Tri-Wire Cables

Hi Bwhite,

At $20 a foot plus termination, I could make you up a set of DH Labs Q-10 for triwiring. I'd like to know the driver configuration and which driver each post set is connected to, but assuming it's a 3 way crossover, you can go with one Q-10 configured internally as a 10 gauge cable to go to your bass driver(s), then have the other Q-10 in an internally biwired configuration of 12 and 14 gauge. It should provide a nice overall current-carrying balance and great sound at a good price. The two cables can be spiraled up together for a neat appearance.

I agree with the posts above that you should not mix different brands or designs that are not especially made to go together. Their different electrical and sonic characteristics can play havoc at the crossover frequencies, a place especially where you need a good, smooth blending.

Jeff

Bwhite; Most Vandersteen speakers (maybe all) are bi-wireable, but not tri-wireable. I did ask R.Vandersteen for a spkr cable recommendation, but he declined, just saying that there are so many and they all sound different.

BTW, I ended up with bi-wired runs of Syn. Res. Sig. No. 2. I did try Sig. No. 3 on top (a Syn. Res. recommendation), but found it too bright. But I'm very satisfied with the Sig. No. 2 for both runs. Note, the Syn. Res. cables (No. 2 and No. 3) are designed to work well together and are electronically compatible. Craig.

Garfish... Thanks! I am glad to hear that. I'd hate to have a run of Cardas, Audioquest and Silver Audio for each channel. What are the factory recommendations? Are your Vandersteen speakers tri-wire ready?

Hi Bwhite; some respected high end manufactures, eg R. Vandersteen recommend against mixing different brands of wires in a bi or tri wire setup. The reasons given have to do with differing electronic characteristics of the wires. I have chosen to go with factory recommendations, and have not tried mixing wire brands. Good Luck. Craig.

Okay... So saying I was brave and decided to Tri-Wire with three separate runs of cable. I could even go with different manufacturers products for each driver. Shesh... That seems like the complicated way to audio nirvana!

I've spent a great deal of time selecting interconnects.... Tedious... Now... Just imagine the fun I'll have selecting three separate cable runs, each perfect for the driver they feed! When all is said and done and the three runs of cable selected, my floor will be a mess & my pocket book a disaster. God only knows what the back of my amp will look like... but.. hey... Isn't that what this hobby is all about? :) FUN!!!

It makes sense to me that the sound should be better. When a speaker is bi / tri wired only the current flowing into that speaker flows thru the wires. This will prevent interaction of the current from the speakers inside the cable. In fact one could select a cable for bass and put it on the low frequency driver and a cable with good highs on the tweets. It has been an improvement when I tried it.

Kennyt, that Linn K600 looks like 3 lane zip cord. In fact all the Linn cords look like one form of zip cord or another. Does this stuff actually perform at par with the cables from CABLE manufacturers??

Straight Wire will tri-wire for a little extra. At one time I had tri-wired Straight Wire Crescendo cable, and it was a major advance over bi-wire plus jumpers.

Thanks Elizabeth! I've used Audioquest/truth cables for a looooong time and have always been pleased. Since my speakers enable tri-wiring, I am also curious to know if single runs of various cables would be best or if internal tri-wiring is acceptable.

Linn makes the K600 for triwiring ot triamping, kind of big, but works well.