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Townshend Isolda Speaker Cable BI-WIRE issue

I recently tried the Townshend Isolda speaker cable and I was blown away. I love it. So much I bought a second to Bi-Wire them together as that is how I had my last cable setup.

However, when Bi-Wired, the system breaks down in audio quality. The bass extension is lost, and the music feels like something is missing. Almost like entire frequencies are missing. It's strange.

I did try both cables separately, to confirm that both cables were good on their own, and they are. But when Bi-Wired, they don't sound anywhere near as good. For the record, I am using PS Audio BHK mono Amps with Revel f228be speakers.

 

Does anyone have experience bi-wiring the Townshend Isolda speaker cables? Any ideas why this could happen? Any suggestions? Any science?

 

 

csr78
lordmelton's avatar
lordmelton
877 posts
 

I don't think it's the cables, IDKW but single wiring with good quality jumpers has always sounded better in my systems. Doesn't make sense I know.

Maybe ask Townshend if they'll take the cables back and change them for Fractals.

 

williewonka
3,075 posts
 

@csr78 - what amp are you using them with?

When I looked up the specs on this cable - it stated that the capacitance is 3,100pf

  • but I’m not sure if that is per foot or
  • for the entire cable
  • and their web site does not state for what length the specs apply

3,100 pF is pretty high and some high current solid state amp designs DO NO like high capacitance speaker cables

  • by bi-wiring, you’ve just doubled the capacitance to 6200 pF
  • perhaps that is above the "tolerance level" of your amp?

If you are using tube amps then they should work fine - because tube amps are not bothered by high capacitance speaker cables.

Regards - Steve

csr78 OP
6 posts
 

I figured it out! 

 

You can't run both cables near each other.  They interfere with each other.  There is no shielding on these cables. I'm not sure exactly why, but basic principles of electromagnetism could explain why I heard frequency dips.  Just basic constructive and deconstruction forces maybe.  

 

I was careful to keep them away from the floor and other cables, especially power cables, but not from themselves. Separating them brought all the sound clarity I was hoping for, and placing near each other again repeated the problem.  

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