What is your take on the quality and gauge of speaker wire?
I've been reading conflicting opinions on whether or not Monster or other fat wires make an audible difference in sonic quality. I'm especially interested in subwoofer cabling from my receiver to my outboard powered sub then to the subwoofer itself. Thanks
Dark's post reminded me I need audiophile/stereophile help.
Comments ... #
Ace thanks. I've read that too and others that challenge it. I just want to eak out all of my component's qualities not sit, listen and ask what a few more dollars can do to maximize them.
It' s not a real big deal but it could save a few bucks.
Buy the necessary cables in both a 'standard' brand and the Monster brand. Hook up one set and listen, then hook up the other to compare. If your unit is high output (bunches of watts) you'll want a bigger gauge of wire (smaller numerically).
Gold ends? While it's true that gold offers the least resistance to electricity, silver being second and copper next, I'm not convinced that it's worth a bunch of extra money.
Let your EARS be the judge.
posted by GraphicsGuy on Sep 29, 2008 at 09:31:30 am #
I worked in recording studios and radio studios throughout the years, and I have a low-end home studio. I have never skimped on cables...ever. Nor headphones. Get the best you can comfortably afford. Why drive a Benz with cheap tires?
posted by justareviewer on Sep 29, 2008 at 06:51:04 pm #
Audiophile Claims Monster Cables and Coat Hangers Sound the Same
http://blog.wired.com/music/2008/03/audiophile-clai.htmlI've read Bose is mostly marketing.
I like computer speakers like Klipsch. You can always upgrade the sound card.
Thanks all for advice. I have read the coat hangar study as well as the supposed McIntosh Labs study that refutes Monster brand's claims as well as others stating that since bass is mono who needs special cable?
I have also read works that substantiate claims for the use of big cable.
For what it's worth, I spent a gift card for Monster subwoofer cable with 24 carrot gold connections to connect my receiver to my powered sub amp ( I already had Monster cable to the sub itself). Thus, I had zero expense. This allowed me to try to be as objective as I could. I listened to a song with my previous cheap RCA plug wire, then at the same levels, the same tune with the new Monster cable. Not only do I believe I heard a noticeable difference, it was significant. In fact, I had to turn down the subwoofer level which seems to verify an electronically monitored measurement.
It eliminated all humming and seemed to provided a fuller and richer bass.At any rate, either by the power of suggestion or truly measurable, if
it works to my untrained aging ears, crank it!
Then I'd recommend some multivitamins and some mega B vitamins. B12 deficiency sometimes results in hearing loss I believe.
HUH? Whad he say?
posted by GraphicsGuy on Sep 30, 2008 at 01:24:01 pm #
I'm sure that you could get lots of different opinions on audiophile websites, but I think the quality of the components matter more than the cable. I also remember reading a similar discussion somewhere about the same topic where a guy did a blind test, one using top quality cables, the other using something like wire hangers, and the listeners couldn't tell the difference.
posted by Ace_Face on Sep 29, 2008 at 09:05:54 am #