View Full Version : Cheap speaker cable, worth minor upgrade?
I bought some cheap and cheerful Richer Sounds branded 4mm shotgun copper cable about 10 years ago and have never considered upgrading... Until now.
Thing is, I am not looking to spend a great deal and so am wondering if there is any point. As I understand it, all copper is pretty much equal?
How rubbish is RS speaker cable? Would something like Van Damme blue offer any noticeable sonic improvement? Or is it just different branding on an essentially identical product?
Unless anyone has a strong view that modest investment will yield results, I'll probably keep as is.
Cheers!
Stryder5
30-03-2017, 13:56
I bought some cheap and cheerful Richer Sounds branded 4mm shotgun copper cable about 10 years ago and have never considered upgrading... Until now.
Thing is, I am not looking to spend a great deal and so am wondering if there is any point. As I understand it, all copper is pretty much equal?
How rubbish is RS speaker cable? Would something like Van Damme blue offer any noticeable sonic improvement? Or is it just different branding on an essentially identical product?
Unless anyone has a strong view that modest investment will yield results, I'll probably keep as is.
Cheers!
I use this should be quite an improvement for little outlay, I buy bare cable and put plugs on
https://www.audiovisualonline.co.uk/product/2341/fisual-hollywood-dark-twist-screened-speaker-cable/
All copper is not equal, cables definitely make a difference.
The above is silver coated copper IIRC. A steal at this price.
Bigman80
30-03-2017, 14:15
Very good. I use this too
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That does look good, thanks very much for the recommendation both.
Are plugs simply for convenience, or do they contribute to SQ at all?
Both... cable that is well terminated in a plug will oxidize less plus a good even connection.
Ok, makes sense, thanks.
At that price it's probably worth a punt if only to test to see if I can perceive a difference. If not I'll just move them on...
Some systems are more open to improved cabling. Much depends on various factors and one cable may be terrible in one system and excellent in another. Standard Van dammme blue is fine for many systems that dont suck current. They do a thicker one too. Not sure which one we are talking about tbh but both are good. I used to have a couple of runs of it. Think i sold it a while ago, but may still have 1 run somewhere. I make my own now.
Bigman80
30-03-2017, 15:54
Always fancied 4mm VD blue when i found out they used it at abbey road.
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Looking at a cross section of the fisual cable it seems that, for quite a bulky cable, it is all plastic filler and insulation and very little metal!
My understanding was that thickness of your cable is crucial (ooh er)?
Still tempted to go for some 4mm VD blue. No heavy current in my system.
I make my own now.Care to share your DIY recipe?! :)
I use this should be quite an improvement for little outlay, I buy bare cable and put plugs on
https://www.audiovisualonline.co.uk/product/2341/fisual-hollywood-dark-twist-screened-speaker-cable/
All copper is not equal, cables definitely make a difference.
The above is silver coated copper IIRC. A steal at this price.
That is what I use, as well as Van Damme Blue 4mm2 and Van Damme 6mm2 (with the clear insulation).
I can't say I notice any difference between them (or indeed QED 79-strand), but then my speaker cables are < 1 metre in length.
Bigman80
30-03-2017, 16:22
Looking at a cross section of the fisual cable it seems that, for quite a bulky cable, it is all plastic filler and insulation and very little metal!
My understanding was that thickness of your cable is crucial (ooh er)?
Still tempted to go for some 4mm VD blue. No heavy current in my system.
Ye it is a bit like that but from what im hearing it's a lot better than the unbranded OFC stuff i had before which was 4mm.
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Bigman80
30-03-2017, 16:23
That is what I use, as well as Van Damme Blue 4mm2 and Van Damme 6mm2 (with the clear insulation).
I can't say I notice any difference between them (or indeed QED 79-strand), but then my speaker cables are < 1 metre in length.
Mine a 3m per channel which isnt ideal but the Fisual are very nice.
The OP is welcome to come and have a listen ? Don't know where he is in the world though lol
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Ye it is a bit like that but from what im hearing it's a lot better than the unbranded OFC stuff i had before which was 4mm.
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I find the issue of cables daunting, but best thing to do is try it and see!
