Speaker Wire Recommendations?

Buconero117 - That's what I'm afraid of and trying to get a feel for. Some people believe that speaker wire is more about "snake oils" than actual factual improvement, but I'm not yet convinced one way or the other.

I think that it's possible for things like speaker wires to make a difference IF the system is of high enough quality, but not sure where that level begins. I doublt a $5k speaker wire would make a difference in a $300 shelf system, so at what point does it start to make a big enough difference to justify the additonal cost.

I'll second the Clear Day speaker cables, great sound at a great price.

I think that it's possible for things like speaker wires to make a difference IF the system is of high enough quality, but not sure where that level begins. I doubt a $5k speaker wire would make a difference in a $300 shelf system, so at what point does it start to make a big enough difference to justify the additonal cost.

It's important to keep in mind that the presence or absence of cable differences (and the nature of those differences if present) is not only dependent on system resolution and quality, but is highly dependent on the particular characteristics of what is being connected.

In the case of speaker cables that would include, among other things, the impedance characteristics of the speaker, the sensitivity of the speaker, and the importance of amplifier damping factor and tight woofer control to the particular speaker.

Although your speakers are rated as having an 8 ohm nominal impedance, with a dip to 3 ohms in the bass region, in this review they were measured as 5 ohms nominal with a dip to 3.5 ohms in the bass region, and with 92db sensitivity. I would give greatest weight to suggestions that are based on experience with speakers having similar impedance and sensitivity characteristics, and speakers that employ similar driver configurations (which means that experience with planar speakers is probably not particularly relevant).

Also, keep in mind that the longer the cable, the more pronounced its effects will be. And that "different" does not necessarily mean "better," and that "more expensive" does not necessarily mean "better" either.

Regards,
-- Al

Excellent post Al!

i just experimented and put some very expensive cables and wires on a 25 watt hybrid ipod dock / amplifier made in china. you know the type, and it now has much improved sound quality. you know, like bass and musical sounds but im just hearing what i need/want to hear. i havn't used 18 gu. lamp cord since 1979, am i missing something? ha