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Diagonal Connection With Two Pairs Of Binding Posts

This is from the Chord website:

"As a general rule, the treble connections are usually reckoned to produce better sound quality than the bass connections. However, in many cases, we find that a diagonal connection produces the most musically coherent sound. To do this, connect the positive (+) speaker cable to the positive treble connection and the negative speaker cable (-) to the negative bass connection. So in effect, the cable is connected diagonally. This is quick, easy and fun to do and the results are easy to hear."

I decided to try this today on my Harbeth SHL5+ speakers. Previously, my cables were connected to the lower posts (LF).

I listened to very familiar music for a couple of hours and the change was significant and for the better. The high frequencies were clearer without being bright. The soundstage was wider and overall sound had more presence.

I was not aware that a diagonal connection was an option.

Has anyone tried this? What were the results?

I left the jumpers in place. Should they stay in place in a diagonal set up?

Would appreciate your thoughts/comments.
          
ericsch

Showing 4 responses by ghosthouse

ghosthouse's avatar
ghosthouse
4,287 posts
 
Single-wiring of bi-wireable speakers has been discussed previously on A'gon.  You might find some further useful input if you search.  It's also covered on Nordost and Audioquest web-sites.  Nordost advocates - (black) up and + (red) down.  AQ just the opposite.  Jumpers are still required when single-wiring bi-wireable speakers regardless the connection pattern used for the + & - leads.  Depending on "tuning" needs, I'll use the Nordost diagonal for a little more treble energy on Totem Forests and the AQ pattern for a less but with Silverline Prelude Plus, I connect both + & - leads to the lower speaker terminals.  As also noted on the Totem website, it can't hurt to experiment with all the possible permutations (4).  

Here's a link to the Nordost discussion.  AQ's should be easy to find too.
https://www.nordost.com/downloads/NorseJumperinstructions.pdf

    
ghosthouse's avatar
ghosthouse
4,287 posts
 
Here's a link to the Audioquest discussion.  The section you want is 

Using Full Range Cables On BiWire Capable Speakers

http://tools.audioquest.com/downloads/literature/learning_modules/Understanding-BiWiring.pdf
ghosthouse's avatar
ghosthouse
4,287 posts
 
@ericsch
I second what Nonoise (and others?) have said about getting the best jumpers you can afford.

After living with mftr. supplied jumpers and trying DIY (didn’t hear a significant change), I finally sprang for a used set of mid product range Cardas. I was very surprised at the noticeable improvement those little runs of wire did provide. Another area of wire skepticism laid to rest. Once you decide what connection arrangement suits you best, definitely consider upgrading your jumpers.
ghosthouse's avatar
ghosthouse
4,287 posts
 
@ryder

See if this helps clarify things:

Jumpers are used with both Nordost and Audioquest diagonal speaker connections and jumper connections are the same for each, i.e, from upper to lower speaker binding posts (+ to + & - to -).

For the 2 speaker cable leads going to each speaker...
The Nordost method has + (red) leg going to the corresponding (+) BOTTOM binding post and - (black) leg going to the corresponding (-) UPPER binding post.

The Audioquest method is opposite, i.e., it has + (red) going to the corresponding UPPER binding post and - (black) going to the corresponding LOWER binding post.

That’s all there is to it.

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