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Positive Feedback ISSUE 73
soundstring cable technologies Generation II Speaker Cables as reviewed by Robert H. Levi
I do not often review cables in this economical price range, but I have been following Soundstring Cable from day one when it was introduced at a Stereophile Show in San Francisco in 2003. I said then that the interconnect was the best you could buy under one thousand dollars per meter. It is still a superb value in that very same price category. Now we have their improved speaker cable, labeled Gen. II, which sells for a super attractive $920 for a bi-wire pair! How did this elegant looking beefy wire sound? Read on and see. The reference system utilized the latest Duke 2 Speakers from Marten, the E.A.R. 890 Tube Amplifier, the 834L Tube Line Stage, the Mac MR71 Tube Tuner modified by Audio Classics, the E.A.R. Acute 2 CD Player, and the ModWright Sony 999 SACD/CD/DVD Player, with interconnects and power cords by Soundstring, Kubala-Sosna and Wywires. Considering that an eight foot pair of Gen. IIs cost less than a meter of most of my interconnects, I was staggered by the delightful and full bodied performance of the speaker cables. The highs were smooth, slightly sweet, elegant, and very detailed. The mids were full, powerful, rich, layered, and realistic. The bass was dynamic, deep, focused, and well defined. The Gen. IIs clearly and positively outclassed the original Soundstring speaker cables in every way, shape, and form. It is said that the music lives in the mid bass. The music is alive and well in the Soundstring Gen. IIs. Margareta Bengston, MB 0001, Midnight Sun Never Sets, on CD, is a favorite reference of mine, with ideal recordings of the female voice and trombone. With the Gen. IIs, her voice was warm and alive, very nearly ideal and present. No bothersome sibilance to report, as the voice was layered with just the right sexy pronunciation. The trombone was full and well-focused. If this CD were being played on a $2000 or $3000 speaker cable, it would have been quite believable!
Tutti, Orchestral Sampler, RR 906, SACD, is my go-to SACD source to test dynamics and bass range. The Gen. II passed with flying colors. The slam and richness of this wire is first-rate, really entertaining, and involving. My experience with cables in this price range—and I have a ton of it—is mostly thinness, brightness, lack of bass definition. Not the Soundstring! Taste is everything these days, and the designer of these cables loves music, and listened to these cables before manufacturing them. The big difference between these and the original wires is more definition throughout all audio ranges. Does the Soundstring sound like my $9000 references? At that price you get seriously more sophistication and definition. The ability to listen into the music is also quite enhanced. On the other hand, for a tenth the cost, you get a jumbo juicy slice of that super sound signature and definition with the Soundstring! What a bargain! Listen up: The speaker wire requires 100 hours of break in to sound its best. Though a tad thicker than most wires in this price category, it is very flexible and easy to work with. The supplied spades are high quality and recommended. They are 100% copper and made in the USA. Summary The Generation II Speaker Cables by Soundstring Cable Technologies, LLC, is a first-rate affordable speaker cable, which delivers on the emotional impact of real music with excellent definition. A big improvement over the original cable, I recommend you replace your old wire with this new formulation. The price remains highly attractive and is an outstanding value. At $5000 or $10,000 for an 8-foot pair I could find some flaws to bring to your attention, but for around $900, they are just about perfect. If this price range is in your wheel house, look no further folks: You have arrived. Most highly recommended. Robert H. Levi
Soundstring Cable
Technologies, LLC Current Retail Selling Prices for Most Popular Styles And Lengths Of Gen Ii Regular, Bi-Wire and "SE" (Special Edition) Speaker Cables GEN II STANDARD SPEAKER CABLES WITH CRIMP TYPE 8mm SPADE TERMINALS, BANANA PLUGS, OR ANY COMBINATION (Specify which termination goes to Amplifier) SS-GEN II-SC-6, 6 Feet: $660 SS-GEN II-SC-8, 8 Feet: $750 SS-GEN II-SC-12, 12 Feet: $820 SS-GEN II-SC-15, 15 Feet: $860 *Specify "SL" for Spades, "BP" for bananas, "SL/BP" for Spades to Bananas, or "BP/SL" for Bananas to Spades – prices are the same regardless of terminations used. GEN II BI-WIRE SPEAKER CABLES WITH CRIMP TYPE 8mm SPADE TERMINALS, BANANA PLUGS, OR ANY COMBINATION (Specify which termination goes to Amplifier SS-GEN II-BWSC-6, 6 Feet: $840 SS-GEN II-BWSC-8, 8 Feet: $920 SS-GEN II-BWSC-12, 12 Feet: $990 SS-GEN II-BWSC-15, 15 Feet: $1040 *Specify "SL" for Spades, "BP" for Bananas, "SL/BP" for Spades to Bananas, or "BP/SL" for Bananas to Spades - Prices are the same regardless of terminations used. GEN II "SE" (SPECIAL EDITION) SPEAKER CABLES WITH CRIMP TYPE 8mm SPADE TERMINALS, BANANA PLUGS, OR ANY COMBINATION (Specify which termination goes to Amplifier). SS-GEN II-SE--SC-6, 6 Feet: $810 SS-GEN II-SE--SC-8, 8 Feet: $960 SS-GEN II-SE--SC-12, 12 Feet: $1240 SS-GEN II-SE--SC-15, 15 Feet: $1450 *Specify "SL" for Spades, "BP" for Bananas, "SL/BP" for Spades to Bananas, or "BP/SL" for Bananas to Spades - Prices are the same regardless of terminations used.
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