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Diagonal Connection With Two Pairs Of Binding Posts

This is from the Chord website:

"As a general rule, the treble connections are usually reckoned to produce better sound quality than the bass connections. However, in many cases, we find that a diagonal connection produces the most musically coherent sound. To do this, connect the positive (+) speaker cable to the positive treble connection and the negative speaker cable (-) to the negative bass connection. So in effect, the cable is connected diagonally. This is quick, easy and fun to do and the results are easy to hear."

I decided to try this today on my Harbeth SHL5+ speakers. Previously, my cables were connected to the lower posts (LF).

I listened to very familiar music for a couple of hours and the change was significant and for the better. The high frequencies were clearer without being bright. The soundstage was wider and overall sound had more presence.

I was not aware that a diagonal connection was an option.

Has anyone tried this? What were the results?

I left the jumpers in place. Should they stay in place in a diagonal set up?

Would appreciate your thoughts/comments.
          
ericsch
ghosthouse's avatar
ghosthouse
4,316 posts
 
Single-wiring of bi-wireable speakers has been discussed previously on A'gon.  You might find some further useful input if you search.  It's also covered on Nordost and Audioquest web-sites.  Nordost advocates - (black) up and + (red) down.  AQ just the opposite.  Jumpers are still required when single-wiring bi-wireable speakers regardless the connection pattern used for the + & - leads.  Depending on "tuning" needs, I'll use the Nordost diagonal for a little more treble energy on Totem Forests and the AQ pattern for a less but with Silverline Prelude Plus, I connect both + & - leads to the lower speaker terminals.  As also noted on the Totem website, it can't hurt to experiment with all the possible permutations (4).  

Here's a link to the Nordost discussion.  AQ's should be easy to find too.
https://www.nordost.com/downloads/NorseJumperinstructions.pdf

    
fiesta75
1,378 posts
 
Sorry, I didn't mean to confuse. 
nonoise's avatar
nonoise
10,899 posts
 
Diagonal cross connections is one way that Nordost has recommended for many years. You won't know until you try it. There are some who say if it's a two way speaker, go for the upper posts and if it's a three way, go for the lower ones. 

I've tried all combinations and found the cross connection to be best, when using jumpers. You'll find that with some speakers, dual speaker posts are just a gimmick and with others, they're really built to be bi wired. 

If someone is saying it's all BS, take that with a shaker of salt and move on. They probably feel the brass plates that come from the factory are good enough. It's very easy to hear the differences. 

All the best,
Nonoise
petg60
1,486 posts
 
@ericsch, yes back to conventional.

ericsch OP
753 posts
 
@ghosthouse 
@nonoise 
@petg60
Thanks for your comments, very helpful.


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