Speaker cables
started on Jan , 2025

INTRODUCTION Many years ago I ran a series of tests on the interconnect cables. The Luminous Audio interconnect cable was considered the best in various systems and environments. In this last 2 years I needed a longer interconnection cable with shield so I switched to the NEOTECH NEMOI-3220 with a cost of around $30 per meter. The new interconnect cable is not perfect like the Luminous Audio but the result is an acceptable compromise. After the test on interconnect cables,  I have received a sample of the speaker cable from Luminous Audio. The Synchestra Signature Speaker Cable is very expensive, $470.00 for a pair of 5 feet/1.5m, but seems to be unsurpassable in performances. Now I would like to search a speaker cable less expensive usable for DIY. Luminous Audio on 6moon

THE CABLES

Here some products identified for this test.

THE MEASUREMENTS

Click on the headers to sort the values.

Here the most evident thing is that the classic star configuration with 2 conductors in parallel reduces the inductance (half value) but greatly increases the capacitance (value more than double).
If we exclude the terrible capacity of the 6341PC also the Rondo 4 x 4.0 have a very high value which may affect the sound result.
Looking for those with low capacitance and low inductance we have the 1311A, SC-DUAL Blue, SC-Orbit 240 MKII, Punto Musica, Luminousaudio and the 9497.        
The Van Den Hul CS-122 with the conductors very distant from each other it has a low capacitance but the inductance value is very high.

THE CABLES PRESENTATION

Supra Rondo 4X4.0

This is a famous mid-range lousdspeakers cable used in many audio system and it will be used in the classic star configuration with 2 conductors in parallel to minimize inductance. The main specifications are: 4 × 4.0 mm²  multi-strand conductors tight-pitch twist for enhanced noise cancellation and low inductance    Tinned Copper PVC insulation Ext Ø 10.6mm

Sommer Cable SC-Quadra BLUE

This is the top model of Sommer Cable line with the same  specifications of the Dual model but 4 conductors so it will be used in the classic star configuration with 2 conductors in parallel to minimize inductance. Very interesting is the polyethylene insulation, the same used in the reference cable.  The main specifications are: 4 x 4,00 mm² Shield Copper braiding tin-plated OFC Class6N, 99.9999% Isolation Skin-PE gas-injected (Polietilene) Ext Ø 15.5mm

Sommer Cable SC-DUAL BLUE

This cable is near to the top model of Sommer Cable line with the same materials and same specifications of the Quad but only 2 conductors. Very interesting is the polyethylene insulation, the same used in the reference cable.  The main specifications are: 2 x 4,00 mm² Shield Copper braiding tin-plated OFC Class6N, 99.9999% Isolation Skin-PE gas-injected (Polietilene) Ext Ø 15.5mm

Sommer Cable SPQ240

This cable have is characterized by incredible flexibility and a good conductor section which guarantees signal transmission even over long distances. The main specifications are: 2 x 4,00 mm² + 0,5 mm² OFC oxygen free copper Conductor insulation material  PVC Jacket PVC Ext Ø 9.5mm

Sommer Cable Meridian SP240

This cable have is characterized by incredible flexibility and a good conductor section which guarantees signal transmission even over long distances. The main specifications are: 2 x 4,00 mm² + 0,5 mm² OFC oxygen free copper Conductor insulation material  PVC Jacket PVC Ext Ø 9.5mm

Sommer Cable SC-Orbit 240 MKII

This is a classic loudspeaker cable for Hi-Fi home and car with construction far superior to regular cheap red and black cables. It have a good conductor section which guarantees signal transmission even over long distances. The main specifications are: 2 x 4,00 mm² tightly tranded copper wires Conductor insulation material  PVC  Rubberlike PVC jacket Ext 12 x 5.9 mm This cable have is characterized by incredible flexibility and a good conductor section which guarantees signal transmission even over long distances. The main specifications are:

Belden 9497

This is a famous economical speaker cable used in many audio systems. The main specifications are: 2 x 16AWG (1.26 mm² ) high-conductivity tinned copper conductors PVC insulation Ext Ø 5.3mm Many times the color of the conductors is red and black like classic cables but in some cases it is black and white. The main characteristic is the twisted configuration and the tinning of the copper.

