemed to be some minor improvements in clarity and an open air-ness.

Certainly there hasn't been any loss in quality but back to the initial question- how good are those stock jumpers and how much of a role do any jumpers play (if any) in sound quality?

[Frank Z]

Well I think that this really goes back to the whole bi-wire issue. Some people hear a difference, others don't. I don't think replacing the straps with wire makes any difference at all, but that's me. Others may hear a dramatic change. Basically let your ears be your guide.

[begbie]

Thanks Frank, actually this is a spinoff of a thread i was inquiring on bi-wiring and sleeve-jackets.

Just tweaking and experimenting that's all.

Still there must be some sort of differences in jumper straps. In terms of grade, material, cost of.

Let's say you used any of the following - cheap copper jumpers, non-gold-plated jumpers, gold plated ones , high quality speaker wire or very cheap speaker wire.
There has to be some performance differences between them all ? Maybe there is but non-audible? Just throwing ideas, theories out that's all.

[fireshoes]

I feel there is definitely a difference using speaker wire instead of the jumpers. Try it out and let us know what you think.

[RuSsMaN]

I heard a subtle difference when I had my RT800's. I tried it with B&W 601s2's, subtle difference again, tried it with Monitor Audio Bronze 2's, didn't notice much.

Funny thing, on my old KEF Cresta 2's, I thought they actually sounded better with the straps.

Try it, and see. Placebo affect can play a part here, logic says it *should* sound better. WAY back in the day, when I upgraded my TV from a 19" to a 27", I could SWEAR it made the HT rig *sound* better. ;)

Cheers,
Russ

[fireshoes]

Your 27" must have filled a null or something. ;)

I just replaced one speaker jumper and changed balance. Then I switched sides and the better sound followed. I also had other people listen without telling them what to listen for, they were also able to pick it out.

[gidrah]

Originally posted by RuSsMaN
I tried it with Monitor Audio Bronze 2's, didn't notice much.

Cheers,
Russ

Using these speakers I noticed a considerable improvement when I removed the jumpers and connected my speaker wires to both terminals. It may have been partially due to the removal of the gold plated connected as I was using silver plated wire. Too many platings if you know what I mean.

Some people have heard a difference connecting their speaker wire to the top terminals (everybody assumes to use the bottom) and leaving the jumpers in place. This may be worth a try, but the replacement of the jumper with a multi-strand copper of even 22 AWG will most likely be noticable. Not major or awe inspiring, but subtle and refined. Even if it remains the same to everybody else, knowing that you did it will make it sound better to you.

[scottvamp]

27" tv!!!!!!!!!:lol: :lol:

[RuSsMaN]

Originally posted by scottvamp
27" tv!!!!!!!!!:lol: :lol:

Hey man, I had to have SOME money left over for Goth Boots and Eddie Rabbit lp's.... ;)