Friday, November 7, 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.

Prior to visiting a store or showroom, the speaker type in use should be considered. There are a host of speaker sizes and shapes. There are floor-standing versions, wall models and various others. The floor-standing models tend to have the best quality. Whereas size may have an effect on the magnitude of sound produced, it has no effect whatsoever on the sound quality. When looking for the best quality, other features such as cable type come in handy.

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.

Properly designed high end cables tend to have lesser phase shift when operating at higher frequencies. This results in clear and more focused sound-stage image of the stereo. Human beings are able to understand small shifts in phase or frequency modulation in the sweet spot of two stereo systems. These tend to be more evident in stereo because the two speakers are expected to recreate one source of sound.

Surround sound enables the placement of audible cues with more ease since more speakers are there. This however does not downplay the importance of precise imaging. If one requires left, right or the front and back pans to have a natural sound, a clear image will be necessary. Top quality cables are able to provide the precise image and thus adding to excitement and realness or surround music. The channel in the center is able to disappear whenever surround program material is being played. Precise imaging is a requirement for the phenomenon to possible, further underlining the need for use of the best 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.

It is essential to remember that to get the most from a high end cable, one needs to have a high quality source, amplification equipment and preamp. It is possible for any component to limit how the system performs. However, a top quality cable can enhance sound of probably all systems.

The insulation of any cable also has an effect on its performance. Teflon is among the very best insulators when it comes to performance. It however is costly and polyethylene can be used as a cheaper compromise.




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