Question What's your next HiFi purchase?

[gasolin]

Qed can be a little bright

QED Silver Anniversary XT is harper than most cables and a little thin bass

Try tellurium q blue II

 

[DougK1]

Rethinking speaker cables: should I upgrade once I have moved house and know exactly what lengths I require? If so, pure copper for greater warmth? Shielded or unshielded? My PMC speakers are very good and I’m not convinced my current wires are getting the most out of them: wondering if Chord Odyssey X or QED Golden Anniversary XT might be the upgrade worth investing in. Has anyone had experience with either of these cables? Or better ones?

I would suggest you follow PMC's advice and just use a cable of correct gauge. I swapped Van Dammed Blue out for QED XT, absolutely no difference except for sleeve colour, which was my only reason for swapping...it suited my decor.

 

[gasolin]

xt silver to me sounds to sharp and bright

I would get something better

 

[TimMel]

I would suggest you follow PMC's advice and just use a cable of correct gauge. I swapped Van Dammed Blue out for QED XT, absolutely no difference except for sleeve colour, which was my only reason for swapping...it suited my decor.

Thanks to @gasolin and @DougK1 for helpful replies. PMC themselves are pretty tight-lipped on which cables work best, saying they recommend a 'high-quality thick multi-strand OFC cable': does 'thick' mean a gauge of 10AWG or is that too thick? I suspect quality of connectors matters too.

 

[gasolin]

wbc makes super thick cables if you want that

WORLDS BEST CABLES: WBC-Ultimate-7AWG (Carbon) - Banana

Speaker Cable Pair Premium Audiophile HiFi Hi-Fi WORLDS BEST CABLES WBC Ultimate 8 Octa Core Eminence Gold Banana 12 AWG 9 AWG 7 AWG Oxygen Free Copper OFC Gift Box Braid Tweed Sleeve Jacket

www.amazon.com

 

[daveh75]

Thanks to @gasolin and @DougK1 for helpful replies. PMC themselves are pretty tight-lipped on which cables work best, saying they recommend a 'high-quality thick multi-strand OFC cable':

I'd take the hint personally....

 

[Jasonovich]

Rethinking speaker cables: should I upgrade once I have moved house and know exactly what lengths I require? If so, pure copper for greater warmth? Shielded or unshielded? My PMC speakers are very good and I’m not convinced my current wires are getting the most out of them: wondering if Chord Odyssey X or QED Golden Anniversary XT might be the upgrade worth investing in. Has anyone had experience with either of these cables? Or better ones?

Welcome to the forum!

The subject of cables is derisive, many would argue there's no sonic differences between cables. I think I'm in the minority, I believe cables are the veins that carry the oxygen. I don't believe cables can go beyond the laws of natural physics and magically transform the sound of your HiFi, but the cables do influence the sound.

They all have their unique tonalities, some brands like Chord work best with bright sounding systems, QED cables generally tend to be bright, so they're better suited to laid back sounding systems.

I have tried various Chord and QED cables not the ones you mentioned and got the desired results. AudioQuest Rocket 11 cables work well also.

I tended to experiment, making my own cables from generic suppliers and getting equally good results.
The ones I'm using currently are fake Nordost Valhalla 2 ribbon cables from AliExpress. The authentic ones are pure silver and costs £10-£14K, these are silver plated and cost a little over £100 a meter.
These are absolutely amazing, in terms of aesthetics, neutrality and built quality. I noticed the sound opening up, when I replaced the SKW cables with the fake V's.
Check link below

Ein paar nordost val halla 2 hifi lautsprecher kabel horn kabel - AliExpress 44

Smarter Shopping, Better Living! Aliexpress.com

www.aliexpress.com

Comments from some happy bunnies

 

[DougK1]

The ones I'm using currently are fake Nordost Valhalla 2 ribbon cables from AliExpress. The authentic ones are pure silver and costs £10-£14K, these are silver plated and cost a little over £100 a meter.

