Best Sounding Speaker Cables?

That's something you'll have to decide for yourself.

Impossible to say. There is no such things as the best cables, simply the more appropriate for a particular combination of components. 

TIP :   Choose cables from a manufacturer that has a similar setup as you. I have SET amps and BLH speakers. The cables that work best for me, are manufactured and marketed by folks who also use SET amps and BLHs. 

You should let us know what your other components are. Perhaps somebody has a fairly similar setup and can share his experience with you.

@tpreaves

+1 …. Nailed it.

to the OP:

it seems like this post - and also your prior posts - are all similarly an open-ended “which is best” floated out there, when there is none. In brief: it depends.
It is entirely an alchemy of being entirely (a) bespoke system dependent; and (b) simultaneously influenced by your personal taste.

For example, I had an all-NORDOST FREY cables array that was great with my high-end floor-standers. When I recently changed speakers to HARBETHs, and I now had the opportunity to audition new-to-me a CARDAS CLEAR array with them in a direct A-B bake-off with the NORDOSTs, the CARDAS loom worked better in MY (emphasis added ) upgraded system . It’s no knock on the NORDOST: The system components ( all of source, amps, speakers, and cables ) have their own sonic signatures to manage.

Simply put, you won’t have any basis to sort out the contenders from the pretenders until you actually physically roll-up your sleeves and personally audition them. And price-point is no further yardstick for any assurance.

I equate these “what is best” threads to trolling since there is no best and in our hobby there is so much room for subjective taste And system synergy.

Tara labs Muse great highs, great bass, wonderful inner detail, deep soundstage and great dynamics.Jump on some asap!!

" I equate these “what is best” threads to trolling since there is no best and in our hobby there is so much room for subjective taste And system synergy."

Agreed, although I’d call it something other than "troll". More like the "Clowns to the left of me. Jokers to the right" thread.

The one side being those who post how "their" cables are neutral, and by implication their equipment and setups are neutral, and everyone else’s are "tone controls". The other, the hard of hearing crowd who claim flex sounds a well as anything out there and then get very testy and verbally abusive because some of us have functional hearing and dare state that we can hear the difference..

That is easy, it depends. On your system and values. To my tastes and system the Cardas are a touch too warm, and the Nordost are a touch on the cool side of neutral and lack bass.. I am not that familiar with the other.

I have owned a number of Cardas and have always found them on the warm side of neutral, loosing some high end details, or at least putting it in the background. I have auditioned some Nordost Frey 2… they did not work well at all with my equipment too harsh. I feel that Transparent cables and interconnects in all my systems have been neutral… with my current components a very good thing… something that was not a good thing when I had much lower level components.

Thank you ghdprentice! Great feedback!

More like the "Clowns to the left of me. Jokers to the right" thread.

There's a small third group. We don't recommend what we own or anything else other than what integrates into the system well.

For the googleth time, Specific FanBoy recommendations are WORTHLESS unless the equipment, room, program and listener are exact duplicates!

12 zip cord. The no BS eminently capable alternative to pseudo science and trolls.

We tried tested many speaker cables for  my Audio research GS pre and power system. The most succesful cables were Nordost Walhalla , Echole Omnia and Tchernov ref. Of course the reaction of your system to cable is very important. Always try before buying.

The "best sounding" speaker cables are ones that work well with your system.

Which ones are those?

You'll have to figure that out yourself.
I can however suggestion working with a company that offers in home trial periods.

Erastof, if you are interested in an objective or more science-based approach to this question, check this out:

The Best Speaker Cable | Reviews by Wirecutter (nytimes.com)

This article contains links to other articles on this question, including electrical testing or measurements on conductivity and blind testing performed under controlled conditions on speaker cable ranging in price from less than $100 to mucho dinero! There are also links to questions regarding optical, digital coaxial and other types of cables and/or interconnects. As others here have already pointed out, there is no such thing as "the best" speaker cable. If you have GREAT or very acute hearing you may be able (and that's a BIG MAYBE) to detect or sense or convince yourself you can, indeed, hear  tiny differences in different bands of cable but not "better", per se. The most important variables are:  length, guage and quality of conductors & manufacture.

