Listening test
Contents
We tested – as with the RCA cable test – all 32 speaker cables on our reference system. However, we removed the Pass Labs XP-12 preamplifier from the chain. So we are playing with the Sonnet Pasithea d/a coverer directly to the Pass Labs X150.8 power amplifier.
As a source, we put in the Alpha Audio PC connected to a Mutec MC3 USB. This drives the Sonnet Pasithea. The Mutec MC3 has also recently been clocked by a Mutec REF10-SE120.
We use as a reference the Van den Hul The Nova speaker cable. We know this one inside out and it is a good benchmark to fall back on. The cable will not be the best in all areas, but we know it well and its behavior is very predictable. In short: we can properly base the rest of the test field on this cable.
Two days and blocks of four
We liked the methodology of the RCA cables. So we use this one now as well. We take two days in which we test sixteen cables per day. Each block we test four cables. Each block of four we start with the reference cable. And between each block we take a fifteen-minute break.
We play two tracks: Mammal Hands “Three good Things” and “Parle-moi de ma mère!” by the London Philharmonic Orchestra. These two tracks flawlessly demonstrate the properties of a cable (or whatever element in a hi-fi system). The Opera piece in particular is incredibly critical.
As with the RCA cables, we streamed the listening tests live in order to be transparent. You can find the live streams at the end of this article and, of course, on our YouTube channel.
Hi team,
This is quite an amazing project that you have done.
I am trying to use this information to help my selection decision making on some new cables. My conclusion is that the Audiomica ones which you tested seem to be the best value in terms of price vs your feedback about their sound. And from the qualitative feedback it seems like those cables would play well with most systems. Is this a correct conclusion to draw from the testing?
I understand that I would probably want to try the cables out on my system to make sure that they fit with the sound that I like.
I am relatively new to hi-fi so I apologise if this is a question that is a philosophically wrong way to think about things.
Hi Leon,
It is corrent that the Audiomica hits a sweetspot. They deliver very decent quality for a decent price. They are not cheap, but they are very good sounding. And yes: we estimate that they will work in most system.
It is always wise to first try a couple of cables and – if you found your match – buy them. We never advice to buy anything ‘blind’. Always try before you buy!
Thank you for the response and thank you again for putting together this review!
Welcome!
I wonder, if the impedance of the cables would not provide a more significant perspective instead of individual values of R, C and L ?
Well. We measured impedance. So check it out.
Here (impedance vs phase):
https://www.alpha-audio.net/review/megatest-speaker-cables-32-cables-listened-to-and-measured/attachment/audioquest-impedance-2/
is one cable data incomplete!
I see. Slp 14/4 phase. It was accidentally measured in rad. That’s why i left it out.
Hey Jaap, that is a really nice test with lots of information, thanks for that! Would it be possible to have it all into one table for a good overview, instead having to scroll through the individual pages? May be too much to ask 🙂
Keep up the awesome work!
Standard cable of 2.5mm2… I am using 16mm2 “standard wire”, 3m long. Very low resistance. That ticks one box. I guess I can theoretically calculate the inductance and capacitance. Wonder if these are of significant consequence at 20kHz. Maybe I can twist the cable to reduce the inductance if it has some impact.
Let me know how it turns out… ;-).
This is beyond – need to study it – not just read, to understand.
Thanks for including the “peasant” installation cable AudioQuest 14/4 – I use the more expensive version XTRM 14/4. My question is – how did you terminate the cable and in what configuration? I have it terminated with nakamichi bananas and connected in a star-quad configuration.
Martin
It is terminated with spades.
And, just like that, Alpha-Audio shoots to the top of the audio reviewer heap! The GOAT of tests and shoot-outs. Well done kind sirs, that was an impressive and Herculean effort!
Thanks,
Eric
Thank you Eric.