Subwoofer interconnects recommendation

[junkeroos]

Anyone use the following sub interconnects? Could you tell us your experience with these cables and how it enhanced the sonics of your subwoofer? I'm currently shopping one for a friend (i have yet to have a subwoofer for my own system):

Bettercables Silver Serpent
http://www.bettercables.com/silsersubcab.html

ZBass100 Audiophile Powered Subwoofer Interconnect
http://www.monstercable.com/productPage.asp?pin=911

M Series® Bass 1000 Powered Subwoofer Interconnect
http://www.monstercable.com/productPage.asp?pin=1206

Rivercable Starflex
http://www.rivercable.com/subwoofr.html

Analysis Plus Sub Oval
http://www.analysis-plus.com/Pages/interconnects.htm

Cobalt Cable Ultimate Subwoofer cable
http://www.cobaltcable.com/product/subwoofer_cable.htm

DH Labs Sub Sonic
http://www.audioc.com/accessories/subsths.htm

not to mention the ones offerred by JPS Labs and Cat Cables. Thanks in advance.

[markw]

... you might want to try to save him some money and have him try a generic coaxial cable from one of the non-audiophile manufacturers. If, after a period of time, he feels he's lacking something, then have him play around with the hi bucks spread.

If he gives this a fair shot, he, like many others, may find the point of diminishing returns here is arrived at a much lower dollar figure than manufacturer's and their marketing firms would like you to believe.

FWIW, there is no inherent difference between a standard audio interconnect and one with the magic words "Subwoofer" printed on the wrapper or cable itself, aside from the price.

[F1]

Agree with Markw. Better save money with decent construction generic coaxial cable say from Radio Shack, which does the job well. Sonic improvement of subwoofer is mainly due to proper placement and setup. If he's willing to spend quite a bit on subwoofer cable, he'd better use that money for SPL meter and equalizer for optimizing subwoofer setup.

[junkeroos]

Fair enough. I've wondered about the difference between a regular coaxial interconnect that you use to connect your equipments and a so-called subwoofer cable. I assumed that since it is labeled "subwoofer" it will enhance the tightness and control of subsonic frequencies.

I'm also shopping for a digital coaxial cable and a component cable for my friend. Would purchasing the cheapest that I can find give the same result as the ones costing $100? These guys from the link below swear by it that it made a great improvement with their system:

http://www.htguide.com/forum/showthread.php4?t=8181
http://www.htguide.com/forum/showthread.php4?t=7590

[Tony_Montana]

Would purchasing the cheapest that I can find give the same result as the ones costing $100?

Probably not. Cheaper cables tend to cut corners in the shielding, construction or material departments. The best bet when buying cables is not to look at its price (or name), but its quality.

Radioshack's Golded or Fusion series are quality cables, so as AR cables from Bestbuy. Or if buying on-line, following site offer cables for every need at reasonable price:

http://www.bluejeanscable.com/

[mtrycraft]

Fair enough. I've wondered about the difference between a regular coaxial interconnect that you use to connect your equipments and a so-called subwoofer cable. I assumed that since it is labeled "subwoofer" it will enhance the tightness and control of subsonic frequencies.

I'm also shopping for a digital coaxial cable and a component cable for my friend. Would purchasing the cheapest that I can find give the same result as the ones costing $100? These guys from the link below swear by it that it made a great improvement with their system:

http://www.htguide.com/forum/showthread.php4?t=8181
http://www.htguide.com/forum/showthread.php4?t=7590


One may want to ask what makes a cable the finest, in one of the links :)
Very subjective discription that doesn't mean much.
Certainly using silver wire would not increase performance that matters. A hidden jewelry?
As was stated, a good quality cable that doesn't fall apart in your hand. Besides the recommendations, you can try WalMart, Target, www.partsexpress.com as well.

[Swerd]

I'm also shopping for a digital coaxial cable and a component cable for my friend. Would purchasing the cheapest that I can find give the same result as the ones costing $100?
Digital coaxial cables and composite video cables are identical coaxial shielded cables with 75 ohm impedance and terminated with RCA plugs. Component video cables are three of these bundled together. The only difference is the color coding on the plugs.