You were robbed Jason

 

[DougK1]

Thanks to @gasolin and @DougK1 for helpful replies. PMC themselves are pretty tight-lipped on which cables work best, saying they recommend a 'high-quality thick multi-strand OFC cable': does 'thick' mean a gauge of 10AWG or is that too thick? I suspect quality of connectors matters too.

A cross section gauge of 2mm is probably more than enough, personally I went for 4mm cross section, anything thicker is just a waste of copper and cash

 

[Lenny67]

Just bought for Christmas a new streamer Cambridge Audio MXN10 (after your review for best streamer) and a pair of fantastic Tetra Speakers 120U hand made in Canada.

 

[TimMel]

Welcome to the forum!

The subject of cables is derisive, many would argue there's no sonic differences between cables. I think I'm in the minority, I believe cables are the veins that carry the oxygen. I don't believe cables can go beyond the laws of natural physics and magically transform the sound of your HiFi, but the cables do influence the sound.

They all have their unique tonalities, some brands like Chord work best with bright sounding systems, QED cables generally tend to be bright, so they're better suited to laid back sounding systems.

I have tried various Chord and QED cables not the ones you mentioned and got the desired results. AudioQuest Rocket 11 cables work well also.

I tended to experiment, making my own cables from generic suppliers and getting equally good results.
The ones I'm using currently are fake Nordost Valhalla 2 ribbon cables from AliExpress. The authentic ones are pure silver and costs £10-£14K, these are silver plated and cost a little over £100 a meter.
These are absolutely amazing, in terms of aesthetics, neutrality and built quality. I noticed the sound opening up, when I replaced the SKW cables with the fake V's.
Check link below

Ein paar nordost val halla 2 hifi lautsprecher kabel horn kabel - AliExpress 44

Smarter Shopping, Better Living! Aliexpress.com

www.aliexpress.com

View attachment 8064
Comments from some happy bunnies
View attachment 8065
View attachment 8066

Thanks Jason, perhaps I should have trodden more lightly on a subject about which people have strong views! But the range and quality of the replies have most certainly been worth it. I'm prepared to believe that speaker cables can make a difference - it's quite clear to me that the quality of cables makes a difference in other forms of HiFi connection e.g. analogue RCA - but real-world testing with your own kit and ears is key given the risk of confirmation bias and the power of subjectivity ... but you knew that already, I suspect.

 

[Jasonovich]

I'm prepared to believe that speaker cables can make a difference - it's quite clear to me that the quality of cables makes a difference in other forms of HiFi connection e.g. analogue RCA - but real-world testing with your own kit and ears is key given the risk of confirmation bias and the power of subjectivity

Oh absolutely, most people on this forum who are sceptical about the sonic merits of speaker cables are politely accommodating to accept a broad range of opinions but one or two always sees red when you mention the subject, I would see red if someone kicks me in the groin but metaphorically speaking, it must feel like that to them..... hey ho .......

 

[podknocker]

You were robbed Jason

The thing is, it probably does cost that amount to make them due to the over engineered design and the bits of wood. The cost has nothing to do with the materials actually improving sound quality. If anyone knows how daft bits of wood are going to improve signal propagation, the answer will be truly welcome.*




*not holding my breath.

 

[TimMel]

Oh absolutely, most people on this forum who are sceptical about the sonic merits of speaker cables are politely accommodating to accept a broad range of opinions but one or two always sees red when you mention the subject, I would see red if someone kicks me in the groin but metaphorically speaking, it must feel like that to them..... hey ho .......

I think there's always room for healthy scepticism towards what is occasionally slammed as 'snakeoil': it is inevitable that a highly technical hobby like this, with people willing to spend serious coin to enjoy it, attracts innovations and product developments whose objective merits are sometimes difficult to establish.
I always appreciate those dealers willing to allow punters to test stuff out in their own homes before committing to purchase - if it sounds better, it's better, no? And every time I think I've reached the point where my cloth ears can no longer tell the difference, someone sits me down and makes me listen to something reassuringly expensive that really does make a difference ... honest!

