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Speaker cables: $3000 or $380. What do you get??

I happened to be patrolling the cables category today to see what was on sale below $600 for speaker cable in VGC. I was not surprised to see speaker cables costing up to $9000 for a 8 to 10 foot single wire pair.

This question has been ask before on this blog: So what do you get for $3000 per 8 foot wire versus $380 pair of speaker wire, say like Anti-Cables Reference 3 or Audio Art SC5E against Audience or Transparent Audio, or even Kimber Kables 3038 speaker wire?? Is there a significant and marked audible difference in the sound?? Does it depend on the speaker, e.g. Wilson's Alexandria III, or Focal's Grand Utopia?? and the ancillary electronics to drive these beast??

Like to hear some opinions from members who have owned some of the higher priced cables, but possibly switched down to cables between $1000 to $1500, or possibly less.
sunnyjim
sunnyjim OP
927 posts
 
I want to thank "almost" every member for their constructive suggestions and advice. Jim
stringreen's avatar
stringreen
6,468 posts
 
When I first got all my Ayre equipment, I naturally wired everything with Ayre cable (which is made and for all practicality Cardas cables). One day a friend came over to listen to my new system and brought a pair of Audioquest Sky cables which REALLY opened up the system. Not wanting to just use Audioquest, and now inquisitive that there might be something better out there than even Sky, I tried many, many brands and eventually wound up with Anti-Cables which just sounded best to MY ears and to the ears of my wife and neighbor. I encourage all to listen to everything and find the best cable for your system.
sunnyjim OP
927 posts
 
Nice looking system; I wish I had that amount of space. Anti-Cables is a definite possibility. They now offer upgraded models, the highest being the Reference 3; the speaker cable is surely not expensive and worth a try. My only gripe is the cable is like coat hanger metal. Thanks for the input.

Did you ever try the Clear Audio Double Helix, marketed by Mapleshade Audio, an internet company?? Several members have recommended the speaker wire. Unfortunately, they offer no discount or specials Thanks for the input, Jim
jl35
3,980 posts
 
I have two pair of the Mapleshade Double Helix Plus, and they are outstanding, worth the cost over the basic Mapleshade cables. They come up on Audiogon semi regularly and are an easy sell if you don't like them. Their ribbon jumpers are also excellent if you biwire.
sunnyjim OP
927 posts
 
J135, I have heard this before about the Double Helix; does the "plus" version worth the extra money?? In what way are they outstanding?? Hopefully, they are very musical and make you want to listen to CD's and LP you have not played in a long while. Thanks for your input. Jim
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