Audioquest type 4. Buy at audio advisor, no frills option. They do an excellent job at termination. You can pick spades or bananas or combo of each and at any length you may require. A top affordable speaker cable in stereophile magazine for decades now. You cannot go wrong for the price. I run two cables (4m) per speaker, a bi-wire configuration. To me, they are all I need and sound terrific. 

Erastof, if you are interested in an objective or more science-based approach to this question, check this out:

The Best Speaker Cable | Reviews by Wirecutter (nytimes.com)

Excerpt from your URL "In our first round of testing we had a ringer: an uber-expensive “high-end” speaker cable. These don’t come in 50-foot spools, but if they did, they would cost $600."

Enough said.

The most important variables are: length, guage and quality of conductors & manufacture.

Which all distill down to LCR and R is mostly irrelevant.

Which all distill down to LCR and R is mostly irrelevant

The problem these are all variable.  They are not constant.

^^^ ¿Que?

Are you saying LCR change dynamically with program?

LCR is spatially variable.  To some degree, LCR is also dependent on the input stimulus.  To say LCR per foot is just too much of a blasphemy.  

I'm anxious to try the Raven Sonoquil speaker cables.

@oldaudiophile … From the NYT article: ”So given the assumption that there can only be a truly minor difference with speaker cables and the desire to get something inexpensive (but good) from a recognizable source and from a company I’d heard of, I narrowed to potential picks: AmazonBasics’s 16 gauge ($6.95, $0.14/foot), Monoprice’s 2747 12 gauge ($14.68, $0.29/ft), Monoprice’s 2748 14 gauge ($12.87, $0.26/ft), Pyle’s PSC1250 12 gauge ($14, $0.28/ft), Pyle’s PSC1450 ($11, $0.22/ft), and RCA’s AH1450SR 14 gauge ($11.42, $0.23).”

Sorry but this is not a valuable source. This is simply a review of a bunch of cheap cables with reference to a couple of electrical characteristics. Of no value to someone serious about high quality sound reproduction.

I understand these "what is best" questions come from the dilemma of being unable to buy a bunch of expensive cables/amps/streamers and compare them. So, it seems natural to ask others, "Which should I buy?" It would be great to have a Consumer Reports that compares fridges, dishwashers, amps, and interconnects. But there will never be an audiophile version of Consumer Reports because your ears are different from everyone else's, your tastes are different, and a component sounds different in different setups. So, the best thing you can do is buy from a company that doesn't charge a lot to return their products. I wish audio conventions could give you the comparisons you wish but they won't unless you lug your gear into the convention hall with you. :-) 

There is no best. 

All one can hope to attain is reasonable compatibility between system components that interfere minimally with the music.

@andy2 - show me the science, real not pseudo, and math proving LCR is dynamic to the level it impacts musical program.

Ghdprentice, did you read ALL the articles in ALL the links available? If I remember correctly, Shunyata, AudioQuest, QED and, possibly, other speaker cables were used in the testing & measurements articles via the many links. I wouldn't call those cheap speaker cables, especially Shunyata. These are all fine cables, indeed! That being said, I tend to agree with your general observations of 7-11-21. We are talking about extremely fine and subtle nuances here. If spending two thousand, five thousand or more dollars on speaker cables (or anything else, for that matter) floats your boat then, by all means, go for it! However, I couldn't agree less with your pompous, dismissive conclusion that the information put forth in the sum total of ALL those articles is "of no value to someone serious about high quality sound reproduction". "The more that you read, the more things you will know" (Dr. Seuss). Of course, as so called audiophiles, there's no substitute for critical listening. A little (or a lot) of reading & preparation in this regard doesn't hurt. Most high-end shops I've frequented have demo cables they are more than happy to let you borrow for your own proper auditions at home.

Boy! There's nothing like a thread on speaker cables to bring out the sanctimony and incivility of some audiophiles! Release the trolls!

LCR is dynamic to the level it impacts musical program.

I am not sure what you meant.  But inductors and capacitors can become non-linear if the applied stimulus will exceed the rating parameters.

here we go... 🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮

well emojied 👍

@oldaudiophile... I scanned the article. Yes, I saw that they listened to some high end cables... they used Krell equipment. I also noted the source of the article.

While I try and remain patient and just highlight positive things. This kind of BS reporting really irritates me. It is the kind of thing that is published in popular press. I have the highest regard for the NYT but this kind of stuff is irresponsible.

