Also, the designer informs me that the “ideal” sound quality emerges with the conductor side FACING the binding posts of both speakers and amplifer!!Yes, this is true in my experience as well.
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They will fit undoubtably, the flat ribbons have a thin flat (metal ?) conductor with a “ cutout” to fit into your binding post ; as spades do. Just screw them down; they’re pretty sturdy. Also, the designer informs me that the “ideal” sound quality emerges with the conductor side FACING the binding posts of both speakers and amplifer!! |
I've already weighed in on how these sound, and I'm not a trusted source for that kind of feedback here, so I'll not belabor it. But I can give you some info on cosmetics. These cables are somewhat delicate. I'm sure they are tough enough, given their covering in a laminate. But whats inside that laminate is a sheet of metal foil. Not as thin as a sheet of household aluminum foil (roughly twice as thick), but foil all the same. I was putting mine up on risers. I'm using these Audioquest Fog lifters. In that process, while one cable was still on my wooden floor, I dropped one of the risers, and it landed on a cable. Now that cable has a pucker in that spot, that will never be removed. There goes that flawless golden ribbon. Still works fine, of course. And does not look that bad actually. But it's no longer perfect. IMO if you are one of those people that refuse do buy a used item here if the cosmetic condition is not a 10, then stay away from these cables. But if you can put up with the inevitable crinkles that will happen in handling, and gently-gently pulling them through cabinet openings and such, then they are wonderful. I'm not in this hobby to show off my gear. I'm in it for the sound. And these perform remarkably well in that regard. I just sold a pair of Nordost Blue Heaven speaker cables that I'd been using for years, and they were in good condition. So I know being careful with a speaker cable is possible. And on some - like Nordost's - it's practically required, if you care about cosmetics. On these, somewhat more so. However, if you are one of those people that do like to show off their gear, there's no hiding these things. A pair of 2 1/4" wide, shiny gold ribbons running from your gear to your speakers is not something you'll easily hide. Even more so if you put them on risers. They show themselves off. Brilliantly. And IMO, look wonderful. |
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Great Question! When tried with my recently reviewed “ Aerial 6T loudspeakers (https://www.thesoundadvocate.com/2020/02/review-aerial-acoustics-6t-loudspeaker/ I would say incontrovertibly Yes’. However, I am now going back and reinstalling my Spendor’s, Quads and the Audionote AN/ED’d ( review forthcoming) to see if the subjective qualities remain constant, or whether it’s the all to familiar “loudspeakers system” cable marriages. It should be interesting!! |
I was totally flabbergasted; see: https://www.thesoundadvocate.com/2020/01/just-launched-silversmith-audios-revolutionary-speaker-cabl... Having just recently invested a considerable amount on the somewhat inimitable Inakustik LS-4004, I was ( a bit disturbingly) amazed to hear the supremely ACCURATE’ Decay’ time on all music and voices and overall supreme sound quality of these cables !! This was more noticeable than on changing from any loudspeaker cable I have tried ( https://www.thesoundadvocate.com/equipment-reviews/cables-accessories/ ) in the last year and a half! Try to audition them in your system with some non bastardized recorded program sources technique if possible- you’ll see what I mean!! Review forthcoming. |
I don't think the prices have changed...silversmith is currently offering a 20% discount to the listed prices and I think the price of $795 for a 6 foot pair quoted in a previous post is after the discount. I just received a 4 foot pair of these today and must say that they are very, very good, not even considering the relatively low cost compared to other top flight cables. I would highly suggest purchasing a pair while they are 20% off. My guess is the list prices will go up. Silversmith has a 30 day trial period, so you only have the shipping costs at risk. |
"Tried everything over the 25+ years and nothing has made this much improvement in sound reproduction. When I say everything I mean top brands and show winners that we all talk about."I've been a budget minded audiophile for 40+ years myself, and this is only the third time - in all that time - that I've made a change to my system that was instantly audible, and left me with absolutely no interest in wasting time A/B'ing. If you have a well resolving system, to not hear this, you'd have to be deaf. |
Scolly3. You heard exactly what I did. I have had synergistic Tara labs anti on and on. Tried everything over the 25+ years and nothing has made this much improvement in sound reproduction. When I say everything I mean top brands and show winners that we all talk about. I believe these are worth the audition. |
I'm in major agreement with fxman. I've got a pair of 6' Fideliums myself, and I've got to say that I am stunned at the difference they make. They replaced my Norsodt Blue Heaven LS cables, and their improved imaging and realism is absolutely jaw dropping. I was hoping that I might might hear some beneficial difference. But I never expected a cable that was so good that I was sold before I could finish the first song I listened to. Heck, I knew I was onto something significant after just a few notes. They are amazing. But don't take my word for it. Something like this, the word on the street will prove me right soon enough. They're just so new that almost no one's heard them. But if you can, you should, provided you have a highly resolving system. |
Just my preference, however, I’ve not cared for speaker cables that connect to the amp and/or speaker the way that there ribbon speaker cables do. I’ve tried several brands and while they sound good it seems like the attachment ends become the weak point of the cable over time. I do admit that "The conductive surface is a .75 inch square with a .25 inch wide notch compatible with most binding posts" looks like an upgrade compared to what was done in the past. |
Ed Shilling at Hornshoppe Horns has been making ribbon speaker cables for many years. When I had his speakers, I noticed his ribbon cables on a photo he used on his site and asked about them. Although he didn't advertise them, he said he'd make them for anyone who asked. They were copper flat ribbon speaker cables, by the way. They didn't look as nice as these Fidelium cables and the insulation looked like something Mapleshade made: kind of loose and baggy. If I didn't have my present SCs, I'd give these a try. All the best, Nonoise |
These cables look extremely interesting. I have admired Jeff Smith's designs when ever I have heard them. Only question I would have, is the way that they connect to the binding post...looks like a home audition on your amp and speaker end may be a must before committing. If these would work on my amps and speakers, I am certainly going to put these at the top of my audition list. |
