AV speaker cable advice

[admin_exported]

Thinking of upgrading speaker cable between Onkyo 606 & MA Radius 7.1 speakers with QED Silver Anniversary XT cable. Am I right in thinking that I can connect the speakers with the cable terminated at the speaker end. If so, is there any point seeing as I'll need to use the binding posts on the amp.

Also, have heard about the amp being debunged, how easy is this and is it likely to bring any significant improvements.

Finally, to my ears, my amp speakers combo tends to produce a sound which is a little too harsh. Noted from WHF review that the QED cable can sound a little lean and was wondering whether I would be better partnering a different cable with my set up.

 

[Andrew Everard]

pejwright:Thinking of upgrading speaker cable between Onkyo 606 & MA Radius 7.1 speakers with QED Silver Anniversary XT cable. Am I right in thinking that I can connect the speakers with the cable terminated at the speaker end. If so, is there any point seeing as I'll need to use the binding posts on the amp.

Yes, you can use either plugs or bare wire connections on either end of the cables.

pejwright:Also, have heard about the amp being debunged, how easy is this and is it likely to bring any significant improvements.

Not at all sure what this means - new one on me!

pejwright:Finally, to my ears, my amp speakers combo tends to produce a sound
which is a little too harsh. Noted from WHF review that the QED cable
can sound a little lean and was wondering whether I would be better
partnering a different cable with my set up.

Yes the QED can sound slightly lean, but I doubt there's very much a change of cable can do to alter the overall balance of your system. I'm not a great believer in using cable as a tone control!

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks Andrew for your help.

I understand that debunging is when the binding posts on the amp are removed so that the cable can be connected terminated.

Any thoughts on whether it's worthwhile having the cable terminated at the speaker end and using binding posts on amp or should I just stick to binding posts at both ends?

 

[Anonymous]

Sorry Andrew, misread your reply, so it is possible to connect to 606 amp with terminated cable?

 

[Andrew Everard]

pejwright:I understand that debunging is when the binding posts on the amp are removed so that the cable can be connected terminated.

Oh right - never heard it called that before. But anyway, yes most AV amps have bungs or stoppers in the end of the binding post clamps, which can be removed - the bungs, not the whole binding post! - to allow 4mm banana plugs to be insterted.

pejwright:Any thoughts on whether it's worthwhile having the cable terminated
at the speaker end and using binding posts on amp or should I just
stick to binding posts at both ends?

The only real benefits of using plugs are:

a) avoidance of degradation of the ends of the bare wire due to atmospheric pollution and oxidisation, but this can be overcome by leaving some extra cables at the ends, and stripping back to expose fresh conductor every year or so

b) avoidance of potential shorting problems caused by stray 'hairs' of conductor - just take care when wiring up and you'll be fine

and c) speed and convenience of connection and disconnection, which is probably of more importance to reviewers than in a permanent installation.

So the answer to your question is no, no real benefits. Stick to bare wires on binding posts at both ends.

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks for clarifying that. Going to pop out to local dealer for QED cable & looking forward to trying it out tonight with Band of Brothers on Blu ray.

 

[simonlewis]

I had a 5.1 with the onkyo 606 using airloc banana plugs on the amp end, so i bought myself two more speakers, speaker cable & airloc banana plugs for christmas, only to discover that the banana plugs cannot be used on surround back of the amp.

You can imagine how disappointed i was to cut off the brand new banana plugs. £20.00 it cost me now the only purpose they are fit for is the bin.

 

[Anonymous]

Hmmm.... Sorry i think you guys are missing something here.

I have a Onkyo TX-SR606, and i connect to my speakers with QED silver aniversary XT cable terminated with banana plugs.

There are "bungs" in the way in all the posts, but they can all be removed (edge of a knife and a great deal of care!)

 

[giggsy1977]

Sorry to jump in, but slewis, I also have Quad Lites (5.1) and am looking at speaker cable.

Do you find the QED Silver Anniversary XT a bit lean with your setup?
If so, I think I shall look towards the Chord Carnival Silver Screen.

Thanks for your input.

 

[simonlewis]

not really, they sound okay to me, but i'm no expert

 

[Sliced Bread]

Just so you know, the bungs are the black / red plastic dots at the back of the binding posts.