WW Gold Eclipse 7 vs. Cardas Clear Beyond Speaker Cable

[PlanarSpeakerFan]

Originally Posted by Bikeman71

I just took delivery of a set of new WW Gold Eclipse 6 today. They have a grand total of 3 hours so far and are replacing Audience AU24 e cables. So far, they seem overly bright and harsh...much less musical than the Audience. Would this make sense w a new silver cable? How much break in time should I allow before making any conclusions?

Hi Bikeman,

Don't panic, I've read that these cables have a pretty long break-in period. Perhaps Masterlu or another owner can better comment on exactly how long. But I don't think what you're reporting is out of the norm with only 3 hours time.

Best,
Ken

[PlanarSpeakerFan]

Originally Posted by CLEE

I only have experience with Cardas Beyond. Compared with previous Cardas, the Clear Beyond is more neutral but still tend slightly to be on the warm side. It is transparent with excellent body. Sound stage is excellent with layered depth. Bass has energy and definition. The highs are smooth and delicate but may be slightly rolled. At this price point, I would suggest audition with familiar setting to determine its suitability.

Clee,

Thank you. This is very useful feedback. What you describe is exactly what I'm looking for. Smooth, neutral and transparent with just a hint of warmth. I listen to a lot of jazz vocals and these are the big requirements. And I don't mind a slight roll off in the highs as I am very sensitive to too much energy in that frequency range. Did you try single or bi-wired Clear Beyonds?

Best,
Ken

[Masterlu]

The biggest changes with WW cables will occur in the first 100 hours.

[PlanarSpeakerFan]

Originally Posted by Masterlu

The biggest changes with WW cables will occur in the first 100 hours.

Thanks Ivan!

[Masterlu]

[Bikeman71]

Originally Posted by Masterlu

The biggest changes with WW cables will occur in the first 100 hours.

The Gold Eclipse 6 speaker cables are approaching 12 hours and are already getting better. I still prefer the tonality of the AU24 e cables by a fair margin, but the soundstage of the Golds are pretty incredible and are the clear leaders....with the Guitar Trio it's as if you can pluck the notes out of thin air. If the edge of the highs can be tamed with some more time on the Golds....I just don't want to sacrifice musicality and tone for the magic of dimensionality and soundstage. I just want it all....is that so much to ask for?

[PlanarSpeakerFan]

Originally Posted by Bikeman71

The Gold Eclipse 6 speaker cables are approaching 12 hours and are already getting better. I still prefer the tonality of the AU24 e cables by a fair margin, but the soundstage of the Golds are pretty incredible and are the clear leaders....with the Guitar Trio it's as if you can pluck the notes out of thin air. If the edge of the highs can be tamed with some more time on the Golds....I just don't want to sacrifice musicality and tone for the magic of dimensionality and soundstage. I just want it all....is that so much to ask for?

Bikeman,

Not too much to ask for at all. The timbres, imaging and soundstage should all be great with these cables. Since you're only at 12 hours, there's still a lot more breaking in to be done. Based on what I've read about these cables, I would expect the highs to smooth out a lot more in the coming weeks.

Ken

[Bikeman71]

I'm guessing I'm at the 50 hour mark now with the WW Gold Eclipse 6 speaker cables. I've never experienced a break in quite like this...usually things settle in a bit and small changes happen. With these cables, break in is huge. They started off almost unlistenable because of the sharpness of the highs -could even be described as bordering on shrill. I was really bummed because I had just unloaded a lot of cash and wanted to like them, but every time I did an A/B with my Audience AU24 e it was clear what I liked best.

For the past few days I haven't done any critical listening. I left my DirecTV box running on the funk channel and kept the cables active almost around the clock. Today, I sat down to reevaluate. I'm glad I gave these cables some time before giving up on them. Soundstage was a strength of these cables from the beginning, but it continues to open up and get more dynamic. The control of the lower frequencies is uncanny. I was already in awe of the bass of my EB1is, but these cables help tighten everything up to an ever greater level. The highest frequencies have always been my greatest concern with these cables. I am pleased to report things have settled down drastically...still brighter than the Audience but extremely detailed and smooth...no more sizzle. I've further remedied the highs by replacing the solid silver jumpers with high quality copper...nice change for the better. Then I toed the speakers out by a few degrees....the soundstage is just as impressive but now the tweeters are not firing directly at my ears....probably just over the outside of my shoulders at this point.

With a c2300 being introduced to the system in about one month, the tubes will probably help smooth things out even more.

Now, I'm a believer in the Gold 6 speaker cables. They just need some time. I wonder if I'll recognize more change in the coming hours....if they continue in this direction, I welcome it!

[PlanarSpeakerFan]

Originally Posted by Bikeman71

I'm guessing I'm at the 50 hour mark now with the WW Gold Eclipse 6 speaker cables. I've never experienced a break in quite like this...usually things settle in a bit and small changes happen. With these cables, break in is huge. They started off almost unlistenable because of the sharpness of the highs -could even be described as bordering on shrill. I was really bummed because I had just unloaded a lot of cash and wanted to like them, but every time I did an A/B with my Audience AU24 e it was clear what I liked best.

For the past few days I haven't done any critical listening. I left my DirecTV box running on the funk channel and kept the cables active almost around the clock. Today, I sat down to reevaluate. I'm glad I gave these cables some time before giving up on them. Soundstage was a strength of these cables from the beginning, but it continues to open up and get more dynamic. The control of the lower frequencies is uncanny. I was already in awe of the bass of my EB1is, but these cables help tighten everything up to an ever greater level. The highest frequencies have always been my greatest concern with these cables. I am pleased to report things have settled down drastically...still brighter than the Audience but extremely detailed and smooth...no more sizzle. I've further remedied the highs by replacing the solid silver jumpers with high quality copper...nice change for the better. Then I toed the speakers out by a few degrees....the soundstage is just as impressive but now the tweeters are not firing directly at my ears....probably just over the outside of my shoulders at this point.

With a c2300 being introduced to the system in about one month, the tubes will probably help smooth things out even more.

Now, I'm a believer in the Gold 6 speaker cables. They just need some time. I wonder if I'll recognize more change in the coming hours....if they continue in this direction, I welcome it!

Hi Bikeman,

Nice tweaks that you made. Glad to hear that you are liking the sound. And you still have another 50 hours of material break-in time!

Enjoy,
Ken

[raidho]

Hallo,

Cardas is sure a great brand, with a lot of experience......but have too a roll of (with speaker cables expecially) very "present"!
-> a copy of speaker Cardas Clear or Clear light,ecc... if much more expensive vs. a great pair of WireWorld silver eclipse 7!
I use the internconnet silver eclipse 7 between pre and power ampli and preampli and source. -> sound very good for me.

to drive my B&W802di I use the kimber monocle XL-> a copy of WWorld or Nordost Frey2 or higher (Vahalla or vers. 2) is for me better vs. the Cardas.

Interconnets Clear i agree: this is a great porduct. no way.

Omar