Robertson Audio vs Chord Rumour X Speaker Cables or other for ~$4-500 ???????

[Meggs8]

 

Thinking of upgrading my speaker cables and looking for some advice on this very tricky and contentious subject.  

 

Currently - Cambridge CXA81 Amp, Wharfedale Evo 4.4 speakers and I think old Monster speaker cable (thick cable and  ~6mm thick clear cover). Listening mainly to Tidal - folk classical and popular music via laptop and usb lead..

 

Budget is ~$4-500. The cables that I have looked at so far are Chord Rumour X and the local Robertson Audio leads. Any suggestions / help gratefully received.

[ollie_08]

Not sure what length is required, but if your willing to stretch your budget a bit these are worth considering. 

 

Home trial is possible too 

 

https://www.aurealisaudio.com.au/litz-speaker-cables/

 

[Meggs8]

I need 3.5 - 4M long leads.

 

Looks like these only go to 3M 

 

 

[muon*]

Geoff also has his Spiral 8.

 

https://www.aurealisaudio.com.au/silverkitpdf1/

 

His cables punch higher than the price when compared to many other offerings.

 

Talk to him about what you need, he's very helpful in providing what will best suit.

Edited October 25, 2024 by muon*

[Meggs8]

Thanks very much for the suggestions.

 

Any cooment as to whether choice of speaker cables do, or do not, make a big, some, no difference ????????

 

And does bi wiring make a noticeable difference???? 

[muon*]

1 minute ago, Meggs8 said:

Thanks very much for the suggestions.

 

Any cooment as to whether choice of speaker cables do, or do not, make a big, some, no difference ????????

 

And does bi wiring make a noticeable difference???? 

In my experience cables DO make a difference.

 

As far as bi-wire goes it is very dependent of the speakers.

[parrasaw]

I have only heard good things about the following 4 cable makers in Australia (there are others of course who are also probably very good):

1. One of your original options, Robertson Audio - excellent cables, very well constructed.

2. Aurealis Audio (noted above by @muon* ). Excellent, cables, very well made.

3. NB Cables - also worth a look. Excellent value, very well made.

4. Sonic Art (SN Sponsor). Excellent cables (and other products).

I don't think that you could go wrong with any of these four, and you would be dealing directly with the person who makes the cables. 

Any of the above four will make you a great cable, priced well within your budget.

Good luck with your search  

Edited October 25, 2024 by parrasaw

[MrBurns84]

16 hours ago, parrasaw said:

I have only heard good things about the following 4 cable makers in Australia (there are others of course who are also probably very good):

1. One of your original options, Robertson Audio - excellent cables, very well constructed.

2. Aurealis Audio (noted above by @muon* ). Excellent, cables, very well made.

3. NB Cables - also worth a look. Excellent value, very well made.

4. Sonic Art (SN Sponsor). Excellent cables (and other products).

I don't think that you could go wrong with any of these four, and you would be dealing directly with the person who makes the cables. 

Any of the the four will make you a great cable, priced well within your budget.

Good luck with your search  

I can whole heartedly vouch for quality, value, customer support and sound for both the Geoff's - Aurealis Audio cables, and Warrick's Robertson Audio cables.  I have used them for years in my ever-evolving rig, just swapping in and out different cables when needed. I dont bother with branded one's these days when you have excellent quality cables made locally. 

[Philharmonic]

19 hours ago, Meggs8 said:

And does bi wiring make a noticeable difference???? 

I would suggest looking at a decent (or matching set of) jumper links. Many tend to go this way and it saves a heap on bi-wiring for similar results. Put the money you save into better speaker cables.

Edited October 26, 2024 by Philharmonic
Detail

[parrasaw]

1 hour ago, Philharmonic said:

I would suggest looking at a decent (or matching set of) jumper links. Many tend to go this way and it saves a heap on bi-wiring for similar results. Put the money you save into better speaker cables.

Another good reason for going with a good Australian cable maker - this too can be discussed with the person/business who @Meggs8 finally choses to make the cables.

