Which speaker cable should I ........

[DangeRuss]

I'm looking to purchase some speaker cable to help with my new cable management project. I'm not looking to break the bank or buy some fancy snake oil product, just some great cost effective cabling. I've narrowed my choices to these (so far).

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...pf_rd_i=507846 .

But I'd need 4 pairs to bi-amp my fronts and rears or

http://www.ramelectronics.net/audio-.../prodHSBB.html

Which seem to be decent or..............

http://www.calabrine.com/collections...e-bi-wire-pair

Which are close to limit in what I want to spend. Any comments would be greatly appreciated...... In other words....HELP!!!

[teach454]

I just bought a Calabrine cable for my center channel and I can tell a noticeable difference in sound quality. The cable is very heavy and of great build quality in my opinion. Now watching TV or a movie the sound coming from my center channel is clearer and now I don't have to turn it as loud as before.

I don't know anything about the other cables but I'm very happy with the Calabrine cable and will be buying bi-wires for my fronts soon. I hope that helps if you check the Calabrine site does have 30 day audition period and if you don't like them you can return them and get your money back.

[Yeha-Noha]

Originally Posted by DangeRuss

I'm looking to purchase some speaker cable to help with my new cable management project. I'm not looking to break the bank or buy some fancy snake oil product, just some great cost effective cabling. I've narrowed my choices to these (so far).

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...pf_rd_i=507846 .

But I'd need 4 pairs to bi-amp my fronts and rears or

http://www.ramelectronics.net/audio-.../prodHSBB.html

Which seem to be decent or..............

http://www.calabrine.com/collections...e-bi-wire-pair

Which are close to limit in what I want to spend. Any comments would be greatly appreciated...... In other words....HELP!!!

Those products do help in cable management but are extremely expensive.

You can buy on the web a 100 ft, 200 ft, etc. spool of 14 gauge in-wall speaker cable having 4 separate 14 gauge conductors and terminate the ends with the connectors of your choice like banana plugs, spades, etc.

You can make the cables the exact length that you need which will also make cable management much easier.

You'll save a lot of $$ that way.

[MAL01]

These all look good. I have the Calabrine and am very happy with them. Also , check out monoprice and Bluejean cables. They have affordable high quality stuff that can help you with your wire management. That`s where i got alot of my wire at.

[jlafrenz]

If you want to go the DIY route, the Canare "Star Quad" would be a good choice since is has two pairs in each outer jacket. All you would need is some tech flex and cable pants to dress it up.

http://www.bluejeanscable.com/store/speaker/index.htm

[4x12]

Originally Posted by DangeRuss

I'm looking to purchase some speaker cable to help with my new cable management project. I'm not looking to break the bank or buy some fancy snake oil product, just some great cost effective cabling. I've narrowed my choices to these (so far).

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...pf_rd_i=507846 .

But I'd need 4 pairs to bi-amp my fronts and rears or

http://www.ramelectronics.net/audio-.../prodHSBB.html

Which seem to be decent or..............

http://www.calabrine.com/collections...e-bi-wire-pair

Which are close to limit in what I want to spend. Any comments would be greatly appreciated...... In other words....HELP!!!

The Calabrines are damn nice and seem to be of good quality... but they are fookin' expensive!

[ryan4blu]

Originally Posted by 4x12

The Calabrines are damn nice and seem to be of good quality... but they are fookin' expensive!

actually i dont think they are that bad in price compared to some on the market, say audioquest, cardas, kimber kable, etc. i may be checking into this line as well for the $$.

One other poster was right on the DIY speaker cables. just get some good 12-14 gauge and cut to length and terminate the ends you will save some $$

[D_M]

I have $30 Blue Jeans ICs next to $1000 Cardas ICs and I can't tell the difference audibly. There's your answer.

[D_M]

Here's a great link for everyone to read:

http://www.roger-russell.com/wire/wire.htm

I love this part:

"The strategy in selling these products is, in part, to appeal to those who are looking to impress others with something unique and expensive. There is also pride of ownership and the belief that if it costs that much it must be good. It reminds me of the Percy Bysshe Shelley poem Ozymandias but for speaker wire it translates to “Look upon my expensive wires ye mighty and despair.” It will always sell to those who want the latest thing and would spend as much for a Rolex watch as they would for wire. Of course, there are ordinary watches that will tell time accurately they but don’t have that name or that price.

Another part of the strategy is to capitalize on the lack of truth in advertising, particularly the whole truth. Perhaps the two words “truth” and “advertising” are on opposite extremes but half of the truth can be worse than a lie. I don’t think the average consumer is any match to cope with the persuasive sales “hype” of professional salesmen praising a questionable wire science and doubtful benefits.

When confronted with the truth, believers do not want to hear about it. They want to remain in the magical world of fantasy where they think they can hear improvements in their wire, often arrived at by making listening tests without adequate controls or understanding of the problems involved. One of the prime tools in creating such a faith for the average consumer is by capitalizing on fear and ignorance as in many other things that aren’t readily apparent. There is fear that the wire currently in use is not good enough. There is ignorance because most people do not have scientific knowledge in this area and lack adequate measuring equipment to prove otherwise."

