Choice between 2 speaker cable types.


I would like to upgrade my speaker cables and I have been referred to two well known speaker cable companies. Straightwire and Cardis are the two recommended to me. Does anyone have any experience or input regarding these two companies and the two cable models suggested to help guide me in the right direction. Straightwire - Expressivo Grand vs Cardis - Cygnus series. 
I have a rather long run between my speakers (Focal Scala Utopia) and my amplifier (Mac MC302) at 26 feet so a proper quality cable has been suggested.
Thanks so much in advance for your assistance.
Andy

andyhifiman
Over the years, I've tried a lot of different speakers cables ranging from the original Monster Cable to $6K MIT cables and many in between. As others have stated, there are no absolutes and a cable that works well in one system won't necessarily be optimal, or even decent, in a different system.

However, more often than not, I've found that a braided copper cable of the kind popularized by Ray Kimber of Kimber Kable has performed well on a broad range of systems. Kimber 4TC, 8TC, and 12TC is available bulk from a number of vendors, so the long cable length you are looking for can be constructed without much difficulty.

This geometry provides very low series inductance, fairly low capacitance, and the combined parallel cables provides low resistance.

This same type of basic cable construction (without Kimber's latest Varistrand conductor geometry) is also available at a significantly lower cost from Asian suppliers. I can't say if this bulk cable is as good as Kimber's (since I haven't owned these latest models), but I have built some speaker cables using this bulk cable that sounds very good. If you search on ebay for 12TC OCC speaker cable, you will find it available for approximately $20/meter. 

I would absolutely not buy anything branded Kimber from a Chinese supplier, since more than likely this is someone trying to rip off Kimber's trademark. But any intellectual property rights Kimber may have once had on the basic braided counter-opposed helix geometry has long since expired. 

The bulk cable is hollow inside the braids (as is Kimber's basic version). I used a wire snake to pull a 1/4" cotton rope through the middle of the cable. This helps dampen vibration and keeps the cable geometry consistent. Terminating with good quality connectors results in a very nice sounding cable for a modest investment. 


What are you using now?  Sometimes you can luck out with 10 gauge Belden from Bluejeans.  With one set of speakers, I replaced the more expensive cable with Belden and actually preferred it.  With another set of speakers I had to leave the room, it was so bad.  My advice is try a run of Belden and see what happens.  You could luck out. 
It is not about the logo on a speaker cable, but the length and thickness of it. A speaker cable shall be calculated by using the Amp's DF figure and the required length. That shall comply to a certain resistance.
Any cable, with that resistance (no matter who makes it, the conductor substance or ending) would do. 
Any thinner option, will sound less good and will get less out of your audio system. For two or more cables that has the same resistance, no matter what sticker you put on (brand) they should sound identical.
Thank you everyone for your responses.
At this point I am trying to narrow it down between the two different cable brands as moving the placement of the components around will not work. (Happy wife, Happy Life).
26 feet is  what I had when I had my basement  set up.But I'm a wire cable guy diy.I had no problems. Ran 6 speakers, center and power sub.Sounded great. But had all the wires directly over head suspended ceiling .
+1  noromance

With loss in speaker cabling at that length, and with cost of quality speaker cables, I strongly recommend an alternative solution. I suggest you go mono amp and place them right next to speakers, using quite short speaker cables and longer XLR interconnects. I believe the result would be far superior.

Hope it works out ok for you. :)
At 26 feet I say pick your battles. In this case admit defeat and move on to ones you can actually win. $500 in a 26 foot wire won't make hardly any difference compared to $500 in a 1m interconnect. 
Their DBS cables are in another league.

yup...in that league they do not publish scores...ie.basic cable physical properties :)
StraightWire became a shell of it’s former self after David Salz left to form WireWorld. Cardas for the win.
Either would be a good choice, I would give StraightWire a bit of en edge.
Move your power amp to the speakers and use shorter runs. The interconnects can do the long run. Better sounding solution.
I would recommend another brand-Audioquest.
Their DBS cables are in another league. 
And, since you are using long runs, I believe they will serve you better.
Just my 2 cents...
Bob