View Full Version : Van Damme Blue v Hifi speaker cable reviewed
The Van Damme (Blue) Studio quality speaker cable has been the default entry level cable for many audio enthusiasts, myself included.
I recently read a review of the 6mm square “Blue” (What I use) on Hifipig, where they did a comparative review with Van Damme’s UP-LCOFC Hifi cable (crap name) also in 6mm square. The review/s can be seen here:
http://hifipig.com/van-damme-blue-and-hi-fi-grade-6-0mm-speaker-cables/#more-14566
After such a glowing review I was curious to try the Hifi cable as it’s in the same low price range, both cables are available (new) on the Bay for about £6.80/meter delivered.
http://www.jkwynn.co.uk/Pics/Van_Damme_6mm.jpg
This is what the two cables look like.
The Blue, being for Pro use has a thick heavy protective jacket, the Hifi is light weight in comparison but they both house 6mm square OFC copper (other sizes available).
The Hifi is marked as directional – I’m not sure I fully subscribe to this notion, but it’s something that costs nothing to do, I have got into the habit of marking my cables and always connecting them the same way round anyway.
So how does it sound?
I have to say I agree with the review, the Hifi cable is better, a lot better than the Blue.
I listened to tracks I was very familiar with on my latest set up using the 6mm Blue.
When I swapped it out for the 6mm Hifi the difference was immediately noticeable even before any burn in period. More detailed top end, if a little harsh and just more bass. Once the cable had a few hours on it things smoothed out, with a very detailed top end, cymbals that had sounded splashy on the Blue came into focus and shimmered. The bass grew even deeper and had great textural detail, there is a very rhythmical feel to the music with great punch and attack.
I don’t believe in spending huge amounts on fancy cables, the UP-LCOFC Hifi cable from Van Damme is a very good cable and amazing for the price, a significant upgrade from the Blue in my opinion and its the same price.
Based on this very positive result, I will look next at the Van Dame Silver Series interconnect cable in particular the low cap 55pf/m (£6/meter) and see if that can give an equally impressive performance. :)
Ammonite Audio
02-04-2015, 16:16
I wonder how Black Rhodium Twist might compare? I need some speaker cables of 5m length and am not prepared to take the risk on Van Damme 6mm, having heard the 4mm version, but this UP-LCOFC stuff is still more expensive than Twist. anyone using Twist out there?
I wonder how Black Rhodium Twist might compare? I need some speaker cables of 5m length and am not prepared to take the risk on Van Damme 6mm, having heard the 4mm version, but this UP-LCOFC stuff is still more expensive than Twist. anyone using Twist out there?
Interesting review Ken, pleased you put it up as I was checking out some blue just before.
I tried using twist but it didn't last a week in my system, horrible stuff.... my Rega Quattro beat it by a country mile. It was shrill and muddled. I'm using NVA LS2 at the moment which for beer money is great and saw off the Rega cable. It has its shortcomings though so I'm going to try something else a bit more refined.The system I've now got deserves better.
BR Twist is a cable I tried, but I prefere the VD Hifi.
It's very much system dependant of course and what your prefered sound is.
To me the Twist was a bit too laid back in comparison and not very sophisticated. I also had a few other cables in my sports bag of odds and ends, Atlas Hyper 2.5 (£15/meter), Anti - Cables enameled single strand, QED Original 40 and 80 strand, QED Silver Aniversary, DIY twisted Cat5, DIY shotgun Satalite Cable VD Black 2.5mm and of course the 6mm Blue.
None of these impressed over the whole spectrum as much as the Hifi, they all have their good points with a weak area somewhere or other spoiling the overall presentation.
The Twist does not have much copper, the copper is fine multistrand and tinned and has a thick Silicone Jacket.
Tip: you can buy Red and Black Silicon Sleeved tinned fine multistrand copper wire off the Bay. It is used for DC power packs for Radio controled aircraft etc, it has more copper and for less than half the price.
I use Twist for internal speaker wiring where it is only in short runs and the anti vibration benefits of the Silicon Jacket, the great flexibility and ability to withstand soldering temperatures without melting or shrinking back are a benefit.
Hi Rich - Very impressed with the HiFi cable, on the Van Damme site they say it is used for critical near field monitoring in studios and the prefered cable for at least one speaker manufacturer.
I have a 3m pair of the 6mm made up if you want to give it a go?