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/12AWG-SILVER-PLATED-COPPER-WIRE-ETFE-YELLOW-VIOLET-5-METRES-/301631117226?hash=item463a9d97aa
Last ones used this.. its very good doubled up so 4 wires per side twisted and taped, not too tightly, then braided and plugs of choice. Got another one in mind and hope to have them done in a few months. Awaiting stock of this new cable
Bigman80
30-03-2017, 16:26
I find the issue of cables daunting, but best thing to do is try it and see!
For £1.69 a meter it's a no brainier in my eyes which is why i took a punt. I'm listening now and the detail is amazing. Very balanced sound for about £10 it's doing a great job lol
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http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/12AWG-SILVER-PLATED-COPPER-WIRE-ETFE-YELLOW-VIOLET-5-METRES-/301631117226?hash=item463a9d97aa
Last ones used this.. its very good doubled up so 4 wires per side twisted and taped, not too tightly, then braided and plugs of choice. Got another one in mind and hope to have them done in a few months. Awaiting stock of this new cable
12AWG wire has a cross section area of 3.31mm2, doubling up the cable will provide an ample 6.6mm2.
I have, in the past, done similar using QED 79-strand cable (2.5mm2).
12AWG wire has a cross section area of 3.31mm2, doubling up the cable will provide 6.6mm2.
Yup, well maybe less than that...thats my current stuff and been using it for some time. Nothing has beat it so far. Going to try another different one just for fun. Its not silly expensive and keeps me busy.
Have you tried using 15mm plumbing tubing, squashing the ends flat to go on the speaker terminals/
Good re skin effect, and you can upgrade to 22 or even 28mm tubing.
walpurgis
30-03-2017, 22:04
Have you tried using 15mm plumbing tubing, squashing the ends flat to go on the speaker terminals/
Good re skin effect, and you can upgrade to 22 or even 28mm tubing.
Not sure what you mean there. Do you have a photo?
another bizzare comment... I give in. No point in offering advice etc...
Bigman80
30-03-2017, 22:40
another bizzare comment... I give in. No point in offering advice etc...
Lmfao. I am laughing my fu#king head off
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I went from the richer sound cable to chord rumour a few years back and the difference was night an day.huge improvement! iv recently bought some qed signature revelation and the improvements are more subtle. I've never paid more than 35 quid on eBay for any of the pairs of cables(terminated) either so worth the punt when bargains like that come up. I'm sure theres some van damme in the classifieds as we speak although not sure which type?
Bigman80
30-03-2017, 23:55
I went from the richer sound cable to chord rumour a few years back and the difference was night an day.huge improvement! iv recently bought some qed signature revelation and the improvements are more subtle. I've never paid more than 35 quid on eBay for any of the pairs of cables(terminated) either so worth the punt when bargains like that come up. I'm sure theres some van damme in the classifieds as we speak although not sure which type?
Hmmm I'll have a look
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the ad is called 'a couple of bits' in the private exhibitions
Bigman80
31-03-2017, 07:23
the ad is called 'a couple of bits' in the private exhibitions
Too short mate. Looked at that a while back
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For £1.69 a meter it's a no brainier in my eyes which is why i took a punt. I'm listening now and the detail is amazing. Very balanced sound for about £10 it's doing a great job lol
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Bigman, just seen your kind offer of a demo, but not local to you!
It's great to hear your experience has been positive, and you're right that the price means taking a punt on it is not much of a risk :)
Bigman80
31-03-2017, 07:51
Bigman, just seen your kind offer of a demo, but not local to you!
It's great to hear your experience has been positive, and you're right that the price means taking a punt on it is not much of a risk :)
That's a shame mate, as i said a demo would have been provided with pleasure. I like mine very much but i will try the VD blue when funds allow just to see if i can hear a difference.
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Copper pipe! Ahahahaha, good one.
On the DIY front I recall reading lots of people claimed good results from an esoteric braided design made from cat5 (or 6 if you're feeling flush), called canare star, or something. But I don't have the time or energy to go bespoke with heatshrink and all that kerfuffle.
I didn't get round to trying that Fisual Hollywood stuff, and have just seen a potential bargain price lot of QED silver special 25th anniversary cable, around £20 for 2 x 7m unterminated.
