tmega
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Post by tmega on Jul 13, 2011 16:25:26 GMT -5
Is anyone using the x-series speaker cables? If so would you mind sharing your opinions?
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Post by roadrunner on Jul 13, 2011 16:36:14 GMT -5
The Emotiva X Series speaker cables are very well made -- extremely good quality. Well worth the money. Comparable quality cables cost considerably more from other vendors.
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tmega
Minor Hero
Posts: 35
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Post by tmega on Jul 13, 2011 17:00:41 GMT -5
What about the sq? Is there any kind of sonic signature?
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Post by briank on Jul 13, 2011 17:07:13 GMT -5
The X-series cables are an excellent value and are well made, good sounding cables. I easily preferred them over Blue Jeans speaker cable. Their tonal balance and dynamics are excellent. Their only caveat is a slight loss of detail which I blame on the gold plated Brass connectors. I prefer gold plated Copper connectors. If I still had them I would probably try to swap connectors to see if that did the trick.
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jamrock
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Post by jamrock on Jul 13, 2011 18:19:11 GMT -5
Did any of you guys or your parents attended Woodstock?
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Post by lar on Jul 13, 2011 18:30:11 GMT -5
I have an old friend that did.
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tmega
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Posts: 35
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Post by tmega on Jul 13, 2011 19:51:39 GMT -5
Thanks Brian I will keep that in mind about the gold plated brass. I am as with most of us trying to find the best bang for the buck. I don't really need flash just performance. Thanks again for your input.
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Post by briank on Jul 13, 2011 20:33:48 GMT -5
Thanks Brian I will keep that in mind about the gold plated brass. I am as with most of us trying to find the best bang for the buck. I don't really need flash just performance. Thanks again for your input. Your welcome. The X-series speaker cable is still the best I've come across in it's price range. But the slight lack of detail is what separates it from some of the higher priced options, then again you will probably have to pay two or three times the price to do better. If you want to spend more to go up a notch, you might compare Analysis Plus, Acoustic Zen and Dh labs cables.
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Post by roadrunner on Jul 13, 2011 23:33:03 GMT -5
tmega
The slight loss of detail that briank discussed in his post is very subtle and is audible only with speakers having exceptionally detailed response. Whether you would be able to detect any difference between the Emo speaker cable and one of those briank mentioned is highly dependent upon the quality of your source components, pre/pro, amps and speakers; and even then it is very subtle.
What speakers do you use? Are they very high quality speakers with exceptional detail? Are you a music lover? Do you do critical listening when cuing up your albums? These are all factors you will want to consider before spending the big $$$.
Audioholics' web site has an excellent article on speaker cables that you might find very useful. Emotiva also has the 30-day trial period on its cables, so you will be able to try them in your system, risk free. If you find that you are not happy with them, just return them within 30 days, no questions asked.
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Pauly
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Post by Pauly on Jul 14, 2011 0:24:22 GMT -5
Brian, have you tried the U series speakers cables? If so, did you notice any difference between them and the X series?
Also, does anybody know if the X series have a tighter fit into binding posts compared to the U series? I use the U series for my front 3 channels, and they seem just a little too loose my liking. Other than that, they're great quality for the price.
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Post by roadrunner on Jul 14, 2011 1:49:53 GMT -5
Pauly
The U Series cables are more comparable to the Monoprice offerings and the X Series cables are more comparable to the Blue Jeans cables.
The U Series cables also are not very consistent on who well they fit on the binding post. The X Series is very consistent... sort of like the "Baby Bear's bed", just right -- not too loose, not too tight. ;D
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Post by briank on Jul 14, 2011 5:49:07 GMT -5
Brian, have you tried the U series speakers cables? If so, did you notice any difference between them and the X series? Also, does anybody know if the X series have a tighter fit into binding posts compared to the U series? I use the U series for my front 3 channels, and they seem just a little too loose my liking. Other than that, they're great quality for the price. I used the Ultra 14 awg bulk cable, connected bare wire, with my first Emotiva purchase and it's a pretty good cable. I even preferred it over the Blue Jeans 10 awg wire. The X-series is better overall though, with noticeably more bass response and a treble that's not as bright as the Ultra. The X-series is a good choice also if you feel your system is a little bright. For Home Theater, I probably wouldnt look any further than the X-series.
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tmega
Minor Hero
Posts: 35
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Post by tmega on Jul 14, 2011 12:45:23 GMT -5
tmega The slight loss of detail that briank discussed in his post is very subtle and is audible only with speakers having exceptionally detailed response. Whether you would be able to detect any difference between the Emo speaker cable and one of those briank mentioned is highly dependent upon the quality of your source components, pre/pro, amps and speakers; and even then it is very subtle. What speakers do you use? Are they very high quality speakers with exceptional detail? Are you a music lover? Do you do critical listening when cuing up yours albums? These are all factors you will want to consider before spending the big $$$. Audioholics' web site has an excellent article on speaker cables that you might find very useful. Emotiva also has the 30-day trial period on its cables, so you will be able to try them in your system, risk free. If you find that you are not happy with them, just return them within 30 days, no questions asked. I have Wharfedale Evo2 50's with Anthem electronics and is strictly for 2 channel. I am using custom cables now and I don't notice a big difference if any from the standard Monster cables that I had at first. So I would like to get something that will at least take me to the next level. I am not knocking custom cables they are very well made and attractive but I think that in my system they haven't given me what I'm looking for.
