Speaker Asylum

Question to Silverline Sonata-III users

109.252.176.54

Akolegov88

A

When I use single-wire speaker cables, should I connect them to 'HI' or 'LOW' binding posts (of course, with jumpers in place)? I used a 'LOW' connection before but at one point I felt that the loudspeakers sound dull and without HF sparkle, so I changed my connection to 'HIGH' and I'm goung to explore this further.
Is there a general rule here? According to the Sonata-III user manual, Alan Yun strongly recommends using biwire cables, namely, the Silverline Audio Conductor cables (which I also have), but I don't like the sound of biwire cables.
I had Snell E/III speakers before, and they instructed to connect to "HI" binding posts.

Thanks in advance for your recommendations.

Follow Ups:

RE: Question to Silverline Sonata-III users - Rod M 20:22:27 01/29/25 (1)
For single speaker cables, instead of a jumper, I found that using the same speaker wire to make the jumper sounded better.
.

-Rod
- RE: Question to Silverline Sonata-III users - Akolegov88 22:40:38 01/29/25 (0)
  Unfortunately, I don't have an extra length of the same brand as my speaker cables. I currently use AZ jumpers terminated with spades.
RE: Question to Silverline Sonata-III users - tlea 17:59:05 01/29/25 (1)
I have Silverline Sonata II (not III), single-wired. I have the speaker cables connected to the low frequency terminals (spades) with short jumper cables connecting the pairs of terminals (banana). I've never thought of doing it otherwise - it just seems logical to me to let gravity work in my favor by connecting to the bottom pair, which happen to be the woofers. I'd be interested to know if you hear any significant difference.

Off topic: I think Silverline speakers are awesome and underappreciated. I've owned the Sonata IIs for twenty years and love their sound and appearance. Every other component in my system has changed multiple times during that period, but I can't seem to let go of these speakers - they are truly my "reference" for evaluating sound quality. I've auditioned speakers worth 3x - 4x the cost that don't measure up. I feel like they have gotten warmer and richer sounding over time, like a vintage guitar or violin does. But maybe it's just my ears and what's between them.

. . . in theory, practice and theory are the same; in practice, they are different . . .
- RE: Question to Silverline Sonata-III users - Akolegov88 22:49:05 01/29/25 (0)
  Well, I tried HF terminals but changed to LF terminals quite soon - I found that with HF terminals the sound was shifted to high frequency spectrum but lacked foundation, but I found that it was amp-dependent: with Cary SLI-80, I would prefer connection to the HF terminals, but with Sansui AU-517 and with different speaker cables I use LOW terminals.
  And yes, Silverline Sonata-III are great speakers.And though I have model III, I prefer the looks of Sonata-II speakers.
RE: Question to Silverline Sonata-III users - 6bq5 11:30:50 01/29/25 (1)
As Jack noted-
Personal preference rules the day on this question!
I have a number of different speakers w/ dual binding posts (none are Silverline Sonata-III), and I have tried all configurations, and have ended up with a happy solution for each-
Happy Listening
- RE: Question to Silverline Sonata-III users - Akolegov88 22:50:03 01/29/25 (0)
  That's correct, thank you.
RE: Question to Silverline Sonata-III users - Jack G 05:25:38 01/29/25 (3)
I had the Silverline Sonata IIIs in my main system for years. At the time, I didn't have bi-wire cables, so I tried single cables either top or bottom. I preferred the cable going to mid/treble inputs. But, I don't think there is any particular rule about that. It appears to be personal preference, and mine has always been to put the cable into the upper inputs. The manufacturer of my current speakers (Volti Rivals) prefers to use the bass input on his speakers, but I still preferred using the mid/treble input. Eventually I ended up bi-wiring them, which was noticeably better than either single wire.
Trust your ears.
Jack
- Odd thing - Edp 23:08:04 01/30/25 (1)
  In the last month I've seen two ads and saw in storage unit Gallo Nuclelus Martian Eyeballs and seeing your moniker thought worth a mention
  
  I had not seen one in many many years, but recall the real standout was the innovative high frequency unit. Rare few did Omni as well
  - RE: Odd thing - Jack G 04:26:29 01/31/25 (0)
    Hey Edp. I still have mine in storage. Surprisingly good speakers for what they were, that did most things really well. X-overless. Those silver cylinders on top gave some of the best treble I ever heard.
    Jack
- RE: Question to Silverline Sonata-III users - Akolegov88 22:51:16 01/29/25 (0)
  Thank you for your comments, Jack!

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