The differences in cords and cables are easily discernible. The very first high end cable I listened to over 45 years ago made itself instantly obvious. If you want to do a review... then you need to become familiar with the lay of the land of people that can tell, language and values as they apply to music. Then you can present a balanced view... the relatively small differences have a significant impact on the overall musical presentation. This is just more justification why the ignorant masses are really smart in their ignorance and values.

well said 👍

andy2

LCR is spatially variable.

Please tell us what that means.

^^^ Most LCR meters measure LCR of a cable as a per foot metric.  But in a cable the LCR is a distributed phenomenal so it's not like the entire cable is one big inductor or capacitor.  The inductance or capacitance can vary along the length of a cable.  I expect a good cable to have very little variance, whereas in cheap cable the variance can be relatively larger.

If you have a large variation in LCR, you could have reflection of the energy along the length of the cable.

^^^ That's not dynamic, it's inconsistent.

On a whim, I bought a pair of AQ Rocket 44`s and they sound pretty good to me.
Nicely made too.

They will all be system dependent, but i might suggest taking a look at cardas clear reflection also because it is a well balanced cable when the system is too detailed and works better with new speakers and amplifiers.

Neotech NES1001.
Killer

Miles of audio wire has passed through my system(s).  And house for that matter! A lot of it pretty pricey. The only IC/SC combo I have some sellers remorse around is the older silver/cotton version of Sablon Panatela. Duelund tinned copper DCA16ga bare wire - I use double runs to approximate 13ga. To my ear, it's articulate, smooth and extended. And crazy inexpensive compared to most...Most recently, I didn't hear any advantage with Auditorium 23 even though it's supposed be the schizzle with the Devore/Leben combo I'm enjoying.
Power cords have proven to be a different animal and the expensive Dynamic Design Titanium GS analog and associated Ariel GS digital have blown my mind. Big, quiet, dynamic, nuanced, insightful easy on the ears and as transparent as I've experienced. I still use my BMI Oceanic Statement, too, but thought it would never be rivaled. The BMI is more powerful in it's presentation and calls your attention to the tunes, while the subtleties of the DD are more comforting somehow.
A watery analogy would be a cool, but not bracing pool vs. a more body temp enveloping stream. Both are just this warm side of neutral, but their invitation into the tunes differs...

Doh! Duelund for speaker wire.

Nice post budburma, my findings after "miles of cable", LOL, through my system.  Back to Kimber 8TC for me.

Ghdprentice, you "(SCANNED) the article"? Ordinarily, I'd say try reading EVERYTHING and reading it THOROUGHLY and for comprehension before proffering an opinion. Then again, your mind is obviously too closed for that, made up and already knows everything on this subject.

"If you want to do a review... then you need to become familiar with the lay of the land of people that can tell, language and values as they apply to music." No respect for Brent Butterworth? Really?

"This is just more justification why the ignorant masses are really smart in their ignorance and values." WOW? Did you get this one from your uncles, Adolf and Benito? Do you have any idea what you sound like?

"The very first high end cable I listened to over 45 years ago...". Look up "Presbycusis". Chances are better than 33% you have it. On the other hand, maybe the master audiophile class is impervious to the normal frailties afflicting the "ignorant masses". Had an audiological evaluation recently?

This will be my last rebuttal to your egocentric prattle on this subject because it detracts from what the original poster (and others) were hoping to learn through this thread. So, go ahead! Get in the last shot! You know you want to. Then, you can go play with yourself and proselytize to "the ignorant masses" another day.

Sad!

"In my opinion, that would be cables which negatively change or affect the sound the least. I’d start with the right geometry foremost. Conductor spacing is paramount to proper LCR. Then you want that geometry held in place without any relatable insulation ... No skin effect. Imagine a cable with the pos and neg conductors floating in space, perfectly equal distant apart. (impossible, but idea) The conductors should have the best silver, mixed with an alloy to allow the silver to shine, (like Mundorf, but without that sheen it has). One without any of the negative possible aspects of some silver. The cable should be damped for vibrations. And the connectors are less known than most popular boutique brands (WBT, Eichmann, etc) , but simply be better by design. Actually they are about the perfect design imo." These would be the perfect cables for me ..."

