This cable was used as an experimental alternative to much higher cost audiophile cable. This cable consists of 8 pure copper strands of 24AWG, seperated into 4 twisted pairs. In theory, this configuration should meet or exceed the perfomance of other Litz configuration cables (Kimber). The assembly of such a cable is relatively simple. Take four equal lengths of cable, strip away the jacket approximately 2.5 inches from the end, and strip away the insulation from the wires. Be careful as they are relatively small and easy to cut. Connect the ends of two of the cables to your favorite connector (Radio Shack screw-on gold pins fit my amplifier, spades would be prefereable) and repeat for the other polarity. Connect the other end of each pair of main cables to the appropriate polarity connector. Now wrap the area behind the connector with teflon tape back to the jacket. Finally, seal the ends of each with a length of heat shrink tubing. Duplicate process for each cable needed.
So how does it work?
Fantastically, and at this price point (approximately $10/15 feet) they cannot be beaten. These cables are a vast improvement over stock "mega-strand" large gauge PVC jacket cables, providing audibly better depth and expansion. Imaging becomes noticeably focused (John Williams, Mantis and the Moon took on a new definition, with the two guitarists assuming their actual spacial position within my soundfield) Bass becomes tighter, tighter then that provided by Kimber 4TC. I do not have access to a variety of higher-end cables, and I am sure that the more exotic silver, and OFC copper super cables will audibly outperform these. They will also cost 40 times as much.

I would be interested in anyone's results with these, try them out and see for yourself...it will be the best $20.00 you spend.

Based on price vs. performance...

These cables work better than any I've tried, and since blanket interference from a local FM station less than one mile away is a huge problem (but a really nice test for speaker cable quality in terms of external RFI), I've tried a few. I used AESP enhanced CAT5 cable, and wired it up so that the four negative wires went to the speaker/receiver negative, and the four positive for the positive. The one problem that I noticed is that the untwisted areas near the connectors need to be shielded otherwise they still pick up RFI (and the sibilants in a radio broadcast are annoyingly audible, especially during silent passages in recordings). Aluminum foil with toroidal RF chokes seems to work pretty well. But definitely these are the best cables for under $10/ft (and they didn't cost anywhere near that).

CAT 5 UTP as Speaker Cable? After all the money I have invested in Monster? Well . . .. I had some network cable lying around the house today and saw these reviews and thought I would give it a try. I had THICK Monster original on my fronts and center running off of my Denon AVR3300 to my Infinity RS5s and CC-3. As I am awaiting a pair of Quadrpoles to round out the system (I use Infinity RS-3 in the back and will use the QPS for theater surround) I thought I would test the CAT 5 and maybe avoid another $100.00 for cables for the new speakers.
I am impressed!

I did nothing special. 1 Cat 5 cable per speaker. I stripped two pair of the wires each per polarity (be sure you know which is which). There are four colored wires and four white. Strip the white and combine (twist) the strands. Repeat for the colored.

The sound is noticeably better than my $1.25/ foot Monster. The bass is WAY better defined. The vocals are much cleaner as well.

There are other benefits as well. The CAT 5 is lighter and easier to manage than the heavier Monster 12 gauge rope. This makes it easier to hide and less bulky behind the equipment. It is also far easier on the binding posts as well.

Cost? Forget about it! I work in Information Technology and can find all I need. Anyone out there should be able to find raw (no RJ45 connectors) CAT 5 for $.20 /foot or less. Check the computer stores or ask your network people at work where to find it.

I’ll never use anything else again. Thank you Rob from FLA for the tip.

I've not used the unshielded type rather the shielded, though I din't think that'll make too much of a difference. Secondly I use them as balanced interconncts, I haven't come across enough scrap Cap5 cable to hook up the speakers yet, but when I do I will.
For a balanced interconnect I use three wires for positive and negative polarities each. The two remaining wires for the dedicated ground, and finally the shield to the plug housing.

Sound? You bet. The bass is just as extended as before but much tighter. The treble just went on and on and on, the muffled sound I was used to was history (Monster Interlink 500s) No sibilance, just clear and precise.

Cost: Cable, pratically nothing, plugs about £20, but then again if you upgrade they can be kept.

Can't wait to find som Cap5 UTP lying about.

I love this web page! I got some cat5 cable to replace monster/acoustic research wire and got a much more defined and accurate sound. I'm not a computer person, but i got some bulk cable on eBay for a VERY small investment, and i felt the reviews on the page justified the risk. I was very impressed... i don't claim to be the expert of all things music, but the stuff sounds fantastic. thanks for the tip!

very, very inexpensive for the performance...
strengths depend on construction...

can be lean in the bass if you
don't use enough conductors...
a hassle to build cables with
larger aggregate guage sizes...

with the proper amount of detail given
to construction, you can construct some
amazing cables with Cat5. [this is not a
30 minute process.]

yes, marvin, i for one have heard and owned
several nice cable sets [i am currently
running a set of single wire AQ Crystals],
but i prefer to dabble with these, mostly
for the joy of having my hand in the
system's performance other than just
shelling out the cash for the components,
in my system [Wadia 830 directly running
to a Coda amp powering my DIY knock-off
VA Mozarts], these offer very good
performance for very little dough.

the real issue for all the "audiophiles"
out there who are immediately dismissing
this concept is, if you are going to give
this a legitimate try, you have to pay very
careful attention to your cables geometry.
simply slapping some spades on the ends of
still-jacketed runs will not sound good at
all. concentrically wound, [tighter] multi-
twisted pair, or large format braids work
the best, and most importantly, use a
minimum of 24 conductors per polarity
if you want good bass.

[if anybody wants my construction details,
email me. don't use the design on the site
listed below. it's crap.]

oh, yeah, the ratings...
of course, a 5 for value
and a strong 4 overall.

Similar Products Used:

AQ Crystal 2, Kimber 8TC, Nordost BH & SFL [shotgunned],
many other 'home-brew' designs...

Instant Gratification

Thin insulation.

I just purchased new electronics and I ordered new cables and IC's. I was currently using cheap monster.

SYSTEM:
Creek 5350SE
Sony XA20ES
ProAc Tab 50's
Cheap monster
CAT-5

Using the cheap monster was really disappointing because my system sounded very unmatched. Too bright and no presence. I decided to cut up some CAT-5 just for fun. I single wired it up not expecting too much, but to my surprise it worked wonders. I'm still using cheap IC's, but the difference is amazing between the CAT-5 and the monster. I am still planning on replacing it, but if you are currently using monster and want a really cheap upgrade then i'd suggest trying out some CAT-5.

5 stars for value- Hey I got it for free from work!
5 stars for performance- for what it is you can't beat it.

Similar Products Used:

monster, nordost, audioquest, cardas

I really enjoy the new sound I am hearing from these cables. I will rate them 5 stars! This definitely puts higend cable manufacturer's in run.

I could understand giving these 3 (maybe 4) stars for sounding good and being so inexpensive. I mean come on, how many of you have really heard (after burn-in) some Hamonic Technologies or Tek Line stuff, not to mention the cheap stuff like DH Labs. The audioquest low cost stuff is affordable and infinately better. This is low cost, yes, but it low fi also.

I have tried CAT 5 cable on my speakers and the difference in sound is evidentimmidiately. Even my friends who are familiar with my old stereo config are impressed with the new sound! As an audio enthusiast, I give it 5 stars....