2. cables
  3. 127600-2130

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
parrotbee
103 posts
 
As one spends more on cables they are far less likely to be one size fits all - so to speak. For instance Naim and LAvardin can't use goertz style cables due to high capacitance although they love DNM cables - so however much one spends and tries using a high capacitance cable it is not going to be an improvement on the cheaper DNM. So, as you spend more there may well be system matching issues - indeed the more you spend may result in worse sound. 
All said and done, despite some companies saying otherwise such as Nordost (I have some of their cables BTW) cables are 'tone controls' IMHO some allowing more details than others, with various other tonal differences as well.
ctsooner
2,480 posts
 
Parrot, not all are tone controls.  That's the reason I am using only the Audioquest cables. They have been the only ones I've had in my room that are just neutral. I've had the Odin and other top of the line cables.  If you need to use cables as tone controls, then something is wrong with your speakers, amps or source.  Probably a combination of all.  
jmcgrogan2's avatar
jmcgrogan2
6,346 posts
 
Parrot, not all are tone controls. That’s the reason I am using only the Audioquest cables. They have been the only ones I’ve had in my room that are just neutral.

Sorry, but I agree that all cables are tone controls. You like Audioquest because it sounds neutral to your ears, in your room, with your gear.
Some folks will prefer bright leaning cables on warmer gear, and conversely, warmer sounding cables with brighter gear.
Many different paths to "neutrality".

Probably a combination of all.

BINGO!!!!
Remember, you are not listening to the cable, as the cable emits no sound. You are listening to the system as a whole. You can tune the sound of the system by changing cables, speakers, amplifier, cartridge, CDP, etc.
In essence, everything is a tone control.
grannyring's avatar
grannyring
6,458 posts
 
Well said John and I agree 10000% based on my experience. 
hifiman5's avatar
hifiman5
1,832 posts
 
@ctsooner  I'm a fan of Audioquest cables as well.  For me, the AQ line of cables' sound is totally predictable.  As you move up the higher end of the line each step up reveals a larger soundstage and more detail.  The big leap is when you jump up to the PSS (perfect surface silver) part of the line.

An example of the above was a comparison I did between AQ Columbia IC's and the next step up the line, the Colorado.  The only difference between the cables was a PE tube dielectric in the Columbia to a Teflon tube in the Colorado.  So what was the sonic difference?  Bass impact and depth.  The Colorados it was/is.

So in the end, all cables can be used as tone controls. The AQ line just has a predictability about the changes you'll hear throughout the line.

One more example.  I had used AQ speaker cables in my system for years.  They were in the Earth Series and thus were composed of a lot of copper.  When upgrading my speakers, the sound was too bass heavy and not allowing me to hear all that the advanced tweeters in the new speakers were capable of.  After much research and reading (especially here at A'gon) i went to all silver Clear Day Double Shotgun cables.  Voila!  Bass heaviness (mid-bass especially) was ameliorated and the treble maintained its smoothness but was more detailed and open than with the copper-heavy AQ's.  

So...yep, cables are tone controls and are an important aspect of voicing a system.
More to discover