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AUDIO FORUMS >> General Discussion and Support >> Mapleshde Double Helix impressions
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Message started by Showme on 06/01/19 at 22:45:40

Title: Mapleshde Double Helix impressions
Post by Showme on 06/01/19 at 22:45:40

Wondering what impressions owners of the Mapleshade double helix speaker cables can share. How do they sound with Decware 25th Anniv equipment? Is the “plus” upgrade worthwhile? Any thoughts or recommendations will be appreciated.

Title: Re: Mapleshde Double Helix impressions
Post by Lon on 06/01/19 at 22:50:52

If you search the forum you should find quite a number of impressions from owners posted here over the years. I own a set of the "Plus" and have never owned the non-cry'd version. I am very happy with the fast and open sound of these cables and have used them with my 25th Anniversary SE84UFO3 Monoblocks and am now using them with my Taboo Mk IV with 25th Anniversary mods. In some rooms and with some speakers they can be just a tad lean in my experience, but in others just right. My pair did take quite some time, about a month of use, for the bass to "fully appear."

Title: Re: Mapleshde Double Helix impressions
Post by Geno on 06/01/19 at 23:37:21

I love mine. They sound great and I love the double helix design, because they allow a very simple bare wire connection because the wire is so small. It’ll fit in the smallest terminal. I prefer bare wire over any kind of connector. Definitely get the “plus”

Title: Re: Mapleshde Double Helix impressions
Post by Showme on 06/02/19 at 00:00:40

Thanks Geno. I’m considering a a pair but wanted a little reassurance. Currently just have Blue Jeans Cable. Sound is good so before I spend more money I thought I would see what opinions were out there.

Title: Re: Mapleshde Double Helix impressions
Post by Donnie on 06/02/19 at 03:04:59

I've been running all Mapleshade cabling for years. Both interconnects and speaker cables with good results.
Never had a reason to change them out.
I guess that is as of a glowing review as I will ever give.

Title: Re: Mapleshde Double Helix impressions
Post by Showme on 06/02/19 at 03:33:39

Thanks. I’m thinking i’ll Give them a try.

Title: Re: Mapleshde Double Helix impressions
Post by mark58 on 06/02/19 at 15:28:52

I put a pair of "MAPLESHADE CLEARVIEW DOUBLE HELIX SPEAKER CABLES W/PLUS UPGRADE" into my second system in April of 2018....they are still there. Prior to those I had Zu Audio Libtec speaker cables there. Mark.

PS...the amp currently in use with those is a Rachel with the UFO Upgrade. I have not taken the 25th Anniversary pill yet.

Title: Re: Mapleshde Double Helix impressions
Post by Showme on 06/02/19 at 16:23:33

No negative feedback. I'd say that's good.

Title: Re: Mapleshde Double Helix impressions
Post by Acetone on 06/02/19 at 16:30:45

I started with the blue jean cables and upgraded to the DH-plus...WOW! A vast improvement. I also use the mapleshade jumpers on my Monoliths.

Title: Re: Mapleshde Double Helix impressions
Post by Geno on 06/02/19 at 17:01:00

If you decide to get a pair, look at the directions that are sent with them. This speaker wire is directional, so make sure you have it connected correctly. The manufacturer also highly recommends that it is kept off of the ground and that the runs are separated for best sound. I know it sounds complicated, but it’s not too bad to accomplish.

Title: Re: Mapleshde Double Helix impressions
Post by Doug on 06/04/19 at 03:41:37

My brand new pair of DH+ cables hit the 300 hour mark at 7AM this morning. In my current system there has been no leanness at all. The bass is extremely clean and detailed and has surprisingly removed a significant amount of “boominess” that I didn’t even know existed previously. I was actually shocked to discover this upon initial installation. At the same time, and this is difficult to understand, they seem to allow deeper and more powerful bass. DH+ cables allow music to flow very naturally with great detail and no edginess or brightness. The very reason I did not try DH+ cables years ago is the numerous online reviews claiming them to be bright, edgy, light, shy in bass, etc. I am finding them to be exactly as Pierre describes them on his website and through years of Mapleshade catalogs. I still have nearly two and a half weeks remaining in the thirty day trial period, but I can’t imagine returning them. They are proving to be remarkable cables!

Title: Re: Mapleshde Double Helix impressions
Post by Showme on 06/05/19 at 22:43:05

That’s a very positive post. I guess I really should try them. Is anybody using anything other than bare wire for the termination?

Title: Re: Mapleshde Double Helix impressions
Post by Donnie on 06/05/19 at 23:00:50

Bare wire here.
And I'm also very careful that they are running the correct way and not touching the carpet too. I don't know if there is any difference if they touch the carpet or not, but I'll take them at their word for it.
I'll drink any kind of Kool-Aid you got!

Title: Re: Mapleshde Double Helix impressions
Post by Showme on 06/06/19 at 01:01:49

I like Cool-Aid. Now maybe it needs vodka or something. Suggestions?

