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Post by irobot on Nov 18, 2011 18:17:03 GMT -5
I am comparing X-series speaker cables with much cheaper Blue Jeans 'Ten white/gray' cables. Both are 10 gauge and oxygen-free copper wires. BJC cable has a minimalist white PVC jacket versus the mighty Emo X-series has layers of fancy shielding. Per BJC website, speaker cables don't need any shielding / insulation because they are immune to RFI noise. An unterminated BJC 10-white costs $0.99/ft (~$13/4m) versus Emo X-series at $60/4m, and thats Emo's holiday pricing.
So, do speaker cables really need insulation/shielding? Is it worth paying almost 5-times the price?
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USAFRetired
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New Receiver onboard Denon RIP
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Post by USAFRetired on Nov 18, 2011 18:59:14 GMT -5
Look out, this is a can of something?
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jlafrenz
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Post by jlafrenz on Nov 18, 2011 19:19:43 GMT -5
I use BJC and really like them. Do keep in mind that the BJC wire is just bare wire and the Emo cables come with banana plugs and all the cable sleeving, so its not exactly an equal comparison. Add up the cost of your choice of bananas, cable wrap, cable pants, heat shrink, and your time. This would be a fair comparison for price.
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Post by briank on Nov 18, 2011 20:32:17 GMT -5
I am comparing X-series speaker cables with much cheaper Blue Jeans 'Ten white/gray' cables. Both are 10 gauge and oxygen-free copper wires. BJC cable has a minimalist white PVC jacket versus the mighty Emo X-series has layers of fancy shielding. Per BJC website, speaker cables don't need any shielding / insulation because they are immune to RFI noise. An unterminated BJC 10-white costs $0.99/ft (~$13/4m) versus Emo X-series at $60/4m, and thats Emo's holiday pricing. So, do speaker cables really need insulation/shielding? Is it worth paying almost 5-times the price? I've owned both. I really liked the X-series and it would be a great choice. It only gives up a little detail as compared to high dollar cables. I didn't like the Belden 10 gauge as voices sounded coarse and a little 'chesty'. I'd definitely choose the x-series over the Belden.
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Post by roadrunner on Nov 18, 2011 21:36:47 GMT -5
Yes, I have also use the Blue Jeans 10 belden speaker cable. No bad, but sounded ever so slightly grainy in high frequencies. The Emotiva X speaker cables sound much smoother. I suspect its strand count has a lot to do with that. The solid brass ends with thick gold platiing also help.
X-Series Speakers Cable (male to male)•Solid brass machined ends with 3 micron thick gold plating.
•Nylon braided anti-scuff jacket over PVC outer insulator.
•Dual-twisted, 10 gauge, high strand count oxygen-free copper conductors.
•Strand Count: 455 x 2
•Interchangeable tips: banana plugs or spades (4 of each included with every cable).
•Diecast, non-ferrous metal alloy breakout collar for added support.
Take notice that the Emotiva cables also come with very high quality, interchangable banana plugs AND spade connectors with every set of cables. By the time you factor in all the extras that are part and parcel of the X-Series speaker cables their price is very reasonable. To purchase similar quality cables from other vendors easily runs two to three times the price. As Brian mentioned the sound quality of the Emo speaker cables is very good.
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geebo
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Post by geebo on Nov 18, 2011 21:58:58 GMT -5
Can't comment on the BJC, but I picked up some X-series cables at Emofest on Briank's recommendation and I've been very happy with them. High quality stuff.
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Post by NezFF on Nov 19, 2011 17:36:31 GMT -5
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Post by audiofile on Nov 19, 2011 17:53:02 GMT -5
I like your ad!!! WE have to talk...
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gomer
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Post by gomer on Nov 19, 2011 18:31:58 GMT -5
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jamrock
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Post by jamrock on Nov 19, 2011 18:55:58 GMT -5
The X-Series cables is a better deal if you are going to use connectors. I use 12 gauge speakers wires that are connected directly (bare wire) between the amp and the speakers. In most applications, 16 gauge speaker wire is adequate for most home systems. The lower gauge numbers, 8, 10, 12, etc., are preferable for longer runs but they are less flexible. However, you will not hear any difference in the sound regardless of the gauge you use.
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LCSeminole
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Post by LCSeminole on Nov 19, 2011 21:06:36 GMT -5
I use three speaker cables for the front stage (L,C,R) that I bought from Nezff a while back, I think it's Beldin speaker cable with GLS locking banana's. The build, connectors and looks are nicer than the Home Depot 12g bulk speaker wire that I had but I personally don't hear any difference. This is not a knock on Nezff's cables as I would buy them again from him, but I don't buy into the nuances of speaker wire unless we're are talking about chemical changes such as corrosion of metal. To each their own though, as what I hear may or may not be what other's will hear.
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NorthStar
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Post by NorthStar on Nov 19, 2011 21:16:45 GMT -5
I am comparing X-series speaker cables with much cheaper Blue Jeans 'Ten white/gray' cables. Both are 10 gauge and oxygen-free copper wires. BJC cable has a minimalist white PVC jacket versus the mighty Emo X-series has layers of fancy shielding. Per BJC website, speaker cables don't need any shielding / insulation because they are immune to RFI noise. An unterminated BJC 10-white costs $0.99/ft (~$13/4m) versus Emo X-series at $60/4m, and thats Emo's holiday pricing. So, do speaker cables really need insulation/shielding? Is it worth paying almost 5-times the price? NO! But a good material cover jacket, YES! ...Life Teflon.