[Meggs8]

3 hours ago, Philharmonic said:

I would suggest looking at a decent (or matching set of) jumper links. Many tend to go this way and it saves a heap on bi-wiring for similar results. Put the money you save into better speaker cables.

Another interesting idea and at $115 from Robertson's easier to get wifely approval for (as a first step?).  The Wharfedale speakers I have have what look like aluminium joining plates. I would have hoped they would have put some thought into these but you think jumper links would make a difference?????? 

 

Thanks for the input David

 

 

[Philharmonic]

Hi David,

This response potentially opens the old "can of worms" that is...do cables actually make a difference?

I can only suggest:

i/ reading up on what you can find on others' experiences in replacing OEM metal jumper plates/bars, and/or

ii/ borrowing a set of good jumper cables from a willing forum member or retailer to try for yourself.

 

Also maybe look at user feedback on bi-wiring vs good jumper links?

 

From personal experience my answer is a resounding YES...good jumper links do make a difference!

 

I may be selling a pair on here shortly as I've upgraded and cable matched speaker cables and jumper links. Robertson do make a very nice range of cables too.

As for cables I'd recommend within your price point, my partner has her Vienna Acoustics Mozart speakers connected to a Primare I25 Prisma with these for a very pleasing result indeed. https://www.spacehifi.com.au/cables-and-connectors/speaker-cables/tellurium-q-ultra-blue-ii-speaker-cable

 

Regards

Phil

Edited October 26, 2024 by Philharmonic

[grammefriday]

you could also look at Audio Principe or March Audio - both of whom have been making good quality cables at reasonable prices for many years.

[Meggs8]

Phil thanks for the thoughts and the link. V interesting bi wire vs jumper link. I'll go jumper! And another cable option. Never knew there were so many Aus suppliers.

 

Thanks also to other for their recommendations. Although, it leaves me with too many options but will definitely go local. 

 

David

 

[Kaynin]

I've used Aurealis and Robertson cables over the years, you really can't go wrong with any of their products.  Most of my cables now are from Osborn though, which also come with a lifetime warranty.  
 

I used to use jumper links, the last set was from Aurealis.  Now, however, I stick with bi-wiring.  Getting locally made makes this easy.  Personally, I'd avoid jumper links.  I think putting the money for quality jumper links into proper bi-wiring from a quality made cable to be a better investment.

 

https://www.osbornloudspeakers.com.au/osborn-speaker-cables

Edited October 27, 2024 by Kaynin
Added link.

[gemini07]

An excellent article posted in a different thread:

 

https://www.audioresurgence.com/2019/09/why-audio-cables-sound-different.html

 

It emphasises the importance of system synergy rather than any individual brands being superior to others.

 

Personally, my current gear works very well with Oyaide interconnects and Mogami coaxial speaker cable (3082). More expensive cables, and those with complex geometry, rare and expensive metals, massive gauges and exotic packaging do not automatically guarantee better system synergy and better performance. A degree of experimentation, and trial & error is almost inevitable.

[Meggs8]

20 hours ago, Kaynin said:

I've used Aurealis and Robertson cables over the years, you really can't go wrong with any of their products.  Most of my cables now are from Osborn though, which also come with a lifetime warranty.  
 

I used to use jumper links, the last set was from Aurealis.  Now, however, I stick with bi-wiring.  Getting locally made makes this easy.  Personally, I'd avoid jumper links.  I think putting the money for quality jumper links into proper bi-wiring from a quality made cable to be a better investment.

 

https://www.osbornloudspeakers.com.au/osborn-speaker-cables

 

Hi Kaynin I had just settled to the idea of matched Robertson cables and jumpers and you throw a spanner in the works! 

 

Having had Aurealis and Robertson cables but now using Osborn, can you tell me more about your choice and experience with them? Osborn cables, especially with internal bi wire, are cheaper (but does price have any correlation with quality?) but the rest of his gear is very up market???  On his site there isn't much info on the cables construction? Silver?

