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Doubling a Set of Speaker Cables

While reading a "professional "review of the Daedalus Audio Ulysses Floorstanding Speaker, the reviewer is adamant about the improvement TWO sets of speaker cables connected to each speaker - regardless of the brand - makes.

This is something that crossed my mind long ago, prior to reading it now, but I’ve never realistically considered trying it nor have I ever come across this in a review. At face-value it seems to me this technique would do more harm than good. I’m wondering if there are any folks on the forum using this technique of two sets of cables (and as mentioned in the article this is irrespective of bi-amping or merely using a smaller gauge) and if so, can/do you vouch for any "improvement" one should expect.

Thanks.

http://www.dagogo.com/daedalus-audio-ulysses-floorstanding-speaker-and-bass-optimization-woofer-bow-...
128x128gdhal
davehrab's avatar
davehrab
380 posts
 

I will plead guilty to using a double run or shot gun style speaker cable set up ... I started with a single run of Ridge Street Audio Poiema !!!'s and then added a second set for all the reasons Al mentioned ... lower resistance lower inductance and lower impedance

 These are high purity silver based flat ribbon cables in cotton with no shields ... I choose them because IMO flat ribbons offer greater band width .. better noise rejection and are relatively immune to skin effect

  I started with a single run of the RSA P!!!'s and then added a second set ... the difference wasn't night and day ... more like dusk to dawn ... but all positive with no down side

 The basic metrics of Bass - Mid Range and Treble along with dynamics and sound stage show little or no change ... but the overall presentation was more relaxed and natural sounding with more swing and sway (PRAT)

 I could tell immediately that there was an improvement, but was hard put to put my finger on what improved

  My WAG is the reduction in impedance allows for faster and easier signal flow and transfer ... thus the improvements in speed .. edge detail .. trailing/decaying  transients and notes starting and stopping ... which make for a more relaxed natural presentation

  I run my set up a little differently than the conventional way shot gun set ups are run  ...rather than stacking one speaker wire set on top of the other set at the binding post ... I take each individual + and - pole of the individual speaker cable and tie them together at the amp and speaker termination this way each individual run is either positive or negative ... hopefully reducing the inductance of the + and - poles in a speaker cable that induce from the Positive run to the Return or Negative run when both are run inside the same sheathing

   If you are looking to improve something in the basic metrics of your system that is lacking ...  this won't help much ... I don't see it improving some characteristic problem in your system that is a problem ... it is more a enhancement of the general presentation sorta like waxing you car after washing it

 The washing of your dirty car brings back all the glory of that custom paint job but the waxing just brings out or enhances the custom color

 The washing is improved and enhanced by the waxing .

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miko71's avatar
miko71
75 posts
 
Skin effect is a problem in high voltage power lines. Not speaker cable measured in feet.

Jusr like power lines, gauge is the primary factor. 10 awg or lower and your golden.
skoczylas's avatar
skoczylas
240 posts
 
how can you effectively connect double runs to the binding posts? 
miko71's avatar
miko71
75 posts
 
Guess it would depend on the kind of post you have. You could make a J hook and wrap the cable around. Or if it has a hole in the center, place them through that.  The gauge of the wire would be the limiting factor.

Point is, whether you run a single or double pair, as long as the gauge is of sufficient thickness, the construction of the cable is rather unimportant. 

Thats is why I recommend 10 awg, a single run of that is going to provide all the signal transfer you'll need. Regardless of the hype from people who make a very nice living off of selling cable for many many multiples over cost. 

The dirty secret is that the majority of cable company buy these cables in bulk from a few manufactures, put a nice fancy covering on them. Write paragraphs worth of dubious merit and hope somebody will plunk down big cash for nothing.  

Let me ask everyone this, if hook up wire is so important, then why didn't people start making a big deal about it during the golden age? When home audio and serious 2 channel reproduction was all the rage?

You ever take a peep inside a speaker crossover? Do you not see the thin gauge wire and push connectors and everything else? Do you honestly think a few feet of cable will matter? 

People want to improve the quality of their systems.. Unfortunately the great majority fall victim to the the predators that are around. Take a good look at some of the most prestigious components available.
If the designer thought adding some esoteric hook up wire would be beneficial, wouldn't they use it and advertise it? 

Yes, cables can make a difference, but for the most part because they alter the signal path through increased resistance or capacitance etc..

You can achieve this remarkable change in sound with cheap lamp cord and a few resisters wired in line. Try it...  
gdhal's avatar
gdhal OP
1,641 posts
 
@miko71 I tend to agree with you. This is why I am using Blue Jeans Cables (10 gauge Belden wire) and have posted Blue Jeans write-up on the matter previously in this thread. They do sum it up rather eloquently. 

That said, it is noteworthy that certain manufactures (such as clearday also mentioned in this thread) have a purpose built double cable, and that I found at least one "pro" review (of a rather high end speaker too for that matter) raving about doubling the wire.

Hence this thread is merely to solicit the opinions and facts of our resident experts.
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