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Speaker Wire Help

Hi:
I just bought a pair of Monitor Audio Silver 8's and I was wondering what type of speaker wire I should use? I am actually very blown away by all the types of wires out there (gold, silver, copper, different gauges). In addition, I would also need suggestions on the types of terminations? The speakers can handle spades and banannas. What is a good length, I do not want to go to short or too long, if that makes any sense. Also, wondering if I should bi-wire? I am running a Harman Kardon AVR520 receiver, which is one of their high end non-thx receivers. I would greatly appreciate and help on this matter and where to buy. I would like to keep the price fairly resonable, less than $150.
Thanks for your help
mmajoril
docjr8156
34 posts
 
For $150 on 8-10ft lenght of cables, you can look at some "DIY cable " on sale. SignalCable's(Frank) 10 ft single run wire with gold spades will only cost you around $110 and you will be blown away what this cable can do for the money. In my system, this cable bettered known brands like Kimber 4TC and 8TC, Analysis Plus Oval 9's, Monster Z2 and Alpha Cores. It is as good as my Acoustic Zen Satori. Search for SignalCable's site and call Frank and get ready for a rude awakening in the audio cable world.
socrates
247 posts
 
With that price range and setup I highly suggest DH Labs T-14 speaker wire, which can be had single run for about $75, biwire or shotgun about twice that. I GREATLY preferred the DH Labls cables over the Analysis Plus Oval 12's and various AudioQuest cables that I tried. The DH labs interconnects are also very good and very cheap.

I would suggest using spades for best contact and alway run the shortest length of speaker cable you can, more only degrades sound. Cables only degrade/color the sound, the less cable the more pure the sound will be (assuming you can hear difference in cables, as many do not)....
c123666
871 posts
 
You might care to review this article written by the former McIntosh Laboratories engineer on the topic of speaker wire; quite interesting.

http://www.sundial.net/~rogerr/wire.htm

This compares, with measurements and blind listening tests, various speaker wires from zip cord to high end wire. The results are not good for the high end wire industry.
sean
6,229 posts
 
Sheesh, here we go again... Sean
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