Types of Polk Audio/Monitor Audio Cobra cables, how to terminate them, how to configure the Polk Cobra cables in parallel, User guides and instructions on safe use, Using Cobra cable for Solid State amplifiers.
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I am based in beautiful tropical sea-side town Kuantan, Malaysia.
I can be reached at polkcobrafan@gmail.com if you have any specific questions about these cables.
Introduction: These cables are rather special because of the design and manufacturing method that is unlikely to be replicated. · So called ‘Litz” speaker cables are easy to find. But unlike some so-called ‘Litz’ cables, Cobra is a true ‘Litz cable’ (not just Litz woven cable). The positive and negative strands are braided together without any Teflon (or similar) insulators. The individual strands are electrically isolated only by enamel (magnet wire or Litz wire). · The enameling process is world-class. There is no oxidation almost 40 years after manufacture! · A single run of Cobra contains 144 woven strands, 72 strands each for positive and negative! · The strands are made of extremely thin high purity copper. This seems contrary to what a speaker cable should be (more suitable for interconnects if one really thinks about it). They look thick due to the enamel. · One of the weaknesses (in my humble opinion) of the Cobra desi
Three versions of Polk/Monitor Cobra cables The following table summarizes physical and electrical properties of the three versions of Polk Audio, Monitor Audio branded and non-branded (SHF-SP/Super Speaker Cables). Photo 1 : At the Top Monitor Audio (flat ribbon), middle Oval (like USB type C) and bottom Round (Polk Audio) versions. Names/Labels Polk Audio Cobra or None Monitor Audio Super or None SHF SP Super Speaker or None Picture Photo 1- bottom Photo 1-top Photo 1- middle Cross section Round Flat ribbon Oval (like USB Type C) Sectional diagram Fig 1 Fig 2 Fig 3 Dimensions (mm) (Outer) Diameter 7.3 mm 11 x 2.2 mm 9.8 x 3.2 mm No of strands 12x6 (72) Copper and 12x6 (72) Green Damper Black foam or Clear Silicone rubber
Oh my, these Cobras can kill! I just typed 'Polk Cobra Speaker cables' in my google search (31/1/2021) and the got the following results in order of ranking. Arthur Salvatore's high-endaudio blog followed by two (eBay/hifishark) ads and the fourth result was "I hooked up the dreade d Polk Cobra Cables" (my emphasis). Forum comments on Polk Cobra cables are replete with phrases like "amplifier killer", "only suitable for Tube amplifier", "fries your SS amplifier", "be warned", "high capacitance" etc. I will try to debunk this myth that the high capacitance of these cables caused all those failures. I write this post with a foreboding that I am going to get flamed by some 'Polk Cobra experts' and past users. Well, bring it on, my Hifi-Brothers. Cobras did not kill my SS amplifiers, even six of them together! When I got my first 25ft pair of Monitor Audio Super Speaker cables (Polk Cobra, UK version), I was
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