Creating a new HT, need advice reg Cables.

[Thaedium]

Hi there, thanks for taking the time too take a look at this for me.

I'm in the process of getting a set of Paradigm Studio 100, v.4's. As well as the CC-690 centre. I'm using a yahama reciever. Haven't looked into an amp yet, but will shortly. Anyways, I purchased a set of OM Audio a little while back without ever having done any real research into speaker cables, and IC's. Was hoping anyone could speak on these cables. I just read the Speaker Cable Faceoff2 now and it suddenly occured to me that I probably bought into a line of psuedo-science marketing snake-oil scammery. Or maybe not, I just can't seem to find much info on these cables.

If anyone has any info, please let me know. Further, if you have any good suggestions for future cable/IC purchases I'd love to hear it. Frankly speaking, I'm an virginal audiophile.

Thanks again

 

[avaserfi]

Go to bluejeanscables.com or monoprice.com for any cables you need (HDMI, optical anything...). If you really can't wait go to your local hardware store and buy some copper wire there. Copper is speaker wire end of story. Just make sure you have a large enough gauge for the distance you run. 12 Gauge is probably overkill for most any run unless you are around 100 ft.

 

[Adam]

Thaedium, welcome to the forum!

Even if they are snake oil, I'm sure that they work just fine. Andrew has pointed you in the right direction. The web merchants that he mentioned are good, as are many local places. I've purchased from Radio Shack and Target.

I bought Monster Cable speaker wire when I first got started for $1.50 a foot. Did I need to spend that much? No. Are they good cables? Yes. So, I'll save some money next time, but they work just fine for me right now.

 

[Thaedium]

Just to clarify on the speaker cables that I purchased. Its from OM Audio Labs, I can't link the website yet, I'm still too new! heh. Anywho, quick look in google brings you onto their website.

I purchased the "Silverado" cables from ebay, at an extremely lower price then listed there at that site. And other then their brief blurb on it,

Silverado, our high performance speaker cable uses 99.99% pure silver for the ultimate sonic nirvana.Cables ended with high quality gold plated 'spade' or 'banana' connectors.Kevlar shield provides ultimate durability, pliability and extraordinary tensile strength.

there really is no information available on it there.

From what I can see of the product here at home, its not very impressive. The exterior doesn't seem like any kevlar I've ever handled, but thats not saying it isn't. Simply put, I just can't tell. Further, from my reading I'm half worried that the cable isn't thick enough to properly handle the Studio 100's when I get them in. What kind of issues might arise from this, if any?

Thanks for your patience folks, worst case scenario you might just help figure out the legitimacy of this company and get me pointed in the right direction here, hah.

 

[Adam]

How long are the wires that you bought, and what gage are they?

 

[Thaedium]

I bought a set of 6ft cables for the left and right speakers, and as for the gauge... well I honestly don't know. Moving on to the website, it doesn't even list gauges or any real info other then that quote I made previously. They're definently skinny, and the picture at the website really doesnt give the viewer any real indication so its hard to say from my extremely limited experience.

 

[Adam]

With a length of six feet, you don't need anything extremely thick. Check out this site for some info on recommended wire gauge as a function of both length and speaker impedance.

Silver has a slightly lower electrical resistance than copper, but not much. So, I'd say stick with the guidelines for copper on the thickness of your cables. Just guessing that your speakers aren't lower than 4 ohms, you could get away with 22 gauge. That's not very thick.

EDIT: To be only slightly more descriptive, 22-gauge wire will probably look very small to you. If you have a wire stripper with a gauge selector, you could check out the sizes.

 

[Thaedium]

Thanks for the site you provided, taking a look over it I noticed a picture with three different gauges all side by side. From left to right it was 12 gauge, 16, and 24. The 16 gauge appears to best fit the cables I purchased from OM Audio. As for the wire stripper, I'd really rather not. The shielding is not something I want to tamper with, and I am by no means compentent enough to reassemble properly.

The terminations are gold plated, I'm going to assume that means its just copper dipped in molten gold? and if so, for future reference, what is the best type of termination to go with? Does it really make a difference if its gold plated or solid?

 

[Adam]

As for the wire stripper, I'd really rather not. The shielding is not something I want to tamper with, and I am by no means compentent enough to reassemble properly.

I wasn't clear. Sorry. I meant to just look at the size of the hole in the stripper when you set it to different gauges. I didn't mean to actually strip the cable! Yeah, that would be a big hassle.

The terminations are gold plated, I'm going to assume that means its just copper dipped in molten gold? and if so, for future reference, what is the best type of termination to go with? Does it really make a difference if its gold plated or solid?

I'm no expert, but here's my two-cents. Gold is a softer metal than copper, so it can form a better contact with your other connectors. Also, gold will not tarnish or corrode, so it will last longer. A lot of connectors are gold-plated anymore. Nothing wrong with it, but you don't really need it.

 

[Thaedium]

Thanks for your help, I think with everything that I've read here, and all the input you guys have given me I think its safe to say I bought into a really pervasive scam in the audio industry. That some speciality exotic cables will transform my audio experience into nirvana. Well, all things considered I could have wasted far more money on this, and I'm thankful I came here to get a heads up. Perhaps I can resell on ebay and get some coinage back, but then ethically I really shouldn't since I know a little better now. Id be promoting the same ignorance that suckered me into buying it no? heh.

Kinda saddens me that there really isn't more info readily available at hand when you go into stores to make A/V purchases regarding myths and claims. But I suppose being honest would be bad for business.

 

[mtrycrafts]

Thanks for your help, I think with everything that I've read here, and all the input you guys have given me I think its safe to say I bought into a really pervasive scam in the audio industry. That some speciality exotic cables will transform my audio experience into nirvana. Well, all things considered I could have wasted far more money on this, and I'm thankful I came here to get a heads up. Perhaps I can resell on ebay and get some coinage back, but then ethically I really shouldn't since I know a little better now. Id be promoting the same ignorance that suckered me into buying it no? heh.

Kinda saddens me that there really isn't more info readily available at hand when you go into stores to make A/V purchases regarding myths and claims. But I suppose being honest would be bad for business.

Welcome,

Like most any hobby, bs, urban legends, myths, snake oil claims are rampant in audio as well.

Some education is cheap, free or a bit expensive. Consider yourself lucky that you escaped with not much cost

I would just stick with what you have. 6ft is nothing. Yes, there is no technical data at their web site As you said, it might scare some away and that is bad for business

Hopefully you will be a better shopper next time after you get to read the tech papers at the home page here; lots of great info there.