Which speaker cable?

[gasolin]

I have a Marantz PM6005, boston A25 on isoacoustics 155 stands,Clearer Audio’s Copper-line Alpha One mains, supra classic 2.5 speaker cable, supra bilne mp-2rca interconnect (the expensive one) with a Audioquest dragonfly in my asus Z97 i7 pc

I almost have a perfect budget,entry level hifi system for my pc(much better then any logictech,creatice,edifier active pc speaker), if there such a thing as the prefect budget hifi system i think i am pretty close, except for one thing, my speaker cable is supra standard 2.5mm2 speaker cable, mabye the weakest link in my system.

I don't have cables in the right length, so if i want to upgrade i need to buy new speaker cable.

I don't just want the answer it's good enough or cheap quality 2.5mm from known brands from my local store would be okay.

If i need something it's the top who sometimes can be a bit metallic or more powerfull then i am used to (not a big thing,just something i noticed) and maybe a slightly more powerfull bass

 

[drummerman]

VdH CS122 Hybrid is always my affordable suggestion.

 

[Al ears]

VdH CS122 Hybrid is always my affordable suggestion.

A good all-round cable that.

 

[gasolin]

Forgot to mention it has to be a budget speaker cable something like 50£, 70€ for 2x 4 meters

Not shure if theres any cable who would match my system better then the supra classic 2.5 i use.

Just know i use a standard 2.5mm cable and there for i should be able to find something in a better class (sound quality)

I could in turns of price and quality go for cables like supra rondo 2x2.5 or supra superply 3.4 to get and idea of price,quality

Just not shure what cable would be best with my system and price limited

 

[drummerman]

That's £6/m unterminated.

I wouldn't bother changing but if you must I'd personally go for VdH's Skyline Hybrid. Its from the same family of the CS122 Hybrid and shares some of the build. 5 quid a meter.

VdH cables, and especially the CS122 have no glaring edge/top.

I have heard that cable been used in everything from cheap to prohibitivly expensive systems, valve and solid state, small and large speakers. It was what Movement Audio used to demonstrate systems due to its relative affordability unless the customer had specific wishes.

The cable has been out for years with some changes during its lifetime (and consequent price rises) but I think it still represents a good choice for most people/systems.

 

[Rethep]

In my opinion, more powerful bass never comes with 'better' speakercable! Look for a better placement for your speakers!

Need (new) speakercable: ? Ordinary 4 mm^2 coppercable will do the job. The rest is imagination!

Good luck!

 

[rainsoothe]

In my opinion, more powerful bass never comes with 'better' speakercable! Look for a better placement for your speakers!

Need (new) speakercable: ? Ordinary 4 mm^2 coppercable will do the job. The rest is imagination!

Good luck!

It actually does - Audioquest Type 4 rolls the bass off like a m**********r - switching to QED XT40 brought much punchier, weightier and lower low-end - to the point it didn't do it for me because of the nasty modes in my room. Rest of my setup and speaker positioning remained unchanged when I did this.

 

[BIGBERNARDBRESSLAW]

And so, another speaker cable debate begins, with one side saying pay more for better bass and separation, and the other side saying it makes no difference. I personally believe the ones that say it doesn't make a difference, but if some of us want to waste our money, and are stupid enough to believe the p**s taking cable manufacturers, then why shouldn't they?

 

[drummerman]

And so, another speaker cable debate begins, with one side saying pay more for better bass and separation, and the other side saying it makes no difference. I personally believe the ones that say it doesn't make a difference, but if some of us want to waste our money, and are stupid enough to believe the p**s taking cable manufacturers, then why shouldn't they?

If I am not mistaken, the OP asked specifically not to hear your side ... nor retheps, no?

 

[FennerMachine]

4mm Van Damme lc-ofc.
About £5 a metre plus terminations and deliver.
About your budget.
Cable can make a difference if not thick enough.
At least with 4mm you know any problems are not your cables!

 

[drummerman]

4mm Van Damme lc-ofc. About £5 a metre plus terminations and deliver. About your budget. Cable can make a difference if not thick enough. At least with 4mm you know any problems are not your cables!