 

[Jasonovich]

The thing is, it probably does cost that amount to make them due to the over engineered design and the bits of wood. The cost has nothing to do with the materials actually improving sound quality. If anyone knows how daft bits of wood are going to improve signal propagation, the answer will be truly welcome.*




*not holding my breath.

Wood looks nice Pod. Doesn't add anything to the sound.
The quality of these fake Vs is really good.
If you are a believer or just value good design cables, these are worth the small investment.

 

[podknocker]

Wood looks nice Pod. Doesn't add anything to the sound.
The quality of these fake Vs is really good.
If you are a believer or just value good design cables, these are worth the small investment.

I'm a utilitarian and want my devices to to what they should, within cost restraints and I don't like smoke and mirrors marketing, insulting my intelligence and deceiving me on grounds of performance. Coming from a fairly technical background and knowing a bit about science, all I'm asking the cable 'believers' to do is prove via scientific reasoning how these things should sound better and also prove their views with blind listening tests. If you are 100% certain your fancy new Nordost Fairy Knickers cable sounds better, then you should be able to 100% choose this over your previous one, or any other cable offered for testing. Guess what, nobody on any forum EVER, has been able to do this. I'm always going to reject claims of better sound quality until someone can prove their cable sounds different, through listening tests and with scientific and technical assessment.

 

[Jasonovich]

My fake Nordost Odin cables arrived today and I have attached these to my Little Prince ribbon tweeters.
Banana plug for the tweeter boxes and spade for Oberon 3s.
The optimal settings have the arrows pointing in the wrong direction. Unfortunately the tweeter boxes only accept banana plugs. So this is the only option available, though I doubt I'll notice any difference in the sound.
I'll listen to them tomorrow, hopefully these are worth the investment 🙂

 

[RoA]

My fake Nordost Odin cables arrived today and I have attached these to my Little Princess ribbon tweeters.
Banana plug for the tweeter boxes and spade for Oberon 3s.
The optimal settings have the arrows pointing in the wrong direction. Unfortunately the tweeter boxes only accept banana plugs. So this is the only option available, though I doubt I'll notice any difference in the sound.
I'll listen to them tomorrow, hopefully these are worth the investment 🙂

What I don't like is that they use the brand name. Why not just market them for what they are?

 

[Jasonovich]

I'm a utilitarian and want my devices to to what they should, within cost restraints and I don't like smoke and mirrors marketing, insulting my intelligence and deceiving me on grounds of performance. Coming from a fairly technical background and knowing a bit about science, all I'm asking the cable 'believers' to do is prove via scientific reasoning how these things should sound better and also prove their views with blind listening tests. If you are 100% certain your fancy new Nordost Fairy Knickers cable sounds better, then you should be able to 100% choose this over your previous one, or any other cable offered for testing. Guess what, nobody on any forum EVER, has been able to do this. I'm always going to reject claims of better sound quality until someone can prove their cable sounds different, through listening tests and with scientific and technical assessment.

One cable may sound preferable than the other because they have different tonal characteristics.
Manufacturers don't invest millions in development on a whim, why bother when it's much easier to sell vapour but most bona fide manufacturers do bother, they believe good cable design can make a difference, hence the investment and research.

This particular cable matches my system better because it doesn't extenuate the high frequencies or make the bass flabby.
In my humble opinion, it's about understanding science so your product works to it's optimum.

What I don't like is that they use the brand name. Why not just market them for what they are?

I agree 100%.
I kind of alluded to this in a previous thread.
I don't know why they do this?
If the product is this good, they don't need to hang on the pedicoats of others.

 

[podknocker]

One cable may sound preferable than the other because they have different tonal characteristics.
Manufacturers don't invest millions in development on a whim, why bother when it's much easier to sell vapour but most bona fide manufacturers do bother, they believe good cable design can make a difference, hence the investment and research.