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Post by briank on Jul 14, 2011 14:56:07 GMT -5
I would suggest checking Audiogon for good deals on the brands I mentioned earlier in this thread. Buying used, you can usually re-sell it for the price you paid if your not happy with it.
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Post by paintedklown on Jul 14, 2011 15:49:11 GMT -5
Brian, have you tried the U series speakers cables? If so, did you notice any difference between them and the X series? Also, does anybody know if the X series have a tighter fit into binding posts compared to the U series? I use the U series for my front 3 channels, and they seem just a little too loose my liking. Other than that, they're great quality for the price. I used the Ultra 14 awg bulk cable, connected bare wire, with my first Emotiva purchase and it's a pretty good cable. I even preferred it over the Blue Jeans 10 awg wire. The X-series is better overall though, with noticeably more bass response and a treble that's not as bright as the Ultra. The X-series is a good choice also if you feel your system is a little bright. For Home Theater, I probably wouldnt look any further than the X-series. Thanks for your input on this briank. I see that you said that X-Series cables will help tame a bright system. This is a struggle I seem to have and I was wondering if you (or anyone with experience) have had the opportunity to listen to Monoprice 12g cables and how they compare, or how the Blue Jeans cables would compare to either of these. I wonder if the culprit could be my speaker cables, but I have always been under the assumption that all speakers cables sound roughly the same, as long as the construction wasn't poor. Not looking to start a the great cable debate again...just looking for ideas/possible helpful tweaks.
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Pauly
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Post by Pauly on Jul 14, 2011 16:26:49 GMT -5
I know it's highly subjective, but I personally don't believe the X series cables(or any speaker cables for that matter)can tame a bright system enough to justify their purchase. I just don't believe that they can make that big of a difference. I would look to other factors to help tame the brightness. Especially room treatments. That's just my opinion. However, I must say that I do respect others(like Brian)who say that there can be a noticeable difference in speaker cables.
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Post by briank on Jul 14, 2011 16:48:49 GMT -5
Paintedclown, The 10awg Blue Jeans cable was cheap so I gave it a shot but didn't like it. Sounded a bit coarse and chesty. Your much better off with the X-series. What interconnects are you using?
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jamrock
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Post by jamrock on Jul 14, 2011 16:51:58 GMT -5
Personally, I don't think anyone can tell the difference between the U-Series & X-Series cables of lengths up to 25', whether they are the speakers cables or the interconnects, in any situation. The U-Series meets all the requirements for capacitance & shielding, etc., etc. to transmit a very transparent signal over and possibly beyond that distance. The X-Series does the same with a little better shielding and possible AWG size (marketing). As one member signature indicates "You can't make inaudiuble any more inaudible" And likewise, I would say: "You can't make transparent anymore transparent" And the same is absolutely true, whether or not the connectors are made of gold plated conductors, bronze, brass, aluminium or any other conductive material. These only offer better protection, to one degree or another, against how quickly and effective corrosion sets in. To any of you guys with the ability to hear any difference, if you make it to Emofest, why not ask Emo to arrange a double blind listening test? That would teach ya! But I honestly don't think that any such request will be made. Because as history has shown, those who claim to be able to hear differences, are generally not interested in such tests! ;D
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Post by paintedklown on Jul 14, 2011 16:52:39 GMT -5
I know it's highly subjective, but I personally don't believe the X series cables(or any speaker cables for that matter)can tame a bright system enough to justify their purchase. I just don't believe that they can make that big of a difference. I would look to other factors to help tame the brightness. Especially room treatments. That's just my opinion. However, I must say that I do respect others(like Brian)who say that there can be a noticeable difference in speaker cables. This is what I figured, and I know I need to do some room treatments, but the GF and I are in a rental currently and are looking for a house to buy. I insist that I will have a room to dedicate for my HT/audio setup. ;D At that point, I plan on taking an organized, and hopefully educated, approach to setting up my gear, treating the room, and making upgrade purchases. Until then, I am just seeking info. Learning and reading about some of the stuff I may not have looked into as deeply before. Things like REW and subwoofer eq, cables and wires, and other things that the "average" user doesn't think about, or doesn't care about. That's why I have a seemingly non-stop barrage of questions on so many topics. ;D I currently use Monoprice ICs and speaker wire on everything. Thanks to all for your input/information.
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Post by briank on Jul 14, 2011 17:02:20 GMT -5
Thanks Pauly, the differences in cable are pretty subtle and with low to mid-Fi receivers it's much harder to hear any difference but the better your gear, the more noticeable the differences in cables become. If I just swapped cables and listened for a couple minutes, I might not hear a difference either, but if you invest hours comparing and going back and forth between the cables, you'll start noticing the differences. A bit OCD I know, but to me, it's part of the fun in this hobby. The X-series cables won't fix a tweeter that's too hot, but if your system is just a touch on the bright side, it might just get you where you want to be.
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