Oddly enough, I have my own theory on that (well, its not entirely my own ...);

As long as the conductor is of reasonable thickness (I have no idea how little that may be for home hifi use but I'd guess even something in the region of a square milimeter for a run of a few meters) you will have no great loss of low frequencies. Little current is carried in the center of larger conductors anyway hence some manufacturer use tubes around which the conductor is placed. (Vlad will be along to give a detailed/alternative version of this in a minute

However, high frequencies travel around the surface of the conductor so it is probably more likely that a thicker cable will have less loss of high frequencies than thinner types ie. perhaps seeming 'brighter', bass being largely unaffected in normal length run hifi use.

I may be wrong but my experience with treble energy using thick and thin cables coincide with the above, together with materials used. Silver is one of the best conductors so if used as plating (naturally on the outside) does probably also explain that some cables can seem brighter in certain systems.

Of course cables have no sound of their own, they can only deterioate a signal so one that seems 'brighter' is probably a better conductor as long as the thickness is adequate for the purpose.

My afromentioned VDH CS122 Hybrid introduces other materials which may explain its nature of 'its sound'.

 

[loneranger]

VdH CS122 Hybrid is always my affordable suggestion.

here in holland it is the most worse cable from van den hul. There are dealers who sell van den hul cables but won't this one. Too bad. You will find in holland no one who find it good. And van den hul isn't popular here.

 

[gasolin]

In my opinion, more powerful bass never comes with 'better' speakercable! Look for a better placement for your speakers!

Need (new) speakercable: ? Ordinary 4 mm^2 coppercable will do the job. The rest is imagination!

Good luck!

It actually does - Audioquest Type 4 rolls the bass off like a m**********r - switching to QED XT40 brought much punchier, weightier and lower low-end - to the point it didn't do it for me because of the nasty modes in my room. Rest of my setup and speaker positioning remained unchanged when I did this.

I felt a cable like the qed original had a slightly (but noticeable) laid back upper midrange lower treble that made it sound go for speakers with a bit agressive sound (mabye cheap passive pa speakers) so even when my system only is a good budget,entry system, i think the right as well as wrong cables can make a huge diffrence in some areas like the upper midrange lower twetter

I can get QED Ruby Anniversary Evolution for about 4.50£ but whathifi say it requires care in system matching so i am not shure if it matches my system, i think a more tight/power full bass (just noticeable not like if i changed to mabye a marantz PM8005 or a powerfull amp like hegel) compared to my supra classic 2.5 speaker cable is what i would go for, if the midrange and top get's better it's just a bonus and shouldn't be impossibel, i paid 2.4£ for 1 meter standard supra classic 2.5 (they doesnt make any cheaper cable then the classic)

 

[Andrewjvt]

Ofc 500 strand as thick as you can get. Trust me it will work just as well as £50 m cable.
Drummermans sugestion is also more than good enough.

If you really feel that spending extra on cable will help then just do it. Its hiw you feel at the end of the day and if fancy cable makes you feel better about your set up then its done its job.

But just go thick and you cant go wrong

 

[gasolin]

And so, another speaker cable debate begins, with one side saying pay more for better bass and separation, and the other side saying it makes no difference. I personally believe the ones that say it doesn't make a difference, but if some of us want to waste our money, and are stupid enough to believe the p**s taking cable manufacturers, then why shouldn't they?

If I am not mistaken, the OP asked specifically not to hear your side ... nor retheps, no?

I can always get an answer: buy any cheap 2.5mm or 4mm speaker cable (almost standard reply if someone asked about good speaker cable) and it would be fine (then i just could keep what i have)

I now have a decent amp for the first time in 5-6 years and wouldnt like to use standard speaker cable (even when the sound is okay i think it's the weakest link in my system with a 5 star best amp of the year 2014/2015, audioquest dragonfly and speakers i just love the sound of) when i can afford cable in a price range up to supra ply, Qed Performance Ruby anniversary Evolution or any other cable up to about 5£ or 6€

The marantz PM6005 is a very good amp and i thing many have one or had one so there should be many who have experience with speaker cable that have a sound that is a good match with a marantz PM6005.

