Creative Cabling for Bass Quality

Hi Doug,

Thanks for the complements. I might add one thing to your points. I think that in addition to gauge size, cable materials are important. I know what you mean however, because like you I remember about 30 years ago using lamp wiring for my speakers, and then buying some 12 gauge copper and . . . wow, no doubt about the improvement.

I think more copper might help the bass weight, but not bass definition since only the silver in my experiments brought out the definition. And there "more" silver seemed to actually hurt definition. Of course, I don't know what the quality of the silver used in the 12g cable was (I don't want to say the brand because they sell here), so quality could've been part of it. I guessed that the skin effect hampered, but I know plenty of people have calculated that and claim it is insignificant for audio (of course, these are usually engineers who claim if it can't be measured it can't be experienced).

So I can't say how much the design of the Silver Resolutions enhanced definition (from Signal's website: "Each cable contains 4 stranded silver conductors and 8 solid-core bare copper conductors"), and how much silver alone does it; I am mostly convinced silver helped because the results fit my hypothesis (i.e., I reasoned that since silver was generally speedier, then it should help better define bass). Obviously that's not thorough science, but I can't afford to test extensively (besides, it works no matter what the reason!).

When you asked "what do you think will happen if you double up on the mid/highs," my mind lit up. To tell you the truth, it never occurred to me to try it since the MITs do such a great job, and I am afraid of messing up their seemingly delicate balance of qualities. If you have any suggestions I'd would love to hear them, but it occurs to me that using two identical MIT cables might be the way to go.

Les, yes, certainly not only the total gauge, but conductor material and geometry are extremely important. That's why if you're going to double up you should try different couplings, as you will get different results with each set.

I reviewed the MIT AVt MA series several months ago. I would guess that you may actually end up with the MIT's on the bass, that is, if you can double up. I was using the MIT's on bass and Magnan Cables on the top for a while. Worked quite well with the Focus HD's. You will find with time that you might like more than one configuration and will be frustrated that you have to choose. That's when I eventually zeroed in on the best cable I had and used it throughout the rig.

I'm not convinced that double MIT's would be the best on mid/highs. Switch around the combos and you'll find the one which is best for you.

Silver typically yields a "cooler", more clinical, detailed sound. Not by much but enough to be worth a try if you have too much "muddiness" or warmth in the rig.

Change any one component and the magical cable changes will need to be reassessed. i.e. positions and combos
A synergy (optimum combo between components and wires) needs to be established. Once in place, tis sweet!

This is an option if you have the money and the time; purchase a couple sets of cables (i.e. set of MIT, and say, set of Audioquest, or whatever - get power cords, IC's and speaker cables). Do direct comparisons between them as sets, then mix them up once you're familiar with what they are doing. You'll REALLY know what you're after in cables as you do so.

It will tie up some cash. I had thousands tied up in extra comparison cables at one point, and they were all used cables! But, despite the tedious switching of cables and shipping, deals etc (It was a pain doing a dozen deals to acquire and then resell cables, it was worth it to me as I discovered precisely my taste in cables. When all was said and done I had a great learning experience, reworked my cabling, and it cost me very little except my time. I can now pretty quickly assess cables and pursue ones which will fit any given rig I have. I also found my favorite cable manufacturers. In mixed cables I liked the sound of MIT on the bass and Magnan on top. It will be interesting to see what you come up with.

The advantage of eventually finding the one brand which you prefer is that you will get coherence throughout the frequency spectrum with the speakers. Once you've gotten that brand settled, you can use the various offerings of that cable line similarly to how you're doubling cables now. Bonus!

One benefit through the process was that as the cables elevated in performance I discovered weaknesses in the other components, and I eventually switched source and amp as well! So, watch out, it can be a driver for a complete system overhaul! I would suggest caution regarding component changes due to cable changes, but when you get extremely good results with cables anomalies can be revealed which you didn't hear previously. That can put you on the search for a different source or amp. But that's not a bad thing. :)

There are definitely brands and geometries I would/would not use with any given speaker technology, but I can't give away all my secrets. ;)

Interesting. I have been contemplating a change in speaker cables. According to Signal Cable's website, the Silver Resolutions are constructed with two-thirds copper to one-third silver. I wonder what 100 percent silver construction would yield in terms of bass response??

Hi 2chnlben,

You might have missed in my post that I did attempt that. After trying the Silver Resolutions, I switched them out for pure 12g silver cables. I got a little more bass weight, but I lost every bit of the definition I'd obtained from the Silver Resolutions. Personally I don't think heavy gauge silver is very well suited for any speaker application.

The pure copper 9g cables alone gave great weight, but little definition; when combined with the Silver Resolutions, both weight and definition showed up.

Here's how I analyzed what happens. The pure silver 12g is so thick it slows down whatever quickness silver can contribute.

Next, look at the amount of silver vs. copper in the final configuration (Oval 9s + Silver Resolutions). Frank at Signal states the "effective gauge" of his cable is 12, with 8 strands of it copper, and 4 strands silver. He doesn't say if all strands are of equal gauge, but let's assume they are. That would mean only 1/3 of the total 12g of his cable is silver; further, they are not a single strand, but four thin woven strands. Finally, we have another 9g of pure copper when the Oval 9s are added to the mix.

To me it makes sense intuitively. Bass weight can handle and needs lots of copper, but definition is a more refined dynamic. Too much silver slows down conduction, especially solid core thick silver, but just the right measure, broken down into small wires, promotes silver quickness.

Of course, I realize an "intuitive" concept like mine can be ugly wrong, but no matter what, I can state confidently that a bit of silver conducted through several slim wires in combination with lots of copper equals a full bass experience of definition and weight respectively.

Want to improve bass performance? Get some thick* solid copper and make up some solid speakercables.
*thick begins at 10awg;)

Be aware that the copper needs to be massages at high power level to open up, one hour of massage does alot.