Who makes budget speaker cables which are truly “good” or “exceptional” in quality?

nonoise,

Thanks for the heads up on the cabledyne cables. Not a bad price for silver speaker cables. I emailed Ed Bowman and got an immediate response. I really wanted to try the Cerious cables but due to lack of communication with the owner I thought I would try pure silver cables.
Thanks!

I’m always checking out bargains, reading reviews, etc. and I came across an ad at amazon where Cabledyne sells their older version of speaker cables at 50% off.

They're solid, rectangular, single core 12 gauge high purity silver, and appear to be very well made. Six feet for $250. They only come terminated with spades. Might be worth checking out.

All the best,
Nonoise

You got that right bondman ...

+1 Teo

All designers of cables were originally DIY. No exceptions.

If you don't hear the difference, save your money.

However, sooner or later, most audio people will hear a difference, and marvel at it.

The trick is to apply the right form of reason to what is heard. That is a multifaceted task of enormous complexity that can take decades to unravel.

No shiny red button quick fixes where ignorance can throw money at it and make it better. That's where the ignorance and bull combines to make a mess out of things. Just like it does in all areas of business.

Who makes budget fantastic speaker cables?
Me!
And I'm serious about this. I happen to be working at the right place (a theatre) to have access to the best possible wires. So I take a few meters from the Sound department at no cost and just plug them in my system.
I can assure you that nobody notices the difference between these improvised cables and my expensive Cardas, Wireworld or Morrow. I've done the testing many times and I'm selling the other cables to retrieve some money. DIY with the best materials is the right choice.

You’re ruining my fun. ;) I’m taunting. Very gently taunting and making a joke, kinda thing.

We make uber expensive cables. Low prices ones as well. Both with the same exotic technology that has no widespread accepted mathematical analogy, as of yet. It will come, obviously, but it’s not here yet. (supercomputers are the starting point to map this stuff but first you need the model.... you can get a top notch multidisciplinary physicist, sit them down and then explain the complexities of the scenario and then watch them reel as they try to grok the complexity of attempting to map it)

We’d love to make an inexpensive speaker cable with this technology but it simply can’t be done.

As for the batteries, etc, that is valid. I’ve no desire to explain the scientific reasoning behind someone eles’s product. Whether one likes what it does or not, is up to the buyer to listen and decide.

I’d like to say though, I’ve never heard one of these ’powered’ cables. When the description came along as to the construction of them, I immediately saw the SCIENTIFIC VALIDITY of what was going on.

teo_audio:

Don't forget, in your DIY cables, to do two things.  Freeze all the components (with dry ice) for a few days before assembly and then after the cables are fabricated, duct tape some batteries to them.  Won't need a soldering gun because they don't have to be in any way actually connected - according to Audioquest.  And fuzes are a good idea.  I think the improvement will be jaw-dropping.

I think I'm gonna make some exotic cables that have custom fuses in them.

Just because.

"willemj said: My time is too expensive to waste."
Why don't you charge yourself less?
Look at all the money you saved on better cables ... 

Ouch! 😃

willemj said:
" Ordinary basic cable is good enough. The rest is a rip off."
It is not "good enough" for everybody.
How many cables have you listened to?

I bet my cables that willemj listens to the radio with speakers.

Wow I'm having a right laugh here, nothing gets peoples backs up like cables and after market fuses. My thoughts if it rocks your boat and you can afford it do it because we are not going to be here for a particularly long time. Oh and I believe in both categories so do your worst.

willemj said: My time is too expensive to waste.

Yet, you keep showing up here with posts that adds nothing to the discussion other than your biased opinion 😉

There is a market for expensive cables.  That market is for those who spend the money and then truly believe they can hear a difference.  If they believe they hear a difference, then they feel that their music sounds more pleasing and therefore is a positive thing.  

The cables don't have to really do anything to please this market, and if that segment of the market is pleased, these cables serve a purpose.  I'm just glad I cannot hear any difference when there is none.  My cables are a mix of Kimber Kable, Wireworld and Monoprice.  They all sound pretty damn good though the Kimbers look cooler.

My time is too expensive to waste.

willemj said:
" Ordinary basic cable is good enough. The rest is a rip off."
It is not "good enough" for everybody.
How many cables have you listened to?

Ordinary basic cable is good enough. The rest is a rip off.

MIT has expertise at the extreme high end that allows them to make very high value introductory models. 

My most recent experiments with speaker cables have been with Virtue Audio Nirvana's. Right out of the box  they sounded better than the Blue Jeans Belden I was using- and over the course of about 100 hours the Nirvana cable steadily improved.  Jason Terpstra is the fellow who assembles the cables, which include IC's and more. His cables are easy to handle and look quite nice.

