{"id":6714,"date":"2009-11-29T18:25:02","date_gmt":"2009-11-29T16:25:02","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/?p=6714"},"modified":"2022-11-18T15:31:04","modified_gmt":"2022-11-18T13:31:04","slug":"belden-powercable-compared","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/review\/cables-reviews\/power-cable-reviews\/belden-powercable-compared\/","title":{"rendered":"Belden powercable compared"},"content":{"rendered":"

Two types of Belden power cable compared: 2,1mm and the much thicker 4mm<\/h2>\n

\"IeGO<\/p>\n

All cables were tested in the same length, in combination with the same connectors and each cable was manufactured in the same way, plugged in for the same phase, and burned in the same duration. During testing, only one cable at a time was connected, each time in the same position of the power strip\/distributor\/extension block.<\/p>\n

\"Belden<\/p>\n

Above: Belden 2,1 mm<\/em><\/p>\n

Belden power cable variants<\/strong><\/p>\n

Belden power cable basically comes in only one flavor. The only variables are the number of conductors, the amount of copper used, and whether or not there is foil shielding. The cable that I always use is the well-known SJT series 3x 2,1mm 19364. It would seem that Belden cable is more consistent in sound across their line than Lapp. But when the 4mm variant popped up, I was curious to find out how it compares to the regular 3 x2,1mm Belden.<\/p>\n

Both cables are shielded, have the same sleeve material, and same number of conductors. The only difference lies in the amount of copper used in those conductors. Officially this makes the cable a better choice for use in audio groups due to its higher amperage rating.<\/p>\n

More copper equals better sound, right?<\/strong><\/p>\n

While that is absolutely true for Lapp, I was not prepared for the disappointment presented when I swapped the regular 2,1mm Belden for the 4mm Belden.<\/p>\n

The regular 2,1mm Belden can be a bit thin and lacking color and I had hoped that the thicker 4mm Belden would add some Lapp-color to the mix but that’s not what happened. Indeed the 4mm cable had more bass and was less thin-sounding than the 2,1mm cable. But it wasn’t the full meatiness of Lapp cable. The Belden still sounded harmonically more threadbare than my preferred Lapp type 1.<\/p>\n

But what’s more: the 4mm Belden was dynamically compressed and sounded altogether more rhythmically restrained. Also, the treble was noticeably closed in which is a shame because the regular 2,1mm Belden has a very open and airy, albeit slightly harsh treble. Even though the 4mm Belden was definitely less aggressive in the treble, the overall impression was of a dull and uninspiring cable. I would recommend it only as compensation for setups that are otherwise very aggressive and too bright in nature.<\/p>\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n

To get that typical fast, open, and dynamically detailed Belden sound, use the thinner 2,1mm variant, not the bigger 4mm version.<\/p>\n

Postscript 03-10-2021<\/h3>\n

Although I use Belden cables for nearly all my components, I am not claiming that this is the best cable there is. It is not! In fact, it’s really quite a mediocre cable. I just found that when using high-end power cables (let’s say around 1000 euros) and ultra-high-end power cables (several thousand euros), most of the time, these would provide a highly refined, smooth, and polished sound with higher apparent resolution and more air than the Belden but at the expense of transient sharpness, attack, dynamics, expression, or simply raw power. While this can still work well in certain systems, my system is inherently so refined and non-edgy, that it doesn’t need external polishing. I will say that the Belden can be upgraded significantly by using very good connectors. I have experimented with this at length (see for instance the Oyaide comparison<\/a>) and found the Oyaide C-004 to provide a near-ideal balance of virtues. It’s very neutral, highly refined, and super-transparent, yet not too polished. That is unless you use the IEC as well as the Schuko on the same cable. In that case, I feel that the sound becomes a little too polite. Thus, I use the C-004 along with a Bals Schuko on the other end, to balance this out.<\/p>\n

It is my ideal to use the most neutral cables that do the least harm to the signal. This is what the Beldens do for me, they don’t editorialize the music by boosting the bass, warming the mids, or fluidifying the treble. Nor do they slow the rhythm, or unnaturally speed it up. They deviate from neutrality as little as I have found to be possible.<\/p>\n

When a cable sounds wonderful but also makes the music sound over-polite, for me, it moves away from real music and attains a more hi-fi aspect. Of course, YMMV and I will not discard the fact that many people use cables (power cables, too) to pull the sound of their system in a certain direction. Although I have also done this in the not-too-distant past, and I now feel this is not the right way to go, I still think it’s a valid avenue to explore. If an expensive power cable gives you precisely that which you are looking for and you are willing to spend on it, then by all means go for it.<\/p>\n

Although I am certain that there should be a cable that maintains all of the Belden’s core strengths, while improving on it in certain areas, I simply have not yet come across it.<\/p>\n

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