They need running in though about 12 hours seems to do it.
My cables are difficult to remove as they go through my firplace walls, so I made up a 2m set for home and a 3m set for bake offs and equipment try outs etc.
Oh, you could borrow the 6mm Van Damme Blue as well (also 3m long) if you want to compare the two in your system.
Hi Rich - Very impressed with the HiFi cable, on the Van Damme site they say it is used for critical near field monitoring in studios and the prefered cable for at least one speaker manufacturer.
I have a 3m pair of the 6mm made up if you want to give it a go?
They need running in though about 12 hours seems to do it.
My cables are difficult to remove as they go through my firplace walls, so I made up a 2m set for home and a 3m set for bake offs and equipment try outs etc.
Oh, you could borrow the 6mm Van Damme Blue as well (also 3m long) if you want to compare the two in your system.
Think I will, 3m might just be long enough. My cables are also a bugger to install as I hide them under a carpet and around a fireplace. If I can fit them in I'll lend you some nva and rega cables to try.
Speaker cables, just like other cables, are all system dependant so generalising on what is "good" or "bad" may work for one system and be utterly meaningless in another....imho.
Hi Paul
Yes totaly agree, as I said in post #4 it is system and taste dependant as to whether they work for anyone else.
Hi Ken,
I have just replaced 4 metres of Chord Odyssey with 5 metres of the 4mm Hi Fi cable & my initial thoughts are that the Van Dammes sound more revealing in the mid range (the Chords seem to have more bass & treble) , and the music just seems to flow easier. My Croft S7 just seens to gel better with my Proacs, (or should I say "more to my taste") with the 4mm cables.
Oliver
Hi Oliver,
Glad its working for you too.
If your equipment suits this cable I can second that it is very revealing.
I dont think it would suit bright amps, based on the results I am getting and from your results using the Croft Power amp.
But the only way to know for sure is for someone with bright gear to try it.
Switching between various sources I can see weaknesses in some of my other gear/Interconnects that will need attention to balance things out.
I never noticed this before when using other speaker cables.
Hi Oliver,
Glad its working for you too.
If your equipment suits this cable I can second that it is very revealing.
I dont think it would suit bright amps, based on the results I am getting and from your results using the Croft Power amp.
But the only way to know for sure is for someone with bright gear to try it.
Switching between various sources I can see weaknesses in some of my other gear/Interconnects that will need attention to balance things out.
I never noticed this before when using other speaker cables.
Ken, see you tried to PM but my inbox was full. Cleared now, sorry.
I wouldn't say my system was bright but it's very honest and revealing now.
I've just got my hands on some tellurium q blue which should arrive within the next week. I'll bring them along when we get together.
R
icehockeyboy
05-04-2015, 10:22
The Van Damme (Blue) Studio quality speaker cable has been the default entry level cable for many audio enthusiasts, myself included.
I recently read a review of the 6mm square “Blue” (What I use) on Hifipig, where they did a comparative review with Van Damme’s UP-LCOFC Hifi cable (crap name) also in 6mm square. The review/s can be seen here:
http://hifipig.com/van-damme-blue-and-hi-fi-grade-6-0mm-speaker-cables/#more-14566
After such a glowing review I was curious to try the Hifi cable as it’s in the same low price range, both cables are available (new) on the Bay for about £6.80/meter delivered.
http://www.jkwynn.co.uk/Pics/Van_Damme_6mm.jpg
This is what the two cables look like.
The Blue, being for Pro use has a thick heavy protective jacket, the Hifi is light weight in comparison but they both house 6mm square OFC copper (other sizes available).
The Hifi is marked as directional – I’m not sure I fully subscribe to this notion, but it’s something that costs nothing to do, I have got into the habit of marking my cables and always connecting them the same way round anyway.
So how does it sound?
I have to say I agree with the review, the Hifi cable is better, a lot better than the Blue.
I listened to tracks I was very familiar with on my latest set up using the 6mm Blue.
When I swapped it out for the 6mm Hifi the difference was immediately noticeable even before any burn in period. More detailed top end, if a little harsh and just more bass. Once the cable had a few hours on it things smoothed out, with a very detailed top end, symbols that had sounded splashy on the Blue came into focus and shimmered. The bass grew even deeper and had great textural detail, there is a very rhythmical feel to the music with great punch and attack.
