I'll be throwing in some old audio equipment I have laying around from my previous cars (Nak HU and old Zapco Competition amp) soon. Been looking into some 8ga amp install kits. I haven't decided yet if I'll get the complete amp install kit that comes w/ interconnects or get the kits w/o and get my own. The ones that come w/ interconnects I'm looking at come w/ the midline ones such as Lightning LSIX. Also looking at the KnuKoncepts 8ga 4ch amp install kit, but that comes w/ their Klassic interconnects which aren't described as being twisted. Are those Klassic interconnects good?
For interconnects, I've been looking into Streetwires, Stinger, and Lightning Audio. I recently found KnuKoncepts from searching on here, so that's in the mix now.
How do the various brands (comparing equivalent models, i.e. mid-line to mid-line, flagship to flagship) compare to each other for sound clarify and noise rejection?
How do the models compare to each other (i.e. are the flagship interconnects really that much better than the midline ones)?

The brands/models I'm specifically interested in are the following:

Flagship:
KnuKoncepts Karma Kable
Streetwires ZN6
Lightning Storm TPX1000
Stinger Expert

Midline:
Streetwires ZN3
Streetwires ZN2
Lightning Storm TPX600
Lightning Strike LSIX
Stinger Dream, Bullet, Helix

Stinger has a ton, and I don't know what the difference is between all of them. KnuKoncepts is the lowest priced (assuming they perform as good as the flagship or higher midline models), but are they as good as the other brands flagship models? Are they closer to the other brands' midline models? What would be the best performing for the price?

If the flagship models really sound that much better, I may be willing to cough up the price. If there isn't much discernable difference from the midline models, those may be a better route for me. I had Lightning interconnects in my old car, but it's been a good 3+ years since I had my system in there, so I don't remember what I had. I don't have any experience w/ the other brands/models, so I'd appreciate any feedback/experiences you guys can give.

Thanks.

 

Can't go wrong with the KnuKoncepts Karma Kable. They work very well and a ton of guys have used them without any problems. I've personally used them on four installs. Can't beat the quality for the money.

 

I havent seen cable that is better than KNU. They might be as good, but not better. So why are they charging triple the price???

I have KNU in my own car, as well as a few other cars Ive installed on, never an issue, and customer service is GREAT.

 

Personally i have stinger expert range in mine from bumper to bumper.. I love the finish and how well everything is made.. bit pricey but well worth it..

 

I don't want to be a jerk about this, but people seem to fail to come to any sense of agreement on this issue. On one hand, people say KnuKonceptz is great (I personally have had a great experience with them), while others say nothing bad about the KnuKonceptz products but then go on to advocate products that cost WAY more money. I don't doubt for a second that high end Monster Cable or Stingers will produce great sound, but are the people advocating these products just not wanting to come out and say that they do not feel the KnuKonceptz are as good, or do they just have a lot more $$$ to waste on car audio than I do?

If there is a sense that the KnuKoncepts cable aren't somehow as good, then I would like to hear that. I feel this is like someone asking for Amp advice, and someone telling him to get a Soundstream amp, and another advising an Audison Thesis amp. Obviously the Thesis amp would be spectacular, but if there is no attempt to discuss where returns diminish to the point of irrelevancy then the person asking the question is left wondering if he/she is wasting their money on the more expensive product.

Hopefully someone with experience with both types of products can clarify this to me.

Thanks

 

What's your point? People are offering their own personal experiences... this is not some kind of test lab. However I can tell you this, I have the highest end Monster cables in my car. They cost a crap load of money. I will be changing them out to Stinger Expert Series sometime this year (only because I sell Stinger now). So far to date I have never had one ounce of noice in my system and its a hugh complex system.
Do I think the KnuKonceptz are a good RCA interconnect? Yes! People I trust on this board say they have great luck with them. Does that mean I have to buy them? NO! I like the design of the Monster Cables and the Stinger Expert series. I come from a Telecommunications background and I can tell you this that the design that both of these companies use is the same type of design used in high speed telecommunication signal transmission. However it seems to me that the KnuKonceptz uses a similar setup. But having not seen them in person so I'm not positive. Maybe I'll look at becoming a dealer for KnuKonceptz as well but honestly I like what I have and use. But all of this is a completely moot point because its completely subjust to the installation and the rest of the equipment used.

Buy what you like and trust.

 

I understand this and like I said, I don't want to come off as combative or demanding, sorry if I did. I guess the reason I am so curious about this issue is the very large degree of separation in costs between the two products. I think that if for another component some people recommended one of the most expensive products on the market while others claimed one of the cheapest worked just as well I would be naturally skeptical, demonstrated by the old saying "you get what you pay for". That is why the KnuKonceptz question pings my interest: both darkknight1999 and NFRs2000NYC give some of the best advice on this forum, so I know they both are recommending quality products, I just have a hard time seeing why someone would purchase high end Stingers if reputable people endorse KnuKonceptz. I guess if this were something that seemed more subjective (like Kappa Perfects vs Focal Utopias) I would understand. Maybe noise levels in RCA cables are just as subjective???

Oh well, I asked my question and got a response, I guess I'll drop it and defer to the more informed among us.

 

No need to drop or feel upset. Monster Cable, Stinger, KNU, and many other companies provide good product. We arent fighting whether or not Monster is crap and KNU is gold. They are both very high quality wire.

Noise is noise, its either there or not. Cheap RCAs are cheap RCAs, monster or bunny. Doesnt matter. Yes monster is 4 times the price. Do you think anyone on this forum will tell you they sound 4 times better? Certainly not, wire is wire, but what you do with it is another story. If you run them right, you wont have any problems with any noise whatsoever. If you wish to spend the extra money, then you might find it "easing" to purchase a reputable company. Think about this....for 20 bucks, you can try the KNU wires, and if you arent happy, get the higher priced stuff. If you go with the expensive stuff first, youll never know if you would have had the same results with the KNU wire.

Remember one more thing...most costs of wire and things of that nature are charged in order to make back the millions used for R&D. If a company like KNU buys a set of the highest end MONSTER cables, and reverse engineers them, they save a TON of money, and in turn, can pass it to you. Business 101.

Bottom line is, they are all great, and in the words of a wise member on this board, "I like onions on my pizza." _-Bill

 

Cable is cable.. you connect you battry to your amp and you have a power flow.. install the thickest cable according to your budget.. if you want something that looks nice.. spend the extra dollars.
I went Stinger because i too am a dealer of this product.
The cheapest thing on the market will work.. its up to you, its your car..

 

knuconceptz is the best bang for buck imo. i was very impressed with thier build quality and craftsmanship. the cables sound way better than anything Radio shack can throw at you. Avoid monster cable. Overrated and way overpriced.