First, I can't believe that I am THE first to post a review on
these excellent cables. They have been in my system for a little
over 10 mos. now and they continue to impress.
I have these hooked up to the panals (highs) in a bi-wire
configuration to my ML Summit loudspeakers, which BTW, are very
revealing to anything linked up to them. I am by no means a "cable
hound" or expert and certainly have not heard even 1/10 of what is
currently available in the flooded market of cables, but I feel the
Aural Thrills offer extraordinary performance for the dollar. These
were purchased from Aural Thrills via auction here at the 'Gon,
which I still believe A. Thrills is running (probably as a method of
promoting their products to get the name out).
I am not one to give into high priced cable, with the sometimes
attached mumbo-jumbo tech. jargon, but after reading the technicals
on this cable, I was intrigued enough to try them, with little risk
at the price paid (under $500.)
I just can't personally see how a cable, ANY cable, unless it is
constructed using pure gold connectors, can ever cost more than a
decent component! I certainly don't doubt that there are "sound"
differences in cables, but I think the law of diminishing returns
rears it's big ugly head in cables more so than any other hi-fi
component, IMHO. That's just my two cents worth -- nuff said!
The Aural Thrills Force speaker cable, to quote their web site,
utilizes an "active" approach similar to AudioQuest and Synergistic
Research, in that they employ a DC source, hooked to the braid of
the cable, to "create a positive field around each wire, effectively
preventing any signal loss.." The signal lines contain eight 20 ga.
silver coated high conductivity OFC solid conductors. The result is
a combined ga. of 11awg. (The individual wires are also Teflon
incased). I could go on, but you get the gist. For those who require
more tech. detail, I defer them to the Aural Thrills web site.
OK, enough of the "jargon", how do they sound? In my system, with my
equipment and personal tastes, literally like no cable at all.
The first obvious thing that I noticed was a blacker, quieter
background. This allows the music to have a greater dynamic impact,
both micro & macro, resulting in a better "flow" of the musical
signal. I cannot comment to much on the bass, as again, they are
strictly doing duty as the mid and high freq. carrier to the
electrostat panel, though I did run them briefly "full range" with
my prior speakers (Prodigys) and there were no complaints in the
bass dept. Smooth, tight, & fast.
The mids and high freq. are really were these cables shine with a
nice, natural balance on vocals, no over-pronounced sibilence, with
warmth when the recording called for it. The highest freq. are
pristine and extend on up into the statosphere without any
attenuation or hype. Just a nice "transparent" overall balance.
The imaging and soundstage are also very good. Nice stable images,
with natural 3D depth, and a wide expansive arc of sound with
excellent focus. (BTW - I also use the Aural Thrills Force Gen I
Active Palladium interconnects with similar, excellent results. Same
adjectives apply to those as well). Construction is impressive with
attractive jacketing and nice, beefy Rhodium plated Cardas spades.
I listen primarily to Prog. rock, prog./fussion jazz, some modern
artists,etc. Here is a small sampling of some music selections used;
Norah Jones (various)
Van Morrison "
XTC - Apple Venus, Oranges & Lemons, etc.
Mindy Smith - one moment more
The Watch - Vacuum
John Mayer - heavier things
Steve Hackett - darktown
Peter Gabriel - so
Thomas Dolby - astronauts & heretics
The Blue Nile - walk across the rooftops
Barenaked Ladies - Gordon
Genesis - Selling England...(vinyl, Japanese import)
All in all, in the sometimes insanely priced world of high-end
cables, these are terrific performers, in my system, and I would
recommend anyone trying them - quickly, while you can still get them
at auction for well below the "retail" price. These might be one of
the best kept secrets in audio cable-land.
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Click to view my Virtual System
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