Speaker Wire/Interconnects: How much is too much?

[Taxi]

Okay, if you've spent any time reading about Home Theater hardware, you've probably run into The Great Wire Debate(tm).

It goes something like this:

Group A, "The Audiophiles": You must have speaker wires/interconnects made from the finest extruded silver, or other, more exotic metals, the more expensive the better. There are definite audible differences between cable that costs $20 a meter and one that costs $2000 a meter.

Group B, "The Realists": You have got to be kidding. Zip cord works well for just about everything. At most, buy some good thick 12 guage wire from Radio Shack, and call it good.

Personally, I'm somewhere in between. I use radio Shack wire for my speakers. I do have a nice Tice Audio Digital cable ($130/meter) running from my DVD player to the receiver, but that's only because I won it from a web page. The rest of my interconnects are cheapo Radio Shack sets with gold plated ends. Nothing fancy, but it works.
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Taxi

[Colin Dunn]

I'd put myself in group "B," though I have audiophile aspirations.

Those aspirations end with cables, though. I've never heard any audible difference between wires. Cheap "comes-in-the-box" cables sound identical to RS Gold and Monster Cable, as far as my ears are concerned ... even when connected to a good pro/pro, power amp, and speakers.

The only thing I think is worth paying extra for in a cable is durability. Gold-plated contacts are corrosion-resistant; heavy-duty connectors don't come apart easily. Those aren't audible qualities, but may be worth paying for...


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Colin Dunn
DDS-006

[Chromy]

I agree. Pay for durability. If a certain type of wire can make an audible difference than that should be measurable.

It has been shown that you can get measurable differences in other audio gear without making an audible difference. I think that claiming that a cable can make an audible difference without being able to measure any differences is proof that it is just "snake oil."

But hey, if you have money to blow... but it is the last thing that I would sap money into.

Connectors are nice. Especially nice bannana plugs, especially when you move stuff around. Again, not an audible difference, just paying for build quality and convenience.

Chromy

General guide line is you should not spend more than 10%to 15% of your entrie home theater cost on wires/interconnects.

IMHO, I would rather spend more money on the TV itself since a picture is worth a thousand words right?

You might have a set of radio shack cables but a WEGA TV and still impress everyone including yourself... now, try to have a RCA 20" TV with a set of 5000 speaker/interconnect wires.... maybe a bit extreme, but I think you see my point.

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Rheuter http://www.dvdtracker.com/~rheuter.asp

[This message has been edited by rheuter (edited 08-02-1999).]

Hadthe debate myself. Good idea is to experiment. It's what I did. I took some fine (read reasonable) cables and hooked up one side of my system. Heard the difference--it was obvious. I now try to walk the fine line of rationality when buying wires. For everyone--that line differs. Give it a shot. It does make a difference.

I think I may be more in the "C camp" which is: I think there are definitely bad cables, but once you reach a certain point, anything beyond that in price won't return much in higher quality. I have to admit, I can't tell the difference between Vampire and Transparent interconnects over Monsters, but maybe somebody can.

I think the latest issue of Home Theater magazine has a speaker wire face off. The lack of differences didn't surprise me.

How about the A.2 option...

If you are going to spend 1000's of dollars on your system why skimp when it comes to cables. A few hundred $ is going to give you good quality and, for me at least, piece of mind know that the weak link in my system is not $10 speaker wire from RadioSmack.

BZ

That should be "peace of mind".

Just a friendly note.

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Rheuter http://www.dvdtracker.com/~rheuter.asp

Wires do matter to an extent. But I refuse to pay outrageous prices for the stuff. I'm currently using CAT5 UTP and it works great! Best of all, it was free.

Ahhhh, a new forum to talk about wires in. Krishna, am I allowed? Hahaha

Mike Knapp

[Taxi]

Mike, of course you're allowed. That's why I started this topic. (Since this subject is a bit taboo on other forums that deal with Home Theater.)

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Taxi
DDS#42
DVDFile.Com Moderator

[Rick Lowery]

Knappers!

Welcome to the forum. It's but a baby right now, wails a bit and wets itself, but its growing fast.

Post away!



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Rick Lowery
DVDFile Forum Administrator
ForumAdmin@DVDFile.com

[Rock]

Of note to everyone, Rick basically just described himself with that last post.

And you oughta see him when he doesn't get his way...maaaaaaaaaaaaan is that ugly.

(Not that he's attractive the rest of the time, but still.)

Oh, and Mike, welcome to our humble abode.

DDS-777
DVDFile.Com Moderator
MostElectrifying@netscape.net

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The Rock says: If you can't pay someone to do it, it ain't a job worth doing.

Mike welcome to our humble forum. You are more than welcome to post. In fact I am looking forward to seeing more of your knowledge and humor.

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Istagi *Feather Head*
Moderator of the Now Playing Forum
DDS-351