2. cables
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Can cables of any cost and quality provide bass response missing in my B&W speakers?

I'm sure variants of this question have been offered previously, but let me ask in light of the following:  I have a very modest main system powered by an Adcom 555II amp, Adcom GFP-750 pre-amp, and run into a pair of B&W CM-4 speakers (6.5in woofer, 6.5in. woofer/mid. and tweeter, and bi-wireable).  Any music with a moderate-to- heavy bass component (organ, bass fiddle, etc) just doesn't translate to my ear.  I'm using a mid-range pair of Monster cables, and in fact tried a second pair of Z-Series to no audible difference.  On the other hand I have a legacy pair of a/d/s 1090L tower speakers (2x7.5in woofers, 6in. mid-range, tweeter) that deliver thundering bass when needed regardless of cabling used, and powered by the same system.  Even tried passive bi-amping for the B&Ws by using an old Carver M-500t amp for HF input, and Adcom amp for LF input...no diff.  Is there any point really in looking at higher-end speaker wire of, e.g., thicker gauge, or exotic geometry, or multi-conductor "shotgunning", whatever, in order to induce greater LF response from the CM-4s?  Thanks for your patience.
compass_rose
erik_squires
16,022 posts
 
Compass, you actually hit on something. I was going to mention it but thought it was not worthwhile.

The reviews I read say they have a minimum impedance of around 3.9 ohms in the bass. That should be fine, but if your amp was weak for some reason then a softening in the bass is what you would get.  This can make a speaker seem more "discerning" - I call it more demanding.

I would say changing amps is a better idea than cables.

Best,

E
auxinput
2,920 posts
 
@compass_rose - my point is not really to just get a larger cable.  It's to look for solid-core conductors.  I had a Beldon 5T00UP speaker cable, which is a larger 10awg cable, but it used a stranded bundle of copper.  When I switched to the Audioquest Midnight, which is also a 10awg cable (but used large individual solid-core conductors), I had a significant increase in bass power, definition and quality.
compass_rose OP
23 posts
 
auxinput...so, how about just using No. 10/2 Romex cable...single Cu conductor, solid, unstranded?  I have about 50ft left over from running 240V service for a wall heater...always curious how simple electrical wire would work in home stereo setup.  Also, there is a stranded version as well - THHN #10, 19-strand pure Cu...cheap enough at Home Depot...not being sarky, a legitimate query.
jayctoy's avatar
jayctoy
3,995 posts
 
Audioquest+1, my experience no cables can do what a subwoofer can do in terms of bass...
mtrot
804 posts
 
Of course, this is completely anecdotal, but the deepest and most prodigious bass I have been able to get out of my speakers has been with Cerious Technology Graphene Extreme speaker cables.  I was not expecting or prepared for how much difference they could make. 

Prior to that, I was using an old set of thick, heavy stranded copper cable by Esoteric, which I would have thought would give great bass.  The thing I like about the GE cables is that I don't even have to turn the volume very high to have the deep bass.  And everything else is great with these cables as well, including mids, highs, imaging, and sound stage. 

They used to offer a 30-day money back guarantee, not sure if that is still the case.
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