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NorthStar
Seeker Of Truth
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Post by NorthStar on Nov 19, 2011 21:19:00 GMT -5
Go ahead Neil and say your take. ...Your opinion is highly valued here.
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jamrock
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Post by jamrock on Nov 20, 2011 8:15:24 GMT -5
I use three speaker cables for the front stage (L,C,R) that I bought from Nezff a while back, I think it's Beldin speaker cable with GLS locking banana's. The build, connectors and looks are nicer than the Home Depot 12g bulk speaker wire that I had but I personally don't hear any difference. This is not a knock on Nezff's cables as I would buy them again from him, but I don't buy into the nuances of speaker wire unless we're are talking about chemical changes such as corrosion of metal. To each their own though, as what I hear may or may not be what other's will hear. No need to apologize for science. You are on solid ground. Speak out and educate an audiophile. I did not buy cheap speaker cable because I believe that there would be no sonic difference from more expensive types. I did because I would need up to 65' for my surround speakers (gauge). I also made sure that they had the proper UL rating for fire, since I would be running them behind drywall and in the ceiling. I also made sure that the jacket was thick & white for durability and the benefit of heat dissipation, as my ceiling can get over 110 deg F in this Florida heat. If in addition to that they were also a thing of beauty, that would be a plus. I like beautiful things. With all that, the truth is that I hear no difference in the sound from the generic 16 gauge wires they replaced.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Nov 20, 2011 9:58:55 GMT -5
Here is my take on speaker cables. It's foolish to think a $1,000 8 foot pair 12 gauge speaker cable will sound substantially better than let's say an Emotiva cable. There are structural integrity issues that might make one cable reproduce sound more reliably than the other. Copper is copper. Whether one wants to believe that the purity of copper makes a difference, its up to them. What I focus on is what might make a difference in sound. I focus on the gauge of the wire (12 gauge seems to have a fine balance), and the construction of the cable. I am a firm believer of keeping things consistent where speaker cables go. If I have an 8 ft pair of cables, I would like to see Teflon insulation along with the wire being OFC, and the most important thing to me is the termination. Preferably gold plated copper spades and securely crimped. Set screws are second best, but crimping I believe is stronger. Here is one opinion. It's just someone's opinion on the matter..many more where that came from.. www.enjoythemusic.com/magazine/viewpoint/1299/aachapter5.htm
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gomer
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Post by gomer on Nov 20, 2011 10:30:00 GMT -5
I don't mind spending a little money on nice looking cables that are assembled well. The X series looks like just that. There are others that can also fit the bill. I don't expect any well shielded RCA to sound better then any other well shielded RCA. Likewise, a 12awg cable line another 12awg. The placibo effect is an amazing thing. If you expect it to sound better, it will. Money psychosis is an amazing thing imo.
Here is an example of folly (imo). Spend $4000 on a super duper silver, teflon insulated power cable. Hook that up to a mega awesome power receptacle. Connect the other end into your equipment. How do you really expect that to matter when you have hundreds of mile of standard copper and aluminum between your receptacle and the power station?
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DYohn
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Post by DYohn on Nov 20, 2011 10:56:01 GMT -5
Wire is wire.
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Post by NezFF on Nov 20, 2011 11:11:57 GMT -5
I am comparing X-series speaker cables with much cheaper Blue Jeans 'Ten white/gray' cables. Both are 10 gauge and oxygen-free copper wires. BJC cable has a minimalist white PVC jacket versus the mighty Emo X-series has layers of fancy shielding. Per BJC website, speaker cables don't need any shielding / insulation because they are immune to RFI noise. An unterminated BJC 10-white costs $0.99/ft (~$13/4m) versus Emo X-series at $60/4m, and thats Emo's holiday pricing. So, do speaker cables really need insulation/shielding? Is it worth paying almost 5-times the price? Bare wire is cheap, but making them look "pretty", thats where the cost comes in. Banana plugs, outer covering, labor, etc... Most people wouldnt hear the difference between a expensive speaker wire and a coat hanger.
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Post by NezFF on Nov 20, 2011 11:13:59 GMT -5
10 gauge is a tad overkill, 12 is usually very sufficient for home theater. I use UL inwall rated speaker cabling which is cheaper than BJC, but remember Blue Jeans has to make a profit off that wire also. They are probably getting it for a certain price, then selling it to us for a profit.
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LCSeminole
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Post by LCSeminole on Nov 20, 2011 11:21:33 GMT -5
I am comparing X-series speaker cables with much cheaper Blue Jeans 'Ten white/gray' cables. Both are 10 gauge and oxygen-free copper wires. BJC cable has a minimalist white PVC jacket versus the mighty Emo X-series has layers of fancy shielding. Per BJC website, speaker cables don't need any shielding / insulation because they are immune to RFI noise. An unterminated BJC 10-white costs $0.99/ft (~$13/4m) versus Emo X-series at $60/4m, and thats Emo's holiday pricing. So, do speaker cables really need insulation/shielding? Is it worth paying almost 5-times the price? Bare wire is cheap, but making them look "pretty", thats where the cost comes in. Banana plugs, outer covering, labor, etc... Most people wouldnt hear the difference between a expensive speaker wire and a coat hanger. I'm going to have to try a coat hanger just so I can see for myself! ;D
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