Speaker Cable Faceoff 2: Introduction & Measurements

[gene]

The River Starflex has lower inductance and much better terminations than the Cobalts. I Also like how they look. Most of the top rated cables in our reviews will do just fine however. I prefer great terminations and nice cosmetics (eye candy ).

 

[Jazzwyld]

Stumbled Upon

I stumbled upon this site, researching some...well truth in claims. The store I work at carries Transparent cable, and as the review stated not surprised they declined. Nice to read and dispel some of the myth of audio interconnects.

 

[Mudcat]

Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah.

Give me a Hallelujah Brother Gene.

Give me a Hallelujah Brother John.

Give me a Hallelujah,, Brother Steve.

Give me a Hallelujah,, Brother WMax.

Give me a Hallelujah,, Brother Mtry.

give me a big Hallelujah all my brothers and sisters out there in TV land, We have a convert.

Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah,

 

[Mudcat]

ummm, welcome aboard Jazz.

 

[mtrycrafts]

Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah.

Give me a Hallelujah Brother Gene.

Give me a Hallelujah Brother John.

Give me a Hallelujah,, Brother Steve.

Give me a Hallelujah,, Brother WMax.

Give me a Hallelujah,, Brother Mtry.

give me a big Hallelujah all my brothers and sisters out there in TV land, We have a convert.

Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah,

Here is my Hallelujah

 

[Unregistered]

The River Starflex has lower inductance and much better terminations than the Cobalts. I Also like how they look. Most of the top rated cables in our reviews will do just fine however. I prefer great terminations and nice cosmetics (eye candy ).

Well that sucks! I already bought me the Rivercable Flexygy speaker cables based on the review here prior to the Face off. Then only to find out that the cheaper Starflex is a tad better (then why even sell the Flexygy when the Starflex produced equal to better results?). Anyway, I wonder if their subwoofer cable/analog cables have the same sonic quality.

 

[gene]

Starflex and Flexygy measurements are similar enough for them to be indistinguishable sonically. They are both good cables with great terminations and cosmetics.

 

[mtrycrafts]

Anyway, I wonder if their subwoofer cable/analog cables have the same sonic quality.

In audio, if a signal is easy to reproduce it is the ones going to the sub that is the easyest. Best if you don't agonize over it; you may miss something because of a headache
Just make sure the cable is long enough.

 

[Unregistered]

Starflex and Flexygy measurements are similar enough for them to be indistinguishable sonically. They are both good cables with great terminations and cosmetics.

I agree but you have to spend almost double the Flexygy to have (almost) the same result as the Starflex which is much cheaper. So what's the motivation of choosing the Flexygy over the Starflex?

 

[mtrycrafts]

I agree but you have to spend almost double the Flexygy to have (almost) the same result as the Starflex which is much cheaper. So what's the motivation of choosing the Flexygy over the Starflex?

It seems to be a no brainer then If one costs 1/2 of the other and they are equivalents where it counts, usually the less expensive is th eone to get

 

[gene]

So what's the motivation of choosing the Flexygy over the Starflex?

The only motivation I see if if you prefer a flat cable or prefer the cosmetics. I personally use the Starflex and have both at my disposal.

 

[Leprkon]

Axiom cable pricing

just checking here.. is the Axiom cable pricing in the article per cable or per pair ? the article lists per pair, but the Axiom website link lists the same prices per cable... (either way not a bad buy, but I'm a little confused)

 

[wd90125]

Cobalt has new locking bannana plugs since your review. I thought the Capacitance is more important in speaker wire? The Colbalts are better there. The Inductance between the two are so close, I can't believe there is sonic benefit between the two. So it really comes down to paying more for eye candy.

 

[briansmith]

Cable Question

I anxiously await the results of the Speaker Cable Review Part II. Any updates on this Steve?

I'm most anxious for you to review the following cables, all of which have a unique approach:

1.Nordost Cable
2.Analysis Plus
3.Slinkylinks (Steve, what can we expect from this cable by viewing its design? Any comments on this cable?)

BTW, it appears the River Cable and Cobalt are using stock Canare speaker cable and inflating the price by 300%. The specs and guage are identical and the "Star Quad" terminology. Can anyone confirm this? I'm surprised Audioholics did not mention this "truth". Since I need some cable it appears my best bet would be to pick up some Canare cable and terminate it myself. Any reason to think the River/Cobalt cable will perform better than zip?

 

[briansmith]

Another company that appears to offer a lot of "bang-for-the-buck" is Signal Cable.

www.signalcable.com

-Brian

 

[briansmith]

I have a ton of questions for Steve.

I've always wondered if there is any solid engineering behind PS Audio's cable. They weigh a pound a foot! I wonder how these would sound/measure??

Any thoughts on their approach?

-Brian

 

[mtrycrafts]

Since I need some cable it appears my best bet would be to pick up some Canare cable and terminate it myself. Any reason to think the River/Cobalt cable will perform better than zip?[/QUOTE]

Perform better in electrical signal transmission? Yes, if it has lower inductance and resistance. Sonically? Zero.

 

[mtrycrafts]

Another company that appears to offer a lot of "bang-for-the-buck" is Signal Cable.

-Brian

Bang for a buck is relative. Compared to more expensive cables, I would say so. Less expensive cables, most likely not.

 

[mtrycrafts]

I've always wondered if there is any solid engineering behind PS Audio's cable. They weigh a pound a foot! I wonder how these would sound/measure??

Any thoughts on their approach?

-Brian

Probably not much solid engineering beyond the basics, R C L.

Sound? If it is comparable to 12ga /14ga zip, no evidence that it would sound different.

 

[gene]

BTW, it appears the River Cable and Cobalt are using stock Canare speaker cable and inflating the price by 300%. The specs and guage are identical and the "Star Quad" terminology. Can anyone confirm this? I'm surprised Audioholics did not mention this "truth". Since I need some cable it appears my best bet would be to pick up some Canare cable and terminate it myself. Any reason to think the River/Cobalt cable will perform better than zip?

The Star Quad cable from River is a different cable than that of the Cobalt Cable I reviewed (standard 10AWG Zip Cord). I cannot comment if the River cable is the same as the Canare since I have never seen the Canare. The Cobalt cable is repacked 10AWG Zip Cord, there is no secret there. Also I never claimed either cable would sound better than Zip Cord. In fact, read my review of the Rivercable Flexygy where I stated it measured about as good as Zip Cord, but with nicer cosmetics and terminations. Beyond good 10AWG Zip cord I personally feel its all eye candy provided that it measures at least as good. However, I would pay for the convenience of a well built cable with excellent terminations and nice cosmetics, wouldn't you? Also most folks don't desire to build their own cables so its a good alternative, even if it costs a little more.