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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
hifiman5's avatar
hifiman5
1,832 posts
 
Many of us have participated in various similar threads to this one.  The cable conundrum is an ongoing source of subject matter.

If you have listened through your system with a variety of cables and not heard a difference, then unless you have an irrational compulsion to spend your expendable income on audio affectations, be happy with what you have and enjoy your music.  For those of us who have investigated various cables of diverse metals and topologies with a variety of dielectrics and connectors and have heard differences meaningful to us...yippee for us, or in the case of preferring a high priced spread, woe for our bank accounts.

At any rate, in the same way that I may look at a "great" painting and see splotches of color and you, a cable skeptic, might see true meaning in those splotches, good for you for perceiving what my individual sensibilities did not enable me to appreciate.

Lastly, if you are reading this and think that there are these absolute truths in audio or watercolors you might do well to open your walls of perception and come to appreciate the unique differences that one will cherish and another not even experience.  Viva la difference!  oh, the humanity.
zephyr24069's avatar
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zephyr24069
1,245 posts
 
dill: I see your point,...ironic in part that Rolex watches are preferred don't you think?  If someone were to be of the mindset that marketing and snake oil arguments held for cables, touting the value of a watch manufacturer with the largest PR machine within a large group of hi-end competitors that appeals chiefly to ego and always has in that particular market should not be on the list! To be consistent, we should be hearing that there is no difference worth spending all that ego money on Rolex, Tag, and many other $$$ brands, etc., etc...and instead should be satisfied with garden variety Timex, Citizen, Bulova, Fossil, etc.....easily obtainable for 100 USD or less these days!

Hifiman: Well said!!!
dynaquest4's avatar
dynaquest4
445 posts
 
zephyr24069  - While I agree with almost nothing you stated regarding expensive "high quality" cables, I found your response refreshing, polite and well written.  

Regarding the Rolex analogy; audio systems play music, watches tell time. You can dramatically improve audio quality with better, more expensive equipment (to a point).  It is almost impossible to buy a watch that tells the time more efficiently, effectively or accurately...regardless of how much you spend. The Rolex level watch is not purchased because it is a watch...it is purchased because it is jewelry.  Or, in some cases, an outlandish personal financial statement.
zephyr24069's avatar
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zephyr24069
1,245 posts
 
dynaquest: great response and thank you for the kind words on my post. have a great day!
uberwaltz's avatar
uberwaltz
13,381 posts
 
@zephyr24069 
I guess I am still the skeptic you once were and tbh if I need to spend the equivalent of a small 3rd world countries national debt to hear that hard sought difference then I will surely remain a skeptic...lol.
Would you care to name the cables you allude to in your post at all?
I am not a skeptic by choice, just as of yet I have not been convinced on aural changes by ANY cable change I have ever made anywhere.
Whereas items like tubes, tube dampers etc I can honestly say that yes I did hear changes.
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