Speaker cables for ELX ribbon

[des47]

I have been extremely happy with Anticables. I have the Level 2.1 and find they sound fantastic. Just my .02.

[reforminded]

Quick update on the cable matter:

Replaced the Transparent Wave with a pair of Belden 5T00UP. This is a 10 AWG stranded copper conductor cable, 15ft in length per channel (in my case), with resistance rated at 0.0034Ω/m. Capacitance 85pF/m. Inductance 0.49μH/m. And about $10/m from Blue Jeans Cable, unterminated.

First, the changes in sound. In short, a very noticeable and wholesome improvement very much across the board. Couldn’t be happier. I feel the ELX towers are finally showing their full character.

Honestly, I wasn’t expecting this. I’ve come to think this is the result of a large number of small changes in amplitude that, taken together, effect a bigger change in overall presentation.

Using the spreadsheet contained in the link below from Benchmark, one can start to see the multitude of amplitude variations in the frequency response that all together alter how the system sounds.

Audio Myth - "Damping Factor Isn't Much of a Factor" - Benchmark Media Systems

Although I don’t have any data on the electrical measurements of the Transparent cable, one can assume that resistance will be proportionally higher than the Belden (14 AWG vs 10 AWG) and inductance potentially a lot higher, considering the presence of the “network” assembly on the cable itself.

In the end, what seems to have happened after swapping out the cables is that a whole lot of different frequencies in the audible range were boosted by up to 0.2dB or more. I believe this is what’s behind the difference that I’m hearing - a lot of small changes all acting together.

Anyway, hope this helps. I’m very pleased with how this has turned out. If you’re thinking about cables, I’d say get a thick cable, properly terminated, and as short as you can. All this should cost you just a modest amount and make a meaningful improvement to the way your amp and speakers play with each other.

Did you not read anything that Dave wrote? Any differences in cables are barely measurable and completely inaudible. I am glad you are happy with your purchase, but it is a disservice to others to make outlandish claims about performance gains on a forum for speakers that are designed and optimized based on scientific data. Dave is an incredibly skilled, capable, and intelligent engineer - he knows what he is talking about.

[racrawford65]

tend to agree with what you say, reforminded, on cable claims (and definitely agree with your comments about Dave). However, perhaps that "network" assembly on the cable does more harm than good; hence, eliminating it resulted in an audible improvement. The poster isn't touting high priced/exotic cables - he/she basically replaced high price cables (Transparent) with reasonably-priced/well-made cables (Blue Jeans Cables). I, too, use BJC speaker cables for my mains/center (Monoprice for the other channels). I also use BJC (and Audiosensibility for vinyl setup) RCA cables and Zeskit Maya 8K HDMI.

[curtis]

I am also a BJC guy...speakers and interconnects, but my most recent cables have been from Worlds Best Cables via Amazon, balanced cables for my pre/pro to amp connections, and most recently a 10 foot subwoofer cable.

The build quality is outstanding, and they were less expensive than BJC.

[racrawford65]

Yes, those World's Best cables on Amazon are very well constructed and reasonably priced.
I have also purchased XLR cables from Markertek - inexpensive & well-made.

[shinny]

Dave, one more cable-related question,

Do you think it matters, sonically or otherwise, if speaker cables are different lengths? For example, one run 7ft' and another 15'?

Thanks as always.

[racrawford65]

Based on previous inputs (e.g. electrical parameter impacts) and assuming the speaker cables are well-made (e.g. good termination on the ends), I don't think it matters.

That said, my speaker cables for FL/FR are BJC and equal length (mainly because of my OCD). Other speakers are different lengths (e.g. back heights longer than surrounds longer than front heights longer than mains longer than center). Even within a channel pair (e.g. back heights), the L & R may be different lengths.

[curtis]

Dave, one more cable-related question,

Do you think it matters, sonically or otherwise, if speaker cables are different lengths? For example, one run 7ft' and another 15'?

Thanks as always.

I'm not Dave, but just wanted to say that electrons travel at about 2,200 kilometers a second, so you won't hear a difference.

That said, what is keeping you from getting the same length?

[davef]

Dave, one more cable-related question,

Do you think it matters, sonically or otherwise, if speaker cables are different lengths? For example, one run 7ft' and another 15'?

Thanks as always.

There would have to be extremely significant differences in speaker length to hear any audible differences.

[laidbach]

ThatÂ’s true, but also true is that a cable that is twice in length will have twice the resistance, affecting proportionally the amplitude of the signal.

As most will point out, in short runs this doesnÂ’t really matter, but if you have spent a small fortune building a system, you might be annoyed knowing that one speaker plays 0.1 or 0.2dB lower/higher on account of cable length.