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  3. 161281-107

Bought some 14/2 “speaker wire” from Home Depot

So I decided to amuse myself and on a recent trip to the Home Depot I bought some 14 gauge speaker wire. 25 ft for under $11.
I have what I think is a good system and my current speaker wires are analysis plus mesh oval 9 terminated in spades. My system is noted in my profile.
I substituted in the 14/2 I picked up- each leg is about 9.5 ft. Tinned bare wire at each end. I did use 4% silver solder.
Quite listenable, though perhaps not as extended at the high end. If someone told me I had to use the Home Depot wire I’d get along just fine. Leads me to one of 4 possible conclusions- 1- my hearing stinks; 2- my fancy Analysis Plus cables aren’t anything special; 3- my system isn’t resolving enough to make a difference; 4- given sufficient gauge, cable is cable. Of course, it’s also possible that my system is so good, any wire will allow that to shine through 
Your thoughts, comments, etc appreciated 

thanks
128x128zavato

Showing 1 response by williewonka

williewonka
3,072 posts
 
@zavato - It's not only about the metal in a wire...

I started with a "nice looking" wire with clear insulation. Had it in the system for about 4 years, until one day, I wanted to change the length of the wire.

First thing I noticed - the previously bright copper was now very dull (almost black). When I striped the insulation there was a slimy deposit on the wire - the insulation was degrading

At that point I looked for a better wire and switched to Van den Hul speaker wire
- WOW! - the performance was so much better
- I upgraded to the next gauge size up to achieve better bass performance

Fast forward 20 years later - I go into my old cable box and took out a piece of the first Van den Hul wire for another system - when I strip the insulation - no slimy deposit and the wire was still as bright as the day I bought it 

So that very affordable wire may not be doing your system any favours over the long haul

And that is just the tip of the "cable iceberg'
- different types of metal
- different type of insulation
- different cable geometries
- etc...

Regards - Steve
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