Subwoofer cable recommendations

General findings

(1) No you don't have to go to the "best" ... Translated as the most expensive . If you have the multiple five-figure ATC subs then maybe,"WTF .. Why not?" For the rest of us, read on.

(2) However,  don't automatically go as cheapest-that-you-can-find 'em either and expect miracles. The better the subwoofer then a better cable follows intuitively.  99% of the popular AV subs are cheap build AV units with a chuffy and  wooly bass response that can pass for movie blasts and booms but they won't be saved for AUDIO purposes by any expensive cable ... Full stop.

 I had a NORDOST quality build subwoofer cable which was very good without a doubt, no complaints. it was not cheap.

BUT a dealer recommended a professionally terminated DIY subwoofer cable alternative that is a long-run  REGA COUPLE interconnect clone.

it shocked me  just how good it was -- it's a KLOTZ long-run IC cable terminated with NUETRIK Profit RCA connectors. Those Profis made a big difference.  It worked better than the NORDOST with my audiophile grade Vandersteen and Castle ( designed and rebranded ATC ) subs.... And it was  cheaper to boot.

My first AV sub was a Martin Logan Dynamo subwoofer that I used for movies with a low budget class priced TRIBUTARIES  brand cable . It worked okay for movies. That modestly cheap sub predicated a matched budget class cable with no basis to think anything more expensive would step up its performance.

TAKEAWAY

As with all audio gear, system synergy matters and the cables -- ALL cables -- are very system dependent.

I am considering using Vandersteen 2wq’s with 3a sigs and the M5-HT crossover. So, according to Vandersteen, I will be connecting the sub and speakers to the amp output.

The manual for the 2wq sub indicates that its input impedance is more than 100,000 ohms, resulting in it having "no discernible effect on the output of the main amplifier." The manual also recommends physically connecting both the sub and the main speakers directly to the amplifier, and therefore the amplifier-to-sub connections will not be in the path to the main speakers.

So what I said in my previous post is applicable.

Regards,
-- Al

Part of my concern is that I have a fairly long run to my subs (25 feet). I am using Transparent Plus cables to the speakers, so, as per the Vandersteen hook up, I probably need the same length for the subs.
With this in mind, can you recommend a brand that I could use that doesn't cost too much.
Another Agon'er suggested the KnuKoncepts cable. The price is right.

You have top-quality build subs that are FAR above the usual crappy cheap-build AV boom boxes that fail miserably for 2-channel audio performance ...  Why would you purposefully downgrade their audio performance capabilities with choosing crap build cables ?... 

There is a big problem here,  as everything comes at a price (as in life). All ultra-cheapo cables you are contemplating are built to their race-to-the-bottom price-point i.e. the very cheapest price-point possible that is both shoddy Chi-fi labour assembly with the cheapest possible chi-fi crap quality parts components available. Their performance follows in lock-step... Full stop.

The price you pay is what you get out.

You have already paid out the step-up premium for the speaker superior audio performance capabilities that simply evaporate (waste?) with a diverging low-quality cable choice path.

These cheap cables are in a " just pick one" strata.. You don't need a list of preferreds because there are no "better" ones other than heavily biased anecdotal faves in these blogs that are generally the same in performance and quality... again full stop.

I have a VANDY sub myself, so I know it well especially its many strengths and possibilities.

Gdnrbob, as I indicated earlier amplifier and system dependencies result in there being little predictability in this case (and in many others) as to the optimal cable choice. And I have no knowledge of the KnuKonceptz cables other than what appears at their website. But speaking from experience in a full-range application I doubt that you would be disappointed with this cable from Cable Solutions. Depending on your choice of the Vampire Wire terminations it is offered with, you would probably be spending a bit more than $100 for the two cables you need.

Although per my earlier comments they are much heavier gauge than necessary (12 gauge in this case), compared to many such cables they are visually unobtrusive and highly flexible.

BTW, when you said...

I am using Transparent Plus cables to the speakers, so, as per the Vandersteen hook up, I probably need the same length for the subs.

... I assume you meant that the same length would be needed in order to physically locate everything where you would want it. There is no technical reason why the sub cables and the cables to the main speakers should necessarily be the same length.

Good luck. Regards,
-- Al