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Thread: Do speaker/interconnect cables improve soundstage?

  1. #1
    Join Date: Oct 2008

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    I'm Jerry.

    Default Do speaker/interconnect cables improve soundstage?

    Better cables bring out the best in your kit but I dont really get how they can improve the soundstage as this (I think) is dictated by your equipment and room interaction. Do you agree?
    Jerry
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  2. #2
    Join Date: Oct 2012

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    I'm Alan.

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    Vehemently not agree.
    Although you have got ultimate constraints of the equipment performance and the limits imposed by the room, with a suitably transparent system it can be very surprising just what improvements to image width/depth and ultimate clarity can be achieved with speaker cables particularly.

    Unfortunately using better cables usually involves more expense, but IMO is worth it.
    I recommend PCOCC based cables.

  3. #3
    Join Date: Feb 2013

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    I'm Grant.

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    ive heard improved soundstage with different cables, but it may be an interaction between cable and equipment causing it, and may well not happen with cable and other gear.
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  4. #4
    Join Date: Apr 2012

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    Quote Originally Posted by struth View Post
    ive heard improved soundstage with different cables, but it may be an interaction between cable and equipment causing it, and may well not happen with cable and other gear.
    Dead right, audible cable effects are system dependant.
    It is impossible for anything digital to sound analogue, because it isn't analogue!

  5. #5
    Join Date: Mar 2008

    Location: Birmingham, Midlands, United Kingdom.

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    I'm Matt.

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    Yes they can do!

  6. #6
    Join Date: Oct 2008

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    I'm Jerry.

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    Given that low frequency sound is hard for the brain to locate, would you say that a speaker cable that is good at HF will be better in improving your soundstage perception?
    Jerry
    Hifi: IPL transmission line floorstanding speakers, Squeezebox Touch, Denafrips Ares 11 DAC, DCB1 Pre-amplifier, Croft Series 7 power amp.
    Custom Hifi cables HA10SE headphone amplifier and Hifiman HE-400 headphones.
    AV system: LG 55B7, Denon AVR -x2300w receiver, Quad 12L (front) 11c Centre and 11L rear . Velodyne DD15 subwoofer.

  7. #7
    Join Date: Apr 2012

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    I'm Geoff.

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    Soundstage isn't just about positioning, depth of image and ambience or sense of acoustic are needed too. It's a tricky question to answer.
    It is impossible for anything digital to sound analogue, because it isn't analogue!

  8. #8
    Join Date: Feb 2008

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    Quote Originally Posted by struth View Post
    ive heard improved soundstage with different cables, but it may be an interaction between cable and equipment causing it, and may well not happen with cable and other gear.
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  9. #9
    Join Date: Jan 2008

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    Perfect answer...

    Quote Originally Posted by Firebottle View Post
    Vehemently not agree.
    Although you have got ultimate constraints of the equipment performance and the limits imposed by the room, with a suitably transparent system it can be very surprising just what improvements to image width/depth and ultimate clarity can be achieved with speaker cables particularly.

    Unfortunately using better cables usually involves more expense, but IMO is worth it.
    I recommend PCOCC based cables.

  10. #10
    Join Date: Aug 2009

    Location: Staffordshire, England

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    I'm Martin.

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    Is there a hierarchy of factors that affect soundstage and imaging?

    I would say so.

    The amount of soundstage and imaging encoded on the recording itself
    The position of the loudspeakers in the room and relative to the listening position
    Room effects (reflection, absorption, diffraction)
    The design of the loudspeakers


    if all those are optimised then I could accept that the cables might then play some part. But otherwise I'd suggest that any cable effect would be swamped by the above considerations.

    The best system I have ever heard for soundstage and imaging - by a country mile - was Gordon's (Halfway Tree) system using Linkwitz LX521 speakers. IIRC it did not use any 'fancy' cables. Even then the imaging effect varied from recording to recording.
    Current Lash Up:

    TEAC VRDS 701T > Sony TAE1000ESD > Krell KSA50S > JM Labs Focal Electra 926.

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