Considering speaker cable upgrade

[ad9000]

At the risk of igniting a flame war, which seems to come along with any discussion of cables , I've been thinking about checking out some different speaker cables to see if that is an element that might improve the sound of my rig (FWIW, that includes a Darkglass head or a rack with Kern preamp and Demeter power amp and various Bergantino, EA and Schroeder cabinets).

I participated in a shootout at the SWR factory back in the mid-90's, in which the unanimous verdict was that the speaker cables that SWR supplied with their gear (basic, inexpensive Connectronics cable with Switchcraft 1/4" jacks and Pomona Electronics banana plugs) sounded better than the pricey audiophile cables that we compared them to (I might add that this was an ears-only comparison, and we didn't measure capacitance or any other values). I do use higher end instrument cables, so I am a believer in that respect, but rather illogically, and largely due to my lasting impression from the aforementioned experience, that practice hasn't extended to speaker cables.

Even though I still have a stash of the SWR cables, I can't use them very much since nearly all of my presently owned amps and cabs have Speakon connectors. For some reason though, I have been suspecting that the ProCo speaker cables I've been using aren't the greatest. I'm open to any suggestions - cheap and cheerful is good, as are DIY solutions, but if anyone has found more upscale options that they like I'm open to those as well.

 

[agedhorse]

Don't waste your money. Get solid 14 or 16 gauge cables but be sure they have real Neutrik brand connectors. The genuine connectors are important, not for the sound but for durability and reliability.

 

[byacey]

Even though I still have a stash of the SWR cables, I can't use them very much since nearly all of my presently owned amps and cabs have Speakon connectors.

If you're hung up on using the SWR cables, lop the connectors off the ends and install some speakons.

Using genuine connectors is important. A couple of times I've seen Peavey mixers with XLR males stuck in the input jacks, one jack actually damaged in trying to remove it. The Chinese "Triple Misfortune" brand Neutrik knock-off was machined just slightly different, enough that it would lock up in the female input.

 

[sharkbait130]

Cables.....meh. Just don't get the ones with really junk connectors.

 

[S-Bigbottom]

Just wrap them around a hot water bottle.

 

[ad9000]

If you're hung up on using the SWR cables, lop the connectors off the ends and install some speakons.
Using genuine connectors is important. A couple of times I've seen Peavey mixers with XLR males stuck in the input jacks, one jack actually damaged in trying to remove it. The Chinese "Triple Misfortune" brand Neutrik knock-off was machined just slightly different, enough that it would lock up in the female input.

I thought about putting a Speakon jack on one of the SWR cables - thanks for the reminder, I will give it a try.
+1 re. the knockoff Neutriks, they suck.

 

[Rick James]

http://www.roger-russell.com/wire/wire.htm

 

[Killed_by_Death]

copper wire is copper wire
the only thing different is the diameter & how fancy the jacket is

Get some SJOOW wire from Home Depot & make your own:

Southwire (By-the-Foot) 14/2 300-Volt CU Black Flexible Portable Power SJOOW Cord-55812199 - The Home Depot

 

[TomB]

If you're hung up on using the SWR cables, lop the connectors off the ends and install some speakons.

Using genuine connectors is important. A couple of times I've seen Peavey mixers with XLR males stuck in the input jacks, one jack actually damaged in trying to remove it. The Chinese "Triple Misfortune" brand Neutrik knock-off was machined just slightly different, enough that it would lock up in the female input.

This ^^^. I converted all my quality 1/4" to Neutrik. It's very easy DIY stuff.

 

[chris_b]

Get good cables and do what Agedhorse suggests. Not for any improvements in your sound but because, if you look after them (wrap and store them correctly and don't stand on them), they'll last longer and wear better. They won't buzz, crackle, sound bad or fail.

I have 2 instrument cables and one of them I've been using without any issues for over 30 years.

 

[ad9000]

Lots of good information, just what I was hoping for. Thanks for all the responses so far.

 

[Old Garage-Bander]

Only use Oxygen Free, Nitrogen Infused, Magnetically Enhanced, Low Sodium, directional cables with PBH Free insulation. The jackets must have tightly controlled pigments to avoid standing waves. Any impurities in the plastic is a tone killer. Likewise, be sure the imprinted designation on the jacket uses pure North Atlantic Squid Ink. Synthetic inks will lead to impedance bumps. Only store the cables in 600 count Egyptian linen bags. The contacts on the connectors must be Eryllium clad. And the inside of the connector shells must be shielded with Palidinium.

 

[gln1955]

Only use Oxygen Free, Nitrogen Infused, Magnetically Enhanced, Low Sodium, directional cables with PBH Free insulation. The jackets must have tightly controlled pigments to avoid standing waves. Any impurities in the plastic is a tone killer. Likewise, be sure the imprinted designation on the jacket uses pure North Atlantic Squid Ink. Synthetic inks will lead to impedance bumps. Only store the cables in 600 count Egyptian linen bags. The contacts on the connectors must be Eryllium clad. And the inside of the connector shells must be shielded with Palidinium.

Good advice, but a little out of date. Today's best cables are non-GMO, gluten-free and nanotech. Gotta be nanotech.

 

[Rockbobmel]

Mogami W3082 | Redco Audio

 

[Bryan R. Tyler]

Good advice, but a little out of date. Today's best cables are non-GMO, gluten-free and nanotech. Gotta be nanotech.

 

[JW56789]

You can't do anything about the half-ass plastic jacks a lot of companies use in amps these days, but you sure can eliminate the 'other half' of the problem: Good cable and Neutriks.

I crossed this bridge some years ago: Had an 'audiophile' friend that had read way too many issues of 'The Absolute Sound' magazine, and spent 2 grand on two (2 ! ! ) 6-foot speaker cables for his Krell / MacIntosh home setup. Clear jacket, I thought they looked like those goofy things they sell in a bad car stereo shop, but there was no talking him off the ledge . . . . . . I go to his house, and I've got pretty decent ears, and he A/B'd them for me . . . . . . I couldn't hear any difference. Naturally he went on and on about an improved presentation, more pristine highs, etc., etc., and thought I was some rube right off the turnip truck as I couldn't hear it. He then proceeded to tell me about his next purchase, a 500 buck AC cable for his amp.

I had to leave, I wasn't a member of the 'More Money Than Sense Club'.

 

[byacey]

Only use Oxygen Free, Nitrogen Infused, Magnetically Enhanced, Low Sodium, directional cables with PBH Free insulation. The jackets must have tightly controlled pigments to avoid standing waves. Any impurities in the plastic is a tone killer. Likewise, be sure the imprinted designation on the jacket uses pure North Atlantic Squid Ink. Synthetic inks will lead to impedance bumps. Only store the cables in 600 count Egyptian linen bags. The contacts on the connectors must be Eryllium clad. And the inside of the connector shells must be shielded with Palidinium.

I checked at Walmart and the clerk told me they don't stock that anymore, but it can still be special ordered.

 

[bassicmike]

...durability and reliability.

Never spend the $$$ for anything other than this.

 

[sawzalot]

Personally I like cables with a built-in flux capacitor, anything else just doesn't sound right to me.

 

[ezstep]

REAL Neutrik connectors. I bought a brand, new Chinese knock off speakon cable once when I bought a cab, and I honestly believe that it damaged the connector on the cab.