I'm looking to buy speaker cable and interconnects for my system. I currently have standard interconnect cables "from the box" and freebie speaker wire but I need to upgrade as the sound is bright and lacks bass depth. My music tastes range from a -z, basically no genre hold precedence over the other... Any suggestions?
Speaker Cable and Interconnects
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John Duncan
Well-known member
[quote user="sivanessen"]I'm looking to buy speaker cable and interconnects for my system.
I currently have standard interconnect cables "from the box" and freebie speaker wire but I need to upgrade as the sound is bright and lacks bass depth.
My music tastes range from a -z, basically no genre hold precedence over the other...
Any suggestions?[/quote]
Maybe we can answer this in peace for once!
You will find different views here - mine is that interconnects and speaker cable shouldn't really be used to tame failings elsewhere, but that you should certainly at least use decent cables to stop from exacerbating them. First tell us your system - a general rule of thumb is to spend 10% of their worth on cabling them together......
I currently have standard interconnect cables "from the box" and freebie speaker wire but I need to upgrade as the sound is bright and lacks bass depth.
My music tastes range from a -z, basically no genre hold precedence over the other...
Any suggestions?[/quote]
Maybe we can answer this in peace for once!
You will find different views here - mine is that interconnects and speaker cable shouldn't really be used to tame failings elsewhere, but that you should certainly at least use decent cables to stop from exacerbating them. First tell us your system - a general rule of thumb is to spend 10% of their worth on cabling them together......
John Duncan
Well-known member
[quote user="sivanessen"]Oh yes, I have a Rotel RA-05 and RCD -06 combo playing through Kef iQ3's....[/quote]
OK, so that's about a grand, which means 100 quid on cables.
I'd look at 40 or 50 quid on interconnect and same on speaker cable (QED, Chord, Atlas, Cambridge, IXOS all good brands).
IMO, interconnects and speaker cable at this price will 'tidy up' your sound but will not make fundamental changes to the nature of your system, so if you still have issues after installing them you may need to look elsewhere. Are your speakers on stands for example?
OK, so that's about a grand, which means 100 quid on cables.
I'd look at 40 or 50 quid on interconnect and same on speaker cable (QED, Chord, Atlas, Cambridge, IXOS all good brands).
IMO, interconnects and speaker cable at this price will 'tidy up' your sound but will not make fundamental changes to the nature of your system, so if you still have issues after installing them you may need to look elsewhere. Are your speakers on stands for example?
I agree with all said so far. I know this will be a little out of the 10% rule price range, but try the Chord Cameleon Silver Plus and Nordost Blue Heaven interconnects. They're very good and will make a monumental difference to the sound. Be wary of cables that sound warm as they do so at the cost of detail, e.g. my Chord Cobra 3 has not had a good impact on my system. Go to a dealer and ask to borrow some cables to try, it's quite fun. Food for thought.
[quote user="igglebert"]They're very good and will make a monumental difference to the sound.[/quote]
I ought to qualify this by saying that _I_ think it makes a massive difference. You might not!
I ought to qualify this by saying that _I_ think it makes a massive difference. You might not!
It would seem odd if I am not recommend "Gotham" as I always do. 1 metre pair interconnect and 3 metre terminated speakers cables set for under £50 and sound fantastic......
Thaiman, you've been Sleepy for a while now, are you okay mate? Do you think you should see a Doctor? 
Could not agree more about the nordost blue heaven.its superb. I still think that dnm reson mark 2 is the best speaker cable around at that sort of price range.Igglebert, if you can stretch the cash or even get a second hand one, consider getting a chord chorus.It has all the speed a drive of the nordost but more weight and a smidge less emphasis on treble. best interconnect i have heard so far.
Interesting. That's a good recommendation, cheers. I was tempted when I picked up the Blue Heaven, Chameleon and Solar Wind (not sure where to place this one but it's good), but it seemed too much of a stretch. It's a lot of cash for a cable when my speakers are screaming for replacement. I'm also finding that the Blue Heaven keeps the bass in toe on my RS1s which, to be honest, sound a bit boomy and muddy. Good for the money but not perfect. Got my eye on some PMC FB1s now
My speakers are on 60cm stands, they are approx. 50cm from the side wall and 30cm from the back wall and about 2.5m apart, slighty toed in.