Belden  6341PC

This cable is in the Security & Sound series so it wasn't born just as a speaker cable  but it has a particular construction like the FEP (Teflon) and a good shield which will certainly characterize the sound. The main specifications are: 2 x Pair 18 AWG (0.8 mm²) Individually Shielded Tinned Copper Isolation FEP Jacket PVC Ext Ø 7.1mm

Belden  1312A

This is the version with 4 conductors of the 1311A and it will be used in the classic star configuration with 2 conductors in parallel to minimize inductance. The main specifications are: 4 x 12 AWG  (3.4 mm² ) OFC Bare Copper (High Conductivity) Isolation PE - Polyethylene Jacket PVC Ext Ø 10.7mm

Belden  1311A

This is the version with 4 conductors of the 1312A. The main specifications are: 2 x 12 AWG OFC Bare Copper (High Conductivity) Isolation PE - Polyethylene Jacket PVC Ext Ø 8.94mm

PuntoMusica Pm/Cu² 

This a custom cheap cable created on PuntoMusica specifications with an incredible low capacity and low inductance. The main specifications are: 2 x 2,69 mm² 476 OFC copper wire Conductor insulation PVC Ext 10 x 5mm

XPL CVS40C

This a cheap cable slightly better than the classic red and black cables because it has a greater number of wires, it is very flexible and is declared OFC. It is also produced in the version with a reduced section of 2.5mm². The main specifications are: 2 x 4.0mm² Copper OFC wires 5 x 10mm

Van Den Hul CS-122

This twin lead loudspeaker cable is the twin version of the CS – 12 HF. Main aim is to provide a high quality flat twin lead cable at a low price. The main specifications are: 2 x 2,96 mm²  OFC  silver coating Conductor Insulation material HULLIFLEX®  (near to PVC) Linear Structured Carbon

THE CONNECTORS

Having to terminate a lot of cables I did a long research on connectors looking for good low cost products and the following are the selected ones.

	Oehlbach banana tube 10 pz 24CT Gold Full metal Wire up to 4mm² shop Amazon
	Hopbucan 8PCS fork Copper gold palated Wire up to a 4,2 mm diameter Very good product at low cost Good for the 4 x 4mm² Used for the Blue Sommer cables shop Amazon
	4pcs hi-end Copper Speaker Y Spades Copper gold palated Wire up to 4,2 mm diameter Good for the 4 x 4mm² shop Alixpress or AudioPhonics
	16pieces High quality 24k gold plated BFA 4mm Banana Plug Wire up to 4,0 mm Without the plastic cap are a good product Good for the 4 x 4mm² shop Alixpress

THE RESULT

In order to create an objective judgment, each test session was created in a different environment, with a different system and with different people.

Click on the headers to sort the values.

It is clear that the winners of this test are the cables made of untinned and unsilvered OFC copper with polyethylene insulation instead of PVC.
Also the star configuration created with 4 conductors almost always gave the best results.

FINAL CONCLUSION

The aim of this test was to find a cable that sounded on par with the reference and I can say that I succeeded.
DIY enthusiasts don't really believe in the differences in sound between one cable and another, I also had this idea before doing the signal cable test years ago.
In some cases the difference is so big that it seems like you've changed the loudspeakers or the audio track.
So if like me you are always looking for the best sound in terms of transparency, detail, depth of soundstage, bandwidth extension you cannot use poor quality cables.
The first 3 products are the SC-Quadra Blue, SC-DUAL Blue and the Belden 1312A but even with the others at the top of the ranking you get a very good result far superior to normal cables.
The SC-Quadra Blue in a test it was better than the reference.   

THE SYSTEMS