I had never thought of this until recently, but several people that work for or own MI companies have reported it’s a common problem. Real Speakons are like $5 so why risk it?
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Considering speaker cable upgrade
- Thread starter ad9000
- Start date
I had never thought of this until recently, but several people that work for or own MI companies have reported it’s a common problem. Real Speakons are like $5 so why risk it?
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You know, they actually are fine, I think I just temporarily fell victim to CVS (cable voodoo syndrome).
- Feb 12, 2006
- 60,951
- 5
- 220,597
- Disclosures
- Development Engineer-Mesa Boogie, Development Engineer-Genzler (pedals), Product Support-Genz Benz
That's why double-blind testing is so important. Identifies what you experienced with a minimum of grief.
+1 here. ProCo cables are actually a really solid, no hype, reliable way to go.
You’ve already made the right decision!
www.procosound.com
You’ve already made the right decision!
www.procosound.com
I've had lower priced speaker, and instrument, cables and they usually worked just fine. Lately, I've been using Analysis Plus Clear Oval Speaker cables. I have two 4 footers with my Bergantino Forte head and two Bergie HD112 cabinets. I think they sound a little better overall, especially the top end, than a less expensive cable, and even if they don't they were a great suggestion for my "Christmas list" my relatives keep asking for. I also use their Black Oval Instrument cable because...I want to.
I'm into high tech things so these cables make me happy. I dig that the cables have "patented hollow oval geometry" even if my ears can't really hear a difference.
Besides, I'm supporting an American company, which applies to just about all of my musical equipment.
I'm into high tech things so these cables make me happy. I dig that the cables have "patented hollow oval geometry" even if my ears can't really hear a difference.
Besides, I'm supporting an American company, which applies to just about all of my musical equipment.
I tried one of these Pro Co cables into my Mesa Subway and it locked up, I got it out finally but now the cab doesn't work with speakon anymore I have to use the 1/4 plug option..
I have only bought something for durability.. And warranty.. I've had cheap cables, fender California cables, I have plenty of lava cable.. I have a spool of it and the mini cables.. I have monster cables-warranty is great.. I have Mogami gold or platinum speakon -the higher end one.. Lol hell I have an esp ac cord.. did I spend a bit yes I did.. can I hear a difference.. in some cases yes.. in some cases no.. but I the strong one stay.. and bad work their way out.. and yes I did the ESP double bind test with my cousin.. didn't think any thing would change.. two things happened the noise floor went down.. because the damn thing is built like a tank. no other notable reactions have happened.. I've had it for 7-8 years.. not breaking.. so I think that alone was worth the money.. I'm even getting another for my other amp.. the Mogami is top notch got it 3 years ago I'll be getting another.. soon too.. the monsters are little too rigid I'm going to be going with Right Angle silencer/mute plugs and real neutric jacks on the new cable.. going to keep it about 18ft ish for a better high end sound. Aged Horse is right on all accounts.. I'm just a sucker for I think works better.. I'm paying for piece of mind and I don't regret it one bit.. do what you want.. regardless the price.. try to get solid products.. period.. hell make your own cables so you know the quality.. if you really want.. but Mogami-Lava-Monsters-Phil Jones are worth trying for yourself
I absolutely despise cables of all kinds and wish I did not have to deal with them at all. But I do.
Although I believe Aged Horse is essentially right, I use only Vovox instrument and speaker cables. I have neither the time nor the inclination to build my own cables or do endless A/B comparisons, so I just go with a proven product that performs flawlessly, allowing me to spend some money once and then never think about it again. I would rather just play music.
Although I believe Aged Horse is essentially right, I use only Vovox instrument and speaker cables. I have neither the time nor the inclination to build my own cables or do endless A/B comparisons, so I just go with a proven product that performs flawlessly, allowing me to spend some money once and then never think about it again. I would rather just play music.
This and I'd like to add build quality and oxygen free copper wire. And this is coming from an audiophile who has spent some dough on cables in the past but back to reality after doing time in rehab.
I'd highly recommend speaker cables from Rattlesnake Cables. Rattlesnake Cable Company - Offering high quality instrument cables at affordable pricing. - Amazing build quality!
You forgot Gluten-Free...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.
Unfortunately you can't test around someone's opinion. Especially after they made a ludicrous purchase.
"A fool and his money..." As they say.
I wouldn't care if I could hear a difference. $2K for speaker cables and $500 for power? That's totally insane on any scale. Geeze! Buy a $10 power cord and and a couple of $25 speaker cables and if the money is really burning a hole in your pocket (sorry if that was a bad choice of words) donate the rest to the CA Red Cross. They could probably use it right now.
