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Who thinks $5K speaker cable really better than generic 14AWG cable?

I recently ordered high end speaker, power amp, and preamp to be installed in couple more weeks. So the next search are interconnect and speaker cable. After challenging the dealer and 3 of my so called audiophile friends, I think the only reason I would buy expensive cable is for its appearance to match with the high end gears but not for sound performance. I personally found out that $5K cable vs $10 cable are no difference, at least not to our ears. Prior to this, I was totally believe that cable makes a difference but not after this and reading few articles online.

Here is how I found out.

After the purchase of my system, I went to another dealer to ask for cable opinion (because the original dealer doesn't carry the brand I want) and once I told him my gears, he suggested me the high end expensive cable ranging from $5 - 10K pair, depending on length. He also suggested the minimum length must be 8-12ft. If longer than 12ft, I should upgrade to even more expensive series. So I challenged him that if he can show me the difference, I would purchase all 7 AQ Redwood cables from him.

It's a blind test and I would connect 3 different cables - 1 is the Audioquest Redwood, 1 is Cardas Audio Clear, and 1 my own generic 14AWG about 7ft. Same gears, same source, same song..... he started saying the first cable sound much better, wide, deep, bla...bla...bla......and second is decently good...bla...bla...bla.. and the last one sounded crappy and bla...bla...bla... BUT THE REALITY, I NEVER CHANGED THE CABLE, its the same 14AWG cable. I didn't disclosed and move on to second test. I told him I connected audioquest redwood but actually 14AWG and he started to praise the sound quality and next one I am connected the 14awg but actually is Redwood and he started to give negative comment. WOW!!!! Just blew me right off.

I did the same test with 3 of my audiophile friends and they all have difference inputs but no one really got it right. Especially the part where I use same generic 14awg cable and they all start to give different feedback!!!

SO WHAT DO YOU ALL THINK? OR I AM THE LAST PERSON TO FIND OUT THAT EXPENSIVE CABLE JUST A RIP OFF?
sautan904
shadorne's avatar
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shadorne
7,477 posts
 
I have noticed that when people have no logical or persuasive point to make in support of their position then they just attack the others. I still have not seen a good argument as to why buying equipment that is highly sensitive to wire connections or using wires as EQ filters makes any sense?

Shouldn't high end designs strive for maximum sensitivity to the source and a highly consistent reliable sound that has minimum sensitivity to variables like the bit of wire being used?

or

Should high end designs strive for highly inconsistent sound that is sensitive to almost any change at all in wire and no doubt many other factors too (this extreme kind of sensitivity or instability is not likely to be exclusive to just wires)?
drsteve
12 posts
 
The original poster left out some very important information that makes it impossible for anyone to asses the validity of his tests:

which generic wire did he use?
geoffkait's avatar
geoffkait
23,365 posts
 
drsteve wrote,

"The original poster left out some very important information that makes it impossible for anyone to asses the validity of his tests:

which generic wire did he use?"

None. He didn't use any $5K speaker cable either. He was trolling. Not that there's anything wrong with that.

hifiman5's avatar
hifiman5
1,832 posts
 
Using your logic, the quality of circuit components should make no difference to the resulting sound.  In other words if the quality of the interconnects between components should make no difference to well designed gear then the V-Cap in my line stage, the silver wire bypassing circuit board traces in that same line stage should make no difference to the resulting sound of my system with those enhancements.  I guess I wasted hard earned cash.  Back to the Sansui receiver I used in the 70s!
mitch2
4,112 posts
 
Good or bad, like or dislike, with respect to cable choices are individual decisions.
Therefore, the attempt to convince others that one philosophy is right or wrong is pointless.
The discussions of different experiences and sharing of opinions, articles, and technical information can be interesting but the labeling and veiled name-calling is tiresome and mostly reflects poorly on the name-caller.


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