The thing is, I seem to recall this cable getting very mixed reviews, with some rating it highly and others saying it is awful... :scratch:
Anyone here tried QED 25th anniversary, or think I should just stick with giving the Fisual stuff a try?!
wee tee cee
08-06-2017, 17:36
Fisual stuff has stayed in my system since installed. Well worth a try IMHO.Been through the 79 strand/TQ range/van damme range/belkin/atlas- fisual stuff sounds in my system to be the front runner, Im 6m a side with 57s.
Bigman80
08-06-2017, 20:18
I had the Fisual Dark Hollywood and replaced it with Ixos cable. The Fisual sounded thin to me.
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walpurgis
08-06-2017, 20:26
I've tried dozens of speaker cables, cheap and not so cheap. I still have quite a few sets, but have finally settled on the comparatively inexpensive Transparent Audio MusiChord. It just sounds right and doesn't get in the way of the music. It also gives excellent results no matter what equipment line up I'm using. So that's what I'll be sticking with.
I have two pairs, 2.5m and 4.0m long. Just as well I bought what I need, this stuff is ridiculously hard to track down.
mad-moon
08-06-2017, 20:47
QED all day long
I didn't get round to trying that Fisual Hollywood stuff, and have just seen a potential bargain price lot of QED silver special 25th anniversary cable, around £20 for 2 x 7m unterminated.
The thing is, I seem to recall this cable getting very mixed reviews, with some rating it highly and others saying it is awful... :scratch:
Anyone here tried QED 25th anniversary, or think I should just stick with giving the Fisual stuff a try?!
walpurgis
08-06-2017, 20:53
QED all day long
Are you including the Silver Anniversary cable in that recommendation. It's sounded bright and coarse every time I've used it. And that's in quite a few different system setups.
QED all day long
Thanks, I bought it, already on its way in the post! :)
I figured at that price I could easily give it a try and then either put it in classifieds here or bung it on ebay for what I paid for it if I don't get on with it.
Will be interesting whether I even hear any difference at all...
Are you including the Silver Anniversary cable in that recommendation. It's sounded bright and coarse every time I've used it. And that's in quite a few different system setups.
Yes, I've heard this a few times. So funny that a speaker cable can be so 'Marmite'. Any hint of excessive brightness and it will go straight back on ebay!
Well, interesting, very interesting.... :)
I now know that cables can make a difference.
The QED SA lasted about 10 minutes in my system.
Where did the bass disappear to?!
icehockeyboy
14-06-2017, 13:10
Thanks, I bought it, already on its way in the post! :)
I figured at that price I could easily give it a try and then either put it in classifieds here or bung it on ebay for what I paid for it if I don't get on with it.
Will be interesting whether I even hear any difference at all...
Do people actually part with their hard earned on the QED SA?
Despite all the negative comments about it on forums like this one?
Unbelievable!
Do people actually part with their hard earned on the QED SA?
Despite all the negative comments about it on forums like this one?
Unbelievable!
See my post above!
I'm beginning to think that QED must have a very large marketing (bribery) budget to get good reviews from hifi magazines.
Lesson learned. I'm after some Van Damme to try next I think...
At the very least it was illuminating of the difference cables can make to the sound.
walpurgis
14-06-2017, 13:56
If they have any left, I highly recommend this: http://www.vickershifi.com/products/xdtamc/ex-demonstration-transparent-audio-musichord-speaker-cable
I've used loads of different cables, but this is superb. Trouble is, I may have had the last that was offered here a while back.
The Black Adder
15-06-2017, 10:19
Mark Grant sells the Van Damme cable. Its what I use. Excellent stuff. Mark (if you don't already know) is a lovely person to deal with and will terminate them professionally.
I use two lengths of 2.4 for each channel which are twisted together... Amazing!
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Thanks Josie, but I'm a sucker for 2nd hand bargains - just picked some up for cheaps on the bay of dreams!
Has to better than the QED SA, but it will be interesting to see if I can discern any difference against the Gale 189 stuff I'm using currently...
EDIT TO ADD:
The Van Damme Hi-Fi stuff arrived: I listened to my previous speaker cable on a few reference tracks before swapping it over as quickly as I could and then listening to these same tracks again. The QED SA was an obvious change (for the worse), and this change was more subtle, probably due to it being a similar gauge and construction copper cable as my Gale 189 XL, but I do think that I can hear a slight improvement in the definition of bass and clarity of the midrange (vocals). Pleased with the swap anyhow.
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