Cheap functional speaker interconnect suggestion

[dichkaun]

Let's leave aside the debate on cable quality affecting the sounds.

After the speakers and the amp, I don't have much left.
So what are the cheap functional speaker interconnect I can get in Bangalore?

Assume I need about 3m for each speaker (and perhaps biwire).

~dich

 

[particleman]

A lot of people get stuff from a brand named MX. It is cheap and gets the job done but I don't know where you could get it in Bangalore.

The speaker cables made by Viren Bakhshi of Lyrita Audio (Lyrita Audio) come highly recommended from many Hi-Fi users in India. I don't know the cost though and I am considering getting them myself as I am unhappy with the sound of the generic cable I have.

However if you budget about 3k for the cables, then you can't go wrong with QED Silver Anniversary XT sold by Pro-FX (PROFX - the home theatre specialists). Its Rs. 490 or so per m.

Remember you also need to budget for the connectors themselves - spades or banana plugs (you will need 8 in all). You would get the best results with bare wire of course but oxidization is a problem. If you invest in high-quality cable like QED or Kimber-Kable then of course you can solder the cable to the connector and not have to worry for years to come.

 

[dichkaun]

Thanks particleman.
I assume by bare wire you mean just wrap the wire around the post and tighten.
A followup question:
How fast does oxidization occur? What if I cut the ends every six months, strip a little insulation and rewire?

~dich

 

[particleman]

I assume by bare wire you mean just wrap the wire around the post and tighten.

Sort of. The bare wire is inserted into a point on the binding post but yes that is the gist of it.

How fast does oxidization occur? What if I cut the ends every six months, strip a little insulation and rewire?

Hard to say as it depends on too many factors. Perhaps 4-5 months I guess. So yeah, your 6 month schedule sounds about right.

Banana plugs are more a matter of convenience. If you wish to move the speakers for whatever reason (such as take it to another room, clean the area where they are kept, store them while you are away for a long time, naughty kids coming over etc.) then with such plugs it is a snap to just disconnect and reconnect them just like plugging or unplugging your amplifier in the electrical socket. Plus they are not too costly, I believe they are about 150 per pair in some places. Mine were 350 a pair from Designer Audio.

One more thing I forgot to mention in my earlier post and this may be just as delicate a topic as whether expensive cables are worth it. I am speaking of "bi-wiring". This is a hotly debated topic and perhaps the following link may be considered an impartial view:
Bi-wire, not only an advantage

Personally I don't think it is worth it at all. One run of high-quality cables is more than enough.

 

[dichkaun]

Thanks. That article is worth a read.

As a side note, for others searching the forum in future:
"The Sonodyne store in Forum sell several kinds. The cheapest is Rs45/m. And going upto Rs400/m monster cables."

~dich

 

[sandipb]

The speaker cables made by Viren Bakhshi of Lyrita Audio (Lyrita Audio) come highly recommended from many Hi-Fi users in India. I don't know the cost though and I am considering getting them myself as I am unhappy with the sound of the generic cable I have.

Considering the fact that I am still trying to get the hang of speaker sounds in the first place - you are talking about sounds of cable now.

Seriously speaking, how would you say the nature of sound changes with the kind of cables? Maybe if I know what to listen for, I can make it out.

 

[particleman]

Seriously speaking, how would you say the nature of sound changes with the kind of cables? Maybe if I know what to listen for, I can make it out.

A few weeks ago my reply would have been "people say it makes a difference" or "bad cable will limit your system's potential, good cable will help it realise the same to its fullest" or some such. As it happens I am currently in the process of getting these cables for myself from Mr. Bakhshi. When I get them and have them wired up in another fortnight I will be better placed to answer. Or at least I will be speaking from experience not theory.

 

[Jambumali]

Thanks particleman.
I assume by bare wire you mean just wrap the wire around the post and tighten.
A followup question:
How fast does oxidization occur? What if I cut the ends every six months, strip a little insulation and rewire?

~dich

There is enough proof on the meaninglessness of buying expensive cables. Just google.

[1] Cutting bare ends every six months is not a practical solution, you will ultimately eat (cut) up all the slack & will have no more to continue cutting up!

[2] Good quality banana plugs cost ~25 (twenty five rupees only) per piece.
[3]Ask for the plugs & good quality control cable which is available in most of the electrical cable shops (not the domestic electrical ones, but the industrial suppliers - check the yellow pages of your city). These have shields & will beat the shit out of any [sic]monster. By the way, they will be costing ~60-100 rupees per meter (max).

 

[vadiraj]

I found good cable in SP road, there is a shop in the corner towards Sharada theatre..not sure of the name..sorry..

paid around 27/mt, its written as O2 free cable, they are working fine and sounds good too..also picked up Banana plugs from him paid around 25 bucks, they are good too..so give it a try..

 

[persiflage]

To revive an old thread..

Particleman: would you say your new speaker cables have made a difference? BTW which cables were you switching from?

 

[kaushik]

hi , i used chetna OFC cables ...and yes cables does make significant difference !

Now you get good Bandridge cables as pack from croma mall/bangalore 450Rs approx for 10 meters !

Try it out ..... leave the theory .... the topic was discussed in detail in

'an interesting read' thread !

kaushik