2. cables
  3. 1407472465

Speaker cables to smoothen things up

I love the sound of my system. Its dynamic and neutral and very lively. However, my taste to music have melowed somewhat, and im prefer a smooth, relaxing sound at the moment and was wondering if a speaker cable change would smooth things up somewhat and reduce the hardness and attack from my system ( not bright, just hard)
My speaker cables at the moment are some synergistic research tesla quad. I got this for free from my brother therefore ive not tested other speaker cables.
Interconnects are tchernov reference cables and my subwoofer inteconnects are fat oval ic.

The chain goes as follow
Mac mini with audirvana - nad m51 - densen b200 -densen b330 - neat ultimatum mf5 and genesis g928 sub.

Was wondering if a speaker cable change would smoothen things up. Its not to reduce the brightness of my system, my system is pretty neutral. Just want to reduce some of the attack and dynamic off the system. If possible, not wanting to change the amp and speakers.

Ive heard about van denhuls to do this, and ive got a good deal for a d352 hybrid cables. Also a good deal for a kimber 8tc ( the older black and blue version). Would these help? Any reccomendations is much appreciated

Just for info, my room is almost fully treated. Big drapes and rugs and diffusers and bass traps all over.
nieveulv
lowrider57's avatar
lowrider57
5,417 posts
 
Yes to room treatments which can amount to equalization.
If you want to try changing cables, call the Cable Company and use their
lending library. Tell them your requirements and they will advise you.

I have found that Cardas ICs will make a system more laid back, but IMO
their speaker cables colour the sound.
loftarasa
171 posts
 
I've heard Densen and Neat stuff and it's not laid back at all :)

8TC is clean/neutral/not warm so I'd rule those out.

Van Den Hul is pretty laid back but I'd trust their ICs over their speaker cables; can get quite pricey for what it is (in the US at least).

You might like to try OCC speaker cables in the vein of Neotech, Audio Sensibility, Acoustic Zen, depending on your budget.
chayro
2,983 posts
 
Cardas Golden Cross, or probably any of the older Cardas cables like Neutral Reference will soften things up for sure.
bojack
649 posts
 
Cables won't do it because they cannot overcome the fundamental sound that your components' circuits have. Sound lies in circuit and speaker design, not cables.
branislav
405 posts
 
Antipodes cables.
More to discover