Tiny bridges everywhere, but why?


As I am getting closer to my first "complete" system, I am starting to research and get opinions on smaller tweaks. The cherries on top, so to speak. The term "smaller" covers the size, cost and possible impact to SQ. 

I do not know what they are called but I am seeing all sorts of devices holding up cables. Don't know why but they remind me of Navy Seals running out of the ocean with a telephone pole over their shoulder...

Thanks to this forum I have learned that everything in some way impacts SQ, so whatever these thingamabobs are called, do they impact SQ or are they a form of cable management? Both? Do materials matter? Am I going to have to splurge on rosewood versions treated with stain containing ash from one of Jerry Garcia's guitars, or could I use old shoes for now to accomplish whatever mission these fulfill?

I could have Googled this topic, but I want to hear from you - Your experience, choices, etc. 
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DJones says..‘I wouldn’t spend much money or time fooling with cable lifters but it does make things look a bit neater. They do absolutely nothing to your sound so no need to worry they might cause a deleterious effect.’

Ordinarily true. I would say that most out there have no impact. But the Synergistic Research Cable Risers not only change the sound, they do so dramatically. The effect is very pronounced with the Foundation Series speaker cables but is also immediately apparent with other cables brands and types. These beautifully crafted (and expensive) devices are unlike normal cable risers and imo are really more akin to the HFT resonators placed on aluminium not-so-tiny ‘bridges’. These risers are quite large.  I’ve come to the conclusion that the HFT technology is responsible for what is going on because the effect is still there to one degree or another if the cables are removed off the risers but the risers are left in place around the speaker plain.

The question is not whether they do or do not change the sound. It’s more a matter of IF you like the sound with them or without. I was astonished at first at how much they changed the sound, and it took a while getting used to this different presentation. Without, the sound is more ‘relaxed’ shall we say. Imagine if you will the image as normal is somewhat soft, diffuse and splayed out wide. You might say ‘my system doesn’t sound like that’ until you put the risers in and hear what they do. Putting the risers in place is akin to gathering all the sound and bringing it in toward center. The sound becomes a lot more focused and the imaging clearer. It is not in the least bit subtle I assure you. The sound is ‘taller’ and less diffuse. This effect can be very enticing at first, but over time can seem a little hard. I do not leave the risers in all the time as i sometimes like to relax more into a slighty diffuse sound.
leftover corks?  doesn't get any more lower cost, unless you don't drink liquids that come from corked bottles, that would make them more expensive.
Are there meetings for audioholics? I'm ready to admit I have the disease... Woke-up today convinced I'm going to sell my gear and start over, but first I'm setting out to start hearing more speaker brands in the New England area. 

@high-amp - turn those x-rebar pieces sideways with a rubber band around them and I think we have a winner - seriously. 

@thosb - I heard that the sulfites on the cork can give your speakers a hangover. :)
Ahh, you are in the early stages. Try this. Consider the system you have to be your reference system. So, instead of thinking of selling it all, think of it as a very long termed project to very slowly and carefully move to your ideal system. But first you have to determine what that is. Make it a long-termed project to listen to every really high end system you can. Consider how yours is different. But you want to find “the sound” you want. Then you can slowly swap one component (break-in, enjoy, save money), rinse, repeat.

In the mean time read Robert Harley’s book on High End Audio, get a subscription to The Absolute Sound and Stereophile. This way you can manage the disease to slow it down and enjoy the process.

tho\