StereoLab (StereoVox)

The Reference 700 Series Loudspeaker Cables

The REFERENCE (700 series) is an evolution of our long-standing Reference 600 designs that
have been well received and reviewed around the world. Reference 600 series itself had
been based on earlier “600” design that had originally been introduced in 1999/2000.

Chris Sommovigo’s basic design-philosophy has stayed the same: Design with skin-effect as a
major driving parameter, full-anneal our silver to soften temper and detune the ‘glare,’ use
patented dielectrics and processes to lighten the capacitive load, ensure internal
mechanical damping via geometry and materials choices.

And yet … we’re not ones to rest on our laurels. While the Reference 600 designs were world-
class cables with a stellar reputation, the ideas for improvements that had been slowly
simmering in the background finally made it to the prototype stage and emerged as stellar
proofs-of-concept. At that point it was resolved to take these changes and implement them
into an updated series of cable designs.

BASIC CHANGES:

• By removing the outer PVC jacket we removed one region of dielectric absorption.
  
  
• Adding the pair of 17awg pure silver-plated copper conductors allowed us to accomplish a
  few things, including the ability to detune the last bit of “coolness” from the performance of the
  loudspeaker cable.
  
  
• Using a special shielding regime that is not electrically continuous with the cable, the ability to
  block RF is enhanced, and a quieter cable results.

The result is an evolution in performance, with an emphasis on supreme neutrality, quiet
signal environment, better articulation of nuance and detail, and more control in the lower
registers. Soundstaging and imaging cues become more apparent, lending a greater
“reality” to the listening experience.