Analysis Plus

[cornelius]

I just hooked up a pair of Analysis Plus Oval 12 Speaker Cables. Although I've heard a lot of systems over the years I never tried messing with cables. Most of the audio people I know are musicians and recording engineers and don't believe in the cable thing. I really wasn't looking for new cables, but since discovering this site, I thought I'd give it a try. I chose Analysis Plus because their approach seems to be based a lot on actual measurements.

After listening, my basic conclusion is they made a difference but don't use cables to dig a rig out of a hole. It's a nice way to squeeze a little more out of one's system. (I compared the new cables to my old pair of Canare 4s11). The biggest difference was how much cleaner the bass became. It seemed like the cables just took away some gook, and left a cleaner mix underneath.

Visually the cables are well made, look nice and are flexible and easy to install.

Actually, before the cables arrived, I tried a pair of Oval 1 interconnects. They also seemed to "clean up" the sound a little. Even though it was easy for me to A/B because my cd/dvd player has two outputs - I could switch on the fly - the difference was very subtle. (My other interconnects were also Canare).

I would recommend the Oval 12 and the Oval 1, as a combo or on their own.

[vandyman]

My experience is the same as yours Cornelius.

[Clint DeBoer]

Thanks for the review - we'll try to get some to measure. We're releasing some cool speaker cable measurements this week. That should bring out everyone else (who hasn't already submitted product to us) to see how they rank.

[cornelius]

Trying different cables has been an interesting experiment, Vandyman.

I'm looking forward to see more tests!
n

I have been curious about Analysis Plus' "hollow oval" approach in creating their cables but I'm not sure how it would sound against regular cables in real world tests. I was contemplating purchasing their speaker cables and their interconnects, along with JPS Labs and DH Labs, for a friend (who is currently setting up his own home theater system). I ended up with DH Labs Silversonic cables and interconnects because their prices are more reasonable.

[cornelius]

How are the DH Labs? They look pretty good, and they're not ridiculous prices.

I've found that a lot of the entry level esoteric models are as good as the mega buck ones.

Analysis Plus is kind of interesting because before they made cables, they were asked by a major cable manufacterer to test their cables. They told them that their cables were flawed and produced detailed measurements to prove it. After providing a solution to improved performance, the cable co. refused them. Subsequently they tested others and realized that most of them didn't even have measured proof to stand behind their "designs." They decided to make their own.