Reccomendations for Speaker Wires

[Drunkcaballo]

Alright I just upgraded from my LSi9s to some B&W 805Ds for my 2 channel system. The next upgrade for them is some real speaker cables. Right now I am just using spooled Monster XP wire. I have been looking at some of the Transparent products, but am unfamiliar with what else is out there at similar quality levels. I have heard some transparent cables on these same type of speakers and they really open up with them, so I am already leaning towards them. I plan to buy used from Audiogon. Would be willing to spend somewhere in the $1500-2500 range. Also is there any good source for individual wires? My AV rack is in the corner, so my speakers are not equally spaced from the rack so I will need a ~8 foot cable and a ~20 foot cable.

[mantis]

I suggest a nice pair of Kimber Kable 8tc's, replace all Interconnects with Hero's and call it a day.

[fbm211]

With that budget I would go with revelation audio labs Testament Cryo-Silver™ Reference Loudspeaker cables.(My next upgrade)...Maybe not the best choice though since you want different lenghts for each speaker.Check out audiogon for some of those 8tc's.You cant go wrong with those.

link to the testaments. http://revelationaudiolabs.com/cable...aker/index.htm

[ben62670]

I would run two equal length runs and loop back the shorter run.

[F1nut]

MIT Shotgun's. Contact Joe Abrams on Audiogon.

[crazytasty]

How much of a difference do speaker cables make? I had a very nice system using regular 12-gauge speaker cable and it sounded fantastic to my ears, what are the benefits of more expensive speaker cable?

[WilliamM2]

How much of a difference do speaker cables make? I had a very nice system using regular 12-gauge speaker cable and it sounded fantastic to my ears, what are the benefits of more expensive speaker cable?

They look pretty.

[janmike]

I second the MIT option.

[acmf74]

They look pretty.

[polkfarmboy]

Alright I just upgraded from my LSi9s to some B&W 805Ds for my 2 channel system. The next upgrade for them is some real speaker cables. Right now I am just using spooled Monster XP wire. I have been looking at some of the Transparent products, but am unfamiliar with what else is out there at similar quality levels. I have heard some transparent cables on these same type of speakers and they really open up with them, so I am already leaning towards them. I plan to buy used from Audiogon. Would be willing to spend somewhere in the $1500-2500 range. Also is there any good source for individual wires? My AV rack is in the corner, so my speakers are not equally spaced from the rack so I will need a ~8 foot cable and a ~20 foot cable.

Thats alot of money for cables budd

I would put the cash to somthing in the amp department for the biggest sonic improvement

Why not go with nordost cables, they have really good reviews in the cheaper lines they reproduce like the blue heaven

[jcandy]

They look pretty.

LOL!

Seriously, how about these for longer runs:

http://www.parts-express.com/pe/show...number=109-062

http://www.parts-express.com/pe/show...number=100-025

and this for shorter runs:

http://www.parts-express.com/pe/show...number=100-021

Put the money saved into better speakers and/or a microphone plus measurement software to optimize your in-room response.

[Mr Glide]

LOL!

Seriously, how about these for longer runs:

http://www.parts-express.com/pe/show...number=109-062

http://www.parts-express.com/pe/show...number=100-025

and this for shorter runs:

http://www.parts-express.com/pe/show...number=100-021

Put the money saved into better speakers and/or a microphone plus measurement software to optimize your in-room response.

JCandy, I am with you. btw, could you recommend some names of software products to measure and optimize in-room response? Thanks.

[jcandy]

JCandy, I am with you. btw, could you recommend some names of software products to measure and optimize in-room response? Thanks.

A very popular (free) package is Room Equalization Wizard (REW):

http://www.hometheatershack.com/roomeq/

You'll also need a (calibrated) microphone, mixer, sound card, etc. A good description of the hardware requirements is here:

http://www.hometheatershack.com/foru...mendation.html

[Mr Glide]

A very popular (free) package is Room Equalization Wizard (REW):

http://www.hometheatershack.com/roomeq/

You'll also need a (calibrated) microphone, mixer, sound card, etc. A good description of the hardware requirements is here:

http://www.hometheatershack.com/foru...mendation.html

wow, whole new adventure in sound tuning! Thanks for the info. Wish some expert here creates cheat sheet or so explaining how to do this without spending much time. Will look into it.