Great customer service and return policy.

Tunis' silver plated copper cables.  They sell here on Audiogon, are very reasonable pricewise and sound superb.

Call me a HiFi pleb, but try "Ugly Cable:  https://www.uglycable.com.au/ and go for a reel of 16AWG OFC cable and you then you can spent big on the connectors.

The Schmitt cables sold on here are excellent in tone and resolution AND, bring a lower noise level to the party than any other I've heard , A revelation at low price .

I second Dueland from PartsConnexion.com
2. Supra Cables
3. audioquest
4. Kimber Kables
5. Canare
however having spent thousands on IC and speaker cables nothing really beats Dueland cables from from Parts Connexion

Rivercable.com has great sounding speaker cables with built-in banana plug twist locks. They matched my magnepan 3.7/1.7 speakers the best with ATI 6005 amplifier. They are made really well, come with a cool birth certificate with a 30 day return policy. Their performance exceeded other budget cables (blue jean, emotiva) and matched any 2K cables I have tried in my system (Nordost, Synergistic research, wire world) 
Flexigy 8 model is a thick flat cable, which I run under the area rug for my 1.7 surrounds. 
http://www.rivercable.com/flexygy8.asp

Would never use anything but Crescendos , compare them to cables as much as no dollar limit and you will agree that they are budget

Straightwire Crescendos cost thousand of dollars. If they are "budget" then what is not ))).

After trying many Straightwire lower end speaker cables i found that the Crescendos were the absolute best also use there Crescendo XLR and RCA interconnects. To me you will never ever want to upgrade from these. 

+1 to Canare 4S11. Replaced Nordost "flat" speaker cable and I think they are better (at least not worse).
All my power cables replace with Signal Cable - not sure I can hear the difference, but they are well made and not pricey. For long runs to my GE Triton 1s I got Pangea from Audioadvisor - good looking and 69 bucks for 4 meter cord, not bad!
All my other cables are Blue Jeans, good stuff.

Clearday Double Shotguns seemed to be getting alot of happy customers. As do Signal Cables (I had tried them in the past and did like them). They are moved to my bedroom system. 
Has anyone tried these guys?
http://www.knukonceptz.com/

My Acer Racing 600 strand silver plated 12awg copper just arrived. Very nice wire. It will make awesome hook up wire, never mind for speaker cable. I have solid silver spades I made from a 99.999 1oz. flat bar. I'll make up some cables and report back. You can check this wire out at acerracing.com. It's called silver worm.

To me the best speaker cables and interconnects are Straightwire Crescendo. I upgraded from Strightwire Virtuoso and definitely hear a difference. 

Kimber 12TC

I use JW Audio, which are 12 gauge OFC pure copper. They sound strong and clear and I think I payed around $80 for an 8' pair. Super performance at real world prices, if your not one who has to have silver in their set up. They are a bit stiff and stubborn to install so you probably wouldn't want any woman or children around when doing so.

All the best
JP:)

One more for Clear Day double shotguns. Paul is a great guy to deal with, and his cables are amazing for the money. 

In my forever changing systems at this point today my favorite speaker cables are:
Kimber kable tc-12.
LAT International SS-3000 Signature bi-wire.
Analysis plus oval 12.
(I have oval 9 I haven't tried yet)
All my interconnects are diy shielded silver plated copper Aviation wire and shielded canary (shield grounded on sending end only).
I've tried a bunch, transparent, MIT, audioquest, monster, ECT, ECT.
When I got my analysis ovals I was pretty happy until I borrowed a couple pair of LAT INTERNATIONAL cables from a friend (a blue pair and the ss-3000 Signature).
Holy shot what a difference between the oval 12 and the signatures. I insisted on buying the LAT signatures and been loving them since. 
Last month I bought some Kimber tc-12 cables (beautiful) thinking I would step up to another level in sound. Although they sound different I'm not sure it's better. I'm really happy with both and don't think I will part with either pair anytime soon. 
That's just my honest opinion on this subject. Although I'm forever changing and trying new stuff and open to whatever. It's just a fun hobby. 

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

I have owned some pretty decent monitors over the past 10 years or so (Proac, Fritz, PMC, and currently Trenner & Friedl) and when I purchased the Proacs some one recommended Canare 4s11 and I have used that ever since with very good results.  When Fritz came to my home to drop off speakers for a 30 day trial, he approved of the Canare cable, saying “that’s good wire”.  You can purchase in bulk for about $1.20 a foot.  On eBay several sellers will terminate and sell by the foot for a higher cost.   I have read others who turn their nose up at Canare, but I have been very satisfied.  

