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ACCELL Ultra Series Audio/Video Cables

Manufacturer: Accell Corporation

By Matthew Washam
SPot Senior Editor

Model number: 

2004-04-11 - " It began with a request to pay a visit to the ACCELL booth at CES 2004, and see the debut of the ACCELL lineup of the Ultra Series audio and video cables. It was my last day at the show, and I decided to take up the offer. "

Review:

I found a booth with several types of cables and lengths. Had a brief meeting about the cables. This would turn out a few weeks later to have been time well spent. I Inspected a cable out of the package at the meeting. Found it to be nice, solid, plyable,and well fastened connectors. Cables that looked somewhat pricey.

Learned that the goal of ACCELL is to sell to consumers, performance cables at very affordable prices. ACCELL has done it. It's been a pleasure testing, and using these cables. Found all of the cables to be excellent entry level cables, and using the term entry level cable is not meant as a put down.

Found the cables to a big improvement over Radio Shack cables, including the Gold series, and the entry level Monster cables. Even Audio Quest YIO-1 cables.

The different types of cables. USB, Firewire, High Speed Modem, Computer Power Cords and extensions, DVI, VGA-DVI, Component, S-Video, Composite/RCA, F-Pin Coax Video, Digital Coax Audio, Analoge Audio/RCA, Subwoofer, Fiber Optic TOS Link,Speaker and Cat5e Crossover cables.

ACCELL does use true 75 ohm cable, but the connectors are not. Why?, to keep the cost down for the consumer. Yes, we know the reasons why 75 ohm connectors are best. Well, ones not going to notice the number 75 missing from these connectors when they see how well the cables perform.

Component Cables:

This was the first surprise. Removed the Audio Quest, and installed the ACCELL cable. Found the color slightly improved, a little fuller, deeper, and vibrant. No I didn't verify this with testing equipment. There was no need too. No one knew I had changed the cables, when friends and family visited, They noticed the difference. They discovered it on thier own.

The Component cables are available with straight connectors, or right angled connectors, which do save space. Available in lengths of 1m/3.3ft, 1.5m/4.9ft,2m/6.6ft, and 4m/13.1ft.

Fiber Optic Digital Audio Cable:

Another big surprised when compared to the other cable that I had been using. Most think digital cable is digital cable. So did I. The other cable did sound nice, but the ACCELL was even better. This I did not expect. Believe me, I kept telling myself this can't be true, and have changed the cables back and forth several times trying to prove myself wrong. I do hear a pleasing improvement in sound quality.

Do want to point out that all of the cables tested were changed out individually, and not as a group. I wanted to give each cable the chance to show it's own merits, and they did.

Digital Coax:

Just like the fiber optic, this to made a noticeable improvement, and was much better than the other cables.

All of the pins and connectors on the ACCELL cables are 24K gold plated. The connectors are solid. Being one who has experienced cables falling apart while trying to remove from a component because the connectors were extremely tight, it was very nice to have connectors with a nice grip, do not fall off, but will remove easily when you want them too. The connectors are slightly thicker, which I found to make it easier for installation and removal. Slightly than other cables, but no so thick they touch each other when plugged into the jacks.

The fiber optic and coax cables are available in the same lenghts as the component.

The F-Pin Coax cables:

Once again, just like the others, kicked butt once again. Where the build was sloppy on the other cables, and interference noticeable, with the ACCELL cable, it all disappeared.

S-Video:

Well once again, ACCELL beat the others by a large margin on interference and build. Snug and secure when connected, while the Gold Series Radio Shack was loose, and not secure. The Monster cable was a tighter race, but once again, ACCELL was the winner.

Same with the analoge RCA cables, and the speaker cables. I was very impressed with the ACCELL lineup. Be it a subwoofer cable. DVI, and the Firewire cable, I could not find fault for this level of cable. All performed nicely, and the pricing is very competitve.

The component cables range in price from $39.99 MSRP to $79.99 MSRP. S-Video from $19.99 to $34.99, RCA Composite video$14.99 to $29.99, F-Pin Coax $8.99 to $17.99, Digital Coax audio $29.99 to $49.99, Fiber Optic $49.99 to $79.99, Sub Woofer $24.99 to $44.99, Analog Audio $19.99 to $39.99.

The sub woofer cables are available in lengths of 6, 12, and 18 feet. The speaker cables are available in lengths of 10 and 15 feet with removable pins if one needs to adjust the cables length. Priced at $24.99 and $29.99.

The speaker cable is also available by the bulk in 20, 30 and 100 feet spools. Priced at $12.99. $17.99 and $49.99.

Summary:

No fault could be found. The ACCELL line up is a worthwhile investment as an entry level cable, or for someone who's budget can't allow a high end cable price. These cables will be used for a long time with pleasing results.

Features:
  • 24k gold plated split tip pins, pins and connectors
  • Nitrogen injected Dielectric
  • 100% foil shield and high purity copper braiding
  • UltraFlex protective jacket for easy routing and protection
  • Gold plated copper contacts on the DVI cables
Rating:

Price/Value:
Available Lengths:
Quality:
Overall Rating:

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