Suggestions for bang for your buck speaker cables


I don't think my speltz anticables are getting the job done connected to my Definitive Technology speakers. The 14" powered subs of these speakers are not moving as much air as I know they are capable of and the highs are somewhat rolled off. One problem I have is that I don't want to spend thousands on speaker cables for my long runs of 18ft. If I go with the usual cable suspects (Wireworld, Cardas, JPS) in long runs it will cost a lot of money. That's the reason I've gone with less expensive wire like Tara Labs Omni, Analysis Plus OVal 9's, Signalcable and now the anticables. (I may even try Signalcables again). Can any of you recommend a good copper cable that's a bang for your bucker. I've read good things about these lesser expensive brands: MAS, LAT, and Reality Cables; some have said home depot wire. Needing 18ft. runs I'm looking for cables that deliver solid low end, (help fill in a lean speaker) but don't roll off the highs and offer palpable midrange but won't cost near $1k or more. Any suggestions from your experience? Thanks
foster_9
I have used Tara Labs Space and Time TFA Return II speaker wire for many years. Cable Company still sells a 10 foot pair for like $100. Your can order longer lengths. Call me fool, but I have auditioned speaker wires from Cable Company at 3 - 4 times the cost of these Tara cables, even Tara's newer designs and more expensive speaker cables, and I still prefer the TFA. Oh I hear the differences. The Space and Time is what gives me the most realistic sound though. Really depends on your system, tastes, expectations, etc more than anything else. Some guys like a recessed sound, or there system needs help in creating a large soundstage. My Magnaplaner speakers do that for me by design, so I do not need cables that accentuate in a false way the scale of the performance. Overall, I do prefer a more upfront presentation (row 25) rather than row 100.

I think it is very system dependant, but one last thought of mine is this: Interconnects are more important than speaker wire in my opinion. In other words, I have used just plain old thick Monster Cable copper wire available anywhere, and used interconnects of $250 - $500 range with greater effect on the improvement in sound, than spending $250 each respectively on speaker wire, each pair of interconnect, etc. in relation to a budget.

I have had alot of different setups in the last 21 years, and these thoughts always seem to ring true in each system. I have had affordable $2000 hi fi setups, and $25,000 setups.

Just my two cents.

By the way, I may just be the lucky one out there, but I have had no financially justifiable results with aftermarket power cords either. Yes, I can hear a change, but not in a positive manner or a justifiable cost sort of way. I HAVE seen a benefit from dedicated electrical lines from the circuit box. All this probably has alot more to do with the "quality" of the power in your area than anything else, # of factories, etc.

Happy Listening, write if ?'s

R.
Don't laugh, but recently Absolute Sound did a speaker cable shootout. One of the entries was a pair of cables homemade from 10 gauge extension cord from Home Depot. It did extremely well. It's a lot cheaper than commercial stuff, and pretty cheap to try out.
The Home Depot wire was actually 14 gauge outdoor extension cord rather than 10 gauge and was reviewed by Paul Seydor of TAS. It will cost you next to nothing to try it. I use an entire cable (3 conductors) in the forward/+/"red" direction (i.e., from amp to speaker) and a second cable in the reverse/-/"black" direction. I terminate them with the thickest gold spades I can find at Radio Shack (their house brand). Mine have replaced a variety of $500+ cables and pretty much slaughtered some $1200 ones in a friend's system. If you like the way it sounds, you can then invest in some black "Techflex" to cover the garish (orange with black stripe) Home Depot stuff. Good luck, Dave

PS If you're not rolling your eyes at this point, you might try running the "+" cable in direction of the embossed lettering on the cable jacket, and the "-" link in the opposite direction. Believe it or not, this stuff does seem to be directional.
12AWG CL-3 rated OFC installation cable to the woofers (it's really cheap).
Whatever you are currently using to the mid/tweet.
AlphaCore Goertz MI-2 Veracity cables are excellent copper cables for the cost. They should be within your budget.