Speaker wire

S

scootsity5

AK Subscriber
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Hello all

Definitely not looking for any big battles about speaker wire, magic or otherwise.

I'm looking to build some speaker wire for my main system. I've long had the 12 AWG Blue Jean stuff, but it's lack of 'floppiness' (and tiny bit of memory) has always bugged me as it looks a tad messy.

I'm looking for good speaker wire that looks nice and is a bit more flexible/floppy like pro cable does.

I'm leaning toward Canare 4S11, but also noticed Mogami, Cardas, and Gotham make similar cables. The Canare is a little cheaper, Cardas is a little more and the other two are in about the middle.

I usually don't use bananas because they're obnoxious when they break. I tend to just tin the tips and stick em in the holes on my binding posts.

Anyone have any suggestion on any of em? I'm open to any reason: jacket color looks nicer, feel of the insulator is nice, better heat resistance of the insulator when tinning, really anything that affects your enjoyment from otherwise very similar cables.

I kind of assume you all are going to tell me they're all about the same.

I'm also open to being told that I'm crazy and should just use bananas. I'm not sure I'll be swayed: I really don't get the point, but by all means, tell me I'm wrong!

Please no debates about whether cables sound better. That's not what I'm looking for, are there some reasons you prefer any of the above cable brands?

I'll give an example, I hate the rapco (or is it vtg) cables with the jute bundled with the wire because that jute makes a mess when you cut it to assemble cables.
 
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When I feel like a new look for speaker cables, I go to Ali Express.

Give them a look and see if any catch your eye!

I have purchased several and been happy.
 
No suggestions on any particular wire, but if you want to dress up 'whatever', cable sleeve comes in various colors and is very flexible. Amazon carries mostly black, but Parts Express has red, white, blue, black, carbon and yellow. Be sure to burn the ends, with a lighter, after cutting or it will fray.
 
I like Mogami products, am currently using Belden 9497 as my speaker cables, but they are 16awg, not the 12 gauge.
Mogami 3103 is 12 gauge, Last time I looked Redco had it in stock, and @ the best pricing…

Cardas rocks, but don’t know if they make a 12 gauge, they are of course costlier.
Cardas factory is relatively close to me, and although I haven’t visited, I’ve always gotten exemplary service, and like to purchase direct from them.

Best of luck on your hunt, and Happy Listening!

Celadon
 
Celadon said:
I like Mogami products, am currently using Belden 9497 as my speaker cables, but they are 16awg, not the 12 gauge.
Mogami 3103 is 12 gauge, Last time I looked Redco had it in stock, and @ the best pricing…

Cardas rocks, but don’t know if they make a 12 gauge, they are of course costlier.
Cardas factory is relatively close to me, and although I haven’t visited, I’ve always gotten exemplary service, and like to purchase direct from them.

Best of luck on your hunt, and Happy Listening!

Celadon
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Cardas makes a 4x 14 that would work. What do you like about Cardas?
 
^ smooth, nicely balanced throughout music spectrum, but of course system synergy comes into play as well.

Oh, and I am using quite a few Mogami IC’s that I cobbled together a few years ago, I think they are 2534, and 2549’s.
Yes, they are as noodly as me.

My fave IC is a Homegrown Audio (long out of business) that was shortened into 2 by my dearest black cat RIP.
I used Eichmann silver RCA’s, as the cabling is braided silver, they were expensive then, but with the current cost of silver…

Cardas silver hookup wire, I used in Paramours I built, circa 2005.

=-=
 
It's so much more expensive, I'm reticent, but will consider it.

Mogami's noodliness sounds well worth the extra dollar or two per foot to me.
 
I once had a pair of Canare 4s11 that I got in a package deal. Don't know how it would compare to other major brands, but compared to my DIY CAT5, it was lacking in detail. I ended up cutting it up to use the wire for something else, although I can't remember what.
 
rickb119 said:
I once had a pair of Canare 4s11 that I got in a package deal. Don't know how it would compare to other major brands, but compared to my DIY CAT5, it was lacking in detail. I ended up cutting it up to use the wire for something else, although I can't remember what.
Click to expand...

I very recently replaced my Kord ultra flex with something similar. I didn't use CAT5 but found this:

Amazon.com: ASHATA 12TC Cable, 24 Core Audiophile Speaker Cables for HiFi Stereo System, HiFi OCC Copper Cord for CD Speaker Radio Amplifier - 2.5m / 8.2ft : Electronics

Buy ASHATA 12TC Cable, 24 Core Audiophile Speaker Cables for HiFi Stereo System, HiFi OCC Copper Cord for CD Speaker Radio Amplifier - 2.5m / 8.2ft: Speaker - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases
www.amazon.com

I heard an improvement as well.
 
scootsity5 said:
That sounds like exactly like what I'm looking for. Do you have any canare stuff?

Is it similar, or less noodly?

Thanks!
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I do not have anything else competitive that would apply here. I do have plenty of other old copper from zip cord on up to 4/0 welding lead that I like. One attribute that makes all of this flexible is a high strand count.

I do have some 4 conductor, 10G that I went too cheap on. The strand count is okay, but the protective jacket construction, etc. makes it as stiff as a green stick.
 
There is A Swedish speaker wire called Supra that comes in a few different versions and has a pretty high wire count, from memory it is super flexible, and have heard it is a way good wire.

As far as purchasing, you would have to search, it was rather difficult to source, but I think at one time there was an ebay seller that had it.
I always wanted to try it, but…
Don’t know but tariffs may kill buying from Sweden.

Lots of choices you are getting, best of luck on your journey.

=-=
 
I am a big fan of these banana plugs from Sewell. Easy to assemble. Very tight connection with the bare wire. Sewell Banana Plugs

And I ran speaker wire up into thew attic for my Atmos speakers so I wanted a thick cable for the long distance. Speaker Wire

Not recommending it as an end-all wire but it is flexible enough to turn corners and fish through walls.
 
It is my best choice for your adventure..
Congrats on your decision…

2549 is easier to wok with than 2534, but I was using Switchcraft .. which I felt was worth it. those Rca’s used to be cheap…
Uhh Markertek was my go to, for 2549 as well..

So many decisions, yea Eichmann, are my faves, but that is another thread all together…

My best on your forward avenues, uhh 3103, and your choice, may indeed be the best …
Made in Japan and used in a lot of studio installs speaks for itself.

Let us ( Me) Know how this works for you..

Currently listening to Dire Straits .. Walkin in the …

I like tinned copper, Btw
=-=
 
I've got a bucket (it's a small bucket) of rean RCAs from some stuff I was experimenting with on my PA, so I'll use those. I think they're perfectly fine.

I think the redco unbalanced is 2497. Ever tried that? I could be swayed to something else if there's a reason (or it's cheaper).

2549 and 2534 are balanced. 2524 looks like a similar unbalanced cable. I'm pretty I used either 2549 or 2534 all over my PA.

I'm not fancy.

After poking round some more, 2497 seems like overkill for interconnects. Super low capacitance though. Maybe I'll get a tiny bit for turntable interconnects.
 
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You are well on your way, nothing wrong with Rean connects, they are not my faves but..

Currently listening to 2534, and Switchcraft 3502, if I remember ..
It was a bit of a pain to work with, but keeping phono IC’s minimal length, they work well..

Listening to Doors clean vintage pressing, carries the weight.
Yes, I feel synergy matters most, and use IC’s and cabling as…

I am certain, My opinions will garner…

I wanted to like Canare, unfortunately they never impressed me.

Moving forward —- we go.

“When the music’s over —- Turn out the lights.”

Best to you…

=-=
 
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