I would then read reviews and look for best price and then deside if i what to buy new speaker cable

 

[Blacksabbath25]

I am using atlas speaker cable it's meant to be a neutral cable and costs £12.50 a meter

 

[Covenanter]

Oh no! Not another cable thread.

Chris

 

[bigboss]

And so, another speaker cable debate begins, with one side saying pay more for better bass and separation, and the other side saying it makes no difference. I personally believe the ones that say it doesn't make a difference, but if some of us want to waste our money, and are stupid enough to believe the p**s taking cable manufacturers, then why shouldn't they?

If I am not mistaken, the OP asked specifically not to hear your side ... nor retheps, no?

?

I can always get an answer: buy any cheap 2.5mm or 4mm speaker cable (almost standard reply if someone asked about good speaker cable) and it would be fine (then i just could keep what i have)

I now have a decent amp for the first time in 5-6 years and wouldnt like to use standard speaker cable (even when the sound is okay i think it's the weakest link in my system with a 5 star best amp of the year 2014/2015, audioquest dragonfly and speakers i just love the sound of) when i can afford cable in a price range up to supra ply, Qed Performance Ruby anniversary Evolution or any other cable up to about 5£ or 6€

The marantz PM6005 is a very good amp and i thing many have one or had one so there should be many who have experience with speaker cable that have a sound that is a good match with a marantz PM6005.

I would then read reviews and look for best price and then deside if i what to buy new speaker cable?

 

With all due respect, Marantz PM6005 is a budget amp. The general advice is to spend no more than 10% on cables. I've got the same amp, and use this cable which is brilliant:

http://www.maplin.co.uk/p/hi-fi-speaker-cable-20m-drum-white-n17ap

 

[record_spot]

Van Damme Blue or some unbranded 2.5mm OFC. Both excellent and as good as Audioquest Type IV.

 

[RobinKidderminster]

Simples. Find manufacturers claims that their cable gives better bass. Then three choices. Buy it. Ask for proof. Inform ASA. Let us know if you find such claims.

Most cable-searchers look for improved bass or sweeter treble or better mid-range or better separation - there are companies who claim these attributes for their cables surely?

 

[bigboss]

Simples. Find manufacturers claims that their cable gives better bass. Then three choices. Buy it. Ask for proof. Inform ASA. Let us know if you find such claims.?

Most cable-searchers look for improved bass or sweeter treble or better mid-range or better separation - there are companies who claim these attributes for their cables surely?

You mean like this?

http://www.whathifi.com/forum/accessories/audio-emotion-nordost-cables-and-asa

No attempt was made to back their claim of "improved sonic performance". How much does Nordost cost?

 

[bigboss]

Simples. Find manufacturers claims that their cable gives better bass. Then three choices. Buy it. Ask for proof. Inform ASA. Let us know if you find such claims.?

Most cable-searchers look for improved bass or sweeter treble or better mid-range or better separation - there are companies who claim these attributes for their cables surely?

You mean like this?

http://www.whathifi.com/forum/accessories/audio-emotion-nordost-cables-a...

No attempt was made to back their claim of "improved sonic performance". How much does Nordost cost?

Link now clickable.

 

[drummerman]

VdH CS122 Hybrid is always my affordable suggestion.

here in holland it is the most worse cable from van den hul. There are dealers who sell van den hul cables but won't this one. Too bad. You will find in holland no one who find it good. And van den hul isn't popular here.

Amazing. I always wanted to know somebody who in turn knows everyone in his own country ...

 

[Vladimir]

Audioquest Type 4 rolls the bass off like a m**********r

I can confirm this from my own experience with the Type 4. However, in a room where I had terrible problems with bass reflections and cancelations, using the AQ felt like an improvement and not a limitation.

 

[Vladimir]

VdH CS122 Hybrid is always my affordable suggestion.

here in holland it is the most worse cable from van den hul. There are dealers who sell van den hul cables but won't this one. Too bad. You will find in holland no one who find it good. And van den hul isn't popular here.

Amazing. I always wanted to know somebody who in turn knows everyone in his own country ...

Surely such a high profile forum as this one will have member(s) from San Marino.