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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
dill
2,525 posts
 
You're right, poor equipment requires fancy cables or is it poor equipment won't reveal the benefits of good cable. My systems over the years have included brands like, Pass Labs, Audio Research, CODA, Monarchy, Threshold, Krell, Cary Audio, Cairn, Pathos, AudioVector, Silverline, Totem, Vandersteen and Magnepan.

"Poor quality equipment" indeed. however good enough to hear differences in cables.
jmcgrogan2's avatar
jmcgrogan2
6,346 posts
 
So it's been 6 weeks, have we reached a consensus yet???!!!

HURRY!!! I need to buy $5K speaker cables this weekend, and I can't proceed without the consensus opinion of the gurus on this audio forum!!!! ;^)
randy-11
1,913 posts
 
my Audio Research and Magnepan gear doesn’t care about interconnects (or even the cables to the speakers; nor did my Sonic frontiers

it is easy to test - you just have a friend help you with a blind listening test

or you can continue to waste money on visual bling - troll kait would love to sell you some
mitch2
3,972 posts
 
Mid Fi crowd and the High Enders
To-may-to / To-mah-to
I am getting nervous again since this is starting to sound like the discussion over on the fuser thread about "real audiophiles" vs. "not-real (fake?) audiophiles."
Am I a Mid-Fi To-may-to or a High End To-mah-to? What happens at recess when they pick sides and I end up with the "Mid Fi crowd?" Everyone in Vegas wants to be a High-Roller....who in the world wants to be a Mid-Roller?! How embarrassing. What if someone starts a caste system? Let’s put it to a vote, oops, been there, done that. Who’s on first?
Let’s Call the Whole Thing Off
Post removed 
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