I have used several “budget” cables including Monster XP-Ci, Blue Jeans Belden and Canare, Transparent, Kimber 8VS, and Audioquest including X-2, FLX/SLiP 14/4, Type 4, Type 6, Rocket 33 and Rocket 44. The last two may not be some people’s idea of budget at over $15/ft, but if this qualifies as “budget speaker cable” +1 for creekmaster’s Rocket 44 suggestion because the Rocket line to me sounds very neutral with good tone and soundstage definition. And AQ FLX/SLiP 14/4 used as a double internal run (two wires per each terminal) was pretty good for applications where I needed long runs of wire on a budget. No major shortcomings.
None of the other cables sound “bad” persay but they lack the detail, clarity, tone and soundstage of better and more expensive wires. The Monster cable listed above has lovely tone and midrange, but roles off highs in direct proportion to length. The Signal cable suggestion in this thread is interesting because I think they use decent connectors.
Also speaking of speaker cable connectors, +1 to the suggestion from @terry9 to skip terminations altogether if you can. Why put another connection in your line if you don’t have to? If you must use connectors, Pangea from Audio Advisor make some nice sounding copper/gold plated banana plugs.
You generally get what you pay for, but as others have said here, you need to try some different wires to see what works in your system. You may find a $.50/ft cable sounds better than, or at least as good to you in your system as a $50/ft cable. Or not.
good luck,
kn
None of the other cables sound “bad” persay but they lack the detail, clarity, tone and soundstage of better and more expensive wires. The Monster cable listed above has lovely tone and midrange, but roles off highs in direct proportion to length. The Signal cable suggestion in this thread is interesting because I think they use decent connectors.
Also speaking of speaker cable connectors, +1 to the suggestion from @terry9 to skip terminations altogether if you can. Why put another connection in your line if you don’t have to? If you must use connectors, Pangea from Audio Advisor make some nice sounding copper/gold plated banana plugs.
You generally get what you pay for, but as others have said here, you need to try some different wires to see what works in your system. You may find a $.50/ft cable sounds better than, or at least as good to you in your system as a $50/ft cable. Or not.
good luck,
kn