Speaker cables

[David-L]

Hello

I am using PMC twenty 24 speakers which, I am running via a Arcam CD 36 FMJ. Arcam C30 per amp and a P35 power amp. The cable I am using at present is Rega, the flat type with the see through sleeve. Before this I was using Naim cable, NAC A5. The stiff hard to use cable, so much so that the banana plug and cable have broken in the shrink wrap on a couple of connections. At present the speakers are bi wired, and the room is a standard terraced house 14 by 12 foot room with chimney breast, and laminate floor. I have been told that I will get a large improvement all round with Chord Epic twin cable. At £40 plus per metre I hope so. I would also not be bi wiring at that price, needing four 3m runs. I would be grateful if anyone has any suggestions for cable for my setup. I am also told there is no appreciable gains to bi wiring. Thanks in advance. David

 

[seemorebtts]

i think you should go to your local hifi dealer and ask for a demo.your system is a bit out of my league to comment but what you have been told sounds right

 

[abacus]

Hi David

There are many threads on speaker cable on the site so just do a quick search.

The most important is to compare cables yourself using a blind test, (You do not know which cable is in use or even if it was changed from the previous test) as that is the only way to make a decision.

Everybody that tests this way you will find cannot tell any difference from the quality cable as used in film and production studios (2.5mm sq. OFC copper) and any of the more expensive (And so called special) cables. (Thus you can save yourself a considerable amount of money)

Remember only you can decide if there is any difference, just make sure (Without exception) that you test using a proper blind test.

Hope this helps

Bill

 

[CnoEvil]

You should also try Telurium Q Black.

 

[toyota man]

You should also try Telurium Q Black.

+1 You will be very surprised how good it is I was

 

[Anonymous]

Hi David

There are many threads on speaker cable on the site so just do a quick search.

The most important is to compare cables yourself using a blind test, (You do not know which cable is in use or even if it was changed from the previous test) as that is the only way to make a decision.

Everybody that tests this way you will find cannot tell any difference from the quality cable as used in film and production studios (2.5mm sq. OFC copper) and any of the more expensive (And so called special) cables. (Thus you can save yourself a considerable amount of money)

Remember only you can decide if there is any difference, just make sure (Without exception) that you test using a proper blind test.

Hope this helps

Bill

Or if there is a difference, is it really a 40 quid a metre difference ?

 

[Alantiggger]

Do not spend too much as there is LITTLE difference in quality of sound...... folk are , it seems... being led up the garden path with many a cable !

 

[CnoEvil]

Do not spend too much as there is LITTLE difference in quality of sound...... folk are , it seems... being led up the garden path with many a cable !

That's assuming the person trying the cables is completely under the spell of the person making the recommendation.

Nobody is ordering the OP to buy a cable, but making suggestions for him to try.

 

[David-L]

When I demoed the speakers, I asked what cable was being used. I was told Chord Odessy, but I would like to try two or three different cables at home if possible. Thanks for your reply.

 

[David-L]

Thanks Toyota Man and CnoEvil

i have been looking at reviews for these cables, and will try a demo of them.

 

[CnoEvil]

When I demoed the speakers, I asked what cable was being used. I was told Chord Odessy, but I would like to try two or three different cables at home if possible. Thanks for your reply.

Although I have heard worthwhile differences in (certain) cables, I thoroughly agree with everyone who has said that this needs to be assessed on a VFM basis. IMO You should never spend more on cables than would bring greater benefits, if spent elsewhere in the system.

 

[ellisdj]

Graham slee Spatia speaker cables are outstanding and much cheaper than epic and tellerium q but still on that level of performance

Epic is good but you need great room acoustics to hear all the detail / soundstaging otherwise they can sound harsh I have owned it.

You can get home demo of the Spatia as well visit the GSP Audio forum - it's seriously impressive cable if you have everything setup right

 

[wireman]

I am using PMC twenty 24 speakers...

As far as I recall, the guy that designs and voices PMC speakers (is it Pete Thomas?) uses Van Damme cables, which are simple, inexpensive, good quality OFC - which cost as little as a couple of pounds per meter on Amazon - probably not very different to your Rega cables. I know of people with top-end PMC speakers (IB2/MB2 etc) who've tried very, very expensive speaker cables with their PMC's, yet always seem to come back to Van Damme. The common view they hold is that as PMC speakers were designed with it, voiced with it, tested and demo'd with it, if your system doesn't sound right with it, then there's probably something wrong elsewhere in your system. It's just an opinion.

