Discriminator

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
3 Months to 1 year

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5, 4.00 votes

Price Paid:  $200.00 from Tailored Technology

Summary:
I was very impressed with my BEL 1001 MkV amp (see reviews) and decided to try the S-24 speaker cables and P-1 interconnects. Both are made with the same low-inductance wire (The Wire). I'm pleased to report that the S-24 speaker cables work especially well with the BEL amp. Sonic quality was improved throughout the audible spectrum relative to the homemade Audioquest cables I had been using. The P-1s replaced similarly-priced interconnect cables from manufacturers like LAT, Gronenberg (Odyssey), and Monster Cable and produced a significant sonic upgrade. Detail is more apparent and the overall tonal balance is very credible. What's dramatically different is the weight, presence, detail, and pace of the low end.

To my ear the use of BEL The Wire cables made the difference between a very good system and one with astounding realism. In short, they took me over the hump to high end. I give 4 stars because these cables costing about $100/m don't sound as good as some cables costing ten times as much. At their price point they leave NOTHING to be desired. The competition had better hope that you don't hear these first!

Strengths:
Neutrality
Value
Build quality
Bass extension and definition
S-24 performs extraordinarily well with BEL amp

Weaknesses:
S-24 speaker cables may not perform well with all amps

Similar Products Used:
Monster Cable
LAT IC
Gronenberg
AudioQuest

Price Paid:  $185.00 from local dealer

Summary:
Unless you paid $1000 or more(and only god knows why you would care about other peoples' reviews, it seems sales people already have your ear) for your 1m interconnects, you need to sell your current IC's. I will say this ONLY ONCE! Buy BEL-The Wire. Natural, great depth, smooth, extremely listenable. I have yet to hear the speaker cable but I've heard it it more of the same. I put off even listening to the IC's. But...when I did, I looked to sell all my $200-$250 cables. I'm purchasing 3 sets(2 sets of interconnects, 1 as a digital coax and 1 as a subwoofer cable).You won't believe what $200.00 can sound like. I first heard them on $50,000 worth of equipment then I took them home and listened on my B&K/Tannoy/Sony equipment and Wow!(my wife said they were the best she'd heard). You'll be amazed. I am.

Strengths:
Transparency, awesome sound, depth, detail

Weaknesses:
None

Similar Products Used:
Synergistic Research, Top of the line Vampire Wire, Kimber Kable

Price Paid:  $95.00 from Corner Audio

Summary:
I'm trying these in place of Kimber Hero's. A remarkable difference was immediately appreciable, but I'm not sure what to think. My system is:

Bryston 4B-ST
Sonic Frontiers SFL-1
Magnepan IIIA's
Arcam 7SE
Thomas Gray Line Treatment

The cables brought a whole lot more attack to the Maggies, and brought out the pluck on lower bass tones, thus significantly enriching the low end. Boom is one thing, the sound of the instrument's contribution another, and the BEL increased the latter. They also brought vocal parts forward in the mix, again with added "attack" to the sound. Highs disappeared somewhat, but this may be a matter of cancellation given the additions. They also removed some of the Maggie aura, that remarkably dry, transparent tone somewhat unique to this line of speakers. If one compiles plusses and minuses,thus far the BEL scores high on the plus side, particularly since I bought them second hand and only paid $95 a pair. (I'm using two pair.) My only gripe is that they murder solo piano recordings, particularly those that aren't of the highest quality. The tones ring and lose sharpness, particularly when the piano is played more vigorously. So, I'm a bit torn since I still insist on listening to the music and not to my stereo. Still, a great deal and a true, detailed cable.

Strengths:
Tight, agressive bass; bold mids; overall punch.

Weaknesses:
Rolls off highs

Similar Products Used:
Kimber Hero, Kimber PBJ

Price Paid:  $250.00 from Audio Concepts

Summary:
Dr Brown has my vote for the best value, hi performance wire ever made for audio.

Arcam CD23 FMJ CD-ROM front end
VTL 5.5 pre amp
VTL MB250 power amps
Vandersteen 3A signature speakers
ALL BEL wire used in system.

Strengths:
Silky smooth all the way out to the extreme high frequencies. 3D life like mid range. True death grip on base.

Weaknesses:
none

Similar Products Used:
Cardas Golden Cross which cost me $1,350.00 I paid $250 for the BEL; you do the math.

Summary:
Neutral, neutral, neutral. These interconnects make it possible to have upper-level performance at a mid-level price. They work well both from source to pre-amp and from pre-amp to power amp. They are well made and the Neutrik RCA connectors are really nice to use. They are definitely a viable alternative to the ever-present WBT locking connectors. I have used them both with tube gear and solid-state gear without a problem.

My current system:
Luxman PD375 (vaccuum hold-down) turntable
Ortofon MC-200 MC cartridge
Mark Levinson JC-1 phono pre-amp
Audio Research CD2 CD player
Denon TU-800 tuner
Sony TC-K707ES cassette deck (!)
Quicksilver full pre-amp (tubed)
Musical Fidelity A3CR power amp
Monster Cable HTS 3500 power conditioner
B&W CDM-7SE speakers
Bi-Wire BEL speaker wire
Transparent Audio music link super interconnect
Bel interconnect
D.H. Labs Silver Sonic Interconnect
Kimber PBJ interconnect

Strengths:
This is a follow-up to my earlier review. BEL interconnects and speaker cables have received a "golden ear" award from Tom Miller in the December issue of TAS

Weaknesses:
Minimal. The interconnects have a slight loss of transparency and slightly rolled off highs and lows when compared with Transparent Music Link Super Interconnects. Keep in mind that the Transparent costs around $550, and the BEL $200!

Similar Products Used:
Transparent Music Link Super interconnects
DH Labs Siver Sonic interconnects
Kimber PBJ interconnects
LAT IC-100 interconnects
BFS home-made interconnects