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
Seems I am (again) being called a "troll." Really? I shed name-calling in junior high.  According to some here, if you disagree with the general audiogon consensus regarding exotic cables, you are a "troll."  Seems that if you go back to the OP's original post, he was asking if $5K cables can possibly be better than generic.  I agree with the OP that if you spend more than is required to meet basic length/impedance requirements, you are wasting your money and are being scammed by companies that know they are scamming you.  I'll say again, those who have purchased this overpriced wire are more than welcome to do so.  Just don't confuse and misdirect newbies into thinking that this stuff actually does anything over basic wire.  Then...you become part of the scam.
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I'll say again, those who have purchased this overpriced wire are more than welcome to do so.  Just don't confuse and misdirect newbies into thinking that this stuff actually does anything over basic wire.  Then...you become part of the scam.

That must give you the warm and fuzzies when you go to sleep at night.
Just another member of the "Save The Newbies" brigade. LOL!



The reason that you can't buy $15,000 tires for a BMW is because apparently no one wants them. That's how markets work.

@cleeds , Bingo! These ridiculous analogies show someone grasping at straws.
stfoth: Well said and I pretty much agree with everything in your post. Have I purchased things that are more "showy" than they are functional? Sure I have. Would I pay a bit more for "pretty" cables just because they looked cool? Yep...as long as I could see them. The Kimber Kables I have going to my speakers are visible and look cool...but I don’t believe they accomplish much else over basic generic cables.

jmcgrogan termed my tire analogy "ridiculous." Yet I priced out a set of Nordost Odin cables and interconnects for my stereo system and it came to $137,000.00. I think that included one of their $11,000.00 power cords (snicker). People who buy this "bling" would also put a set of $15K tires on their car if they were actually produced. Or are autophiles smarter than audiophiles?
@stfoth

LOL. Yes the marketing hyperbole is often excessive and totally unjustified. This hyperbole is not unique to audio tweaks but I suspect audio tweaks (especially wires) may be right up there as the most imaginative and pseudoscientific.

Guiness beer used to be advertised as good for you. No doubt in moderate quantities it most certainly is good for you - Drs once recommended Guiness to breast feeding women to help with milk production. The advertising police (probably with backing from pharmaceuticals) have killed that advertising meme even though it is true (now a Dr can prescribe a more costly solution - hormones to aid in milk production) . The Guiness logic probably stems from the pervasive false modern belief that if something in very large quantities is bad for you then small amounts of it must necessarily be bad too...

So ironic. Truths are crushed and make believe runs rampant. We don’t have witch hunts but we have so many laughable fears that not much has changed in 200 years. Anyway I need to stop now and take my vitamin supplements...can't afford to miss that!