Sunday, November 2, 2014

Features Of High End Speaker Cables

By Etta Bowen


One may walk into a high end audio store and be surprised to find a cable costing five figures. Further, even the simple components like connectors may cost several hundred dollars each. A set of good quality speakers can make an old collection of music sound interesting and vibrant. The product quality has a huge impact on the sounds produced. When looking for high end speaker cables, there are useful tips for getting the right quality.

Even before one thinks of doing a purchase of any cable, they should know the speaker type that they are sourcing the cables for. Speakers come in varying sizes and shapes. Some of them include those designed for walls and floor-standing models. The latter are known to have high quality sounds. When it comes to choosing speakers with quality as the consideration, the size should not be used as a parameter to help in making the right decision. Size has no effect on quality.

For choice of the right cable, it is important that one carries out some market research before purchase. It will help a great deal when it comes to actual choice of cables. There is the option of asking for recommendations from friends who may have purchased them and thus could be having relevant knowledge. With the internet, it has become easier to check various online reviews that will give an insight on what to expect. Checking the various reviews also assists with price comparisons.

When a cable is properly designed, it will have less phase shift during high frequency operation. The result is a clearer and very focused stereo sound-stage image. It is possible for humans to understand small phase shifts or even frequency modulation that occurs in the sweet spot. This happens only in two stereo systems. It will be more clearly defined in stereo since the two speakers are bound to recreate one sound source.

Surround sound means it is possible to place audible cues easily because of more speakers. However, this does not in any way imply that precise imaging ceases to be an essential consideration. It will still be crucial for maximum performance. The benefit of high quality cables is that they will ensure provision of precise imaging, further adding to realness of sound and the excitement. There is the possibility of the center channel disappearing in the course of playing surround program material. To achieve this, precise imaging is needed. This further underlines the importance of quality cables.

Such cables also use larger gauge conduction material or a sufficient number of litz wires that are equivalent to large gauges. This will result in less inductance and resistance that result in enhanced dynamics. This will however depend on the amp capacity to deliver current when needed, and also the loudspeaker efficiency.

For a cable to serve its purpose effectively there must be a high quality source, preamp and amplification equipment. Failure of these aspects to be qualitative and the system performance will be limited. To the contrary, top quality cables are able to enhance sound in virtually any system.

Insulation used in a cable affects performance as well. While Teflon is among the best insulators, it is very costly. For a compromise, polyethylene can be used. However, it is always important to remember that one will have to pay highly for attainment of the best sound.




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