xStream speaker cables and B&W 804s

I own 804s and agree they can sound a little bright and bass shy with the wrong partnering equipment. These are indeed transparent sounding speakers and what you feed them is what you get. As I slowly upgraded my cabling and electronics I found the 804s enhanced the refinement of these changes. Its all about creating a synergy and as you suggested finding cabling, components and even room acoustic treatment, etc that complement and counter balance for a sound you prefer. Consider home audition of the Xtream and other cables if you can. I did find copper cabling more pleasing. I'd also seriously consider looking into other options with your source and amps. As I found these speakers improved remarkably with better quality electronics.

Wadia 861>>Jeff Rowland 201 mono blocks>>804 speakers
with Kimber KS1111 (ICs) and Bifocal XL (Speaker cables)

I have a similar set up to yours. I have both 804s and Thiels. Both of these speakers are sometimes considered bright. I switched from x-stream bi wire to Wirworld Polaris single wire. The wire world cable improved the resolution, depth, bass response, dynamic range, and sound stage of my systems. I suggest that you add Polaris to your system. It is a substantial improvement over PS audio x-stream.

Thanks for all the advice. And I have seen Judy's posts, she's a trip! I do believe that speaker wire can influence the sound of your system. It may not make your speakers better or worse, but the wire can certainly influnce what the speakers see in signal and thus influence how the speaker sounds.

The bi-wires are on such an insane price cut I may go with them for now. I have been very happy with Wireworld interconnects, but I am not sure I can swing the cost for Polaris just yet and I think the Equinox are maybe not up par with the rest of my system.

Thanks again.

Check out "Absolute Sounds" April/May 2004 review of numerous speaker cables. After reading it I made a pair of 10 ga - copper biwire cables. Results were outstanding ..... bass response increased and overall sound stage improved as well. Inexpensive improvement with big dividends. Running 804s with Bryston 4BSST amp. I never would have believed it if I had not read it first and then made a pair.

I have an 8 foot pair of the x Stream Statements for sale, I rate them a 9/10. Have both bananas and spades, boxes and velvet bags. $400.00 plus shipping obo, retail was $900.00, Brian