Mediabridge vs Crutchfield

[Yohansen]

Hello,
I am in a difficult decision what speakers cables I should use.
Mediabridge, crutchfiel or any other brand?
Thanks in advance

 

[lovinthehd]

Don't overthink brand. Mediabridge is a brand, Crutchfield is a retailer (they may have their own brand but not aware of such). I use Monoprice 12g speaker wire in bulk myself. Try this for things speaker wire from a former director of McIntosh http://roger-russell.com/wire/wire.htm

 

[Yohansen]

Thank you lovinhheld

 

[lovinthehd]

Watch the fine print for differences between all copper vs CCA (copper clad aluminum) too. CCA can be fine but usually you adjust for differences by using a larger gauge, but has other issues that generally are not worth it. It doesn't need to be some silly extent of 99.99% vs 99.9% copper either (ETP is just fine)

 

[ryanosaur]

Buy Monoprice Choice. Unless you need In-wall... I’d still buy it from Monoprice, though.
I second 12AWG.
I bought 2 100’ spools.
Good price, good product.

 

[BMXTRIX]

How long are your cable runs?
Do you plan to run any wire inside the walls, or is this strictly going to sit on your floor?
What type of power will you be feeding them?

Monoprice is almost always a good choice when it comes to cable in general. They have both in-wall rated cable (Access series) and regular cable (Choice series) as well as several options that add features like plenum rating or direct burial ratings, but Access and Choice are really the most typical to use from them.

The price is in line with what most of the industry will charge at 'best pricing' levels.

SPEAKER WIRE - HDMI Cable, Home Theater Accessories, HDMI Products, Cables, Adapters, Video/Audio Switch, Networking, USB, Firewire, Printer Toner, and more!

Monoprice, Inc. (DBA. MonoPrice.com) specializes in the wholesale distribution of world class cable assemblies for home theater, PC, and high technology industries. MonoPrice.com offers a wide range of products from standard PC products, network cables, and HDMI cables to custom cable assemblies...

www.monoprice.com

A lot of people like Blue Jeans cable as well. They are respected and treat people well, but are a bit more expensive for what really isn't going to deliver better performance.

EDIT: Looking online, it appears that Monoprice has about a 10% to 20% price advantage over Mediabridge wire. Crutchfield speaker wire is about TWICE the price of Monoprice! That's insane. Don't buy anything that's just stupidly overpriced without any clear advantage.

I see no reason that the Mediabridge wire is bad, but you will hear a lot of well deserved love for Monoprice for a reputation they've rightfully earned. So, I would spend my money there.

 

[slipperybidness]

My most recent wiring, I found the best price on parts-express.com

 

[BMXTRIX]

My most recent wiring, I found the best price on parts-express.com

Be aware that things like Audtek speaker cable is not pure copper, but copper clad aluminum (CCA) wire. This is why it is notably less expensive than the competition.
They do have a version that is listed as pure OFC (oxygen free copper) that appears to be pure. That version is five bucks cheaper than what Monoprice sells.
For reference: I'm looking at the CL2 rated in-wall cable, 14AWG, 500 feet. So, $135 vs. $140.

I'm less concerned about the price difference here, but want to point out that the really cheap stuff isn't the same stuff. CCA is not the same as pure copper and needs to be something everyone is aware of.

Cheap stuff nobody should use:

"Audtek In-Wall CL2 14/2 Speaker Wire 500 ft." from www.parts-express.com!

Audtek In-Wall CL2 14/2 Speaker Wire 500 ft.

www.parts-express.com

Good stuff:

"Audtek 14/2 OFC In Wall Speaker Wire Cable CL2 500 ft." from www.parts-express.com!

Audtek 14/2 OFC In Wall Speaker Wire Cable CL2 500 ft.

www.parts-express.com

More Good Stuff:

Monoprice Speaker Wire, CL2 Rated, 2-Conductor, 14AWG, 500ft, White - Monoprice.com

Get the most out of your home audio system with high quality, pure bare copper speaker wire from Monoprice™!Pure Bare Copper is a superior conductor to the copper clad aluminum (CCA) conductors

www.monoprice.com

 

[slipperybidness]

Be aware that things like Audtek speaker cable is not pure copper, but copper clad aluminum (CCA) wire. This is why it is notably less expensive than the competition.
They do have a version that is listed as pure OFC (oxygen free copper) that appears to be pure. That version is five bucks cheaper than what Monoprice sells.
For reference: I'm looking at the CL2 rated in-wall cable, 14AWG, 500 feet. So, $135 vs. $140.

I'm less concerned about the price difference here, but want to point out that the really cheap stuff isn't the same stuff. CCA is not the same as pure copper and needs to be something everyone is aware of.

Cheap stuff nobody should use:

"Audtek In-Wall CL2 14/2 Speaker Wire 500 ft." from www.parts-express.com!

Audtek In-Wall CL2 14/2 Speaker Wire 500 ft.

www.parts-express.com

Good stuff:

"Audtek 14/2 OFC In Wall Speaker Wire Cable CL2 500 ft." from www.parts-express.com!

Audtek 14/2 OFC In Wall Speaker Wire Cable CL2 500 ft.

www.parts-express.com

More Good Stuff:

Monoprice Speaker Wire, CL2 Rated, 2-Conductor, 14AWG, 500ft, White - Monoprice.com

Get the most out of your home audio system with high quality, pure bare copper speaker wire from Monoprice™!Pure Bare Copper is a superior conductor to the copper clad aluminum (CCA) conductors

www.monoprice.com

Good points in general, but not related to PE specifically, other than--they do have both CCA and OFC available.

