[Apr 30, 2006]
jbk
Audio Enthusiast
Strength:
Clarity. Openness. Price!
Weakness:
None.
This is a follow up to my earlier post of this speaker wire. After changing from Quartet to Encore II, I realized there was a weak point in my configuration - stock jumpers. Back to the drawing board and another conversation with the guys at Straightwire. They suggested that I consider a "shotgun" EBW configuration and trash the stock jumpers.
Oh, my! What a true improvement in EVERY aspect of my 2-channel sound. Most notably, the mids are more defined and less harsh and the bass has more backbone than ever before. There is indeed science behind why shotgunning works better than IBW and I am now a believer. This is just plain good speaker cable that neither adds nor subtracts from the music. I'm hearing what I was intended to hear now and I highly recommend Encore II to anyone.
Customer Service
These guys care about your sound!
Similar Products Used:
Tara Labs, Monster, AR
| OVERALL RATING | 5 | ★★★★★ ★★★★★ |
| VALUE RATING | 5 | ★★★★★ ★★★★★ |
[Jun 04, 2005]
jbk
Audio Enthusiast
Strength:
Lets the music come through, really come through, without adding or subtracting anything.Construction quality.Cool looking red braided color.
Weakness:
None.
Replaced Straightwire Quartets - IBW - to mains and center with Encore II - nonBW - with DIY jumpers and WOW!! My amp section is fairly high current and I am now hearing a much deeper and full sound with much tighter mids and a true bass punch not present with the Quartets (which I like). The Encores just fit better with my setup. When my wife comments on the improvement, I know I'm on to something. I HIGHLY recommend this wire as an upgrade. It is the entry point into Straightwire's Level 3 offerings and is simply superb.Special thanks to Jerry and Steve at StraightWire for answering questions and patiently working me through the upgrade process. They are true pros and nice guys to boot.
Similar Products Used:
Tara Labs Prism BWStraightwire QuartetMonster 12 Ga (Nope!)
| OVERALL RATING | 5 | ★★★★★ ★★★★★ |
| VALUE RATING | 5 | ★★★★★ ★★★★★ |
[Feb 01, 2004]
arc80
Audio Enthusiast
Strength:
Very nice build quality. Major improvement from Level 2 series. Excellent bass, smooth clear highs and a very palpable soundstage. Straight Wire's trade-in policy that my dealer honored.
Weakness:
None at this price.
My dealer let me trade in my old pair of Straight Wire Stage speaker cables for a $100 credit, so the above mentioned price is what I payed out of pocket. I was allowed to home demo three models of the Straight Wire Level 3 range: Encore II ($250 for 10 ft.), Rhapsody S ($500 for 12 ft.) and the Maestro II ($800 for 12 ft). These three models were run through extensive AB testing with each other and my original Stage (begining Level 2 range $170 for 15 ft.) cables. The components used were: Acoustic Energy Aegis 2's speakers, Sony DVP-NC685V cd/sacd player, Denon AVR-2802 (used as a preamp), Acurus A100 amp, Straight Wire Chorus and Signal Cable interconnects.The musical pieces sampled were: The Eagles: Hell Freezes Over's, Hotel California; Pink Floyd: Echoes, Wish You Were Here; Sarah McLachlan: Surfacing, Angel; and Pink Floyd: DSOTM (sacd), Money. I noticed an immediate improvement in the Encore II's from the Stage's. The top end wasn't as shrill, the bass was better defined and had more of a thump and the soundstage was "put together" much better. I didn't notice any improvement in sound from the Encore II's to the Rhapsody S's. This is actually somewhat troubling as the price doubles. I knew from the outset that I would not be able to afford the Maestro II's (of course it doesn't make much sense to buy $800 cables for $600 speakers) but I had the opportunity to listen, so I did. The imaging was ultra-precise (a good thing for me) and the sound really now seemed to play from band members instead of speakers. Everything felt tangible, like I could reach out and touch it. This wasn't just a case of pyscho-acoustics; I had friends verify the sound without telling them the cost. Alas, the Maestro II's were more than three times the price of the Encore II's. I took comfort in knowing, however, that while the Maestro's edged my Encore's in price three times, the increase in performance wasn't nearly as drastic. I still wonder about those Rhapsody S cables though. For those of you looking at the three models in the Level 3 range, look long and hard at the other two before plumping down some serious cash for a questionable product.
Similar Products Used:
Straight Wire Rhapsody S, Maestro II's and Stage's.
| OVERALL RATING | 4 | ★★★★★ ★★★★★ |
| VALUE RATING | 4 | ★★★★★ ★★★★★ |