 

[David-L]

Thanks wireman yes I think you are right it is Pete Thomas. I will give it a try at that price I can afford to buy them and sell them on if I do not particularly like them.

 

[David-L]

Thanks ellisdj this is another cable I can try on demo. Once again everyone thanks for your input and help.

 

[wbarr]

I use Van Damme cable with my PMC Twenty 21s, and it hits the spot. See no reason to spend a penny more. I'm using this stuff:

http://www.van-damme.com/25.html

Many others use the blue or black cable, presumably because of the more hard wearing cable jacket, giving the blue or black colour. However, when I researched this, the cable I'm using is (I think) a higher purity of copper. If that matters to you. No idea if it improves the sound, but, heck, the stuff is so inexpensive (I paid about £3.50 per metre - higher guage stuff comes in about £7.00 per metre, which may be more suitable for the floor standing 24s) that I don't think you can go wrong.

 

[wbarr]

Duplicate post - removed. Sorry.

 

[michael hoy]

I use Van Damme cable with my PMC Twenty 21s, and it hits the spot. See no reason to spend a penny more. I'm using this stuff:

http://www.van-damme.com/25.html

Use the same cable myself (4mm), good cable and reasonable price.

 

[David-L]

Thanks for the info. I have just been looking at the cable, and you are right I think the 2.5 mm is £3.50 and the higher gauge blue or black is 6mm and£7.00. Even terminated, it is well under the price of some cables.

 

[Alantiggger]

Same thoughts as abacus...

"Hi David

There are many threads on speaker cable on the site so just do a quick search.

The most important is to compare cables yourself using a blind test, (You do not know which cable is in use or even if it was changed from the previous test) as that is the only way to make a decision.

Everybody that tests this way you will find cannot tell any difference from the quality cable as used in film and production studios (2.5mm sq. OFC copper) and any of the more expensive (And so called special) cables. (Thus you can save yourself a considerable amount of money)

Remember only you can decide if there is any difference, just make sure (Without exception) that you test using a proper blind test.

Hope this helps

Bill"

Don't waste money ? :cheers:

 

[p_m_brown]

H David,

Welcome to the crazy world of cabling debates!

I for one am an advocate for spending sensible (ie relative to the equipment) money on cables and if you are looking at Chord products, check out Rumour or Odessey ( same as rumour with a tad more bass). There is also a lot of positive feedback on the TQ Black cables although I have not tried them myself.

I don't see the point of having great gear only to use cheap cables?! As an example, I recently swapped out the cheap Gale branded copper cables on my Dad's modest Cambridge Audio/Tannoy set up with some QED Silver Anniversary cable and there was a real improvement, especially with mid range and higher frequencies. Even my Dad commented on the improvements!

 

[GSB]

So what influences the sound coming thru the cable,amp or speaker...do certain cables work better with certain kit(ie:whats best for mine )EDIT:just read a thread fom 2010,and this answered my question,but i can tell you,it got very ugly in there :shame:

Also what is recomended for teriminating?.....i have mine bear wired into amp's/speakers.

 

[davidvann]

hi david,the best advice that i can give you is trust your own ears,and when you try out new cables ,give them some time to run in,dont be quick to juge a cable in five minutes,when i bought my speaker cable it sounded rubbish ,but the dealer that sold me the cable would take time to burn in .in the end it took about 3 weeks of playing music to really hear what they were capable of .most of all enjoy the music .good luck .cheers david

 

[michael hoy]

So what influences the sound coming thru the cable,amp or speaker...do certain cables work better with certain kit(ie:whats best for mine )EDIT:just read a thread fom 2010,and this answered my question,but i can tell you,it got very ugly in there :shame:

Also what is recomended for teriminating?.....i have mine bear wired into amp's/speakers.

Hi GSB,

I would use banana plugs, better connection and no chance of stray wires shorting across the amp.

 

[David-L]

Thanks once again to all for your help and advice. I have just purchased some Van Damme 2.5 mm, shotgun OFC 5 m lengths, that's the minimum you can purchase from them, online at least. The only problem being the connections which do not fit my speakers, and Van Damme do not do the connection I need. That aside I have stopped bi wiring my speakers, and I am using the Rega cable into the LF terminals, and there is a marked difference. I have just finished listening to Mark Knopfler Sultans of swing The very best of. The space between instruments is noticeable. I am listening to some older recordings which sound very good too. As soon as I get the Van Damme run in I will post my views. I would still like to try the Telurim black though.