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 jjss49

my 2 cents -- its all b-s

though you can try it every which way -- all permutations -- and decide for yourself

pls come back let us know what you learned

btw - harbeth has been removing bi wiring posts from its newer speakers, that should tell you something...

have fun
one person’s experience to report -- tried over 5-6-7 pairs of speakers over the last 20 years (epos, proacs (2 sets), spendors, vandersteen, ariel, sonus faber) with wire from aq cardas canare wireworld qed kimber mapleshade

had spouse, other family members, or friends do the swaps blind - i could NEVER reliably call the configuration or reliably tell which was superior (i never tried the diagonal thing...)

end of story for me... so i say its b-s

one person’s experience
many paths to happiness, and the journey is part of it

this bi wiring stuff is easy to try every which way, everyone can make up their own minds

like all comparisons in this pursuit, just make sure you are doing it properly, so you don't doubt the result due to suspect methodology
as fervent, dedicated enthusiasts, part of the deal is we obsess over the smallest details, optimize every little aspect, but it sometimes really benefits us to step back and look at the whole thing, think about the various potential improvements levers in terms of their relative proportionality and importance against the absolute performance level 

that last .025% of improvement, even if we were sure it is real, might not be worth the time, effort and cost, if the quality of the music being reproduced is already absolutely splendid