Best speaker cables for under 500$ (Euros)


Hello guys,

I was never into expensive cables as I’ve always found the money were better spent into the electronics themselves or room treatment. However, I would like your recommendations on the best available speaker cables for that budget to connect my Pass Labs X250.5 to the Usher Be-10 speakers.
fuscobal
I'm not familiar with the European marketplace, or what brands are readily available there.  My knowledge is limited to the North American market, but I'm sure at least some of these brands are available in Europe.

I'll echo the British(?) brand recommendation, Chord has a great rep and certainly worth a look, though they get expensive pretty fast.


My tips for a 500 euro set:

- Tellurium Q Black II
- Kimber 12 TC
- Nordost Purple Flare
- Harmonic Tech Recta C11
- Townshend Isolda

And watch the second hand market (hifishark), because a lot of rich audiophiles swap cables often.
WireWorld Series 7 are outstanding value now that people are upgrading to Series 8
I agree with 3 payments about buying used. That stated, I would recommend "cerious" brand speaker cables if you can find them. 
Whatever you decide, this is definitely an item to purchase used.  Low risk on some hidden damage or abuse and you will get 1/2 off new pretty easily.  
Thanks for your inputs. Really difficult to listen to as there are not too many in my area for testing. Will look into the ones you guys specified.
I guess they are all broken in now?  They continue to amaze me on a daily basis as I use them in both of my systems.  I feel it is one of the greatest bargains in cables today.  
I just got a set of 4S11 from Ram and am very pleased. Great sounding plus fit and finish are outstanding.
Canare 4S11 cable.  Check out Ram Electronics. Biggest bang for the buck. 
The gear in question is really top notch, and would definitely benefit from upgraded speaker cables.  I don't want to open a can of worms here, but every single cable in that system could be upgraded with good gains made.  When I did this, I immediately heard a better focus, clear imaging that I didn't know I was missing.

I hesitate to recommend anything specifically, because I don't know what the general sound signature is of either the amp or Usher speakers in question.  I've got Audioquest Rocket 44, they are the most expensive speaker cable I've ever owned.  Wireworld also makes some pretty effective speaker cables, I've got their Oasis 7 cables.

I would suggest that the OP needs at least a cable that is 12 gauge or larger for those Ushers, which go down quite low.  Also, the benefits of a solid conductor design over stranded conductors really surprised me.  Something employing copper that is more than just oxygen free, or even silver, will improve the sound.

Food for thought...


Yeah, a lot of guys feel that way. The problem is there are so many to choose from, and instead of relying on listener impressions most guys buy into marketing narratives. Anyway, if you would listen to Synergistic Research after a while it will become clear wires are just as important and contribute just as much to system performance as anything else. You can simply search around for the newest/best deal on used SR speaker cables. 

Some of the best deals out there will be cables made over the years when SR used Active Shielding. That's what I have, CTS, which are very affordable now being as they are over 15 years old now, yet still incredible performance being as they were the best speaker cables made back then. https://systems.audiogon.com/systems/8367 If you do go with SR Active the power modules offer a great upgrade path. The cables are great as stock, but for almost nothing can be upgraded with better caps and diodes that improve performance like you will not believe. Do this and it will be the end of your thinking cables are any less important than other components. 

Buy anything else and all bets are off.