[ryan4blu]

Originally Posted by D_M

Here's a great link for everyone to read:

http://www.roger-russell.com/wire/wire.htm

I love this part:

"The strategy in selling these products is, in part, to appeal to those who are looking to impress others with something unique and expensive. There is also pride of ownership and the belief that if it costs that much it must be good. It reminds me of the Percy Bysshe Shelley poem Ozymandias but for speaker wire it translates to “Look upon my expensive wires ye mighty and despair.” It will always sell to those who want the latest thing and would spend as much for a Rolex watch as they would for wire. Of course, there are ordinary watches that will tell time accurately they but don’t have that name or that price.

Another part of the strategy is to capitalize on the lack of truth in advertising, particularly the whole truth. Perhaps the two words “truth” and “advertising” are on opposite extremes but half of the truth can be worse than a lie. I don’t think the average consumer is any match to cope with the persuasive sales “hype” of professional salesmen praising a questionable wire science and doubtful benefits.

When confronted with the truth, believers do not want to hear about it. They want to remain in the magical world of fantasy where they think they can hear improvements in their wire, often arrived at by making listening tests without adequate controls or understanding of the problems involved. One of the prime tools in creating such a faith for the average consumer is by capitalizing on fear and ignorance as in many other things that aren’t readily apparent. There is fear that the wire currently in use is not good enough. There is ignorance because most people do not have scientific knowledge in this area and lack adequate measuring equipment to prove otherwise."

nice read, but i dont understand how they can sell $1000 speaker cables and it be the same quality as $30 cables? there must be something in them or done to them? i have some really nice 12 gauge in the wall wire here and was thinking of terminating them and using them instead of spending big $$ on other stuff. then again i also heard that terminating is not as good as bare wire. who knows, everyone has an opinion and answer, who do you believe. i believe my ear...

[D_M]

Originally Posted by ryan4blu

nice read, but i dont understand how they can sell $1000 speaker cables and it be the same quality as $30 cables? there must be something in them or done to them? i have some really nice 12 gauge in the wall wire here and was thinking of terminating them and using them instead of spending big $$ on other stuff. then again i also heard that terminating is not as good as bare wire. who knows, everyone has an opinion and answer, who do you believe. i believe my ear...

I have electrical engineer pals and we talk a lot about this. Physics is physics and electrons don't move differently with different 'high-end' cables. It's savvy marketing with incredible profit margins at stake. The science is often left behind for subjectivity and the placebo effect. You can make yourself believe anything you want. 12 gauge is fine.

[ryan4blu]

Originally Posted by D_M

I have electrical engineer pals and we talk a lot about this. Physics is physics and electrons don't move differently with different 'high-end' cables. It's savvy marketing with incredible profit margins at stake. The science is often left behind for subjectivity and the placebo effect. You can make yourself believe anything you want. 12 gauge is fine.

i hear ya and i am not caught up in all, just wanted to make a point. i have $70 dayton cables for my 3 front speakers and they work great. so for $70 for 3 speakers cables all terminated with banana plugs was a good deal for me

[D_M]

Originally Posted by ryan4blu

i hear ya and i am not caught up in all, just wanted to make a point. i have $70 dayton cables for my 3 front speakers and they work great. so for $70 for 3 speakers cables all terminated with banana plugs was a good deal for me

Awesome.

[Riff Magnum]

i'm not gonna debate whether the high end cables sound better, since you have to have better gear than i've got to notice anyways, but i'm sure companies can justify the higher cost simply on great build quality, good materials, great asthetics, and better durability.

[D_M]

Originally Posted by Riff Magnum

i'm not gonna debate whether the high end cables sound better, since you have to have better gear than i've got to notice anyways, but i'm sure companies can justify the higher cost simply on great build quality, good materials, great asthetics, and better durability.

you said it.

[ryan4blu]

Originally Posted by D_M

you said it.

so why did spend $1000 on those cardas speaker cables if you thought they sound the same as regular 14 gauge wire?

[Riff Magnum]

Originally Posted by ryan4blu

so why did spend $1000 on those cardas speaker cables if you thought they sound the same as regular 14 gauge wire?

Maybe they don't. Maybe they sound a little better, or significantly better. Just depends if it matters to you enough. You have quality stuff, so if you demo'd some fancy cables you might notice an improvement. Just depends if you wanna drop the coin for it.

[ryan4blu]

Originally Posted by Riff Magnum

Maybe they don't. Maybe they sound a little better, or significantly better. Just depends if it matters to you enough. You have quality stuff, so if you demo'd some fancy cables you might notice an improvement. Just depends if you wanna drop the coin for it.

actually this was a question for DM as he owns this cable, but thanks for your input

[MAL01]

I can`t wait for Rich to see this thread.

[ryan4blu]

Originally Posted by MAL01

I can`t wait for Rich to see this thread.