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Advice on speaker cables.

Hello. First time post here and I understand there’s no definitive answer, just looking for advice. I have a midrange system to me anyway and most of it was purchased new recently after giving up on repair of vintage gear. I’ve been using the same 12 gauge Apature copper speaker wire since 1982 and figured I would upgrade. I didn’t realize the hole I was going down. I’ve tried Blue Jean 10 white sounded dull, as well as WBC 7 gauge which I somewhat liked except bass seemed boomy at the expense of treble and midrange. Cables I’ve been advised to try are Kimber 4pr or 8pr as well as Audio Analysis oval 12. I’ve only used bare wire in the past not sure if that matters. My system is Yamaha as1200, Cxn100 streamer, Rotel 1572 mkii cd, Nakamichi oms1a cd. Speakers are Polk monitor 10a I bought new in 1982 with recently upgraded clarity cap crossovers. All interconnects are WBC. Appreciate any advice on speaker cables. Thank you.

kmm84
timothy468's avatar
timothy468
88 posts
 

I have good quality Transparent speaker wires from my local seller of audio equipment that are 25 feet long (needed for my setup). They made them from scratch in their shop when I bought my amp and turntable from them, but available online for about the ame cost ($250+ for 25 foot pair).
https://www.transparentcable.com/products/hardwired-speaker-cable?variant=24880270180416

I then got far cheaper wires, after hearing about them online, through Amazon and they are almost as good (my wife cannot hear a difference and I am probably engaging in biased listening).
 

https://www.amazon.com/Micca-Copper-Speaker-Plated-Banana/dp/B078SBL7JM?pd_rd_w=957xD&content-id=amzn1.sym.6bb79025-718b-4ad1-b8ec-68027fb35564&pf_rd_p=6bb79025-718b-4ad1-b8ec-68027fb35564&pf_rd_r=7DSD2V95FC4SSD0WNFA7&pd_rd_wg=u12DD&pd_rd_r=6a9dccb0-bda1-4dcf-a376-f4680d93112f&pd_rd_i=B078SBL7JM&ref_=pd_bap_d_grid_rp_0_1_ec_i&th=1
 

Both are clearly better than my previous wires, but I have resisted going as far down this rabbit hole as one can (I would love to try out some Nordost Valhalla 2 wires - for free).

Tim

panprot19's avatar
panprot19
4 posts
 

Based on my experience, I think the problem is with your amp and not with the speaker cables. Your amp is only 90 Watts and goes as low 4 Ohms. Such an amp requires more sensitive speakers than yours . This setup causes boomy bass and no speaker cable will ever fix this. 

squared80's avatar
squared80
317 posts
 

This is a joke. As long as the OFC cable has the guage appropriate for the length of the run, NOTHING will sound better. You either believe in physics and the science of sound or you are willfully ignorant. 

strawj's avatar
strawj
99 posts
 

I use the Blue Jeans and some Harbeth 3.0’s. Anything with silver tend Too bright tho I am always tempted. I found the others in this price range all similar in sound really. I assume if I could upgrade in cost I would see results but that hasn’t happened this year.

JS

zlone
1,325 posts
 

Acoustic Zen was my gateway drug when it came to speaker cables. Affordable and ubiquitous on the used market. While not the end all cable, they will take a good system up a notch.

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