Topic: speaker cable recs.

[MattD]

I have been using some cheapo radio shack cable since college and it's starting to flake on me. While listening last night, I could hear the sound drop out for an instant here and there on one channel. I trimmed the ends to bare wire and kept going, but I think it's time I replaced it. I'm looking for something inexpensive that is decent quality. I was thinking some Canare 4S8, since I can get that for < $0.50/foot. Any other recommendations at a similar quality/price point? What should I do for termination? Bare? Spades? Banana?

Playback rig: PC w/ foobar > Prodif Plus > Mytek Stereo 96 DAC > PS Audio GCA-100 > Von Schweikert VR-1s

Thanks,
Matt

[nickgregory]

I got this on a recommendation from Scott Cervin and love them.  Price is higher than what you quoted, but well under upper end types...

http://www.anticables.com/

[MattD]

Looks interesting, Nick. Might be a good "mid-end" compromise. I'll keep my options open for a week or so to see who else chimes in.

[bgalizio]

I made my speaker cables with the Canare 4S8 and think they sound great!

[boojum]

I use the heaviest gauge copper wire zip cord the hardware store sells.  I have yet to have someone demonstrate any other cable sounds better.  They all say they can hear a difference, but no one has proved it in a double blind test.  Maybe soon.  I am running some very powerful amps and they do just fine.  YMMV

Oh, yes, I have some very big Monster cable speaker wire, pure copper, and all the other marketing stuff.  They look a lot nicer.

[pfife]

Doghouse silvers, sound great.

[goodcooker]

I bought a 50 ft loop of mil spec silver/teflon wire off ebay.
Used the left over from a set of mic cables to make these speaker cables with the screw down monster connectors. Took 10 minutes and all of a sudden I have BASS.

I was using heavy gauge Acoustic Research copper cable. You really would have to hear it for yourself to realize the difference. It's like I added a sub to my system. My neighbors love me now .

[pfife]

I bought a 50 ft loop of mil spec silver/teflon wire off ebay.
Used the left over from a set of mic cables to make these speaker cables with the screw down monster connectors. Took 10 minutes and all of a sudden I have BASS.

I was using heavy gauge Acoustic Research copper cable. You really would have to hear it for yourself to realize the difference. It's like I added a sub to my system. My neighbors love me now .

how do you like the klipsch?  there are a couple people here, me included that run klipsch heresy II's and love em.

[goodcooker]

I love em as well.
The ones i have are the "pro models" that are in the black mdf cabinets with the aluminum corner and edge reinforcements. Ugly but effective. They are up on 5 ft stands and I find that helps.
I run them with a ART SLA1 amp and switch back and forth between my Presonus Firebox (for critical listening) or mixer with soundcard/iriver/cdplayer.

My only perceived shortcoming would be the tendency for "boxy" sounding midrange. Klipsch was an orchestral music lover and I think his designs, in particular the mid range horn in these, were designed for classical music. But that's like going home with a supermodel and complaining about the zit on her ass.

The mil spec wire makes a world of difference and it's lees than .50 a foot.

[Todd R]

Doghouse silvers, sound great.

Thanks for the kudos!  I'm no longer building cables, but if anyone is interested, I've got raw cable stock available from the doghouse line. 12ga silver-clad copper with teflon cable, perfect for speaker cables, available here:

http://taperssection.com/index.php/topic,69435.msg1158240.html#msg1158240

Just hook it up with raw ends or get some bananas to put on it, and you're in business.

[Nick's Picks]

i've got a sweet set of black bi-wires that I made...and they've been on the shelf since I made them.  My office system has yet to develop, and I can always make more (these were a personal pair).
i'll let them go for $75 if you want them.  save you the hassle.

millspec silver clad, 12awg (maybe 14), braided techflexed..etc.
raw ends, but small enough for direct binding post connections.
8' long

[som]

I just replaced my speaker cables with AntiCables and I *think* it sounds better! They are cool cables for sure, and being so thin and stiff, fit nicely in the groove between my fireplace and hardwood floors, so have great Wife Approval Factor!

[tiberiusbkirk]

I have a pair of the old version of Audioquest slates bi-wire (bananas all around) , not using them since
I'm using a vintage receiver with those barrier strip type speaker connections.
if interested.
These were an impulse buy as the cables I had before were no slouch, MIT Terminator 2's.