I have spoken to a few dealers, but they have warned me of the brightness from QED Silver Ann. This was some while before I got my CD player so I haven't listened to any particular cable yet. We don't have too many big name brands in South Africa so I was wondering what other options I have. I'm gonna need to put on my hunting hat to find the products you guy's have mentioned.
I have spoken to a few dealers, but they have warned me of the brightness from QED Silver Ann. This was some while before I got my CD player so I haven't listened to any particular cable yet. We don't have too many big name brands in South Africa so I was wondering what other options I have. I'm gonna need to put on my hunting hat to find the products you guy's have mentioned.
[quote user="jimwall"]Thaiman, you've been Sleepy for a while now, are you okay mate? Do you think you should see a Doctor? [/quote]
Doctor said I am sleepy because I eat too much!
[/quote]Doctor said I am sleepy because I eat too much!
John Duncan
Well-known member
[quote user="sivanessen"]My speakers are on 60cm stands, they are approx. 50cm from the side wall and 30cm from the back wall and about 2.5m apart, slighty toed in.
I have spoken to a few dealers, but they have warned me of the brightness from QED Silver Ann. This was some while before I got my CD player so I haven't listened to any particular cable yet. We don't have too many big name brands in South Africa so I was wondering what other options I have. I'm gonna need to put on my hunting hat to find the products you guy's have mentioned.[/quote]
I say again though, you may be looking in the wrong place. Sounds like you've got your system set up pretty well, and if there's something major missing then, whilst I agree that you should get yourself better connections, I would be more inclined to blame one of the components. The Rotel pairing seemed pretty sorted to me when I heard them when played through some Diamond 9.1s, but pretty gutless with some Kef iQ1s (I think) - maybe you should try some different (not necessarily more expensive) speakers? A good dealer will lend you some for research purposes.
I have spoken to a few dealers, but they have warned me of the brightness from QED Silver Ann. This was some while before I got my CD player so I haven't listened to any particular cable yet. We don't have too many big name brands in South Africa so I was wondering what other options I have. I'm gonna need to put on my hunting hat to find the products you guy's have mentioned.[/quote]
I say again though, you may be looking in the wrong place. Sounds like you've got your system set up pretty well, and if there's something major missing then, whilst I agree that you should get yourself better connections, I would be more inclined to blame one of the components. The Rotel pairing seemed pretty sorted to me when I heard them when played through some Diamond 9.1s, but pretty gutless with some Kef iQ1s (I think) - maybe you should try some different (not necessarily more expensive) speakers? A good dealer will lend you some for research purposes.
i think its hard to tell what a system really sounds like while you are using those rubbish out the box cables. qed silver annniversary is definitely to be avoided though if you want to make sure you dont have an overly bright and light sound.
[quote user="JohnDuncan"][quote user="sivanessen"]My speakers are on 60cm stands, they are approx. 50cm from the side wall and 30cm from the back wall and about 2.5m apart, slighty toed in.
I have spoken to a few dealers, but they have warned me of the brightness from QED Silver Ann. This was some while before I got my CD player so I haven't listened to any particular cable yet. We don't have too many big name brands in South Africa so I was wondering what other options I have. I'm gonna need to put on my hunting hat to find the products you guy's have mentioned.[/quote]
I say again though, you may be looking in the wrong place. Sounds like you've got your system set up pretty well, and if there's something major missing then, whilst I agree that you should get yourself better connections, I would be more inclined to blame one of the components. The Rotel pairing seemed pretty sorted to me when I heard them when played through some Diamond 9.1s, but pretty gutless with some Kef iQ1s (I think) - maybe you should try some different (not necessarily more expensive) speakers? A good dealer will lend you some for research purposes.[/quote]
I haven't heard the iQ1's but I am quiet impressed with the pair I have now. Most of the other good brands, B&W, MA, Mission ect are overpriced in South Africa, so my budget has been spent on the main components already. I'll be shopping around for wires, keeping you guy's suggestions in mind.