[ben62670]

An SPL meter and a tape measure is all you need to set levels and delays. There is a steep learning curve and a fair amount of money needed to be spent to use REW(which I have used) REW is better suited to designing speakers. Take some pictures and post them. The guys here can help you out with speaker placement. Also move your sub around if you can for best sound.

[Drunkcaballo]

Thanks for all the recommendations everybody. Creating a nice long list for me to research...and yes an amp upgrade is in the not so distant future once the cables and sub are upgraded....

[Mr Glide]

An SPL meter and a tape measure is all you need to set levels and delays. There is a steep learning curve and a fair amount of money needed to be spent to use REW(which I have used) REW is better suited to designing speakers. Take some pictures and post them. The guys here can help you out with speaker placement. Also move your sub around if you can for best sound.

Sounds good. Will do it once things (setup) settles down. Thanks.

[ben62670]

Parts express has an SPL meter for around $20 if you need one.
http://www.parts-express.com/pe/show...number=390-722

[On3s&Z3r0s]

LOL!

Seriously, how about these for longer runs:

http://www.parts-express.com/pe/show...number=109-062

...

I bought some of this when PE was blowing it out even cheaper than they have it now. It's not good cable in my opinion. For the price it's ok, but for some bizarre reason they put a non-conductive polyester core in the middle of the copper wire. I assume it's for marketing reasons (makes the cable appear to be a lower gauge than it really is) and they try to spin some crap about the polyester is a dielectric that improves the signal? Doubt it. It just makes the cable a pain to work with.

[stillen]

For speaker cables look at Kimber 8pr and use there SBAN connectors and buy from audioadvisor.
Interconect maybe Kimber Hero hb.

[jinjuku]

Take that $1500 and get some room treatments. Foam by Mail is a great place to source from if you are into a bit of DIY panels.

[Keiko]

Take that $1500 and get some room treatments. Foam by Mail is a great place to source from if you are into a bit of DIY panels.

again!

In case you missed it, the OP is looking for cable upgrades.

I'm in with the MIT camp. Good luck and welcome to CP, Drunkcaballo.

[jinjuku]

In case you missed it, the OP is looking for cable upgrades.

I'm in with the MIT camp. Good luck and welcome to CP, Drunkcaballo.

I know he is asking about cable upgrades. You better tell Ben that also. I mean what the hell is he doing recommending getting a tape measure and SPL meter

Mr Glide and Jcandy obviously don't under stand either. Better get on them.

Don't forget Polkfarmboy, he recommended an amp. Try not to be so selective.

Now if you are done derailing the thread...

[Keiko]

I know he is asking about cable upgrades. You better tell Ben that also. I mean what the hell is he doing recommending getting a tape measure and SPL meter

Mr Glide and Jcandy obviously don't under stand either. Better get on them.

Don't forget Polkfarmboy, he recommended an amp. Try not to be so selective.

Now if you are done derailing the thread...

I'll decline to challenge this load of bs. That's your MO, but by all means, continue on with your hissy fit.

[jcandy]

I'll decline to challenge this load of bs. That's your MO, but by all means, continue on with your hissy fit.

Why are so many of the "regulars" on this forum so consistently rude? What purpose does it serve?

[ben62670]

I have used the AQ 14/2 wire. Very nice sounding considering how cheap it is.

[jcandy]

I bought some of this when PE was blowing it out even cheaper than they have it now. It's not good cable in my opinion. For the price it's ok, but for some bizarre reason they put a non-conductive polyester core in the middle of the copper wire. I assume it's for marketing reasons (makes the cable appear to be a lower gauge than it really is) and they try to spin some crap about the polyester is a dielectric that improves the signal? Doubt it. It just makes the cable a pain to work with.

Its definitely not easy to work with. Honestly, despite the fact that this wire is very cost effective and more than adequate for most any home audio application, I am nevertheless moving to the use of North American and European products as much as possible.

Is there a preferred US/Canadian/European brand of wire that is cost-effective?

[JimAckley]

Why are so many of the "regulars" on this forum so consistently rude? What purpose does it serve?

Probably because we all have nothing better to do than write endless posts in one audio company's forums...

[Keiko]

Rude? I am trying to be helpful in pointing out that juju was way off base, again. Nothing new, but still.

How rude! :tongue:

[halo71]

Why are so many of the "regulars" on this forum so consistently rude? What purpose does it serve?

Where have you been? The facts that Juju is always out to stir the pot around here. And the fact that the admin/mods have not banned him yet somehow escape you?