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Using Good Speaker Cable

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  • Using Good Speaker Cable

    For a while now, I've been using some cheaply made (and cheaply purchased) 12awg speaker cables that were pre-terminated. They were 15ft in length. And they worked JUST FINE. IN fact, if I weren't OCD, they would probably still be working just fine.

    But I do have OCD, and curiosity killed them. I have been reading about the Blue Jeans Cable 10awg cable using Belden cable stock and ultrasonically welded locking banana connectors.




    Here is some more info on the ultrasonic welding process:


    Well, I anti'd up for a 10ft pair of the 'Ten White' cables with the ultrasonically welded connectors. They came in a few days ago and I wish I could say they made no difference, but that would be a lie.

    Now, here's your caveat: I'm not saying that any of the improvements that I'm about to list would not also be enjoyed using naked un-terminated ten gauge speaker wire.

    I heard an enhancement of detail in the midrange, with the soundstage seeming deeper and more transparent. Pin drops and other movie sound effects sound more pronounced and crisp. Bass seems a little deeper.

    Clarification: I ran test tones at 50hz and 40hz and the BJC cables seemed to allow more current to the speakers as they seemed slightly louder at these frequencies than the outgoing cables.

    So, my entire point is not that these cables (or any others) have mythical properties, but that running quality copper cable in the largest wire gauge that you can support (due to connection limitations) and afford is an important factor in overall system performance.

    Unterminated BJC 10awg speaker cable is much less expensive...and I'd imagine that it would sound so similar to my pre-terminated cables as to make no difference. I'm just OCD. However, I should say that I'm happy with the $$$ I spent. The welds are complete and clean. It literally crushes/smooshes the individual cable strands in the cable into one solid mass...and then welds that to the connector. It can't hurt, that's all I'm saying.

    There are plenty of cables from Monoprice and Parts Express (who have always treated me with exceptional CS as well) that I'm sure will perform just as well. So go as big as you can afford...there is more clarity to be had for very reasonable prices.

    My little brother used 16ga no-name cables for the longest time. He recently upgraded to the PE brand (Dayton?) 14awg cable (he got the 50ft spool). He immediately noticed a difference in midrange and treble clarity (He uses, among other boxes, some Cambridge Soundworks M80 bookshelf speakers).

    I've got him coming over in the next few weeks to see if he can tell a difference with these new cables in my setup. I'll advise once he listens. I honestly doubt he will be able to tell a difference in my system, but it's a great excuse for a guys night. :D

    So, go big to start.

  • #2
    The Canare 4S11 'star quad' cable would be great for bi-amping or bi-wiring the A5's.

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    • #3
      I stumbled across an outstanding thread on AVS for DIY-ing your own speaker cable. Some of the results for the memebrs over there have been amazing and for under $50 for several people's 10ft stereos pair using 12awg wirestock!!! They look phenomenal.

      Awesome speaker cables eh?!!! They look like a million bucks but cost a fraction!!! Don't get sucked in!!! 12 guage monoprice wire monoprice banana plugs knukonceptz cable pants and tech flex from eBay seller FurryLetters!!! Great deal!!!! And yes they are long!!! 50ft That is just ONE cable...


      The reading is better if you skip to the end and work your way backward.

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      • #4
        I am currently using some really cheap 16 gauge RCA cables... I should really look into getting some better cables... I didn't want to order anything yet until I get everything into its final position with the center mounted and the A5s though...

        This does make me want to add nice cables my list...

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        • #5
          Originally posted by Aus10
          I am currently using some really cheap 16 gauge RCA cables... I should really look into getting some better cables... I didn't want to order anything yet until I get everything into its final position with the center mounted and the A5s though...

          This does make me want to add nice cables my list...
          You don't even need 'nice' cables.

          Some 12g cable from monoprice would be a HUGE step-up for you. Just make sure your receiver can accept wire that large. A 50ft spool would be very reasonably price. So would some 'Ten White' bare cable from Blue Jeans Cable.

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          • #6
            Originally posted by BufordTJustice
            You don't even need 'nice' cables.

            Some 12g cable from monoprice would be a HUGE step-up for you. Just make sure your receiver can accept wire that large. A 50ft spool would be very reasonably price. So would some 'Ten White' bare cable from Blue Jeans Cable.
            Can I use my banana connectors? They are from amazon so prolly a little cheap... I like the custom cables that look cool but I hide all my wires so it would be pointless for me. Some normal good wire would prolly be best..

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            • #7
              I was looking for 10g in wall cable and it is pretty hard to find. Blue Jeans Cable was the cheapest of what I did find. All the other 10g in wall stuff I could find was more than $1/ft. Their banana plugs and spades seem overpriced though.

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              • #8
                Originally posted by LouieIV
                I was looking for 10g in wall cable and it is pretty hard to find. Blue Jeans Cable was the cheapest of what I did find. All the other 10g in wall stuff I could find was more than $1/ft. Their banana plugs and spades seem overpriced though.
                If you look through that thread I linked-to at AVS, they have multiple links for quality banana's and spades. E-bay is apparently a great place to find them. Naked BJC 10g cable is actually a decent value.

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