Is Acoustic Zen better than Harmonic Tech?

I've purchased Acoustic Zen Satori shotgun's (bi-wired) but had also demo'ed Harmonic Tech's Pro 11 just prior to purchasing the Zen's. I did not have these cables side by side or even under the same roof at the same time. But I could not perceive any real sonic difference. I didn't like the massive amounts of garden hoses going across my floor so I ended up purchasing a pair of HT Pro 9 mono's. Again, I could not tell a difference.

This weekend, I contemplated my naval and then converted my Pro 9's from mono to bi-wire using a set of spades I had purchased about a year ago. BTW, the Pro 9 mono's are just like the Pro 9 bi-wires but are terminated with only two spades (or banana) at the speaker end instead of 4. Well, I did a horrible job (my first attempt) and ruined any structural integrity the cables need where they connect to the spades and will probably have to ship them to HT to properly fix.

But, for the first time, I could hear a difference between mono's and bi-wires. I'm impressed with the sonic improvements from bi-wiring.

BTW, Robert Lee (I believe is his name) was the chief engineer at HT and then broke away about a year ago to start Acoustic Zen. You may notice that much the same technology single-crystal, etc. is used in both mfg'ers cabling. But AZ does have an all silver line of interconnects where I believe HT does not.

Acoustic Zen is WAY better in my system at least for interconnects. I haven't tried the speaker cables yet, but I will be sometime soon. I have tried the HT Truthlinks, HT Pro Silways, AZ WOWs, AZ Matrix reference and AZ Silver Reference. As Ejlif said the Acoustic Zen were hands down winners.

In Canada Sim Audio distribute HT cables and Dynaudio speakers. This would lead me to believe that they have probably used each of these products while voicing their equipment. …Didn’t they use these various components in their display at the most recent CES? …If yes, then one might then also assume a certain synergy. While this is only idle speculation its worth looking into. Why not give Sim Audio a call? (450)449-2212

Personally I use Silversmith cabling with Sim audio products, and prefer it over both HT & AZ. - But that's just me.

Lastly, what do you mean which is best, better or whatever? There are no absolutes, and even if there were who really cares!? …What matters is which sounds best in your system – Right?

Cheers,
Mike

OK Mike. Which will sound better in my system? I have a B&K ref 30 preamp, with custom made speakers that are considered proac clones.

Tennispro

No one - not even Sim can tell you which will sound better in your system. Sim can only tell you whether or not they use HT in their engineering/evaluation processes.

Your room, quality of AC, speakers, & source will greatly influence which cable(s) sound best in your system ...No one here on Audiogon (or anywhere else for that matter) can give you the answer. You'll simply have to test to know for sure. The point with questioning Sim should help you to make your short list.