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I'd like some recommendations for speaker cables

I understand this is a touchy subject.  My intent is NOT to have this result in that typical cable discussion. All opinions welcome.

As an update, in a previous thread I was asking for upgrade recommendations.  I ended up trading for a Hana Umami blue.  It's great and I appreciate the advice.

I've since bought a set of long (25') XLRs to run between my amp and pre-amp, which has enabled me to move my component rack behind the listening position closer to the media.  It was between the speakers.  Now, the only thing between the speakers is my amp, and it's at floor level.  This has made a huge difference in the soundstage, the accuracy and the location of things in the sound space.  Great improvement.

The XLRs I was using to run between my amp and pre-amp were entry level high end cables.  I replaced them with normal Mic cable.  Well, high end mic cable.  And the high end mic cable is way better than the audiophile high end brand cable.  I'll go as far to say the audiophile cable is awful.  I've since ordered another pair of XLRs, from a different manufacturer, to replace them.

I also replaced my speaker cables with mogami 3103 that I terminated myself.  They sound "darker" and less detailed then the cable I was using, which I'm unsure of the manufacturer of my previous cable.  I plan to re-terminate my previous cable in bananas to compare some more.  My previous cable was, maybe, too bright.  Don't get me wrong, the Momagi is good, just not what I think I prefer.

My main question is, If I'm looking for detail and a "brighter" sound, what speaker cables would you recommend I try?  

Also, do most dealers let you try cables?  It's not ridiculous to think I could work with a dealer to try to hone in on what I like, right?

dothebluecolts
yyzsantabarbara
5,557 posts
 

@dothebluecolts Great move getting everything away from in-between your speakers. That is likely the biggest improvement you can make.

For speaker cables take a look at Audience FrontRow. These are now the second from top in the lineup. A very natural sounding cable. If details exists, you hear it. The price of these on the used market seems to have dropped a lot. Mainly because of people buying and then getting the itch to try something else.

I have the FrontRow speaker on both my systems. With my gear, which is more professionally oriented (not consumer) I find the interconnects and PC’s are not as important, if at all. The speaker cables are another matter and a key component of my system.

I am listening to the "The Best of The Black President" by Fela Kuti as I type this. That album is subtle, explosive, and rhythmic. All of this comes though so perfectly on the FrontRow.

 

 

996turbo911
209 posts
 

@charles007100 I am using the Veritas Aperta SE speaker cables along with their matching Argentum X interconnects. Very happy with the combo in my system. 

stuartk
4,013 posts
 

@willywonka 

The Cable Co. carries many brands. The guy I always consult there will send me anything I want, but he’s heard many more cables than I have, so I always ask what he recommends. This may not be true of all their staff. 

As others have mentioned, another route is buying direct from manufacturers who offer trial periods and return policies. There are actually quite a few in this category.  This can be a more economical approach.

willywonka's avatar
willywonka
482 posts
 

@stuartk Thanks for this information.

vitussl101's avatar
vitussl101
296 posts
 

 @waterloo333 I also happened to have a pair of Mogami 3082s.  I used them briefly.  I wouldn't say they're better than 3104s or even as good as them.  I need more time with them to make any real opinion on sound quality.  I've been on an assembling (cannot really call it building) of cables jig.   I have been reading up on the science of electrical transmission, propagation through a cable, as much as I can understand, and keeping it hopefully a fun project so I can get past some of the more ridiculous designs, designs not based on any objective theory or empirical data.  I also get it when something seems to actually work with no basis of any measurable data.   I do like the people at Blue Jeans Cable Co.  They have recommended some interesting papers, plus introduced me to Beldens Iconoclast line of super premium products.  Also, what works with a solid state amp might behave quite differently with tubes, something that is of low wattage as opposed to an amp that acts like a pure voltage source to the speaker. 

 

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