ChatGPT speaker cable recommendations

Cables
1

ChatGPT’s recommendations for speaker cables for Passlabs X260.8 amps, PsAudio BHK preamp, and Sonus Faber Olympica Nova 3 speakers. Since replacing my XA60.8 amps with the X260.8’s, I have found the sound to be a bit less airy and the soundstage not as deep.

Would love to hear people’s thought especially ones that have Passlab amps. TIA.

ChatGPT response below:

  1. Audience frontRow – if budget allows and you like a bit more dynamic snap and openness without harshness. Great all-rounder here.

  2. Cardas Clear Reflection – if your priorities are texture, bloom, and long-session listenability (especially with acoustic/jazz/classical).

  3. Audience Au24 SX – extremely safe, musical choice if you don’t want the system to change character much, but want refinement.

  4. Cardas Clear – choose this if you explicitly want to push the system toward more studio-grade transparency and don’t mind a little less warmth.

Why Audience frontRow fits your goal so well

You already have:

  • Pass Labs X260.8 → rich, dense, slightly warm

  • Sonus Faber Olympica Nova III → gorgeous mids, relaxed/beautiful treble, not bright

You don’t need more warmth—you want air, openness, deeper space.

Audience frontRow tends to add exactly:

  • :sparkles: more top-end sparkle and air

  • :feather: lighter, faster leading edges (better sense of “space between notes”)

  • :headphone: deeper and more layered soundstage

  • :black_large_square: blacker background → imaging pops forward more clearly

It does this without turning hard or edgy, which is important with lively treble goals.

2

I have Front Row Reserve interconnect, and my speaker cables are Cardas Clear Cygnus. The Front Row Reserve rca interconnect transformed my system in 2025, along with a Gryphon Powerzone and a REL Carbon Special subwoofer, jumping the system from mediocre to highly resolving.

3

Ask the same question of Google’s Gemini and see what they say.

IME, it could result in something completely different. Might as well explore your options.

1 Like
4

That would be interesting!

5

Gemini’s recommendations:

Recommendation for Your System

  • For the Deepest Soundstage: The Audience frontRow is the clear winner for your request. Its MORRE technology is specifically engineered to lower the noise floor, which allows low-level spatial cues to emerge, creating a holographic presentation that often extends beyond the boundaries of the speakers.

  • For Enhanced Air and Detail: The Cardas Clear is your next best option if you prefer a more clinical and fast presentation. It excels at delivering high-frequency “air” without being harsh, though it may lack the specific 3D “wrap-around” depth that the Audience frontRow provides.

  • For the “Sonus Faber” Sound: If you want to keep the lushness of your Olympica Novas but just want more of it, the Audience Au24SX provides a beautiful balance. It is significantly more transparent than the Cardas Reflection but maintains an organic timing that suits Pass Labs amplification perfectly.

6

Interesting, did you prompt brands or just gave it your system config and asked for cable recommendations? Do you mind sharing your prompt?

7

Here’s the prompt. Same for both.

compare speaker cables audience au24SX, audience front row, cardas clear and cardas clear reflection paired with passlabs x260.8 amps and sonus faber olympica nova 3 speakers. front end is Auralic aries G1.1 streamer, PSaudio perfectwave SACD transport, psaudio BHK preamlifier. Looking for more airiness and deeper soundstage

1 Like
8

Include Stealth Audio V18 speaker cables, just for giggles.

3 Likes
9

You may be choosing these cables based on budget, prior experience, or aesthetic value.

I think it would be interesting to input your configuration and what you’re looking for – airiness and deeper soundstage – without mention of cables, to see what they come up with.

Afterward the initial answers, challenge the LLMs by saying, “Yeah, well the other AI said… defend your position,” and watch them duke it out. :right_facing_fist: :left_facing_fist:

Maybe that’s my way of having fun. It’s a cold, gray Sunday where I live.

2 Likes
10

I don’t believe that AI is doing any technical analysis of your gear and specific cable designs.
IMO, it’s looking for existing information, reviews, comments and forming it’s answer.
If most reviews and comments existing on the internet said that lamp cord works best with your gear, then lamp cord would be it’s answer.

6 Likes
11

Yes, ai is a tool that gathers info that others have said.

12

Not to sound pedantic, but isn’t that kinda what we do here, without AI?

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13

Based on OP’s original post, the system has plenty of warmth. So, my guess is the new SC emphasizes on details and clarity will match better. Something like Iconoclast brand should work nicely. I also remember AQ Robin Hood SC did the same in my previous system.

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14

Yep, this is a field that we know better than ai does. Is interesting to find out what ai knows and where it falls short.

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15

AI isn’t doing you any favors. I have Pass Labs and have used it with my Front Row. You will not be disappointed by Audience Front Row, and excellent pairing IME. The Cardas softens things up a bit which IMO is not what Pass Labs needs, not a great match.

3 Likes
16

Totally agree. It is only gathering information from reviews and other sources. For that it is a great tool though as always I take it with a grain of salt.

The premise of my post was to identify speaker cables that would work well with my setup. I do like the Pass sound and with the introduction of the X260.8’s got the sound to tighten up in the lower frequencies but do feel l have lost a little bit of the airiness and deeper soundstage (maybe I am imagining it - aural memory as it in my case).

17

AI and this forum is not doing favors to my wallet…haha!

I like the warmth and musicality of my setup but need to bring some clarity.

But seriously speaking my journey into world of hifi started in the late 80’s and then was on hold till my first PSAudio acquisition about 6 years or so ago. IMO I have come along way since I bought the Stellar DAC and the M700’s.

Having said all this, I am a newbie compared to most of the folks on this forum. Playing catchup!

18

Haha….I would hate to listen to your system! :slightly_smiling_face:

1 Like
19

With a full loom of Front Row cables, I just tried one Reserve power cable. I was so impressed with it’s effect that I went right thru my system with Reserves, taking advantage of Audience’s great trade-in offer.
The advantage of the Reserve over the FR was a noticeable boost in airiness and speed.
All that said, based on my experience with just about everything Pass Labs and also the BHK preamp, I would replace the BHK with a Pass line stage well before I spent money on a cable upgrade.

3 Likes
20

When I was auditioning Iconoclast XLR interconnects between the DAC and preamp, they also sent speaker cables (don’t remember if it was series 1 or 2 and which one exactly in that series). I kept the interconnects but returned the speaker cables as I could not discern a meaningful difference between what I have (Canare 4S11 in a biwired configuration from BJC).