Wire Cosmetics - need some opinions

[itschris]

I'm going to be running 10 guage through the wall to speaker plates behind the tv and console. Since the wire's gonna be exposed I want to get some new good looking cables to connect the new def techs up when everything get's done in the new room.

This is purely for looks, cool factor in my head, and all that (since we all know that cables are cables blah... blah.. blah) I just want great looking cables since I'm gonna see them. My current Monster hose is being used in my two channel setup now and I want something new.

Here's what I'm looking at currently. They all look good and are relatively reasonable in price:

http://www.lenexpo-electronics.com/2.5M-8FT-ATLONA-PRO-SPEAKER-CABLE-W-PLUGS-p-16267.html

http://www.impactacoustics.com/product.asp?cat_id=3102&sku=38068


http://www.calabrine.com/collections/speaker-cables/products/quadio-standard-pair

I'm not really familiar with any of these and got their links from our forum and AVS. I need about 6' min to say about 12' max, so I think any of these would work.

Let me know what you think or suggest others. Again, I know I'm wasting my money and all that, I just think they look good.

 

[Jack Hammer]

If you order some sleeving online you can use whatever cable you like and dress it up to look quite nice. Plus you have more color options. Check out wirecare.com. I've bought from them. There are also a few other reputable places to buy from, though I forget the sites.

Jack

 

[Highbar]

If you order some sleeving online you can use whatever cable you like and dress it up to look quite nice. Plus you have more color options. Check out wirecare.com. I've bought from them. There are also a few other reputable places to buy from, though I forget the sites.

Jack

Just what I was going to say. No reason to spend a ton on cables get something that will work and then "dress" them up. It'll be just as nice if not better. And you get exactly what you want.

T

 

[mytzen]

If you really want to get some nicer looking cables I would suggest ordering them from the Audioholics store, http://store.audioholics.com/section/115/1/terminated-speaker-cables.

The Impact Acoustics cables are cheaper there than they are at the Impact Acoustics website and you can get free shipping if you spend $50.

Also, at 12 foot lengths you could use 12awg wire and therefore order the Velocity series which is much cheaper that the SonicWave series (unless you need the spades that come with the SonicWave series).


-Matt

 

[j_garcia]

I think it is going to be tough to beat those Impact deals on AH Store, short of DIY. Speaker wire makes the least amount of difference in a system, so don't spend top dollar on wire, though I realize you are also trying to get something that looks decent too. 10AWG in wall is likely WAY overkill, and also can make it more difficult to run.

 

[jcPanny]

DIY speaker cable

Another vote for DIY.
Order a little extra 10 AWG belden in-wall wire and add the sleeving, a little heat shrink, and banana connectors.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

I agree with making your own with 10awg dayton wire, some braided wire cover and some nice bananas (cheap from parts express) but if we are going for looks alone, I think the Calabrines look awesome.

 

[itschris]

While I like the idea of the diy route, I know myself too well and know that I'd probably end up spending just as much money redoing stuff because it wasn't exactly perfect or what I wanted. I only need 6 - 9 ft really so for a $150 bucks I think the Calibrines are worth it, plus they just look awsome.

Do you think I should go with spades on the speaker side? I'll have my new Def Tech 7002's here shortly. I think bananna on the amp works fine. thoughts?

 

[ParadigmDawg]

Either one will work, just matters what you prefer. I prefer Bananas but not for any specific reason.

I agree, those Calibrines look good and I would be willing to get some myself if I werent so cheap.

While I like the idea of the diy route, I know myself too well and know that I'd probably end up spending just as much money redoing stuff because it wasn't exactly perfect or what I wanted. I only need 6 - 9 ft really so for a $150 bucks I think the Calibrines are worth it, plus they just look awsome.

Do you think I should go with spades on the speaker side? I'll have my new Def Tech 7002's here shortly. I think bananna on the amp works fine. thoughts?