I don’t believe in spending huge amounts on fancy cables, the UP-LCOFC Hifi cable from Van Damme is a very good cable and amazing for the price, a significant upgrade from the Blue in my opinion and its the same price.
Based on this very positive result, I will look next at the Van Dame Silver Series interconnect cable in particular the low cap 55pf/m (£6/meter) and see if that can give an equally impressive performance. :)
I just happen to be selling my Van Damme Silver ic, albeit the one with the ' better' Audioquest plugs. It's the flat cap version.
Save yourself a few quid they cost me £50, yours inc posting for £30. :)
Save
icehockeyboy
05-04-2015, 10:30
Ken
You have PM. :)
icehockeyboy
07-04-2015, 15:03
You around Ken?
Messaged you a couple of days back......
Got to the PM eventually Craig, been away over Easter.
I'm looking at using the VD low Cap interconnect and WBT type (Chuck) clamp on plugs. You can buy the parts off the Bay to make a 500mm pair for less than £22 including delivery and that's what I will be doing. ;)
icehockeyboy
12-04-2015, 13:06
Got to the PM eventually Craig, been away over Easter.
I'm looking at using the VD low Cap interconnect and WBT type (Chuck) clamp on plugs. You can buy the parts off the Bay to make a 500mm pair for less than £22 including delivery and that's what I will be doing. ;)
Ok, thanks for letting me know.
hifinutt
12-04-2015, 18:49
Hi Ken,
I have just replaced 4 metres of Chord Odyssey with 5 metres of the 4mm Hi Fi cable & my initial thoughts are that the Van Dammes sound more revealing in the mid range (the Chords seem to have more bass & treble) , and the music just seems to flow easier. My Croft S7 just seens to gel better with my Proacs, (or should I say "more to my taste") with the 4mm cables.
Oliver
ha and as if to confirm RFC`s post I enjoyed my van damme 6mm for a fair while but my chord epic was better !! more detail and transparency and zing!
Inspired by this thread I've just replaced my Van Damme blue cables with the hifi version this afternoon. I'll leave them playing for a few days before making any judgment.
FWIW I bi-amp/bi-wire using the 6mm for the lower registers, and the 2.5mm for the higher. I've replaced, like for like, and used the same connectors.
walpurgis
13-04-2015, 17:43
Inspired by this thread I've just replaced my Van Damme blue cables with the hifi version this afternoon. I'll leave them playing for a few days before making any judgment.
Why?
Why?
I do suppose the first gut feeling also goes a long way in evaluating HiFi, but I also do like the long-term listening test.
Cos' I have to make the dinner, then go to work in Brighton for a few days... OK?
I found the cable did improve over the first couple of days, but did sound prety good out of the box.
icehockeyboy
13-04-2015, 21:37
Cos' I have to make the dinner, then go to work in Brighton for a few days... OK?
No, quite frankly it isn't OK. :)
Joking aside, just hurry up and tell us your thoughts!
No, quite frankly it isn't OK. :)
Joking aside, just hurry up and tell us your thoughts!
OK I've made it back from Brighton - no thanks to Southern Rail - Derailed train at Brighton Station - don't ask!
First impressions are that the Van Damme 'Hi-Fi' cables are certainly different from the 'Blue'. It's quite a noticable change, especially in the higher registers. I can see why some people don't recommend this cable in overly bright systems, as it might be too much. There's no shortage of detail, and the sound is very 'clean' but I have B&W speakers with metal dome tweeters, and I'm just not sure whether these cables are quite right in my system. I'll leave them in for a while though, and see if I can get used to them.
where abouts in brighton are you working?
where abouts in brighton are you working?
Gloucester Place, just next to the old Astoria. (North Lanes area).
Ah I know the area well.i used to live up in the flats over the Rd.
Just because we can't measure it (aside from physically) doesn't mean that even a pro audio manufacturer sees the benefits of OCC wire. Nice review and matches my own observations with regard to copper grain and quality.
These Van Damme cables are certainly system dependant. I tried the 2.5mm HiFi cables in my second system (Caiman II feeding recently re-capped A&R A60 amplifier, feeding Wharfdale speakers), and this combination works great!
No trace of the over brightness that I found in my main system, where I have a Stereo Coffee LDR pre amp, feeding a pair of Quad 306’s, feeding B&W speakers.
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