Van den Hul Carbon Speaker Cables

[Orient_Pirate]

Jordan Acoustics are selling a set of Van den Hul ‘The Third’ carbon speaker cables at present at £995 (less than a third of the retail at £3135 when new).

Has anyone heard or used these massive diameter all carbon speaker cables? Comes in a flight case!

VDH on his website claims:-
“Concluding, we simply state that The THIRD ® Mk II is the best loudspeaker cable available in the world;
Considering its price level and its qualities The THIRD ® Mk II outperforms many extremely exotic and expensive loudspeaker cables, and all of them when gradual time-degradation factors are considered. Regarding its unique combination of properties The THIRD ® Mk II for certain is a solid and lasting investment.”

http://www.vandenhul.com/products/ca...d-halogen-free

I have been told there is a user on this site who uses them. I would love to hear your thoughts on them :)

[hifi_dave]

I believe there is a similar thread elsewhere on this forum.

They are not widely regarded.

[Marco]

Not according to Stephen (weetabix), Dave, who raves about them here: http://theartofsound.net/forum/showthread.php?30522-My-High-End-Hi-Fi-Set-Up&p=522008#post522008

Given my experience of using the less expensive 'The Wind Hybrid II' speaker cables in my system, which are superb, I have no reason to disbelieve that 'The Third' aren't equally as good, or most likely even better... ;)

The trouble with most VDH products (other than their basic designs) is that they are not widely distributed, which means not many people know of them, or indeed their capabilities.

Marco.

[hifi_dave]

I was attempting to be diplomatic. I do know VDH products well and consider their less expensive products to be OK. The 'carbon' products are a love it or hate it thing at best, as they have their own sonic signature which gave rise to the 'bland and dull' moniker in the trade.

As usual, the OP should hear them before purchase.

[Marco]

Absolutely! My point was that the main reason for 'The Third' speaker cables not being "well regarded" is because they're not well known :)

There is absolutely nothing "bland and dull" about the VDH speaker cables I use, and I *suspect* that also applies to Stephen's cables, especially considering his description of how they sound:


The Third allowed me insight into recordings details and resolutions never heard before, decay of recording halls, airy, treble so seamless in its integration it was like the music was as a whole and also fully intact with no distinct treble to speak-of, the mid-range so pure and uncoloured, with holographic energy and expression, together with a good tight bass with detail and rhythm, music had many layers, once compressed, now open and laid out with a sense of space, the system disappears. Each instrument occupies their own space and with it the presentation provides a relative volume to each other. Tonally, that Third was like hard-wiring the amplifiers to the speakers, the cable was acoustically invisible...


Do they sound like "bland and dull" to you? ;)

The problem with a lot of VDH cables is that they are rather 'hit and miss'. The best ones sound truly superb, but much of their range, as you've alluded to, can be filed under the category of 'deeply average', or worse. There needs to be more consistency in performance throughout their range.

Marco.