 

And gemini07 has very good point about any item matching the rest of the system. Sadly I can't afford to buy twenty different cables to experiment with. 

 

David

[Kaynin]

1 hour ago, Meggs8 said:

 

Hi Kaynin I had just settled to the idea of matched Robertson cables and jumpers and you throw a spanner in the works! 

 

Having had Aurealis and Robertson cables but now using Osborn, can you tell me more about your choice and experience with them? Osborn cables, especially with internal bi wire, are cheaper (but does price have any correlation with quality?) but the rest of his gear is very up market???  On his site there isn't much info on the cables construction? Silver?

 

And gemini07 has very good point about any item matching the rest of the system. Sadly I can't afford to buy twenty different cables to experiment with. 

 

David

 

I've gone Osborn cables because I have his speakers and Consonance gear, and @gemini07 is spot on about synergy.  Greg demos his gear every day, and sales don't lie, so it's no surprise that I settled on his cables.  Effectively he's done the synergy work for me.

 

Price is important, you don't want cheap junk, but after that I think it drops away quickly.  With Robertson and Aurealis they well made, so you can't go wrong, but synergy is a different issue and all about trial and error.  Unfortunately that's the only way to achieve it.  I've spent $10k on an amp and moved it on after a few months because it just didn't work in my system.  At your end it's hit and miss, but choosing a good quality brand is the best starting point.  That's what many people do with the classifieds here, use it as a cheaper starting point to trial some cables, then move on to the next one and sell the previous ones.  It's a great method to ultimately find what you like.  That's the fun in the hobby!  I haven't had your gear before, so I can't suggest what any of the three brands will be like in your system.  

 

Osborn interconnects are silver, but the speaker cables are ultra high speed data transfer cable.  I haven't pulled one apart, but contact Greg if you need further info on their construction.  I can attest that they're incredibly well made.  I've had high end cables fall apart at the connectors, but with these there's no chance.  

[Philharmonic]

A couple of "schools of thought" on the value/benefits of bi-wiring versus jumpers from respected cable manufacturers Nordost and Chord for your consideration @Meggs8 David.

 

https://www.nordost.com/downloads/multiLanguage/NorseJumperinstructions_new.pdf

 

https://chord.co.uk/speaker-cable-guide/

 

My suggestion - if possible try both and hear for yourself.

Hopefully a sympathetic retailer will oblige?

Regards,

Phil

[muon*]

Could try bi-wire and single using very cheap cable to see if the bi-wire brings anything, then you can invest ya money is good cables appropriately.

Edited October 28, 2024 by muon*

[obitankenobi]

+1 for Osborn cables. I’ve been using the same speaker cables with b&w 802d for over a decade and still good

[Meggs8]

Thanks for that. 

 

Greg and Osborn cables look very classy. However, bi wire or single with jumpers, which he doesn't sell.

 

Jumpers or bi wire looks like another very contested discussion. See Phil's links above, which I read as saying jumpers are a better option???????? If jumpers, would it be better to have the same type eg Robertson?

 

My head is hurting!

[Philharmonic]

8 minutes ago, Meggs8 said:

My head is hurting!

Go with your head and your wallet David... all the best, I'm sure you'll end up with a product/brand combination you're happy (hopefully delighted) with 

[ray4410]

1 hour ago, Meggs8 said:

Thanks for that. 

 

Greg and Osborn cables look very classy. However, bi wire or single with jumpers, which he doesn't sell.

 

Jumpers or bi wire looks like another very contested discussion. See Phil's links above, which I read as saying jumpers are a better option???????? If jumpers, would it be better to have the same type eg Robertson?

 

My head is hurting!

the Osborn website has both single wired and biwire speaker cables listed.

[Kaynin]

24 minutes ago, ray4410 said:

the Osborn website has both single wired and biwire speaker cables listed.

 

Yep, and I have a few pairs of bi-wired cables so he definitely makes them.  He doesn't do jumpers though, I mean he may make them if an order was placed, but through a discussion I had with him a few years ago, he doesn't recommend it.