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UP-OCC solid core copper for speaker cable

After reading about all these expensive cables and their extravagant claims, I decided to source the same wire that goes into many of them.

I have my monoblocs underneath and therefore close to the speakers. I ordered 8 feet of 14awg UP-OCC wire (with PTFE insulation) online. It is quite springy so I clamped it gently to the bench and cut it into 4 equal lengths. Assembling it into 2 x 24" speaker cables took a few minutes. I kept it running in the same direction, just in case. Be careful to gently slice the insulation and not to scar the copper.

Anyway, the improvement in sound quality was of a high order. Large increases in speed and transparency, more air, better definition of instruments, less coloration, backing voices I never noticed before etc. The improvement in musicality was impressive.

I urge folks to try this before spending lots of money on speaker cables. I don't bother with connectors as I feel they are another item in the way but that's your call. The wire was $6 a foot.

Available here:http://www.partsconnexion.com/wire_hookup_neotech_copper_teflon.html

See a photo of my cable here: https://www.dropbox.com/s/6iot28p0weuwytn/up-occ.jpg?dl=0
128x128noromance
toroid
5 posts
 
Awesome definition, I too do not like connectors but use them to sell completed cables only. I use multiple solid core UP-OCC copper wires for speakers and crossovers with FEP insulation and have found them to sonically destroy any other stranded cable I have ever used or installed for more than 25 years of speaker building and studio recording installations!
sabai
2,027 posts
 
I have had great results with DIY solid core pure silver speaker wire in series with Furutech OCC. I also have several layers of Bybee purifiers in the mix.
runnin
397 posts
 
Wow, I find it odd that a big improvement in sonics could be had by swapping out 24 inch long speaker cables. I'd suggest the the old DIY pair that noromance was using had developed some issues.

At any rate, I've done the exact same thing, only it was cheaper. Audioquest Type 4, buying the bulk variety for $5/ft not the $6 noromance paid. It's also less difficult to work with by the sound of it. I am using 12 foot lengths, and this is the cable that proved to me that cables do make a difference.

Yes good sonics can be had by not spending much. But you can get more improvements as you go up market. It's a question of priorities and money.
mtrot
804 posts
 
Interesting. For just the low frequency run in a bi-wire setup, I would think the 12 gauge would be better than the 14 gauge. Currently using an old set of Esoteric stranded 12 gauge wire for my low frequency run. How much difference will solid core versus stranded make on a low frequency connection?
runnin
397 posts
 
Stranded cables have an effect on sound that I never would have believed until I swapped in the solid core Audioquest Type 4. By comparison, the sound became more focused and clear. Not that I thought I was lacking in that department, mind you. But it was quite easy to hear the difference. The result was that the imaging was superior.

Lower frequencies benefitted from this by sounding more accurate. My previous wire, a stranded 12 gauge didn't have any more bass even though the Type 4 is smaller by comparison. But I am not a bass head, for best bass one might want to go up to bigger sizes.
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