Bluejeans versus Signal Cable wires?

[digitalvideo]

I am looking for a high quality speaker wire that is at a affordable price (best bang for the buck) and improve the SQ and was wondering which brands to look for? I've heard great things about the Bluejeans/Belden wires and also Signal Cable.

http://www.bluejeanscable.com/store/speaker/index.htm

http://www.signalcable.com/

[disneyjoe7]

I'm wonder how those two would compare also, but can add Signal Cables are prettier.

[dorokusai]

Signal, period. The terminations are much better than Canare, I've met that team personally and the work that they do onsite is solid. I cannot stand the strain relief on BJC but the actual cable is good and I'm sure the group that does the work there is also solid. I go with what I know first hand.

[digitalvideo]

Signal Cable offers 3 kinds of speaker wires: "Classic" "Ultra" "Silver Resolution" is there a big difference in SQ between them?

[dorokusai]

The only audible difference I've heard is between the Silver and traditional copper based copper Classic/Ultra.

[be83663]

How about Monster Cable's Interlink® 400 MKii Advanced Bandwidth Balanced® Audio Interconnect 2 meter-long for about $20?

http://www.monstercable.com/productdisplay.asp?pin=133

[Face]

Plain old brass termination, nothing special.

[dorokusai]

Monster isn't advocated, suggested or anything but laughed at here. If you want to pay 5x the actual markup for the name, roll on but there's very little love for that product here

[reeltrouble1]

My signal cable connects have a much better build quality than my bluejeans cables. I have had grounding problems with serveral bluejeans connects in my HT rig.

RT1

[blueboxer]

MIT cables through Joe Abrams on Audiogon is a great value, I went from Monster Cable Z series to some Audioquest and on to the MIT's. I enjoyed the MIT AVT1's the most. I hear the real difference is when you step up to the Shotgun series, but those are far from budget friendly. Check out the AVT lineup or Kimber 4TC.

[ben62670]

Monster isn't advocated, suggested or anything but laughed at here. If you want to pay 5x the actual markup for the name, roll on but there's very little love for that product here

Another vote for signal.
Ben

[Conradicles]

SignalCables are great for us on a budget. The Ultra speaker cables and Silver IC's are my favorite combo.

[be83663]

Monster isn't advocated, suggested or anything but laughed at here. If you want to pay 5x the actual markup for the name, roll on but there's very little love for that product here

I know that Monster company is notorious for over-charging their products many times fold, e.g. their HDMI cables are RIP-OFFS!!!

But if you can buy what is originally $60-$80 cable at just around $20, just looking at their quality aspect, is it really worth $20 value, or not even that much, less the $60-$80 original price?

Maybe what people are saying is that Monster's $60 market-priced cable is actually worse than Signal Cable's $36/pair Signal One or $49/pair Signal Two Cables.

[ben62670]

I would avoid the ~M~ even at lower cost. Signal is a better deal. Mention you are a Polk member for a discount.
Ben

[digitalvideo]

I would avoid the ~M~ even at lower cost. Signal is a better deal. Mention you are a Polk member for a discount.
Ben

How much of a discount do they offer?

Also, is there a difference between the 3 speaker cables they offer in SQ that is really noticeable? My HT is setup for movies and tv/sports.

[ben62670]

I don't remember off hand but it is at least 10%. Just give Frank a call.
Ben

[disneyjoe7]

I know that Monster company is notorious for over-charging their products many times fold, e.g. their HDMI cables are RIP-OFFS!!!

But if you can buy what is originally $60-$80 cable at just around $20, just looking at their quality aspect, is it really worth $20 value, or not even that much, less the $60-$80 original price?

Maybe what people are saying is that Monster's $60 market-priced cable is actually worse than Signal Cable's $36/pair Signal One or $49/pair Signal Two Cables.

A little story of myself when I owned some Monster speaker cables. When I compare some Monster cables to some other cables, I picked up those Monster Cable and throw them out. I couldn't sell or even give them away knowing what they sound like.

[ben62670]

I tossed a bunch in the dumpster also. I could not see even polluting the forum with ~M~ karma. That would be bad Karma.
Ben

[marvda1]

audio art makes great cables and for a little more try straley reality cables, more expensive,( under $300) but you will hold onto them much longer. pnf if you can find some used,but i would not send pnf any money.

[Monster Jam]

Speaker Wire -> Figure the minimum distance you need to go.
Figure the minimum gauge you think you need.
Go to monoprice, blue jeans, and signal and price out your specs.
Buy the cheapest that meets your specs; you may have to terminate yourself - no big deal, just factor that into the price.
If you paid more than minimum, you paid too much.

My two cents.

[ben62670]

Sorry MJ you are wrong.

[Audioquest]

I am looking for a high quality speaker wire that is at a affordable price (best bang for the buck) and improve the SQ and was wondering which brands to look for? I've heard great things about the Bluejeans/Belden wires and also Signal Cable.

http://www.bluejeanscable.com/store/speaker/index.htm

http://www.signalcable.com/

Find some good quality copper wire of 14 or 12 gauge and buy some high quality connectors. It's the connectors that most often compromise the connection between amp and speakers.

If in doubt, borrow someone's higher end speaker cables and see if you can tell the sonic difference. In most systems a lot of cable is overkill, in some it does sound different. (PS look inside the amp sometime and see what the builder uses. In most cases it's narrow gauge and of generic quality.)

