blindjim --
A big thank you for your elaborate response. There’s a lot to process here, some of which I’ll ponder later.
douglas_schroeder --
I call what you are doing running speaker cables parallel.
Probably the easiest way calling it that, but on my part I wanted to go by a technical term many uses, and at the same time try and clarify my understanding of its definition (which for reason doesn’t seem to share overall consensus). Parallel is fine, but could as well call for confusion the same way "shotgun configuration" does.
I have been doing that with different brands and models in certain setups for decades.it works, but is not always superior. One simply has to compare mixed vs homogenous sets.
Glad there a people out there who’ve gone about this for a while. Now we just need them to either be more vocal, or one has to start looking harder for them. Experimentation is indeed key, the operating word perhaps being as open-minded as possible to challenge preconceived notions on cable mixtures - certainly insofar one has a tendency to let assumptions based on electrical properties limit any combinations, or conversely favor others.
The point made by Convert re cables made with mixed conductors is valid. The most important aspect to me is beefing up the gauge, followed by adding different conductor material. The beauty is that it can be done at all price points.
My only clue in mixing cables comes from auditioning individual lengths of a particular brand/type, finding that some of them hold positive traits that are different from one another yet would yield a distinctly desirable outcome as a thought combination. My solid-core silver cables (w/teflon insulation) for example are very well balanced and open/extended towards the high frequencies, but are also slightly lean sounding in subjectively lacking a bit of energy, presence and texture from the upper bass/lower midrange through the central midrange, making it sound on the cooler/recessed side. It sounds very nice and all, but there’s some involvement lacking. The Duelund cables on the other hand (tinned, stranded copper, with oil-treated cotton sheath) really have a lovely organic tone, presence, ease, texture and natural warmth through the entire midband, but to my ears and through my setup is just a bit mellow sounding towards the highs which can rob some music of a natural "bite" or edge. Naturally we then thought of combining these two different cables in parallel lengths (shotgun, not bi-wire) to see how that merger came along, and the results turned out to be marvelously inviting and intricate - even a "lucky outcome," as a friend of mine expressed it. Certainly I can attest to the interesting outcome of combining different conductor materials, as I would encourage everyone to try out a combination with or single use of the tinned copper cables from Duelund (an inherent merger of materials in itself), which are also very fairly priced.
