Grover Huffman "SC dot" Speaker Cable - Listening Impressions

richidoo · May 28, 2009, 02:54:39 PM

The new speaker cables arrived from Grover today, just in time for the upcoming G2G. I have them playing now.

They are now "SC." They are full range, not biwire. They are thicker with a more decorative patterned tech sleeve, it looks very nice.

My first impression, 10 seconds of FM is positive. I can put ears on them tomorrow, but I will not say anything until after the G2G.

Congrats to Grover on the new design, and for sending them back to us.
Rich

shep · May 29, 2009, 12:58:02 AM

Looking forward very much to impressions of this spk wire. I am very happy with the interconnects now that they are fully settled in. If you guys are happy with these, is the group buy going to be re-instated?

rollo · May 29, 2009, 07:36:38 AM

Quote from: shep on May 29, 2009, 12:58:02 AM
Looking forward very much to impressions of this spk wire. I am very happy with the interconnects now that they are fully settled in. If you guys are happy with these, is the group buy going to be reinstated?

Shep it makes a lot of sense to use the same manf. for both. IMO once you find an IC you like the speaker cable from my experience will have a synergy. We are always trying to find the right combo for our components. Mixing and matching ICs and speaker cables. Using the cables from the one Manf. so far for me has brought the best results.
BUY THEM.

charles

shep · May 29, 2009, 07:58:48 AM

"Buy them"

well at least give me a chance to hear how they sound with you's and if the group buy is on.
The bottom line is I'm poor as a church mouse (do they still have them?) and every audionervosa buy is a major undertaking. Plus I want to send my Ice amp to Rick Cullens for an upgrade so I have to make a choice. Yuck

richidoo · May 29, 2009, 08:04:50 AM

Summer's here and I am swamped with kids and work so I can't run a GB now. But Grover is welcome to host a GB on AN like any member. I'll gladly help if it's needed. He was already planning to do the final shipping so a middleman just wastes money and makes more busy work. The "Fullrange SC." wire is different than the previous "Biwire SC" so the price will probably change so the GB needs to start fresh anyway.

shep · May 29, 2009, 11:49:15 PM

This sounds ominously like more money. Hopefully Grover will not be put off by the rather cool reception his speaker cable got and his latest version will hit the spot. I suspect I should better go the route of upgrading my amp and leave cables alone for the time being. The price will be about the same and the results more satisfying in the long run. I hope someone will be bringing along an ICE-based amp to the shoot-out. This would interest me greatly.

richidoo · May 30, 2009, 05:09:10 AM

It may not cost more money. It seems like a simpler cable from the outside, but inside who knows.

A cool reception seems to motivate Grover even more, not put him off. The new cables are a good example. After the g2g I'll help Grover write up a GB offer with prices, so you'll know prices tout de suite.

I don't know anyone with a full range ICE amp, but you never know what will show up. There is a new class D amplifier I read in AudioXpress, I need to find a link for you shep. It is moderate power and low price, runs on battery.

stereofool · May 30, 2009, 09:01:59 AM

I agree...with Rich.

I've some recent correspondence with Grover, and I think he looks at 'cooler' reviews as a challenge. He seems to think that it is great FUN, to continue to improve his products.

I guess we will find out about prices, but with improvements I find myself in line to order some.

shep · June 02, 2009, 01:55:07 AM

I'm trying to nail down Grover's latest spkr cable version from the assorted comments but I'm not even sure what version is being talked about. I guess I'l just have to wait until...This is all so system dependent and subjective so I guess getting a concensus about anything is pretty hard.

rollo · June 04, 2009, 07:30:55 AM

Quote from: shep on May 29, 2009, 11:49:15 PM
This sounds ominously like more money. Hopefully Grover will not be put off by the rather cool reception his speaker cable got and his latest version will hit the spot. I suspect I should better go the route of upgrading my amp and leave cables alone for the time being. The price will be about the same and the results more satisfying in the long run. I hope someone will be bringing along an ICE-based amp to the shoot-out. This would interest me greatly.

