http://www.hometheatrebasics.com/blog_rss/ en-us 40 Home Theatre Basics <p><a href="/">Home</a> &raquo; <a href="/blog/">Blog</a> &raquo; Calibrine Cable Update</p> <h2>Calibrine Cable Update</h2> <div class="posted">Posted by Hector Consuegra on September 25, 2010 <em>|</em><img src="http://spurrd.com/assets/123/comment.png" /><a href="/blog/2010/09/25/calibrine-cable-update/#disqus_thread">Comments</a> </div> <div class="box"> <p><img src="/assets/8/compare.jpg" alt='compare' /><br /> Left is <span class="caps">DIY</span> cables right is Calbrine bi-wire</p> </div> <p>Well as I said in my last post I was going to order the Calibrine Bi-Wire Cables for my front left/right speakers. When they came in they where packaged in a nice black box that sported the companies logo. Once I un-installed the old cables and installed the new cables I was ready for a test drive of the new wires.</p> <p>As expected they performed nicely and made a audible difference from the 14 <span class="caps">AWG</span> Monster cables, however because it&#8217;s a bi-wire and the old <span class="caps">DIY</span> cable were Bi-Amped wires I had to recalibrate the entire system. The problem was the front left/right stage was no longer balanced and were no longer being driven the same way as they were with the Bi-Amped configuration. Fortunately for me my Denon receiver has Audyssey MultEQ acoustic correction optimization system that custom-tailors the sound for optimum tonal balance throughout the listening space. With the supplied mic I had my Denon receiver tuned for all six seating position in about 10 minutes&#8230; not to bad.</p> <p>Auditioning some of the movies I had close by I was able to really notice the change in my system front sound stage. It sounded to me as if was more natural and not forced, granted I had to turn the volume up a couple of clicks but nothing major. I believe that just adding the larger gauge wire had the biggest impact on the sound. What makes these cables even nicer is that they looks as good as they perform. This cables are built well and look good doing it. I am sure I will have these cable long after my speakers or receiver. Sure you can get less expensive speaker wire and terminate them yourself but you will be hard pressed to achieve the build quality Calibrine puts in their cables.</p> <input class="go" value="Back" onClick="history.go(-1)" type="button"> <div id="disqus_thread"></div> <script type="text/javascript"> /* * * CONFIGURATION VARIABLES: EDIT BEFORE PASTING INTO YOUR WEBPAGE * * */ var disqus_shortname = 'hometheatrebasics'; // required: replace example with your forum shortname // The following are highly recommended additional parameters. Remove the slashes in front to use. // var disqus_identifier = 'unique_dynamic_id_1234'; // var disqus_url = 'http://example.com/permalink-to-page.html'; /* * * DON'T EDIT BELOW THIS LINE * * */ (function() { var dsq = document.createElement('script'); dsq.type = 'text/javascript'; dsq.async = true; dsq.src = 'http://' + disqus_shortname + '.disqus.com/embed.js'; (document.getElementsByTagName('head')[0] || document.getElementsByTagName('body')[0]).appendChild(dsq); })(); </script><noscript>Please enable JavaScript to view the <a href="http://disqus.com/?ref_noscript">comments powered by Disqus.</a></noscript> <p><a href="http://disqus.com" class="dsq-brlink">blog comments powered by <span class="logo-disqus">Disqus</span></a></p> Sat, 25 Sep 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://www.hometheatrebasics.com/blog/2010/09/25/calibrine-cable-update/ http://www.hometheatrebasics.com/blog/2010/09/25/calibrine-cable-update/ <p><a href="/">Home</a> &raquo; <a href="/blog/">Blog</a> &raquo; Center Channel Speaker Cable Upgrade</p> <h2>Center Channel Speaker Cable Upgrade</h2> <div class="posted">Posted by Hector Consuegra on August 27, 2010 <em>|</em><img src="http://spurrd.com/assets/123/comment.png" /><a href="/blog/2010/08/27/center-channel-speaker-cable-upgrade/#disqus_thread">Comments</a> </div> <p><img src="/assets/7/calabrine_cable.jpg" alt='calabrine_cable' /></p> <p>I recently started to notice that my center channel wasn&#8217;t as clear as I would like it to be even though the speaker itself was in perfect working order. I knew I had enough power driving the center channel, so what was robbing the performance from my system? I started checking around my system looking for a weak link. Everything was connected correctly&#8230; so what was the source of the problem? I went to my garage and had a piece of extra speaker cable and I decided to test the actual size. The wire seemed to be 14 <span class="caps">AWG</span>, but when I tested them with my wire cutters, they seemed to actually be 16 <span class="caps">AWG</span> wire. The 14 <span class="caps">AWG</span> hole would leave the clear sheeting around the wire which was not good. That is when I decided to get a new bigger or thicker gauge wire. I placed an order for a single Quadio Ultra speaker cable from Calabrine and at first I wasn&#8217;t sure if it would make a difference since I had what I thought to be good wire.