Speaker Cables
Our speaker cables are offered in three tiers: the Wind River HC, the Wind River, and the the Headwaters.
The Wind River and its high current sibling (the Wind River HC) differ in only their wire gauge (12 gauge vs. 9 gauge), and the Headwaters is our value cable that punches above its price class.
Our cable FAQ covers a broad range of topics. In particular, we've developed a strategy on how to sequence your cable evaluation and selection.
Whether it's cables from Galibier or anyone else, following an auditioning strategy can save you time and money, by preventing costly errors.
Cable FAQ
Wind River HC - from $1,095
Introductory Pricing (includes 72 hour burn-in):
- 4 feet: $1,095
- 6 feet: $1,195
- 8 feet: $1,295
- Longer lengths – add $100 for each two foot increment
Wind River HC with Furutech FT-211(G) Spades
Use Case
Low efficiency speakers requiring high current amplifiers - either as a full range cable or to drive the bass module in a bi-wire application.
If you're unsure whether you need the HC version, we can guide you, and we have a 30 day satisfaction guarantee.
Wind River HC Construction
- 9 gauge, tinned, stranded copper (no, it’s not Duelund – we manufacture the wire to our specifications)
- Gold plated copper Furutech FT-211(G) spade lugs
- Furutech FT-212(G) bananas are optional
- Cotton sleeving for best dielectric performance
FT-212(G) Banana
Wind River - from $749
Introductory Pricing (includes 72 hour burn-in):
- 4 feet: $749
- 6 feet: $799
- 8 feet: $849
- Longer lengths – add $50 for each two foot increment
Wind River with Furutech FT 212(G) Bananas
Wind River Overview
This cable differs from its "HC" sibling by virtue of its wire gauge. It is identical in every other respect.
Its 12 gauge configuration is suitable for the majority of applications, and has all of the nuance and refinement of the Wind River HC, but has a bit less current capability.
Use Case
Medium to high efficiency speakers as a full-range cable, or in any bi-wire application (irrespective of efficiency) to drive the mid/tweeter module.
Wind River Construction
- 12 gauge, tinned, stranded copper (no, it’s not Duelund – we manufacture the wire to our specifications)
- Gold plated copper Furutech FT-211(G) spade lugs
- Furutech FT-212(G) bananas are optional
- Cotton sleeving for best dielectric performance
FT-211(G) Spade Lug
Headwaters - from $449
Headwaters with Spade Lugs
Introductory Pricing for Single-Wire Run (includes 72 hour burn-in):
- 4 feet: $449
- 6 feet: $499
- 8 feet: $549
- Longer lengths – add $50 for each two foot length increment
Options
- Choose spade lug or banana termination
Comment
This is the identical wire used in our Wind River cables, employing value-oriented connectors instead of Furutechs.
Headwaters Construction
- 12 gauge, tinned, stranded copper
- Silver plated copper spade lugs (bananas are optional)
- Cotton sleeving for best dielectric performance
Bananas
Silver Spades
Headwaters with Banana Plugs
Notes
Which Cable?
The selection boils down to two criteria: current capability (bass characteristics) and refinement.
The Wind River HCs and Wind Rivers employ the top line Furutech connectors, whereas the Headwaters use value priced connectors which sacrifice a bit of refinement in comparison with both Wind River cables.
The 9 gauge Wind River HCs have superior bass performance with medium/low efficiency speakers, when compared with the 12 gauge, Wind River and Headwaters cables.
With high efficiency speakers, the bass performance of all three cables (extension and impact) is indistinguishable.
About Banana Plugs:
We struggled with recommending banana plugs until we found the Furutech FT-212s (the sibling of the FT-211 spade lug). This is the first banana connector we can conscientiously recommend for a top line speaker cable, and they are available on both the Wind River HC and the Wind River.
It took quite a bit of trial and error to source a value-priced banana for the Headwaters cable, but we think you'll be very pleased with the ones we sourced.
Having said this, our preference will always be for spade lugs, but we recognize that many individuals value the convenience of bananas over the marginal superiority of spade lugs.
Bi-wire Pairs
We recommend terminating each cable in your bi-wire pair separately, as opposed to terminating the amplifier end with a single connector. This gives you a bit more flexibility.
If you're running a Wind River HC on your bass module, then we recommend the Wind River for the top.
For a Headwaters in the bass module, choose between a second Headwaters and a Wind River for the mid/tweeter module. You can compare positions, but in our experience the Wind River's nuance is used to its best advantage in the mid/tweeter module.
At the amplifier end, the marginal superiority of spade lugs is put to best use on the the cable running to the mid/tweeter.
Choose your connector type as follows:
- At the speaker end, decide on spade or banana - any mix of your choosing.
- At the amplifier end, terminate the cable leading to your upper module with spades.
- At the amplifier end, terminate the cable leading to your bass module with bananas.
Background
The NiWatt amplifiers showed us the way. They are extremely revealing, and every speaker cable we tried had some sort of flaw. The NiWatts are truth-tellers.
During prototyping, we evaluated the Wind River cables in low and medium efficiency systems and this spawned its 9 gauge sibling - the Wind River HC.
Every pair of NiWatt amplifiers sold will be delivered with a single wire set of Wind River HC cables (biwire optional).
