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I'd like to upgrade my speaker wire

I am fairly new here and still learning.  I have a Yamaha R803 receiver and Vandersteen model 1s.  I'm happy with them for now but I'd like to upgrade my speaker wire. I presently have 14 gauge wire I bought years ago at Best Buy. I need 40 feet.  I've read great reviews about Back Cat but I think 40 feet may be a little pricey for me. I'd greatly appreciate any advice on a good quality wire at a reasonable cost. Maybe under $500?   BTW,  I bought Jim Smith's book as recommended here, great advice, thanks.   Doug
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Showing 3 responses by millercarbon

millercarbon's avatar
millercarbon
12,531 posts
 
Millercarbon-you need to buy jim smiths book on how to get better sound. Jim states to never put your gear in the middle between the speakers, put your gear on the side.

"Jim states." Oh. Well now. That changes everything. Jim states. I must admit, I didn’t see that one coming. The logic! The facts! Its the most airtight argument, possibly of all time! "Jim states!" Wow. Whatever was I thinking? I am in awe.
millercarbon's avatar
millercarbon
12,531 posts
 
I would like to know how you came up with no more than an 8 foot pair of wires for the speaker to be optimal?   My speakers are across the room from the audio rack and I have two 23 foot speaker cables going under the floor to the speakers.  Works great and sounds fantastic.  Just because you have your own opinion doesn’t mean it is right or wrong.

How do I know? Tried it both ways. Tried it many ways. Lotta other stuff too. More than you can even imagine. That's how I know.

"Works great and sounds fantastic." Compared to what? You tried it both ways? I don't think so. If you did, you would be the one guy on the planet preferred the sound of 23 feet of lamp cord to 6 feet of audiophile grade speaker cable. With that kind of experience, you should write it up. What the interweb is for. I know I would sure like to read about it.
millercarbon's avatar
millercarbon
12,531 posts
 
Nobody with 40 feet of speaker wire needs better wire. What they need is better speaker placement. Or component placement. Or both.

When you get things situated to where they should be you will need 8 ft per side, if that. At that point then a good $500 speaker cable will have tremendous impact. Right now though it would be throwing money down the toilet.


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