ion

I am getting a set of Klipsch Promedia Ultra 5.1 speakers, and since from what I have hear the included cables are rather medicore in quality, I am looking for another set.

I am looking at these http://store.klipsch.com/details.asp?ProdID=22 but the price is rather high, and the whole product description screams of BS. I was wondering If you can buy comparable cables elsewhere or even make them yourself for less money than those I have linked to.

psychofunk

Screw that, we are talking about computer speaks. Just go to Radioshack or Homedepot and pick up a big roll of some 10 or 12 guage wire. The most important thing is that the wire have lots of tiny copper strands. And you can even crimp on some fancy connectors.

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Hurt Me Plenty

Yup, as far as I can figure the whole monster cable thing is nothing but BS.

Make sure the cables are stranded, like psychofunk has stated.

*backstory*
Supposedly an Alternating signal travels along the "skin" of a wire. And the reasoning for the stranded wire is to increase the "skin" and to help decrease induction that inherently exists in all conductors.

Not to mention it also lowers the impedance of the wire itself.
*/backstory*

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godfoot

If you can find some braided cables (like the silver shielding just inside of coax sheathing but more tightly wound so as to be more solid and not hollow) for relatively cheap, I would recommend them regardless of brand. Braided tends to cut down the potential for EMI as well as giving more of the aforementioned surface area.

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carbongraphite

lamp cord? unless you can really hear the long crystal oxygen free copper. which you can. but not really. especialy when your playing a game with a fan filled box next to you. or on an airplane.

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Cyno01

I agree with everyone here, wire is wire, it transmits an electrical signal, yes, braided and shielded are better, but for the most part its about reducing outside interference, not mantaining signal quality or whatever. But if you want to spend $200 on a "cryogenic grade" line cord because it creates smooth electricity(tm) for your half-million watt power amp powering your military grade titanium coated balsa driver speakers connected with speaker wire hand braided by tibeten monks and blessed by the pope, go ahead, i'm sure you'll be able to hear the difference, really.

Sorry, its just too easy to rip on audiophiles

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godfoot

So is ripping on an 18 year old at my age but I don't have the energy currently so I will just say, "You're daft!"

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FunkyFresh

I just installed my Harmon Kardon home theater speakers using some 16-gauge Acoustic Research wire (half the price of Monster). I could've spent a lot more on some 12-gauge, but the ends wouldn't have fit in the crimp terminals anyway.

I don't have much faith in those who say they could tell the difference in the sound between the 16 and the 12 anyway. Kinda like wine connosieurs; you suspect that what they say is 20% expert opinion and 80% pretensious BS.

Hasnath

just out of curiousity; what sound card are you using?

ion

Thanks for all the help. I'll see if I can pick up some braided cables. In regards to Hasnath's question, I'll be using an Audigy ZS. I might look at something a little more professional, but I'm not sure about the preformance of M-Audio cards in directsound applications like games.

psychofunk

Quote: Originally Posted by ion Thanks for all the help. I'll see if I can pick up some braided cables. In regards to Hasnath's question, I'll be using an Audigy ZS. I might look at something a little more professional, but I'm not sure about the preformance of M-Audio cards in directsound applications like games.

Creative for game players and MAudio for music dabblers.

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ion

I think my questions are answered. Thanks for the help.