Recommendations for bi-wire / bi-amp speaker cables

[Supreme]

I am planning on purchasing some bi-wire speaker cable and would like some recommendations if you have them.

Budget is about 300 to 400 quid for 2 x 4m lengths.

I will be using this in a bi-amp set-up

 

[pauln]

My recommendation would be that you take the time to read through some of the discussions about cables that have been on this forum recently.

Then have a think about how much you want to spend.

 

[CnoEvil]

You might consider Atlas Hyper Bi-Wire

 

[MakkaPakka]

Put the money towards your replacement speakers instead. Also consider learning how to meaure the frequency response of your system as that will yield far bigger results than any speaker cable.

 

[abacus]

2.5mm sq. OFC is all you will need, so just buy the cheapest you can find. (More expensive cable will make no difference over that short length)

Hope this helps

Bill

 

[Supreme]

Thanks. Pretty much sure I will be buying the Kef R500s as the final part of my system and will ask the dealer for a set of Atlas cables for home audition.

Well...nearly the final part. The BlueSound Vault looks pretty handy >)

 

[CnoEvil]

Thanks. Pretty much sure I will be buying the Kef R500s as the final part of my system and will ask the dealer for a set of Atlas cables for home audition.

Well...nearly the final part. That BlueSound Vault looks pretty handy >)

This is the way to go, as it allows you to make up your own mind as to whether the extra cost is worth it or not.

 

[igloo audio]

Hi Supreme,

If you are replacing your speakers with a dealer, why not have your dealer include the *ideal* speaker cables FOC. Invest more in the speakers and take your time to audition at home. Otherwise, try Tellurium Q Black if you really can't resist the urge

Peter

 

[Supreme]

I would be well up for getting the Tellurium Q Black if I wasn't sold on bi-amping. Just a touch too pricey at just over £700 for 2 pairs at 4m

 

[MUSICRAFT]

Hi Supreme

I'll recommend using standard 500 strand OFC (I am forgetting something) speaker cables.

All the best

Rick @ Musicraft

 

[Supreme]

Thanks Rick

 

[BigH]

I would get the wires thrown in when you buy your speakers or get a discount and buy something like Van Damme OFC 4mm for about £5 pm.

 

[Supreme]

Thanks BigH. You are the second person to recommend getting the cables thrown in.

I will try some Van Damme OFC type cables along with Cno's recommendation of Atlas Hyper cable so I can make an informed choice as to which sound better if any.

 

[Inter_Voice]

Thanks BigH. You are the second person to recommend getting the cables thrown in.

I will try some Van Damme OFC type cables along with Cno's recommendation of Atlas Hyper cable so I can make an informed choice as to which sound better if any.

I also recommend Van Damme cable which is really value for the money. I have compared it with my Chord Odyssy bi-wired cable and they sound very similar. Odyssy's HF performs only marginally better and the Bass are the same.

I don't think you need to go bi-wiring and from my ears I cannot hear any differeneces and now I have combined the Odyssy wires and dispensed with bi-wiring. I don't think one should spend too much on wires as the improvements are not as obvious of having a better pair of speakers.

 

[Supreme]

Thanks Inter_Voice. Actually, I'm bi-amping not bi-wiring

 

[Inter_Voice]

Thanks Inter_Voice. Actually, I'm bi-amping not bi-wiring

OH I am short sighted. Bi-amping is different, I believe you will get better sound staging from the setup.

 

[MUSICRAFT]

Thanks Rick

Hi supreme

Your welcome.

Btw, what modified Arcam amplification and Acoustic Energy speakers are you using please?

All the best

Rick @ Musicraft

 

[Benedict_Arnold]

+1 for Chord Odyssey.

I actually ended up using two runs of Odyssey 4 per speaker because I started out bi-wired to a single Cyrus X-power, then added a second and bi-amped. With paired cores in the 4-core cables the power transfer capacity was huge.

 

[Supreme]

Hi Rick

I have an Arcam Alpha 9 integrated that has been extensively modified both in the pre and power amp sections. Although the work cost a lot more than the amplifier itself was new, the results are very impressive.

I also have the Alpha 9P power amp. I have had the same modifications done to this as I have had undertaken in the power amp section of the integrated. Most of the work was aimed at the power supply and regulating ‘noise’ but some other quite interesting work has also been done. I will forward you further details if you like.

My current speakers are the AE120s

 

[steve_1979]

Thanks Inter_Voice. Actually, I'm bi-amping not bi-wiring

OH I am short sighted. Bi-amping is different, I believe you will get better sound staging from the setup.

The extra power of using two amplifiers should give you a bit more volume and dynamic range but I can't see how bi-amping could effect the sound stage. :?

I could be wrong though.

 

[Supreme]

As I find it difficult to explain things in 'hi-fi speak' I am dropping in a quote from the Arcam website which seems to sum things up quite well in my experience.

"Bi-Amping simply means driving the tweeter (high frequency) and woofer (low frequency) drivers in your speakers with separate amplifiers. This separates both current delivery and ground return paths. In addition, a much greater power reserve is available for treble frequencies. This results in a sound with more drive and clarity."

 

[BigH]

"Bi-Amping simply means driving the tweeter (high frequency) and woofer (low frequency) drivers in your speakers with separate amplifiers. This separates both current delivery and ground return paths. In addition, a much greater power reserve is available for treble frequencies. This results in a sound with more drive and clarity."

But you don't need so much power for the treble freq. that's why many active speakers have a much lower power amp. for the tweeters than the woofers.

 

[Supreme]

That may be true BigH but in my personal experience there is a positive difference in the overall presentation of the music when bi-amping. I don't think the quality changes so much as there is a greater presence and authority in the sound. Sorry, I'm not much use at explaining these things.

 

[MUSICRAFT]

Hi Rick

I have an Arcam Alpha 9 integrated that has been extensively modified both in the pre and power amp sections. Although the work cost a lot more than the amplifier itself was new, the results are very impressive.

I also have the Alpha 9P power amp. I have had the same modifications done to this as I have had undertaken in the power amp section of the integrated. Most of the work was aimed at the power supply and regulating ‘noise’ but some other quite interesting work has also been done. I will forward you further details if you like.

My current speakers are the AE120s

Hi Supreme

Thanks for your reply.

Yes, i'd like to know more about the modifications. Email address is on our website.

All the best

Rick @ Musicraft

 

[Supreme]

Hi Rick

I have an Arcam Alpha 9 integrated that has been extensively modified both in the pre and power amp sections. Although the work cost a lot more than the amplifier itself was new, the results are very impressive.

I also have the Alpha 9P power amp. I have had the same modifications done to this as I have had undertaken in the power amp section of the integrated. Most of the work was aimed at the power supply and regulating ‘noise’ but some other quite interesting work has also been done. I will forward you further details if you like.

My current speakers are the AE120s

Hi Supreme

Thanks for your reply.

Yes, i'd like to know more about the modifications. Email address is on our website.

All the best

Rick @ Musicraft

will do, no problem.