Anybody fancy trying a speaker cable experiment?

[alb]

Or we could just pass them around, between us via the post. Done that before.

[greenhomeelectronics]

Ok folks, having entered all your details in to a most sophisticated and highly advanced computer algorythm and having consulted many world renowned experts I have decided on who is going to get the cables. Actually, that's not quite true, I asked the Missus to pick two numbers between one and ten and it works out that Howard Popeck and Muffinman get a pair each :-)
So if you two guys would like to PM me shipping details I will get them out to you. They are yours to do as you wish with, If you want to pass them on to someone else to play with that's fine, all I ask is that you let me have your honest opinion on them.
Thanks to all that responded,
Dave.

[sastusbulbas]

So any updates on how this is going?

Steve

[muffinman]

Here is my review of the 'sterling black mamba' 2.5m speaker cable. where i have used ' ' this is to infer that i am unsure wether an item is actually thus and should not be taken as a slight. cable reviews tend to bring out the worst in people so, with that in mind, from this point forward please take it as black that all my statements are specific to my setup

I took receipt of the cables over a week ago.
the very first impression was one of an extremely well packaged and put together item.
the box was very heavy, 'silk' lined, with a see thru plastic cover over the leads.
Constrution of the complete leads appears to be of proffessional standard. Nylon sheaved throughout. Substantial heatshrink in all the right places etc. The lead has a 20mm diameter. The fact that someone has gone to great lengths to make these look the part is irrefutable. To some this will raise the question 'why?'. Fair point.
If the actual price were not readily available, it would have been my audiofan assumption that they were easily £250+
they are supplied with 8 of each 'gold plated' spades and bananas. i found that the cable was so substantial that if your terminal posts are recessed, as they are with the wd25t, then you may have to manhandle the leads to get a pleasing fit when using spades. I use my speakers close to a wall, so close in fact that when using bananas, you probably need 3in or so clearance. maybe not a problem but a consideration nonetheless. I used bananas throughout and can say that they are all a very satisfying and secure fit.
Unless you use named brand connectors in your speaker cables i would suggest that the connections supplied here would set you back about 50% of the cables price alone.
I ran them in for a week then carried out my A/B test againts my chord oddyssey 2. The findings were very favourable and not a little surprising. truth be told, it was a kick in the pants. i guess i've become a bit of a hifi snob and simply can't accept (on spec) that big name specialist products can be bettered by 'no name' brands. I got my wife to help me with the test, a woman who has had it up to here with upgrades etc. She is immune to hifi bullsh*t. To her it was, to use a magazine favourite, night and day.
I don't profess to know how these things work but, with the mamba, we both agreed that bass definition was better, causing the vocals to come to the fore and generally making tracks even more listenable.
I never had a problem with my chords - at least i thought i didn't. I also found that the mambas allowed me to play MUSE on my stereo and actually enjoy it. I've always had a problem with their stuff as the rythm section is pretty full on and in no time at all it gets a bit muddy. Well, we turned it up to lampshade rattling levels and it was a right laugh! It powered along with great purpose.
The fact that these cables are better in my system than my £17mtr chords proves to me that cable(s) per se do make a difference and, in this case at least,a positive and inexpensive one. There are no doubt better cables out there (at a price).
Has this test simply proved that my original cables were crap? It's an argument, but one that a fool like me could persue ad infinitum. Well I've been lucky this time and this pair will be staying in my system.

I can honestly say that in my valve based system they look better and sound better than chord oddyssey 2

Had i home demo'ed these i would have happily paid over and above their rrp.
and as such I think they are a bargain.

Thanks to Dave at greenhomeelectronics

[dmckean]

Can these cables be shipped to the states? I'd love to try a pair out.

[alb]

What we need now then, is for someone to compare them to some "homebrew" creations. It might be a reality check for those of us who don't use branded cables at all.

[greenhomeelectronics]

Thanks Muffinman for such a brilliant write up - hope David Price is watching and has a vacancy :-) Your results are quite similar to mine. I have tried them on various set ups and had favorable results on all but one set up which ended up a wee bit too bright for my liking. Overall though I have been very pleased with them, our customers seem to like them too.
dmckean - sadly they weigh nearly 5 kilos when boxed and packed so sending to the USA is not an option - the postage would cost more than the price of the cables.
Alb, Howard Popeck is still to come back to me, if he does not wish to keep the cables you may want to PM him and see if he will send them to you. If not we have plenty more available at just £39.99 :-)
All the best,
Dave.

[sastusbulbas]

Any pictures of these things? What about LCR and stuff? Any more details? £39.99 for how many metres?

[greenhomeelectronics]

Our listing can be found here:
http://www.usedhifishop.co.uk/index....roducts_id=589
If you want them at this price you will have to be quick, when this introductory lot is exhausted they will have to go back to their RRP of £85.00
Regards,
Dave.

[Neil McCauley]

Muffinman (who he?) is bang on re this. I agree 100% with what he says here.

I won't be passing mine on. I'm buying mine, and another 5 pairs too.

Stupid value for money really. Bit of a menace if you ask me. Unsure how these can be this good - at this price. But there you go. Ho bloody hum. Err, no hum - but you know what I mean.

Looks like 2.5m lengths for now. Possibly that length only - for ever. That's a pity. Anyway, nice to be turned onto something of value - and not for the first time either - from this forum.

Sincerely

Howard

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