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Better than AQ Midnight + Speaker Cables?

I recently purchased AQ Midnight + speaker wire on Agon after reading rave reviews or Audio Review. Specifically that they added tremendous bass, warmth, yet still retained upper end detail and bite.

Well after purchasing some on Agon for around $150 shipped, I can tell you that most of what was said above is true. It imparts incredibly powerful bass, more authority to the sound, more warmth overall, but fully extended high's with plenty of detail at the same time.

Yes, they added a bit of a veil, but to get more system warmth I'll accept some veiling. So what don't I like?

I love the improvement in bass output, timbral realism, and overall naturalness and authority. What I'm not as crazy about is a kind of forwardness or edginess. I'm looking for the basic attributes of the AQ Midnight plus's but with a smoother, less assertive overall presentation.

Has anyone that's heard these recommend something along the same lines with a bit more of a refined sound?
larryb
deecee's avatar
deecee
99 posts
 
Larryb is right on the money...

It's a good cable but to me (and my system) there are better; I went with Cardas.

You can check my review of a comparison between Cardas Quadlink 5c and AQ MidnightII here (for what it's worth)...

http://www.audioasylum.com/cgi/m.pl?forum=cables&n=27571&review=1

Your mileage may vary, play on synergy, etc., etc.

Happy Listening!
trelja
3,223 posts
 
Larryb, your experiences with AQ Midnight mirror mine. I was also more than disappointed with the bass response. From their literature, the copper, and the very heavy AWG, it should be powerful, but I found the opposite.

Other cables that I found to be better were Vampire STIII and Coincident CST0.5, if you are on a budget. And, a few Cardas, Coincident CST1 and TRS, AlphaCore Goertz, and JPS Superconductor. All had the bass impact/warmth, with the more liquid treble I was looking for.
larryb OP
101 posts
 
Deecee - thanks for the review. I've also been looking at Cardas, but they're usually beyond my (wife approved) price range (whipping sound).

Trelja - tell me more about the other cables you mention. One other thing I'm not crazy about with the Midnights is a dryness in the uppers and mids. I'm surprised though that you didn't find an improvement in bass. From the Straight Wire I was using it was night and day.
larryb OP
101 posts
 
Deecee - One question, I notice various reviews of the Cardas Quad (including yours) mentioned that detail was a strong suit of this cable. Every time I hear that it makes me think there will be a bright presentation. Since my Cary speakers get too bright without counterbalancing, I worried that the Quadlink might not calm the brightness the way the Midnights do (edginess aside). Is it a brighter presentation than the midnights?
deecee's avatar
deecee
99 posts
 
Nope. Not brighter at all... What I mean by clarity is that there is more DETAIL: lingering decay on cymbol strikes, more character on drum strikes and human voice, etc; things of that nature.

The difference between looking through a dirtier or more opaque glass versus a clean or more clear one.

I hope this gets the picture across better (so to speak).

BTW... hold out for Quads: they occasionally pop up not only on the 'Gon but also in various shops as demos (I got a demo set, in fact).

You can get them DIRT cheap that way.

If you would like cheap but good, I found that Mapleshades cables aren't shabby at all - I use them on my HT rig.

The only caveat to them is that they are kinda delicate, but they do have a surpisingly balanced presentation.

Hope this helps!
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