^ Here's your answer, along with using genuine connectors.
I didn't realize Rattlesnake made speaker cables, I'll give them a try. I have some of their instrument cables and they are pretty much indestructible, and reasonably priced too.
- Feb 12, 2006
- 60,951
- 5
- 220,597
- Disclosures
- Development Engineer-Mesa Boogie, Development Engineer-Genzler (pedals), Product Support-Genz Benz
Also a correct PZ1 screwdriver. Philips and similar looking screwdrivers will do a number on the screw heads.
This is a pet peeve of mine. Some of those 3 foot SpeakOn cables are in excess of $50.00.
Back in the day when I was working in the consumer electronics industry, I had access to a TEF analyzer. It's a pretty high end piece of hardware that measures a variety of audio parameters in the time, energy, and frequency domains. I was giving a product presentation, and my spot was right after the wire guy's presentation, so there were a few cables that he left on the table. I took that opportunity to test them, and compared the RCA cables I had (most would consider them junk with molded ends, pretty thin wire, etc) to the high end ones, and also speaker cables, I used lamp cord as one, and a few of the high end ones.
I could measure no difference. None at all, in any of the domains, confirming my inability to hear any difference between them. One of the attendees pointed out that I was measuring the RCA cable "backwards". Yes, it was marketed as a "directional" cable, with the ends marked with source and component or some such. So I switched it around and took another measurement. Again, no difference. At all.
Another attendee pointed out that I didn't crimp on the gold end connectors to the speaker wire. So I did, and took more measurements. The gold ends actually increased resistance, and slightly degraded frequency response. I guess that was due to the resistance between the wire and the crimp.
So anyway, Invalid Link Removed each at Parts Express. And Invalid Link Removed is less than a dollar a foot. So in effect, some of these companies are selling a $9.00 cable (retail parts cost) for $50.00.
If y'all want to spend your money that way, that's fine. I'll make up my own, which will sound (and measure) just as well, and save $80% of the cost, just because I know how to use a screwdriver (or pozi driver, as pointed out above) and a wire stripper.
Back in the day when I was working in the consumer electronics industry, I had access to a TEF analyzer. It's a pretty high end piece of hardware that measures a variety of audio parameters in the time, energy, and frequency domains. I was giving a product presentation, and my spot was right after the wire guy's presentation, so there were a few cables that he left on the table. I took that opportunity to test them, and compared the RCA cables I had (most would consider them junk with molded ends, pretty thin wire, etc) to the high end ones, and also speaker cables, I used lamp cord as one, and a few of the high end ones.
I could measure no difference. None at all, in any of the domains, confirming my inability to hear any difference between them. One of the attendees pointed out that I was measuring the RCA cable "backwards". Yes, it was marketed as a "directional" cable, with the ends marked with source and component or some such. So I switched it around and took another measurement. Again, no difference. At all.
Another attendee pointed out that I didn't crimp on the gold end connectors to the speaker wire. So I did, and took more measurements. The gold ends actually increased resistance, and slightly degraded frequency response. I guess that was due to the resistance between the wire and the crimp.
So anyway, Invalid Link Removed each at Parts Express. And Invalid Link Removed is less than a dollar a foot. So in effect, some of these companies are selling a $9.00 cable (retail parts cost) for $50.00.
If y'all want to spend your money that way, that's fine. I'll make up my own, which will sound (and measure) just as well, and save $80% of the cost, just because I know how to use a screwdriver (or pozi driver, as pointed out above) and a wire stripper.
If your rig is sounding dull and listless, have it checked out.
Start with basic maintenance which includes a good cleaning of all metal-on-metal contacts, then have the tubes checked. A tech will check the bias of the power tubes, take voltage and output power readings to see how the amp is performing.
The chances of a good neutrik speakon equipped speaker cable going bad is way down on the list of fault possibilities.
Start with basic maintenance which includes a good cleaning of all metal-on-metal contacts, then have the tubes checked. A tech will check the bias of the power tubes, take voltage and output power readings to see how the amp is performing.
The chances of a good neutrik speakon equipped speaker cable going bad is way down on the list of fault possibilities.
I agree, but I do things a little different. I buy quality bulk cable on a 500 foot spool, low temperature 14AWG trailer cable for speakers (has a nice flexible, but tough jacket.) For mic cable, I've used Canare, Neutrik, Radial, Mogami, Rapco, etc. They are all good cables, some a little more durable against abuse than others, but you won't be hearing any audible differences. When I need a cable / cables, I grab a piece of wire, measure out the length I need, and slap some ends on it. No fuss or anguish over possible sonic differences.
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