A cable can't have different tonal characteristics Jason. People suggest cables sound different, but there is no proof to support these claims. Providing scientific evidence and choosing 100% through listening tests would make this conversation go away. If anyone has proof of cables sounding different, via blind listening tests, or with scientific data, it would prevent these posts going round in circles. These cable companies don't invest millions by the way. They spend a normal amount on materials and build, but then lie about these products improving sound quality. They charge stupid amounts in the hope that people will fall for the technobabble nonsense and actually pay these elevated prices. Sadly, many people do fall for it and pay thousands for cables which cost £50 to produce.

 

[Jasonovich]

A cable can't have different tonal characteristics Jason. People suggest cables sound different, but there is no proof to support these claims. Providing scientific evidence and choosing 100% through listening tests would make this conversation go away. If anyone has proof of cables sounding different, via blind listening tests, or with scientific data, it would prevent these posts going round in circles.

I respect your opinion Pod..... but....but...but.... hahaha, I'll leave sleeping dogs where they lie

 

[gasolin]

A cable can't have different tonal characteristics Jason. People suggest cables sound different, but there is no proof to support these claims. Providing scientific evidence and choosing 100% through listening tests would make this conversation go away. If anyone has proof of cables sounding different, via blind listening tests, or with scientific data, it would prevent these posts going round in circles. These cable companies don't invest millions by the way. They spend a normal amount on materials and build, but then lie about these products improving sound quality. They charge stupid amounts in the hope that people will fall for the technobabble nonsense and actually pay these elevated prices. Sadly, many people do fall for it and pay thousands for cables which cost £50 to produce.

That's why most hate speaker cable thread because they think like you

A cable can't have different tonal characteristics

So why don't you have the normal TQ blue but had to have the ultra blue when a cable can't have different tonal characteristics ?

Why didn't you save your money an bought the standard TQ Blue speaker cable ?

And why not qed speaker cable that q acoustics use, clearly that most be superior to tellurium, better synergy ?

 

[podknocker]

That why most hate speaker cable thread because they think like you

A cable can't have different tonal characteristics

So why don't you have the normal TQ blue but had to have the ultra blue when a cable can't have different tonal characteristics ?

Why didn't you save your money an bought the standard TQ Blue speaker cable ?

And why not qed speaker cable that q acoustics use, clearly that most be superior to tellurium, better synergy ?

I bought TQ Ultra blue cabling for cosmetic reasons, which I've mentioned many times on this forum. They are blue and match my TV unit exactly and yes, I am that picky. The main reason I bought them is because they are ribbons and can easily be laid along the floor without coiling up like many cheaper, rigid cables. I know they cannot and do not change the sound quality. All cables carry charge because even though electrons in the metal are still fixed to their atoms, they can pass on charge via the electric field generated as a voltage is applied. You don't get different types of electrons in overpriced cables and it's staggering that people would imagine electrons and magnetic fields would behave differently in a pricey cable. The physics in QED 79 strand is the same as the physics in cables costing thousands of pounds. I genuinely shake my head in disbelief that many people fall for the marketing, because they can't be bothered to read about what's going on in a bit of wire. It's the same with Star Trek. People believe the nonsense in Star Trek, because they don't need to work it out and don't need to figure out and understand the real physics of how the real universe works. Nobody on here, or any other forum has proved, via blind listening tests and/or using scientific testing, that cables sound different. Cable believers are deluding themselves and these companies are laughing at all their gullible customers. Plastic and copper costing a few pence and being sold for thousands of pounds per metre. WAKE UP!

 

[gasolin]

TQ Blue (not the ultra) is also a flat blue cable

W&M Audio - LS-04 is also flat and is less than 4 euros pr meter

Try qed silver anniversary xt it's much sharper sounding than TQ

Why not NordOst Blue Heaven Speaker Cable it's not that expensive​

 

[podknocker]

Again, where is the proof that qed silver anniversary xt it's much sharper sounding than TQ?

Have you applied any technical measurements?

If so, do these correlate to your perceived sound quality improvement?

Have you proven you could pick this cable out via listening tests 100 % of the time?

All people do on here is state as a fact that cables improve sound quality, without any supporting evidence.

Changing your speaker cables won't change the sound quality, because there is zero reason it could.