All depends what the upgrade will bring to the table as opposed to the speaker cables. Can you compare a modded version to yours before you take the plunge ?
Here is a suggestion, clean all your connections, demagnetize your system, then leave everything alone for a month and just listen. WITHOUT critiquing the sound. Once you really have a feel of your system listening to familiar music you may just like what you have going on.
More often than NOT we tend to change, rearrange tweak until we ruin what we have. As the Beatles once said " Let it be". If still not satisfied then start at the source [ IC ?, PC ?, footers?, Etc. ] and work forward. I have found over the years that something as simple as decoupling your speakers from the floor properly has wrought a change that one would not expect.
Remember anything you do affects the sound. So one thing at a time once you really know what your system sounds like. Learn your sound and go from there. That my dear friend will take some time. Have fun.

charles

richidoo · June 04, 2009, 10:48:29 AM

shep, the speaker cable Grover sent to us last month for the G2G at mdconnelly's house was "SC Biwire." The new one that we're talking about now is a new design called "Full Range SCdot." Grover sent a pair to me for my recent G2G, and also another pair slightly different to stereofool. I am sending my pair to stereofool so he can do a direct comparison, to help Grover tweek it. Steve is a good reviewer and his system is more synergistic with Grover's wires than mine.

The new Grover Fullrange SC. is pretty good if your system does not err toward the bright side already. Didn't work well on mine, too much of a good thing. But it had good bass, typical clarity and tonal detail of all Grovers.

shep · June 04, 2009, 11:17:13 AM

So I'll wait and "see" what shakes out of this. Regarding what Charles posted, unless I'm mistaken, I'm the oldest here and have been around the block more times than I can count with this Nervosa. I know how to listen and when to leave it alone. I know how little things can add up. Here's an example: my Grover IC. s have been in place for a while now. I decided to switch direction for the hell of it. I think they sound better this new way. Now the label is at the source end. Spacial organization is more coherant. Seems to me I change my gear less often than anyone here so I can't be accused of random or capricious HI-fi behavior!
I am going to buy myself a "Stoplight" pen and soon I'm going to crack the case of my amp and take pics to send to Wyred (Cullen) to let him see what space is available for what modifications. Next I have to revisit the misery I made of the cross-over mods in my speakers to see if I can't do a better job. Now this doesn't sound like unreasonable audio neurotic behavior does it? By the way I wish I could attend one of your gatherings! the hell with audio...a nice BBQ with nice people would do me a power of good. Such is life...

rollo · June 09, 2009, 06:02:50 AM

Quote from: shep on June 04, 2009, 11:17:13 AM
So I'll wait and "see" what shakes out of this. Regarding what Charles posted, unless I'm mistaken, I'm the oldest here and have been around the block more times than I can count with this Nervosa. I know how to listen and when to leave it alone. I know how little things can add up. Here's an example: my Grover IC. s have been in place for a while now. I decided to switch direction for the hell of it. I think they sound better this new way. Now the label is at the source end. Spacial organization is more coherant. Seems to me I change my gear less often than anyone here so I can't be accused of random or capricious HI-fi behavior!
I am going to buy myself a "Stoplight" pen and soon I'm going to crack the case of my amp and take pics to send to Wyred (Cullen) to let him see what space is available for what modifications. Next I have to revisit the misery I made of the cross-over mods in my speakers to see if I can't do a better job. Now this doesn't sound like unreasonable audio neurotic behavior does it? By the way I wish I could attend one of your gatherings! the hell with audio...a nice BBQ with nice people would do me a power of good. Such is life...

Shep didn't mean to insult your experience or suggest any capricious behavior. Sometimes though the suggestions I've made along with a slight speaker location change has made me rethink a purchase or upgrade. Just trying to help.
Your invited anytime Shep. A long trip maybe but the food and company are priceless.

charles

shep · June 09, 2009, 12:51:09 PM

Charles don't pay me any mind. I was just being a cranky "senior". Thanks for the invite. Wish I could appear at all the fun gatherings.