Official Spec
I have long been a fan of Belden cables (not their power cables though) and it is always a pleasure to try out a different model. Recently I got to try out some Belden loudspeaker cables. I highly recommend the cheap Belden 8471 (16 AWG stranded (19x29) tinned copper conductors, PVC insulation, twisted pair, PVC jacket).
You may remember that the Belden 9497 (write-up and spec here) has long been one of my reference cables. So how do they compare?
Material-wise, the 8471 is similar, though judging by the description the conductor of 9497 is likely faster. Both are completely unshielded and have two twisted conductors. The 9497 is more distinctive by having a much greater twist angle (almost unique in its severity). The 9497 has lower inductance and resistance (capacitance not rated, likely high).
The sound of the the 8471 can be described in one word: beautiful. It is balanced and detailed. Its greatest strength is a top-class treble, incredibly refined, airy and seductive and comparable to anything else I have heard. Its possible weaknesses are a barely noticeable, very mild "slowness" and bass that is perhaps very slightly on the light side. Users of 9497 who would like a little more treble air will likely like the 8471. A winner.
The Belden 8471 is easily available both in the US and in HK. In Hong Kong, a seller on the internet offers irresistible price, and he is a nice guy! Buy with confidence.
Note: I also tried out 8471's bigger brother, the thicker (10 AWG) Belden 5T00UP, similar in construction but using ETP copper (that is more similar to 9497, though it doesn't say tinned). The 5T00UP does not have the outstanding treble of 8471 but is a little faster. Bass is more prodigious but I feel it is possibly less coherent than the 8471 and 9497. YMMV.
Hello Dr John,
ReplyDeleteApart from Belden cable, any recommendation on power cable?
Regards
W Chan
I am sorry, I use generic power cables. Personally I usually find most power cables colored and unnatural.
ReplyDeleteI did a comparison with 8471 & 9497, I eventually voted for 9497 because of its sound character, which is more comfortable, natural and balanced. Yes, 8471 has more and clearer treble, but the weakness is the forward soundstage which made me feel uncomfortable.
ReplyDeleteHi Dr. John, Just recently (like yesterday) switched from Belden 9497 to the 8471, and the change in my system was dramatic. I love the refined treble and more airy soundstage. But I feel like i lost a lot of the lower bass frequencies. Its best with jazz or more accoustic and ambient music, but i also listen to a lot of electronic music that has substantial bass. Will the 8471 sound chracteritics chaneg with burn in? Is burn in a thing? I am a newbie so please forgive my naivete. (system: akitika gt-102 amp, bluesound node streamer, ADS l810 speaker)
ReplyDeleteHello, looks like your system is truthful! You nailed it, that character of the 8471. Unfortunately, it IS lean in the bass, and burn in will not help. Yeah, DEFINTELY not for electronic music.
DeleteI have some odd suggestions.
1) Try out double run. Now, since it may not work out, don't go yet buy another run. Instead, use only 1 loudspeaker, test it out single run vs double run. It's best to use mono source, say Beatles Mono (they sound better than the stereo mix anyway). The more songs you try out the better. If bass improves, that's good, but it may be at the expense of losing a little air.
2) Next, try asymmetrical connection. Still double run, but with only 1 conductor for +ve (white) and 2 for -ve (black). Make sure you insulate both ends of the unused +ve white conductor so as not to get the amp into trouble. This would be easier with bare wire but is doable with spades. With bananas it's more complicated as you will have to buy cheap adaptors.
3) this is unorthodox but with a stereo pair you can try using both 9497 and 8471 at the same time. No harm trying. Again, I hope you have bare wire. Let me know if that's the case.
4) with only one speaker you may not be used to the sound. Then try to stack your ADS. Put one ADS on a secure flat surface. Stack the other ADS UPSIDE DOWN so as the woofers are on top. This is a pseudo-d'Apollito array and usually sounds good (I have gotten great results with my JBL 4312 this way). Connect the 2 speakers using the spare 9497 lying around.
If all fails, think about Gotham 50025 - works well with Akitika.
BTW, can you email me for further discussion? cheaptube@hotmail.com
Cheers and report back.
Appreciate the suggestions! Haven't tried just yet... my ears have been adjusting to them and used the EQ in BluOS app to fill in the bass a bit. Sounds better but still adjusting to it. Will try options 1 & 3 and let you know how it goes. Will be sure to email you, and thank you again for helping me out here.
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