</p> <p>When I received the package the first thing I noticed was the size and weight of the cable. The pictures on their website don&#8217;t give you an accurate or a good perspective on just how big and thick the cables are. Quadio cables are 10 <span class="caps">AWG</span> cable and nearly double the thickness of the Monster cable wire.The build quality of the cable is excellent. The banana plug has a locking mechanism that is really nice. To make a connection, you insert them and twist the collar that spreads the center piece to make a solid connection.</p> <b>I am happy to report that the new cable made a audible difference in the performance of my system.</b><p>Once installed, I powered on my system and I played The Mummy Tomb of the Dragon Emperor, it has a nice <span class="caps">DTS</span>-HD Master Audio sound track that I could demo the cable with. Normally the front left, right and surround would over power the dialog coming from the center. The center before would also sound a little shallow as well. Not the case anymore.The center is rich and has a slight over powering tone which is fine because dialog is now clear and pronounced. The dialog is warmer and sounds more natural compared to before. I really like how the cable has changed the dynamics of my home theater.</p> <p>I plan on buying a set of Quadio Ultra Bi-Wire for the front to even out the front sound stage. Just thought you guys would like to know about my upgrade.</p> <p>Cost of the wire: $64.50 shipped for 1 meter cable. It&#8217;s a relative bargain for cables of this quality.</p> <p>Visit Site: <a href="http://www.calabrine.com" target="_blank">http://www.calabrine.com</a></p> <b>Update: Sept. 2, 2010</b><p>Ordered new bi-wire cable for my front sound stage and have them installed. In upgrading my front cables I had to recalibrate my <span class="caps">AVR</span> Receiver to balance out the front with the rest of the system. So far I am pleased with the cables and I hope to have a review soon.</p> <input class="go" value="Back" onClick="history.go(-1)" type="button"> <div id="disqus_thread"></div> <script type="text/javascript"> /* * * CONFIGURATION VARIABLES: EDIT BEFORE PASTING INTO YOUR WEBPAGE * * */ var disqus_shortname = 'hometheatrebasics'; // required: replace example with your forum shortname // The following are highly recommended additional parameters. 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However I really <span class="caps">WANT</span> IT! Why you ask? Because in economy such as ours today we have to fight and scratch for pennies. Going to the nearest multiplex and watching a movie is not what it once was.</p> <p>Ticket prices have sky rocketed over the last few years, a movie ticket used to be $5-$6 today there upwards $14 person plus tax. Add in the food and drinks and it can get quiet expensive. Then there is the dealing with loud mouth or the guy/girl asking questions because they are lost. Who needs that kind of aggravation? Not me! That is why I live for my home theater&#8230; it&#8217;s my escape from reality for a couple hours in my own home.</p> <div id="disqus_thread"></div> <script type="text/javascript"> /* * * CONFIGURATION VARIABLES: EDIT BEFORE PASTING INTO YOUR WEBPAGE * * */ var disqus_shortname = 'hometheatrebasics'; // required: replace example with your forum shortname // The following are highly recommended additional parameters. 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Well that has changed&#8230; completely redesigned with new web standards a technologies. We are very proud of the website and hope you continue checking pack with us.</p> <input class="go" value="Back" onClick="history.go(-1)" type="button"> <div id="disqus_thread"></div> <script type="text/javascript"> /* * * CONFIGURATION VARIABLES: EDIT BEFORE PASTING INTO YOUR WEBPAGE * * */ var disqus_shortname = 'hometheatrebasics'; // required: replace example with your forum shortname // The following are highly recommended additional parameters. 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