I believe this is what I bought most recently

"Audtek 12 AWG OFC Speaker Wire 100 ft." from www.parts-express.com!

Audtek 12 AWG OFC Speaker Wire 100 ft.

www.parts-express.com

Also, some flat 16 AWG, haven't used it yet

Home

JSC Wire 16 AWG Flat Speaker Wire 100 ft. USAFlat braided copper 16 AWG speaker wire with a white extra flexible PVC insulation. 2 conductor with surface print for easy identification and polarity. Perfect for running under carpet or along baseboards for concealing wire to left, right, or...

www.parts-express.com

 

[Yohansen]

How long are your cable runs?
Do you plan to run any wire inside the walls, or is this strictly going to sit on your floor?
What type of power will you be feeding them?

Monoprice is almost always a good choice when it comes to cable in general. They have both in-wall rated cable (Access series) and regular cable (Choice series) as well as several options that add features like plenum rating or direct burial ratings, but Access and Choice are really the most typical to use from them.

The price is in line with what most of the industry will charge at 'best pricing' levels.

SPEAKER WIRE - HDMI Cable, Home Theater Accessories, HDMI Products, Cables, Adapters, Video/Audio Switch, Networking, USB, Firewire, Printer Toner, and more!

Monoprice, Inc. (DBA. MonoPrice.com) specializes in the wholesale distribution of world class cable assemblies for home theater, PC, and high technology industries. MonoPrice.com offers a wide range of products from standard PC products, network cables, and HDMI cables to custom cable assemblies...

www.monoprice.com

A lot of people like Blue Jeans cable as well. They are respected and treat people well, but are a bit more expensive for what really isn't going to deliver better performance.

EDIT: Looking online, it appears that Monoprice has about a 10% to 20% price advantage over Mediabridge wire. Crutchfield speaker wire is about TWICE the price of Monoprice! That's insane. Don't buy anything that's just stupidly overpriced without any clear advantage.

I see no reason that the Mediabridge wire is bad, but you will hear a lot of well deserved love for Monoprice for a reputation they've rightfully earned. So, I would spend my money there.

I totally agree regarding the Mediabridge cables. I have both Crutchfield and mediabridge speaker cables and the mediabridge are more balancenced, the Crutchfield have more mids and highs and I think they colorize the sound once I crank up the volume.
I would like to try the Monoprice at some point though as I read good things here!!

 

[lovinthehd]

I totally agree regarding the Mediabridge cables. I have both Crutchfield and mediabridge speaker cables and the mediabridge are more balancenced, the Crutchfield have more mids and highs and I think they colorize the sound once I crank up the volume.
I would like to try the Monoprice at some point though as I read good things here!!

Sounds like something is terribly wrong with the cables if they are audibly changing the sound....they should not "sound" different.

 

[Yohansen]

So Lovinhehd, you suggest me the Monoprice.
Definitely the Crutchfield sound more crispier and mediabridge more balanced.
I’ve never heard with Monoprice!
What do you think? You think Monoprice are better than the mediabridge and Crutchfield.
I will appreciate your opinion.

Thanks
Yannis

 

[lovinthehd]

So Lovinhehd, you suggest me the Monoprice.
Definitely the Crutchfield sound more crispier and mediabridge more balanced.
I’ve never heard with Monoprice!
What do you think? You think Monoprice are better than the mediabridge and Crutchfield.
I will appreciate your opinion.

Thanks
Yannis

They shouldn't sound different at all, are they the same gauge/length? Something seems wrong with the cables, or your imagination is over-active....

 

[Yohansen]

LOL no it’s not my imagination but my audioholichness!!!
They are three feet each and 12 gauge both.

 

[lovinthehd]

Audioholics don't subscribe to cable nonsense generally, hopefully you realize that (or were trying to be funny?). Three feet? That's very short....just how close do you sit to your speakers?!

 

[Yohansen]

Regarding if I was funny, especially what the whole planet goes threw, I’m just trying to put some joy on my posts with a good intention.
Too sad you don’t get it.
...and by the way I sit on a perfect equal triangle.
Source: PS Aaudio
Paul McGowan

 

[lovinthehd]

Regarding if I was funny, especially what the whole planet goes threw, I’m just trying to put some joy on my posts with a good intention.
Too sad you don’t get it.
...and by the way I sit on a perfect equal triangle.
Source: PS Aaudio
Paul McGowan

It wasn't clear what your intent was....

 

[nbk13nw]

Sometimes it is hard to see over a forum. But yeah. We see a lot of that from time to time. Lol

Sent from my SM-G988U using Tapatalk

 

[lovinthehd]

Regarding if I was funny, especially what the whole planet goes threw, I’m just trying to put some joy on my posts with a good intention.
Too sad you don’t get it.
...and by the way I sit on a perfect equal triangle.
Source: PS Aaudio
Paul McGowan

One of the things Paul isn't bullshitting about

 

[Verdinut]

Regarding if I was funny, especially what the whole planet goes threw, I’m just trying to put some joy on my posts with a good intention.
Too sad you don’t get it.
...and by the way I sit on a perfect equal triangle.
Source: PS Aaudio
Paul McGowan

Well, I'm not impressed with Paul Mc Gowan and PS audio. Several members here are not that much impressed either with their publicity.