Do speaker cables really matter?




Hell yes!

Been running a double run of Kimber 8TC from SimAudio W-6 monoblocks to my Aerial Acoustics Model 9 speakers. Had for a few months wondered if the speaker cable was the weakest link in my system at this point. Really struggled with the question speaker cable really mattered or is it all snake oil? I'm here to say, "It matters. It really, really matters!"

Picked up a pair of MIT Shotgun S1 bi-wire (thanks, Joe!) and switched them out yesterday. Wow! My system is blowing up! I thought Aerial had simply rolled off the highest of the highs. No, they were there all the time but the 8TC was 'veiling' it. Also, they speakers have become slightly more forward, which is a good thing. Overall improvement up and down the scale. Soundstage has increased dramatically. Almost sounds as if a bedsheet has been sitting over my speakers the last few months and now it's been removed. They hairs on my arms lift up when listening, now. I truly didn't think it would make such a difference and thought I would post that it did. It really did. Can't imagine what will happen as they break in.

I hope posting this helps a few members who are sitting on the fence. Was considering The Cable Company library to try a few but didn't want to wait. Too impatient.
128x128frederick21
Hello Douglas, yes, in my System description are no cables, but I use some :). I agree, PC's do make a difference, I use XLO with Oyaide Plugs and the PC from Oyaide (~ Tunami)
YES, awhile ago I demoed a pair of shotgun silver speaker cables from one of the newer mfgrs that were highly regarded & some of my friends recommended. at first the perceived increased clarity seemed impressive but after a few weeks I knew something was obviously amiss....there was no body or harmonics to the music & the highs were edgy. demo if you can
I agree with Carl109 - simply renewing the electrical contact could have made the difference, so try your Kimbers again.
You answered your own question because they obviously do make a difference. The unfortunate thing is that you never know how a cable will sound in your system until you implement it. Good for you though, because your post conveys your happiness in finding a cable that delivers the type of sound that pleases you. As someone else said, the S1 Interconnects are also special!!
Kijanki,

0.1 db at 20 Khz is not enough to be audible or to matter. Sure there are always differences between every cable of different design/configuration/size/length. The question is whether it is enough to be really concerned about. I would simply maintain that there are many other issues in any room/system that are of much more worthwhile consideration for eeking out improvements. Call this a cold hearted pragmatic view if you will but science gives us tools to estimate the impact of various issues on sonics and the example iof skin effect just seems negligible to me (in the holistic sense)