What subwoofer cables are used when testing speaker packages?

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Pistol Pete1

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Jan 27, 2008
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With very few reviews on this subject, and quite a few forum visitors asking about subwoofer cables in recent weeks/months, I was wondering what cables are used when testing av speaker packages?

Unlike mains cables (Clare did mention they use the standard one and a more expensive one when testing receivers etc.), a subwoofer is delivered without a specific sub cable, so knowing what 'What hifi? use to test a basic, modest and more expensive sub (assuming different ones are being used, dependent on cost of sub) would be very useful............

Thanks.....
 
A good thread trying to find out the answer as im in the same dilemma about the same question too and dont know if im getting the best out of my current 3m Chord Crimson or is their better out there as i would gladly pay more if i would notice a difference, what do the WHF team think about this? what do you use in the test rooms and also at home?

Regards> M
 
M,

I saw your thread on here too, which is why I thought I'd try and find out any info on this topic.....fingers crossed, eh!
 
Hi. I use QED SR-SW, both here and at home. It's discontinued now: I guess the closest modern equivalent would be QED's Reference subwoofer cable.

I've tried more expensive cables over the years, but haven't personally felt they make a big enough difference for me to justify the cost. The SR-SW isn't cheap, of course, but it's sensibly priced and, I feel, good enough for my needs.

Incidentally, I do use both upgraded mains cables and a mains conditioner on my subs.
 
Thanks Andy, for your reply......

I have the QED Qunex P-SW at the moment (modern equivalent is the QED Performance, I guess), and was looking at the Chord Cobra 3 or QED Reference as a possible upgrade.

Have you compared the cable you use, with the cables in the price bracket below, like the P-SW and Performance cables?

Much difference?
 
Hi audioidiot1,

I use Chord powerchord replacement mains cables for my receiver, CDP, blu ray and DVD recorder......makes all produce a sound with more depth, detail and vocal presence, nevermind bass power and 'punch'.

I also have the Chord superscreen on my tv (more detail and vivid colours), and the Clearer Audio Alpha on my sub, which again helps produce a deeper, 'punchier' bass.....

In my opinion, they are definitely worth trying.........
 
Yup, I did the QED comparison when I was speccing out both my own system and the one for work. I reckon the cheaper cables, while still very good relative to freebie types, were less effective at coping with fast transients - those big dynamic shifts in an action movie, say - and also slightly more inhibited in overall bass extension. It's relatively subtle stuff though: if you've got perfectly good cables as it is I'd be tempted to stick with them, depending on your sub.

But if you've not got an upgraded mains cable, that can be very worthwhile. I find they really work, for all the same reasons that they work on standalone stereo and AV amplifiers. Bass seems notably cleaner and faster, and as a result integration improves, or at least that's what I hear. With the big Monitor Audio Platinum reference system (which has two PLW15 subwoofers because, well, why not) I use an Isotek Titan too. With 2000w and two 15cm bass drivers to service, it just makes sense, or at least it does to me.

As you'll have gathered, I like bass.
 
Sorry, just in case I'm being a bit thick (I'm still in the office, so it's probable): are you asking me how are upgrade mains cables different from (and better than) regular wires, or are you asking me how you go about upgrading your sub's mains cable?
 
Gotcha. In essence, good cables reject EMI (Electromagnetic Interference) and Radio Frequency Interference (RFI) much better than regular cables, chiefly because they use much better shielding in their construction. That applies to both RFI already present on the mains signal, and EMI/RFI from external sources, such as other products in your system. Less interference equals a cleaner sound with less 'gunk' in the signal.

You'll also find that a good cable will have low impedance and a high current capacity as a given, essential for the proper, efficient operation of any amplifier.
 
thanks for that andy thats cleared that up.does using upgraded cables apply to all price ranges of equipment ( amps,speakers etc)

cheers
 
The benefits vary from product to product - oh, and they're only relevant for active (self-powered) speakers, incidentally. I find anything with an amp inside it enjoys the most obvious difference, but they can be a cracking upgrade for flat-panel TVs, too. Don't get carried away though: I wouldn't advise spending £250 on an upgrade mains cable for use with a £99 Blu-ray player.

As a very rough rule of thumb, spend around 10% of your system's total cost on cables. All things in moderation, keep the upgrades in perspective relative to the rest of your kit, and you'll be fine.
 
Which model of sub? And doesn't the 577 have a captive (fixed) mains lead? If it does (and while I've not tested it, I've a feeling it does) you might not be able to upgrade with a cable. You could, however, try a mains conditioner such as the Lindy 6-way (£40).
 
Sorry to butt into this 2 way convo.....
emotion-5.gif


Can I ask, Andy, while your online and slaving away in the office at this hour........

Seeing my system (including mains cables) below, would an upgrade to the QED reference be a good one? I only need 2 metres, so the cost would be around £55............will it give good/noticable improvement over my old Qunex P-SW cable?
 
Broadly similar to the role that upgraded cables play - particularly in rejecting main-borne RFI. You can pick up the Tacima version of the Lindy for about £25 from Amazon: I'd give it a go.

Right, I'm heading for the hills now: hope that's been of help.
 
Sorry PP, was just about to bail out.one last one before I go. I'd say it'd be a subtle difference, not a great one. Were I you, I'd save my cash for other upgrades to come. You've a nicely balanced system there, by the way.

All the best now

AK out
 
Thanks AK....I'm really pleased with it and I enjoy it more and more every time I listen to it...enjoy the pub!
 
I have an M&K SB8 plugged in with an copperline alpha power chord and a skinny QED sub cable (from Onk 905). I have toyed with the idea of upgrading my sub cable as I'm pretty sure the skinny one aint gonna be shielded. Would you recommend an upgrade?

Also if anyone here hasnt yet got a granite chopping board under your sub, go get one! That made a simply stunning difference to my sub performance.
 
Andy K, do you think i would hear much difference between my Chord Crimson subwoofer cable to either a Chord Chameleon or a QED Signature series?

Regards> M
 
Hi guys, apologies for the belated reply. Gander, I don't think you'll get enough value out of an upgrade unless the cable you're referring to is from the QED Miniature cable range, the ultra-slim design used for low-profile installations. These are perfectly adequate cables, but can equally be improved upon by more conventional, fatter types. But if that's what you've got already - ie the QED Performance, or P-SW, as it used to be known - then I'd say leave it at that.

Good tip on the supporting platforms, by the way. In rooms with a suspended floor (which is most rooms, of course) they can work really well. Positioning in general is a huge subject with subwoofers: get it right and it makes all the difference, as I'm sure you know.

As for M from the Panasonic Store - same again. Crimson's fine, and given the context of your system, perfectly acceptable. Save your cash towards an update on your YSP-1100 instead: being able to access HD Audio (say, via Yamaha's YSP-4100) should be your next aim, I think.
 
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