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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
 
@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.
parrotbee
103 posts
 
I have a Tyr tonearm cable, and some heimdall speaker cables in a system that has a Transfiguration Temper Cartridge, LAvardin IT amp, Yamaha NS1000m speakers - @ctsooner please tell me where my system is defective???
I have heard various Nordost cables in various systems whether at shows or at dealers, and of all the cables out there - they really do have a cool slightly bodiless tonality that has a treble lift. Nordost do a great marketing job in persuading us that they are the benchmark in terms of neutrality - but I am not so convinced. If anything they have confirmed my belief that cables are a tone control
ctsooner
2,480 posts
 
Parrot, when did I ever say your system is defective?  I'd never use that term.  We all hear differently.  Systems, rooms and hearing are all subjective.  I PERSONALLY feel that cables have a signature sound.  Maybe I'm not typing things properly, but as you said, the Nordost cables to most I know are somehow a bit hot.  Great cables and I've liked them in many systems I've heard them in.  I wouldn't own them, but I fully get why folks love them (or don't).  To ME, that's tonally adjusting a system with cables. That's something that I personally don't like to do for MY system. Nothing wrong there.  Doesn't mean I don't understand why some do use cables to 'tune' their systems.  Maybe I'm 'tuning' using AQ cables that I use.  I have never heard my tonal balance change when upgrading or downgrading within the AQ line.  What I hear is a larger stage, more detail things like that.  If you want to call that tuning, then that's cool and I agree that is what I do.  

Parrot, I have no idea how your system sounds in your room and to your ears (or anyone else's).  Not sure how you turned what I posted into me saying your system is defective?    
jmcgrogan2's avatar
jmcgrogan2
6,346 posts
 
I have heard various Nordost cables in various systems whether at shows or at dealers, and of all the cables out there - they really do have a cool slightly bodiless tonality that has a treble lift. Nordost do a great marketing job in persuading us that they are the benchmark in terms of neutrality - but I am not so convinced.

@parrotbee , I agree with your assessment. Many folks misinterpret emphasized high frequency tones for neutrality.

In my opinion, neutrality means neither the bass, midrange, nor treble regions are emphasized.
Of course Nordost could sound 'neutral' with gear that has rolled off high frequencies.
geoffkait's avatar
geoffkait
23,365 posts
 
Personally, I wouldn’t draw too many conclusions about any cables one hears at shows or dealers mainly because they are usually new and not broken in *at all* or perhaps overnight, if your lucky. That goes for cables, speakers and electronics - none of them are broken in at shows. The sound you described is that of many high end cables, speakers and electronics that have not been broken in.
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