Need help picking speaker wire and terminations MODERATOR PLEASE CLOSE  

There is a lot of BS out there about speaker cables. Sometimes there is science behind the claims, sometimes not. Even when there is a scientific basis, the improvements over simple speaker cable of adequate gauge tends to be inaudible. Those things you mentioned normally won't produce a cable that is audibly better in your system than zip cord from your local home improvement store. Just avoid copper clad aluminum "speaker wire". 14 AWG should be sufficient for most speakers at those lengths

The kicker, however, is that your speakers have electrostatic elements and have very low impedance at high frequencies. I can only guess at how that affects the choice of speaker cables. Normally, lower impedance means larger gauge for the same length. You may need 12 AWG or larger. Hopefully, someone with similar speakers will chime in. What does Martin Logan recommend?

The best termination is the simplest one that works. That is usually bare wire for a 5-way binding post. The wire can be tinned if you want so you don't have loose strands. Spades are fine if they are properly crimped, soldered or welded, and they are better than bare wire if the connection is a barrier strip. If you use banana plugs, the locking kind usually produce a better connection with the jack than the others. It really doesn't amount to a hill of beans what you choose as long as you have a good connection.
Edited by Colm - 2/24/13 at 7:07pm

The first part of this might be helpful to you.

http://anticables.com/
I use this and am very pleased......as far as surrounds are...yes any decent cable will work fine as they are just for ambiance...but what it all boils down too it what you want and what you can afford......happy listening.
Edited by josh6113 - 2/24/13 at 8:29pm

That is a link to conversation about the anti cable Bislander...he is asking about cables and I recommended one...if he wants to join in the thread I'm sure he will find it...

There's a lengthy discussion about the cables you are recommending. It seems like useful information for the OP.

I personally use MonoPrice speaker wire w/ their banana plugs. I used to buy Monster and AudioQuest stuff but in the end science won over and ever since than I have been saving a lot of money

You have also been saving yourself from having the best sound possible.

couldn't tell a difference in a blind tests in my room Plus the saved money allowed me to buy some nice speaker stands:)

(I used a clip from the film Sunshine which I am very familiar with. According to my counter I've played that exact scene over 452 times in 2012. Love the scene lol)

I don't see how that's possible when "zipcord" speaker wire sound as good as it gets for our ears.

Speak for yourself...not everyone...

Usually putting a smiley after a comment indicates that it is a joke.

It that your intent here?

Please recommend what one needs to do to obtain "the best sound possible".

Not at all...if the audio quest is cheap for you since you work at best buy go for it......I'm sure you will be happy with them

That's an unfortunate consequence of asking about speaker wire in most forums. The science says any properly constructed 12 or 14 gauge wire will work the same. So, there's no need to spend lots on wire. You can get perfectly fine spools for $.25 a foot at place like monoprice. But, if you get comfort from a name like Audioquest at $.50 a foot, go for it. Spending $2.33 seems pretty wasteful to me, though. But, I'm sure that wire will work, too.

My sources indicate that your speakers are very atypical in that they have very low impedance at the upper end of the audio band - perhaps much less than an ohm.

The usually recommended 12 gauge zip cord has an approximate reactance of 0.23-0.24 uHy per foot per numerous sources.

Its series impedance at 20 KHz is about 0.030 ohms per foot, which leads to up to 3 dB loss @ 20 KHz for a 20' speaker cable and proportionately different for other lengths. This could be marginally audible.

Using a coaxial cable (e.g. RG8 with a solid copper center conductor and shield or Belden 8213) could cut that loss to less than half.

http://www.belden.com/techdatas/english/8213.pdf

Another Belden cable with low loss can be purchased by the foot here:

http://www.rfparts.com/old_site/coax.html#2l2590

Belden RG 213/U commercial spec YR41156 (stranded for flexibility ) and about a buck a foot.

Paralleled runs of Belden 8213 or RG 213U would further reduce the losses. Some sources recommend doubling up the 8213 and cross-connecting the inner and braid connectors.
Edited by arnyk - 2/25/13 at 7:49am

Pretty much any wire will work in a speaker system...no need at all to spend a lot...stay within your comfort zone and spend what you think you should...you work for bestbuy so the discount matters here...youll be fine no matter what you choose...happy listening!

I guess you didn't give much credibility to post 19. It turns out that the OPs speaker are very atypical, and most speaker cable including your fave Anticable could actually change the sound of his speakers.

Did I break a forum rule or something?

He is just looking for decent wire for his speakers...if he chooses the solid core anticable that will be up to him...

Common...you stated zip cord is as good as it gets to OUR ears...as in everyone...not just yourself...

Did I or did I not break a forum rule?

I don't see where I said you did

Non-answer. Seems to go with the non-questions that you are apparently looking to me for answers to.

I didn't know what you were thinking so I asked. Simple "yes" or "no" would have sufficed.

Anyway, then prompted you to tell me who to or not to speak for?

Right...of course you didn't break a rule...and your post referenced everyone in post 12...and I said speak for yourself.

You are telling me who to speak for and who not to. What are you, a forum moderator?