For interconnects look for a cable that fits your budget, but again look for good ends, preferably the locking type. The signal at this point is a weak and delicate one and this connection is of ultimate importance.

*The cable controversy has always been a volatile one at times. Your ears are what matters.

[ben62670]

Find some good quality copper??? According to who? The label or the advertisement for said cable. They all say how they use high quality copper. There is plenty of good advice here if you look. Don't bother reading past the first page in any cable threads. It all turns into useless info real quick. I never believed cables made a difference and then I tried a few.

[mrbigbluelight]

Find some good quality copper wire of 14 or 12 gauge and buy some high quality connectors. It's the connectors that most often compromise the connection between amp and speakers.

That is true ..... sort of.

DigitalVideo, not sure what kind of gear you have and what your listening/viewing preferences are (Home Theater ? Music ?); that makes a difference, IMO

If your gear and tastes run a little "closer to the ground", than I'd say go with some 10-gauge, OFC wire. Can get a 100-foot roll off of Amazon or even some ....gulp....Monster 10-gauge OFC at Best Buy on clearance sometimes.
Buy some connectors, and you're good to go.

For instance: presently, we're running 10-gauge, OFC wire off of an Onkyo AVR to some pleasant speakers.
Nothing to put on the front page of the local newspaper, but nothing you have to hide when the neighbors come over.
Most usage comes from these local hooligans playing 360/PS3 video games.
Going for higher-priced connections would be sort of like throwing pearls before ... well .... hooligans.
So 10-gauge OFC is plenty good.

ABSOLUTELY, IMO, a different matter if you have mid- to upper- range gear and your interests are more in music.
Cheap out at the beginning, and you may be satisfied for a bit. Until ..... and that's why you don't want to cheap out in this instance.

*The cable controversy has always been a volatile one at times. Your ears are what matters.

And that's true .... up to a point.

Run some cheap lamp cord from Lowes because it was $25 for a 500 foot roll, and your brain may over-ride your ears (at first) with, "Man, did we ever save some money on speaker wire !".
But eventually .....

Prime Rule applies, IMO: Get what you can with what you got, and be happy with what you get.

[be83663]

For interconnects look for a cable that fits your budget, but again look for good ends, preferably the locking type. The Signal at this point is a weak and delicate one and this connection is of ultimate importance.

So, I have decided to get Monster M1000 High Performance Stereo Audio Cable-4 Ft, for my RCA cable:
http://www.monstercable.com/productdisplay.asp?pin=3858

And,

Signal Cable's Ultra Speaker Cable for my Stereo Speaker Cables:
http://signalcable.com/ultraspeaker.html

Thank you!

[anonymouse]

I tossed a bunch in the dumpster also. I could not see even polluting the forum with ~M~ karma. That would be bad Karma.
Ben

As much as I hate Monster the company, their higher end cables are comparable to the brands we are discussing here. Worth the price? No!

But very decent and comparable.

I recently compared some Monster Ultra THX speaker cable with Blue Jeans BJC Ten White to hook up a Peachtree Decco to my modded CRS+ speakers. Both cables were thoroughly burned in.

Much to my surprise, the Monster soundly outdid the Blue Jeans. The mids with the Monster are luscious, the sound stage huge. With the BJC Ten White the mids are recessed and the highs and lows seem overemphasized in comparison. I was pretty surprised.

Now, I got that Monster cable at Menards on clearance for $30 for a 70ft roll. I'd never have paid retail.

I also have Monster Ultra 600 interconnects in my main rig. I compared those against Audioquest King Cobra's and found zero difference to justify the cost of the King Cobras. The AQ's went back and the Monsters remain.

Sorry guys to be the dissident here. I know Monster is much hated, and as much as I despise their business practices, if I can get a killer deal on their better stuff ... it plain simple works. And well, if compared against a couple of the brands in its league.

[dorokusai]

So, I have decided to get Monster M1000 High Performance Stereo Audio Cable-4 Ft, for my RCA cable:
http://www.monstercable.com/productdisplay.asp?pin=3858

And,

Signal Cable's Ultra Speaker Cable for my Stereo Speaker Cables:
http://signalcable.com/ultraspeaker.html

Thank you!

Awesome but I'd return the Monster and get a pair of the Signal Silver Resolution for less money.

[be83663]

Sorry guys to be the dissident here. I know Monster is much hated, and as much as I despise their business practices, if I can get a killer deal on their better stuff ... it plain simple works. And well, if compared against a couple of the brands in its league.

I only buy Monster products at 50-67% its MSRPs; otherwise, I won't pay their original prices.

[Audioquest]

...and the great debate continues. I think many times it's not the "how much I saved look how good it sounds" as opposed to look how much I spent they have to sound good that is tricky. It's like a shiny Camaro must go faster than the EVO with the dull paint because it looks so good scenario. It's self justification either way. There have been so many A/B tests that are inconclusive there's just no end to the argument either direction. While there is evidence some cables are better than others, a good component upgrade will make much more difference.

I've used cables costing much more than the high end gear at the time, and in those systems there is an advantage, aesthetically and sonically. In lesser systems the difference can be almost imperceptible. My current system which isn't high end at all (see below) to me does not warrant high end cables. I buy some copper that is reasonably pure and then install good ends that make exceptional contact. Treat the wire ends with ProGold first so they don't oxidize and it's quite sufficient, for me anyway...and affordable.
The owners ears are what matters most. After all, anything coming out of speakers is at best a representation of the original music anyway.

[ben62670]

AQ you just don't get it.