2. cables
  3. 1412698615

UP-OCC solid core copper for speaker cable

After reading about all these expensive cables and their extravagant claims, I decided to source the same wire that goes into many of them.

I have my monoblocs underneath and therefore close to the speakers. I ordered 8 feet of 14awg UP-OCC wire (with PTFE insulation) online. It is quite springy so I clamped it gently to the bench and cut it into 4 equal lengths. Assembling it into 2 x 24" speaker cables took a few minutes. I kept it running in the same direction, just in case. Be careful to gently slice the insulation and not to scar the copper.

Anyway, the improvement in sound quality was of a high order. Large increases in speed and transparency, more air, better definition of instruments, less coloration, backing voices I never noticed before etc. The improvement in musicality was impressive.

I urge folks to try this before spending lots of money on speaker cables. I don't bother with connectors as I feel they are another item in the way but that's your call. The wire was $6 a foot.

Available here:http://www.partsconnexion.com/wire_hookup_neotech_copper_teflon.html

See a photo of my cable here: https://www.dropbox.com/s/6iot28p0weuwytn/up-occ.jpg?dl=0
noromance
brf
1,715 posts
 
@Mtrot

I assume you do not mean a sub woofer connection, but the low frequency connection on a bi-wire configuration. If so, the quality of the cable is equally as important as the high frequency. The low end contains 70%+ of the music.

Did you check out the DIY parts section of the Audio Sensibility website, they carry Neotech, Furutech and a few others at very attractive prices.
acman3
4,331 posts
 
Another very interesting company is Zenwave.

Due to a move and needing a longer run than my normal Teresonic cables, I bought enough of the 12 gauge Neotech cables for four long runs. Sounds very open. Bass is not quite as good as the Teresonic, and highs are not near as high, but a very nice cable.( actually a good thing, no brightness). No copper sound to the cables.

Very much considering the cables above.
mtrot
804 posts
 
@Brf,

Yes, the low frequency run to my bi-wireable speakers. Currently using an old set of Esoteric stranded wire.
crubio
89 posts
 
What about Duelund silver wire in silk/oil? anyone think it's worth 25.00 per foot?
noromance's avatar
noromance OP
10,178 posts
 
Looks interesting. Single wire though. You'll need 2 wires per side.
More to discover