There are lots of good cables out there without breaking the bank. Don't listen to anyone that says speaker cables don't make a difference or only need to be a certain guage, that's nonsense. Kimber makes great cable that gets you close to the music without edginess or fake sparkle and I use it most of the time. Anything past that level you will be spending hundreds if not thousands for a 2-5% increase in transparency and sound quality. If you don't want to spend over $100 I've found a lot of flat copper generic cable to do a good job as well but don't go with standard zip chord. Don't do it!

That's humble alright (third meaning).

You all have been brainwashed, imho

I have used many different cables from many companies. After over 55 years of audiophile fun and games I now use AWG10/type3-k tinned marine mains wire. Type 3 has greater strand count and k is for awg30 individual strand size. It can be had at reasonable per foot cost (under .50) and has superb audio characteristics. All interconnects and speaker wiring has only one goal, to transmit the signal with no alteration. If a connect is adding some "voice" to the sound then for me it is unacceptable.

With a little DIY-efford you can make the second best cable I have ever known/auditioned (the best was a solid silver wire by the Swiss company Audio Consulting, very pricey..., thread in a cotton hose).
It consists of 6 solid cores of bell wire in a PVC coat. So twist 3  opposed leads each and crimp with a cable lug/cable shoe, cable termination or whatever you need. You will get a cable that will outperform nearly every cable of the big names! Build with confidence- this cable won't disappoint you!

Agreed that many “budget” cables can make this list...and that’s the fun of discovery. My fast vote for Budget is Signal Cable. Silver Resolution Speaker Cable. 

(Higher vote for the AC Silver Resolution Power Cord.) Might add that the other matching Silver Resolution Cables are Fabulous. 

Price and Performance are Excellent. ...will they compete with “ultra” Cardas, Straight Wire, Kimber, Nordost, Transparent, NBS, Acoustic Zen...the Answer is no. 

But Count me in on Signal Cable Silver Resolution Products. “Bravo!”

Hi psyop,

I like Thales Cables. They are a little more than the analysis plus but well worth it. They will give cables that are in the tens of thousands a serious run for the money. 

www.tonarm.ch
www.aaudioimports.com/ShowBrand.asp?hBrand=30

Though I have Kimber Kables for my speakers and Wireworld RCAs for my interconnects, I received them essentially free with used equipment purchases.  They work fine but I didn't notice any improvement (or even a difference) in the sound.  My other cables come mainly from MonoPrice.  

Be aware that "budget" cables means different things to different people.  When Norhost makes cables costing in the thousands, some think an RCA pair costing $500 is a budget purchase.

I have tried many different replacement cables over a period of about 6 to 12 months. I finally found a company who makes cables that are, to me and many other audiophiles, second to none. Try Morrow Audio and ask for Mike Morrow. He has tried, and by using sophisticated testing tools, came to the conclusion that small diameter wires and great terminators work best, especially when it comes to musical subtleties. They offer a free lifetime warranty. Even if your dog or any pet chewed through Morrow Audio cable, he will replace them without a hassle. When I was testing Morrow cables, I had wires all over my floor. My wife tripped over a set of cables causing the cables to break-off  from both connectors. I called Mike Morrow who replaced the cables at no cost! The most common cables are big and fat that may give you a better sound. But the Morrow Audio cables outperform every cable and cable set I have tried. If you listen to a tune or song that you know very well, you will be surprised to hear subtle sounds that you never heard before. An example is percussion sounds like a small triangle, but on the other hand, low frequency sounds like subbass, you will hear a substantial difference and actually feel the bass.

The difference in Morrow Audio cables are outstanding. If you are looking to improve your sound stage, I highly recommend Morrow cables. Go to their website here and ask for Mike Morrow. Feel free to give them my name which is Michael J Smith in Clayton, NC. Their products are superb and they sell expensive audio components as well as cables. The components they sell are awesome and expensive, but if you love sound as much as I do, you will discover the "Morrow sound." Every audio component I purchase are connected via Morrow Audio cables.
You have nothing to lose, but a lot to gain. Given their cables, Mike Morrow and his team of talented audiophiles, will guide you. Then you can sit back in your listening area and become a Morrow Audio fan.  

Who makes budget speaker cables which are truly “good” or “exceptional” in quality?

You do!!

@unreceivedogma is right. With two caveats:
1. Unless you are running long cables, in which case you want to minimize inductance, by having the two conductors as close as possible.
2. Terminating connectors are a tradeoff. While they ensure a good connection to the speaker and to the cable, which is good, they introduce an extra pair of junctions, which is not good. But spades or bananas are convenient ... If you decide to go without, which is a good idea, just make sure that the copper at the connection points is clean and stays that way - Vaseline helps there. After a while, trim off the ends and repeat.

IMO. YMMV.