I pasted that from an email I saved 10 years ago. Written by a great friend. He actually made the cables described above, and figured out those challenges. And I get to use them in my system exclusively! But he is a friend, so it is a perk. I would personally steer clear of most of the big expensive brands. I sold my Valhalla cables when I changed to my friends cables and made enough to seriously upgrade my system. The main thing I was saying, is I like to steer clear of the expensive big cable brands, and that is my suggestion. But I hope you find sonic nirvana with the cables you end up with, and your future audio journey! Cheers

" Erastof, if you are interested in an objective or more science-based approach to this question, check this out:

The Best Speaker Cable | Reviews by Wirecutter (nytimes.com) "
  THIS is exactly right. Monoprice 12g by the 100' spool is all I have used for years. For me it's waste your money or spend your money and 12g Monoprice is all you will ever need. Avoid banana plugs and use fork crimp connectors. Solder if you are concerned about connection quality and no I don't mean fancy silver solder. If you must use banana plugs then rather than use bare wire and tighten down (which always seems to magically work loose here and require checking before I hook up another set of speakers for demo or testing) use crimp fork connectors and once tight these never seem to lost their grip.

@ghdprentice
" Sorry but this is not a valuable source. This is simply a review of a bunch of cheap cables with reference to a couple of electrical characteristics. Of no value to someone serious about high quality sound reproduction. "
This is precisely what gives the word audiophile a bad taste to most. Pretentious dollar slinging denial of superior quality to be had at reasonable prices. To rephrase your comment I might say....
" Sorry but this is not a valuable source. This is simply a review of a bunch of cheap cables with reference to a couple of electrical characteristics. Of no value to someone serious about aspirations of golden ear preten(d)tious high quality sound reproduction.

I propose a descriptive way of referring to these types of people. Like the S after a comment means sarcasm perhaps Audiophile$ would be appropriate for those with the metric of if it did not cost a bunch it can’t possibly sound superior.

 At the end of the day I don't really care how much someone spends for audio. They support businesses with their money. What I find irritating is the presumption of superior knowledge and impeccable taste somehow becomes the domain only of those who feel compelled to spend lots of money to purchase their gear. This stupid attitude seems to grow in direct proportion to the $$ spent in the vast majority of cases. $500 dollar unobtanium infused fuses anyone? If they did not improve sound they could not possibly charge that much now could they. Right?

If speaker cables have a sound, then something is wrong with them.

😂Yes but that is true of everything. Nothing is ever perfect. Everything affects the sound one way or another. So this tells us nothing.

The geometry flaxxer describes is basically the Townshend F1. Max Townshend worked out the optimal conductor spacing from LCR and engineered the design based on that. Plenty of others use a similar closely spaced ribbon geometry. Townshend actually optimized it to be impedance matched with the speakers, eliminating a lot of ringing, which turns out to be a major source of the sound of different designs. F1 doesn't do that, and so has much less of a sound of its own. Not cheap, but outstanding performance.

I had a very expensive pair of Cardas speaker cables in the past and I am currently using Morrow cables. These Morrow's are amazingly good and very affordable.

Obsess much?  Use your time to learn to play an instrument.

What a stupid post..."Best speaker wires" I'll enjoy my music, you a/b speaker wires and other components to death if you wish...hahah..Then again most posts here are stupid., I love the entertainment  

All the sensible cautions and qualifications about personal preference and system fit being duly noted and appreciated, I have found ribbon cables to be a game changer--easily the equivalent of upgrading my speakers, and I already had very decent cables. Soundsmith Fideliums are an amazing value (in high-end terms) and definitely open up entire new vistas of detail and soundstage. @mglik's review is thorough and matched my experience perfectly.

danvignau"Obsess much? Use your time to learn to play an instrument."

This is an audio forum where people are allowed to discuss matters related to music reproduction systems if you want to play an instrument this is the wrong group for you there are others more suited to your pursuit, interest, and passion.

speaker cables do not ’sound’...they do not carry sound, mix the sound, soften the sound etc etc...
get over it...they cary an electrical current

do a test with your table lamp - connect different cables and run 120v to it and see if you get a brighter light, softer light, harsher light...or maybe no light at all....since this would be a 'sound' carrying cable...hmmm

there is so much one can discuss re audio....acoustics, mastering of recordings, preamps etc....but those cables seem like a stubborn floater that wont sink