2. cables
  3. 1344166323

Speaker cables comparison chart:: Much Needed

One of the problems in finding speaker cables for a system,is trying to determine first, what manufacturer model lines are approx equivalent in price, performance, and compatibility with speakers. For example, a friend hardily recommends Transparent Audio's Music Link Super, or one step down, Music Link. Nordost offers a similar model line up in their new LS series: Purple Flair, Blue Heaven, and Red Dawn....pricing is almost similar. Last is Kimber Kable speaker cable which offers a 4TC, 8TC, 12TC. Unlike the Red Dawn, the 12TC is much less expensive and equivalent in price to Nordost's Blue Heaven. KK's 8TC, Nordost's Purple Flair and Transparent Music Link are approx in the same price category.

The issue is which model of these brands provides the most bang for the buck, that is, transparency, musicality, and smoothness, and most importantly speaker compatibility. The Cable Company is not a viable outlet to evaluate these products Sometimes, they have neither the correct lenghts or terminations, nor model availablilty. Also,return shipping from Hawaii back to them is not cheap

Therefore, will appreciate comments and advice from members who have done a lot of speaker cable evaluation. Thank you
sunnyjim
ssglx
203 posts
 
Surveying what's out there and making a paper value judgement is an impossible task in my opinion. there are way too many manufacturers, with different models and geometries, and each audio system will be somewhat different.

Dive in and try a few speaker cables in your system and that experience will steer you on.

In my opinion and experience with cables, there are many out there that will satisfy you.

You will also likely develop subjective attachment or affection to one or more brands as you try a few. That will help to keep your sanity, and is a good thing overall.

I have also found then that continuing your quest, after reaching satisfaction and listening enjoyment, will promote development of nervosa, dissatisfaction and rapid cable swapping; not at all a good thing.
Post removed 
tgrisham
1,291 posts
 
As Elizabeth says..... This is the quest of Don Quixote. There is no "bible" of speaker wire. There can never be. You will never find the perfect cable because you will always wish for something "better" and others experience will not translate into your experience. I don't know your system, but, short of a $100,000 system, I don't you believe will know the difference. That said, go for low resistance (big gauge) and pure copper (with or without silver coating) and it will be fine. I have gone to Kimber Kable 8PR (naked ends) and Morrow SP-1 on the top and I'm happy. Please don't fret too much. Life is too short to be overly concerned about speaker wire. And, like Elizabeth, I am not an Audiophile.
More to discover