Title: Re: Mapleshde Double Helix impressions
Post by mark58 on 06/06/19 at 01:49:52

Well, I do think I have them going the right direction (mine were used without instructions)...with the ends that are joined together by a piece of wire at the speakers. As to not touching the floor...mine are a tangled pile of wire, some touching the floor and some not :)

PS...I go bare

Title: Re: Mapleshde Double Helix impressions
Post by Doug on 06/06/19 at 03:42:31

Bare here. Laying on hardwood floor.

Title: Re: Mapleshde Double Helix impressions
Post by mark58 on 06/13/19 at 15:08:28

There is a pair being sold on ebay....asking $400 for an 8 foot pair. I personally think this is way too high. For perspective I paid $272 for a 10 foot pair and thought that was too high but I wanted 10 ft and they don't show up too often. I've seen 8ft go for between 200 and 250 all the time. I would make an offer of $175 and go from there...

https://www.ebay.com/itm/202705854049?ul_noapp=true

Title: Re: Mapleshde Double Helix impressions
Post by Showme on 06/13/19 at 19:00:26

I saw those and agree. Too high. I'd rather pay $90 more and get a pair from Mapleshade.

Title: Re: Mapleshde Double Helix impressions
Post by mark58 on 06/13/19 at 19:05:03

Nothing wrong with contacting the seller and making an offer. The worst that could happen is he counters or rejects it. I do it all the time. Not infrequently we can't come to a deal then later the seller, after a while, comes back to me.

If an 8 foot pair is what you need, I'd put in the effort. This is the second time this seller has listed these cables...

PS...here's an auction for the same cables that was won in April for $214.50

https://www.ebay.com/itm/speaker-cable-mapleshade-clearview-double-helix-plus-8-pair-banana-terminations/202642521944?hash=item2f2e6f7f58:g:ZqAAAOSw6Olco8G6

Title: Re: Mapleshde Double Helix impressions
Post by Showme on 06/13/19 at 22:58:39

Here’s the sellers response to my offer of $225.

“Sounds like you missed out. I paid $490 for them a couple of months ago from Mapleshade. Maybe they will accept your offer.”

Title: Re: Mapleshde Double Helix impressions
Post by mark58 on 06/13/19 at 23:12:33

Some people are married to their property. A discount of 18% off of full retail is too high for me. Watch this listing...I'd bet he'll have to list it several times and reduce his price to get them sold. If you have the time, you can get a pair for $225.

Title: Re: Mapleshde Double Helix impressions
Post by Showme on 06/13/19 at 23:18:32

I have the time. My speakers sound pretty good with the cables I own. You know how it goes, just wanted to try something different.

Title: Re: Mapleshde Double Helix impressions
Post by mark58 on 06/13/19 at 23:24:24

Good, I'll post what I see. In a month or two you'll have a pair for $225 or less...

Title: Re: Mapleshde Double Helix impressions
Post by Showme on 06/13/19 at 23:35:42

Thanks

Title: Re: Mapleshde Double Helix impressions
Post by maddog07 on 06/14/19 at 20:15:37

I have heard, and used the Mapleshade wires in my system - been a few years back. They are very "clear" and transparent to my ears. Very good sound.
Another "wire" I have found to sound superb... really my all around favorite for the most part, is copper foil.
You can buy a 12 gauge Goertz, Erse, Jantzen, Dayton copper foil inductor, unwind it, and make several sets of speaker cables.
Get some true gaffers tape (cotton cloth and adhesive) for insulation... and you will have some world-class sounding speaker cables, for much less than a world-class investment.

Title: Re: Mapleshde Double Helix impressions
Post by Showme on 06/14/19 at 20:46:39

Sounds interesting. Do you gave a picture of your's available?

Title: Re: Mapleshde Double Helix impressions
Post by Geno on 06/14/19 at 22:09:15

Maddog,

I may make some speaker cable out of the foil just to see how it performs. How do you attach it to terminals, as wide as it is?

Title: Re: Mapleshde Double Helix impressions
Post by Showme on 06/14/19 at 22:40:10

Geno, that’s why I thought a picture might help me follow along. I’m unsure if you wrap them complete tape with gaffers tape or???

Title: Re: Mapleshde Double Helix impressions
Post by Donnie on 06/15/19 at 00:17:25

Look at how Mapleshade does their interconnects, I'd do something like that for the ribbon speaker cables.

Another big secret is that the Mapleshade speaker cables are magnet wire twisted up. I use the twisted magnet wire in my speaker builds.

Title: Re: Mapleshde Double Helix impressions
Post by Rraymond on 06/17/19 at 17:40:38

I tried the Mapleshades double helix plus and they didn’t perform as good as my Zu event speaker cables with the Zub3 locking connects at the speakers. Looks like a lot of people have had good success with Mapleshades so the system dependence is always a factor. Their worth a try for you but you may want to buy direct from Mapleshades with a return guarantee in case they aren’t for your system.

Rick

Title: Re: Mapleshde Double Helix impressions
Post by Showme on 06/17/19 at 22:43:54

You’re probably right unless—-unless I stumble on to a set for about 1/2 price. Then used would be worth a chance. The eBay seller at $400 for a $490 set of cables is living in a fantasy world.