Shotgun with different cables


Normally a so-called shotgun cable configuration is referred to as two IDENTICAL sets of speaker cables per channel connected to a SINGLE termination pair a BOTH the speaker and amplifier side.

Now, I’ve had and still has made very good sonic findings running two DIFFERENT pairs a speaker cables per channel, in my case combining a solid-core silver cable (Mundorf SIlver/gold) and a stranded, tinned copper cable (Duelund DCA16GA). Please note I’m not bi-wiring, but simply running two different cables from one termination point a the amp to one termination point at the speakers (of course in an identical fashion for each channel and ’+’ and ’-’ as well). As an outset I’d find running identical cable sets in a shotgun configuration a less interesting idea than going for a complimentary effect in combining two different cables. So why I am hearing of this configuration so rarely, if at all?

I’m guessing there’s a theoretical stance that would hold this kind of configuration a non-preferable solution (electrical properties gone "haywire," so to speak), in light of it being rarely used /talked about. But again, why really - what’s the technical (and theoretical) explanation that would have us shy from the solution of different cable sets in a shotgun configuration? But most importantly, where’s the actual (non-biased) experience - that is, experience that has come to fruition in likely not being affected by (a possible) theoretical consensus?

Let this be a challenge: try a shotgun configuration with two different sets of speakers cables, and let us know YOUR sonic findings.
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Showing 1 response by mcbuddah

I have a set of Ridge Street Audio Poeima ii silver ribbon speaker cables that I use with my Snell B-Types. The bass cable is substantially more robust than the one I use for the highs.  They also sounded great with my Genesis 6.1s that are not designed for bi-wiring. 

I am currently having trouble with my mono-block amps and have pressed into service a Yamaha RX-3010 AV receiver.  I need longer cables than the RSAs so I run the the Snells bi-amped with Waveform Fidelity cables on top and some Audio Art's better speaker cables for the bass.  I doubt that any of these combinations would please many audiophiles, but I cannot complain about any audio nasties due to the mis-matched speaker configs but the music is still playing and the Yamaha is proving to be a real over-achiever in its temporary role.