I have spoken to a few dealers, but they have warned me of the brightness from QED Silver Ann. This was some while before I got my CD player so I haven't listened to any particular cable yet. We don't have too many big name brands in South Africa so I was wondering what other options I have. I'm gonna need to put on my hunting hat to find the products you guy's have mentioned.[/quote]
I say again though, you may be looking in the wrong place. Sounds like you've got your system set up pretty well, and if there's something major missing then, whilst I agree that you should get yourself better connections, I would be more inclined to blame one of the components. The Rotel pairing seemed pretty sorted to me when I heard them when played through some Diamond 9.1s, but pretty gutless with some Kef iQ1s (I think) - maybe you should try some different (not necessarily more expensive) speakers? A good dealer will lend you some for research purposes.[/quote]
I haven't heard the iQ1's but I am quiet impressed with the pair I have now. Most of the other good brands, B&W, MA, Mission ect are overpriced in South Africa, so my budget has been spent on the main components already. I'll be shopping around for wires, keeping you guy's suggestions in mind.
[quote user="Fraziel"]i think its hard to tell what a system really sounds like while you are using those rubbish out the box cables. qed silver annniversary is definitely to be avoided though if you want to make sure you dont have an overly bright and light sound.[/quote]
Quite right, I wasn't expecting great things from freebies and I figured it would be better to run my system in a bit before spending on cables. Btw. This is the WHS&V Forum, what's up with all the harsh qed silver annniversary talk?
Isn't this an award winner? Three times product of the year or something?
Quite right, I wasn't expecting great things from freebies and I figured it would be better to run my system in a bit before spending on cables. Btw. This is the WHS&V Forum, what's up with all the harsh qed silver annniversary talk?
Isn't this an award winner? Three times product of the year or something?
[quote user="sivanessen"][quote user="Fraziel"]i think its hard to tell what a system really sounds like while you are using those rubbish out the box cables. qed silver annniversary is definitely to be avoided though if you want to make sure you dont have an overly bright and light sound.[/quote]
Quite right, I wasn't expecting great things from freebies and I figured it would be better to run my system in a bit before spending on cables. Btw. This is the WHS&V Forum, what's up with all the harsh qed silver annniversary talk?
Isn't this an award winner? Three times product of the year or something?[/quote]
True but it all depends on the characteristics of the kit you use it with. It seems that a lot of people buy quite bright kit so might not like the QED. I suspect that the problem lies with the components being used rather than the cable. The cable is simply letting a lot of signal through, revealing flaws with matching. Warm cables just hide some detail!
Quite right, I wasn't expecting great things from freebies and I figured it would be better to run my system in a bit before spending on cables. Btw. This is the WHS&V Forum, what's up with all the harsh qed silver annniversary talk?
Isn't this an award winner? Three times product of the year or something?[/quote]
True but it all depends on the characteristics of the kit you use it with. It seems that a lot of people buy quite bright kit so might not like the QED. I suspect that the problem lies with the components being used rather than the cable. The cable is simply letting a lot of signal through, revealing flaws with matching. Warm cables just hide some detail!
[quote user="igglebert"]I agree with all said so far. I know this will be a little out of the 10% rule price range, but try the Chord Cameleon Silver Plus and Nordost Blue Heaven interconnects. They're very good and will make a monumental difference to the sound. Be wary of cables that sound warm as they do so at the cost of detail, e.g. my Chord Cobra 3 has not had a good impact on my system. Go to a dealer and ask to borrow some cables to try, it's quite fun. Food for thought.[/quote]
I've managed to find a dealer for Nordost Blue Heaven and here are the prices he quoted me, keeping in mind the exchange rate ($US ) and the South African Rand (ZAR), are these the price I can expect to get them for in th UK?