If you want to read what makes a well designed 75 ohm coaxial cable, and what features you can look for to tell the good ones from the bad ones, go to Audioholics http://www.audioholics.com/techtips/audioprinciples/cables.htm and click on the article titled: Component Video Cables - The Definitive Guide
http://www.audioholics.com/techtips/audioprinciples/interconnects/ComponentVideoCables.php

Some of the other articles listed there are pretty good at debunking the mythology surrounding audio and video cables.

[pctower]

... you might want to try to save him some money and have him try a generic coaxial cable from one of the non-audiophile manufacturers. If, after a period of time, he feels he's lacking something, then have him play around with the hi bucks spread.

If he gives this a fair shot, he, like many others, may find the point of diminishing returns here is arrived at a much lower dollar figure than manufacturer's and their marketing firms would like you to believe.

FWIW, there is no inherent difference between a standard audio interconnect and one with the magic words "Subwoofer" printed on the wrapper or cable itself, aside from the price.

FWIW, there is no inherent difference between a standard audio interconnect and one with the magic words "Subwoofer" printed on the wrapper or cable itself, aside from the price.[/

Well, well. While the mouse is away the rats will play.

Here I am checking in from the frigid, rocky coast of Tofino, B.C., on a very slow dial-up connection, and what do I discover? Why it's an absolute claim made without any qualifying language whatsoever.

And, Mark, your evidence to support that claim is? Oh, I forgot. You're a self-proclaimed "scientist" and therefore immune from such bothersome little details such as proof to support your claims. It's only the claims of yeasayers that must be supported by proof.

[Tony_Montana]

Here I am checking in from the frigid, rocky coast of Tofino, B.C., on a very slow dial-up connection, and what do I discover? Why it's an absolute claim made without any qualifying language whatsoever.

Can't you at least wait to get home in Arizona before you start this "proof" business mess? :D

[markw]

If so, what are they. If not, then what are you saying?

[pctower]

Can't you at least wait to get home in Arizona before you start this "proof" business mess? :D

Perhaps some of this fresh, clean Canadian air will breath some sanity back into me and I won't even care about cables "by the time I get to Phoenix". :)

I will say this. If there is a God, this is surely HIS country. It's breath-taking up here.

[mtrycraft]

I will say this. If there is a God, this is surely HIS country. It's breath-taking up here.


If? Doesn't most people believe this to be the case? Then it must be so :)

[Pat D]

FWIW, there is no inherent difference between a standard audio interconnect and one with the magic words "Subwoofer" printed on the wrapper or cable itself, aside from the price.[/

Well, well. While the mouse is away the rats will play.

Here I am checking in from the frigid, rocky coast of Tofino, B.C., on a very slow dial-up connection, and what do I discover? Why it's an absolute claim made without any qualifying language whatsoever.

And, Mark, your evidence to support that claim is? Oh, I forgot. You're a self-proclaimed "scientist" and therefore immune from such bothersome little details such as proof to support your claims. It's only the claims of yeasayers that must be supported by proof.
Well, PC, if you think that printing "subwoofer" on the cable or the package wrapper is going to make it sound different . . .

That's the only thing I find in Markw's post that could remotely (if one wanted to be silly) be interpreted as an "absolute claim."

Maybe the electrons will read the label and try to flow better? ;)

[pctower]

Well, PC, if you think that printing "subwoofer" on the cable or the package wrapper is going to make it sound different . . .

That's the only thing I find in Markw's post that could remotely (if one wanted to be silly) be interpreted as an "absolute claim."

Maybe the electrons will read the label and try to flow better? ;)

Even the great and wise occasionally are wrong. I accept your analysis.

[pctower]

If? Doesn't most people believe this to be the case? Then it must be so :)

Unfortunately, most people are stupid.

[skeptic]

Even the great and wise occasionally are wrong. I accept your analysis.

What have we got here, a kinder gentler PC Tower?

What on you on PC, Valium? Prozac?

I think I like the old fiesty one much better.

[kenobi]

I recommend Analysis Plus. It replaced in my system Audio Quest Ruby, Monster and various others. I believe there's more transparency and detail in them as well as better control and dynamics compare to others.

Cheers,