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Speaker wire construction and sound quality

I'm not new to mid to high end stereo listening but have concentrated, over the years, mostly on the obvious equipment choices such as amplifiers, CD players, loudspeakers, etc. Most recent decisions regarding these have been based on information and advice found through forums such as this and, for the most part, have worked out well.

In the old days (50+ years ago) when monaural was king and high volume strong bass reproduction was the goal of most young pursuers of high fidelity, speaker wire construction and quality were not common subjects of conversation. Everyday electrical extension cord in those days was the cable of choice. In the past twenty or thirty years my approach has not been that much different in that I have simply chosen specialized and relatively expensive heavy gauge wire and left it at that.

Things have changed. The choice of speaker conductor has become a big deal and I simply don't understand the technical arguments supporting one type or another of the available choices. For the most part I'm pretty happy with my system but am always looking for ways to reduce brilliance/shrillness which I am very sensitive to because of a hearing condition called hyperacusis.

I've tried some of the more obvious fixes such as tube based DAC's and they definitely have helped. FYI, my basic system consists of the following: Rogue Audio Sphinx integrated hybrid amp, Shanling solid state CD player, California Audio tube DAC and Martin Logan Odyssey speakers. This was not a ground up designed system, just what it has ended up being as a process of piecemeal evolution.

Getting back to speaker wire, is there really that much difference in sonic quality related to a choice of the many that are available? I've read many articles on the subject and the opinions vary greatly to the extent of being totally contradictory to one another. I don't have a super audiophile system, I know, but are there some basic considerations that one should take into account in making a choice, and is there any advantage to bi-wiring?

I'm not that good at describing sound character because I don't have a good handle on the terminology but I do know brilliance when I hear it. It was suggested by someone whose knowledge I respect, that speaker wire could have a positive effect in resolving the brilliance issue while maintaining detail. As an experiment, he loaned me a pair of cables that are highly reviewed and cost over $5000. I can't afford something like this but was curious to see if I could tell the difference; I couldn't. I even tried the same experiment with my pair of Jamo Concert 8 bookshelf speakers using the same music ( Jazz at the Pawnshop) thinking they might be more sensitive to subtle changes, and still could not discern a difference. I realize that this could be as a result of my own observation deficiencies but would very much like to hear what you all have to say about this issue.
broadstone
rlwainwright
1,904 posts
 
Basically what I'm reading is that folks are suggesting various ways of inserting tone controls into a system. Why not simply do it right and find a high-quality parametric EQ that will allow you to precisely tailor the sound for your hearing anomalies?

Messing around with amps, preamps, cables and such is, IMHO, a very hit or miss way of doing it. I would tackle the problem using a piece of gear expressly designed for the job at hand.

Barring that, finding speakers that attenuate the troublesome frequencies would seem to be your next best choice...

-RW-
broadstone's avatar
broadstone OP
310 posts
 
Thanks, RW, that thought of an equalizer crossed my mind, especially in view of the fact that my amp has no tone control, but I was afraid that the reduction of those perceived offending frequencies might adversely affect overall sound quality....and maybe that's a good thing.

On the other hand, though, it makes a great deal of sense if, for no other reason than reasonable cost to, at least, determine where the offending frequencies occur. I have used a sound generator in an attempt to pinpoint those areas of discomfort but the problem seems to be more complicated than that related to single frequencies. I believe that the range I'm most sensitive to is closely on either side of 5000 Hz and any frequency above 8000Hz is inaudible to me.....I'm getting old.

I am generally very happy with my system which I believe compares favorably with systems having much higher price tags and I agree with and appreciate your other comments re equipment. However, there is a limit to how much more I can justify spending on this. I WILL purchase an equalizer based on your suggestion, something that I probably should have tried ages ago.
almarg's avatar
almarg
9,670 posts
 
Regarding equalizers, the DSPeaker Anti-Mode 2.0 Dual Core includes among many other functions a sophisticated parametric equalizer implemented in the digital domain. It has been receiving a lot of favorable commentary in the high end audio press, as well as from some users here at A'gon.

It sells for $1099 in the USA. I've heard that they are back-ordered at this point, btw, to the extent of several weeks.

My guess is that this implementation would allow you to accomplish the equalization you are looking for with lesser side-effects than any analog equalizer selling at a comparable or lower price point.

If your CD player includes a Toslink digital output you would be able to connect that to the DSPeaker. If it does not provide a Toslink output, you would have to connect the analog output of either the CDP or your DAC to the DSPeaker, which would introduce an additional A/D conversion (within the DSPeaker) into the signal path. In either case, you may ultimately find that the DSPeaker's equalization function in combination with its internal DAC would enable you to eliminate your present DAC from the system.

Also, at a lower price point (about $350), a number of Audiogoners seem pleased with the digital equalization function provided by the Behringer DEQ2496. It provides Toslink, balanced (XLR) AES/EBU digital, and balanced (XLR) analog inputs and outputs.

Good luck! Regards,
-- Al
psag
518 posts
 
If you have great front end components and great amps, you need great speaker cables to hear them properly. By great, I mean that they should reproduce the entire frequency spectrum with the least amount of distortion. The more expensive cable designs take pains to reduce distortion.

One other thing to remember is that it may be difficult appreciate the differences between good and great speaker cables if the upstream components are in some way lacking.
broadstone's avatar
broadstone OP
310 posts
 
I'll attempt to address those pieces of info that I left out of the discussion. I don't know how my equipment measures up to audiophile standards but they are as follows: CD through speakers are as described in my original post. My interconnects are Straight Wire Encore and I can't remember (or maybe never knew) the manufacturer of my speaker wire. It is about 15 years old and came from a roll at a high end audio equipment provider. I have locking banana plugs at the amp which are biwired with spades at the Odysseys. They are slightly over 3 meters long each and the individual biwire conductors appear to be 12 gauge.

I feel like my Rogue Audio Sphinx hybrid is a superior performer especially in its price range. The only two components, then, that I question, partly because of their age, are the solid state Shanling CD player and the California Audio Labs DAC.

Most of my problem probably stems from my own compromised hearing issues and several relatively experienced listeners have commented that the system provides very good and accurate sound. What I'm working on, then, is finding a fix that addresses my hearing problem, not necessarily a serious deficiency in my system.

I will probably try an equalizer next but am concerned that I won't be able to afford a unit that doesn't add any other problem.
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