Looking for new speaker cables
I’ve been using Audience AU24SE cables for a few years and really like them. They have all the detail, air, and speed I need. If anything, they might lack a bit of body. That’s my ideal, all those good qualities but just more body. Not to the point of being thick or slow, though. Does that make sense?
I’ve recently tried the Tubulus Concentus and Fidelium but will continue looking. The newer Audience SX and Front Row cables are said to be way better than my SEs. I remember when the SX came out everyone said it was basically a new direction in sound for Audience. So they are a potential candidate, if anything the Front Row. I’ve also read good things on the Townshend Fractal cables here. Budget probably up to $7-8k but $4-5k is the comfort area.
Looking for suggestions that might work. Air, speed, and a more body than the SEs. Haven’t called the Cable Company on this yet, just looking for user or listener experiences at this point.
What equipment do you have? I'd recommend putting some photos and identifying the components under your UserID as a virtual system. That will help us get a good feel for your system. If I want the sound of the components to come through I buy Transparent. I have experience with a number of other ones. I have experience with them for decades... although for the first few decades, always used and the lower tier. Now I use Gen 6 Ultra. If you can afford a higher tier, they are worth it. |
Well, I've been using the same absolutely incredible speaker cables for over 15 years now, JPS Labs Superconductor 3 speaker cables. Since purchasing the Superconductor 3 speaker cables, I've changed/upgraded every other cable in my audio system, some of them two or three times over, except for the superconductor 3. Happy listening. |
Check out ViaBlue SC-6 made in Germany. ( The Music Room carries them). They are an open pathway to your speakers for all the music coming from your electronics. They don’t add coloration or take anything away.. Give them time to break in and you will be enjoying all your system is capable of. The cost is in your comfort range or below and will preform many times above their price point. These were used at many high end listening rooms at this years AXPONA. I absolutely love them in my dedicated vinyl system. |
@jaybe Curious what was it about the Fidelium you didn't like? Another company to check out is Snake River Audio. Jonny is a great guy to work with and you buy direct from him. Cable Co also has them to try. |
Wavetouch audio spkr cable ($2k/7ft pair). Listen to clean mid-range and solid bass from 5.25" woofers below. Alex/Wavetouch https://youtu.be/Kr3bV7tRe4U?si=92ILYQmk5UadozS8 Original music |
My take: (1) A quest for “ more body” via new speaker cables is an ethereal and elusive pathway option at best. I’d first consider an upgraded source if “more body “ translates into added slam and added dynamics. (2) Without prejudice to the former, your AUDIENCE 24 cables are already a very good performer in my experience. We all know that in high-end audio equipment, alternative cable brands have their own bespoke sonic signatures. These loosely translate into “brighter”, “warmer”, “transparent “, “ tamed” (in the context of digital glare) etc, There is a reason why CARDAS CLEAR BEYOND / CARDAS CLEAR and NORDOST ODIN / NORDOST VALHALLA dominate the audio fests. |
I am not a “cable denier”, but I am a “cable skeptic”. In other words, I know they can make a difference, but I would never spend more than a couple thousand on a speaker cable, even in a $50k+ system. It bothers me that some cable companies have 10 or more different levels of cables - to me, it just means they save their best efforts for their top level cables. Cynical I know, but if they have 10 levels, there are 9 upgrade paths for them to put you on. I much prefer spending less on cables from a company that only offers one or two levels. Whatever you get, you’re getting something close to their best. My most recent speaker cable purchase was from Triode Wire Labs for my “vintage system” (Leben pre with restored Altec Santiagos). Very nice cable for about $1k.
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You don't know me but I have settled on these Shunyata Research Alpha Speaker Cables and like wow. Also dig Cardas Clear Beyond (anything in that line) and most of the better Transparent offerings. |
If you like Audience, Front Row is the way to go. Cardas would be my personal choice. Like @akg_ca . If you can go up to Cardas Clear that is the sweet spot IMHO. Otherwise clear reflection. I settled for Luna Mauve until I have the $ to get one of the above. Great value for the money. Good luck and keep us posted. |
@jaybe what is the length of your speaker cables? also, do you have any preference on end termination solution? |
I’ve been through several speaker cable brands and settled on Cerious Technologies “Graphene Lumniscate.” This is their top speaker cable. They are very transparent, vocals are very clear and bass is tight. They don’t add any sonic signature in that they don’t sound warm or lean. What I do notice most is the clarity and just allowing my system to shine through. Cost around $2500/pair. I recently purchased another set of speaker cables that actually cost more than the Graphene Lumniscate to try something new, but quickly realized they couldn’t compare to the Cerious cables. They are a real bargain at $2500 imo. |