//
BH3MSB/SG REV II speaker cable - 3m Pr - $609.99 - R 4 964.00
//
BH1MR RCA interconnects- 1.0m Pr - $229.99 - R 1 872.00
//
I've managed to find a dealer for Nordost Blue Heaven and here are the prices he quoted me, keeping in mind the exchange rate ($US ) and the South African Rand (ZAR), are these the price I can expect to get them for in th UK?
//
BH3MSB/SG REV II speaker cable - 3m Pr - $609.99 - R 4 964.00
//
BH1MR RCA interconnects- 1.0m Pr - $229.99 - R 1 872.00
//
John Duncan
Well-known member
£100 here is the cheapest I've seen for the interconnect (new, there's an exdem one next door for less), £300ish for the speaker cable, so about right.....
Drummerdave
Well-known member
[quote user="JohnDuncan"]£100 here is the cheapest I've seen for the interconnect (new, there's an exdem one next door for less), £300ish for the speaker cable, so about right.....[/quote]
My system cost around £4.5k and my speaker cables + interconnect about £60 together - and it sounds fantastic - how do you reconcile this with the "10% rule" ?
Dare I suggest that cables do not make any difference at all to the sound?!!!
My system cost around £4.5k and my speaker cables + interconnect about £60 together - and it sounds fantastic - how do you reconcile this with the "10% rule" ?
Dare I suggest that cables do not make any difference at all to the sound?!!!
fatboyslimfast
Well-known member
John Duncan
Well-known member
[quote user="Drummerdave"]
[quote user="JohnDuncan"]£100 here is the cheapest I've seen for the interconnect (new, there's an exdem one next door for less), £300ish for the speaker cable, so about right.....[/quote]
My system cost around £4.5k and my speaker cables + interconnect about £60 together - and it sounds fantastic - how do you reconcile this with the "10% rule" ?
Dare I suggest that cables do not make any difference at all to the sound?!!!
[/quote]
You may dare, of course. You will find some disagreement here though. I say that interconnects and speaker cable do make a difference - whether this is a) a good thing or a bad thing in any given system or b) worth the prices some cost are a different matter altogether.
I myself have a 250 quid cd player (actually 150 quid off eBay) teamed with an 850 quid amp and 700 quid speakers, and it also sounds marvellous. There are those here who think I'm daft (don't all shout at once please).
All I would say is that you may find your already-great sounding system could sound even better (or even worse - your interconnects may be hiding 'idiosyncracies' of your system, for example) with a different interconnect, and that it's worth experimenting.
[quote user="JohnDuncan"]£100 here is the cheapest I've seen for the interconnect (new, there's an exdem one next door for less), £300ish for the speaker cable, so about right.....[/quote]
My system cost around £4.5k and my speaker cables + interconnect about £60 together - and it sounds fantastic - how do you reconcile this with the "10% rule" ?
Dare I suggest that cables do not make any difference at all to the sound?!!!
[/quote]
You may dare, of course. You will find some disagreement here though. I say that interconnects and speaker cable do make a difference - whether this is a) a good thing or a bad thing in any given system or b) worth the prices some cost are a different matter altogether.
I myself have a 250 quid cd player (actually 150 quid off eBay) teamed with an 850 quid amp and 700 quid speakers, and it also sounds marvellous. There are those here who think I'm daft (don't all shout at once please).
All I would say is that you may find your already-great sounding system could sound even better (or even worse - your interconnects may be hiding 'idiosyncracies' of your system, for example) with a different interconnect, and that it's worth experimenting.
[quote user="Drummerdave"]
Dare I suggest that cables do not make any difference at all to the
sound?!!!
[/quote]
you can, but anyone who has actuallu demo'd cables will find it to be a rather ill considered comment.To put it mildly. And i exclude that chump troll macalpine as i dont think he has actually demo'd any and is therefore not able to comment.
Dare I suggest that cables do not make any difference at all to the
sound?!!!
[/quote]
you can, but anyone who has actuallu demo'd cables will find it to be a rather ill considered comment.To put it mildly. And i exclude that chump troll macalpine as i dont think he has actually demo'd any and is therefore not able to comment.
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