why do people feel the need to buy expensive cable

chrshanl3703-21-2016 1:45pm " ... I was only pointing out that the comparison cannot be made as the differences between the cars can easily be measured from a performance standpoint and therefore a logical conclusion can be drawn as to which one is a better car ..."


No, preference is just an opinion. Some people will think the less expensive car is the better car, or the car with more trunk space, or the car with greater torque, or the faster car is the better car. Some people will judge a car based on color. It’s all just opinion.

Synergy. Recording quality, room acoustics, source, amplifier and preamplifier, type of music, speaker placement, personal preferences and ear condition.  These are all factors in deciding what you like.   I do find that typically the more expensive cables sound better to my ear more often than not.  But not all the times.  I guess that if you got a lot of money into your gear you want to get the best you can afford for your system. I think that if it brings you the level of enjoyment you want then do it.  I tried to go back to cheap stock cables and it didn't work for me.   I also went back to cheaper cables.  That didn't work either.   The need is not the question.   You have to want better cables. If you want to spend your money then do it.  If not don't criticize those who do.   Some people like cars houses watches etc.  it's worth what you are willing to pay.  Ear happiness is the most important to the majority of us.   Enjoy the music.  Don't talk just listen.  Lol.  

Cleeds where did I use the word preference? I am talking strictly performance. Things that can be measured hello!!!!! Handling, braking, acceleration. This is not a subjective difterence. You don't get behind a wheel of a Kia and watch the porche pass you and say to your self.....hmm this Kia is kicking the crap out of that porche.

Using that criteria you can say which is a better car without question. The other things you site like trunk space, sticker price, asthetics blah blah blah .....yes those are preferences....but in no way can you say which is better. Which is the exact same realm audio cables exist in. How do you guys not understand this? If that were not true everyone would be happy to subject them to blind tests. 

Let's say we do use the car analogy for a moment..... If we take the Kia and porche the porche will win on every track in any condition....that's how superior the porche is performance wise. However if we take the porche and something else that is much closer in performance and compare them then it comes down to driver, track type, conditions and so on. Same with cables....it comes down to room, system, listener etc. Much harder to say which is better. How does nobody understand this basic idea.

I agree that auto performance is easier to measure than audio performance...

jl35933 posts03-21-2016 3:33pmI agree that auto performance is easier to measure than audio performance...

Why can't you get specs from the cable companies and buy strictly on superior specs?  Capacitance, Impedance ...   Remember Julian Hirsch?

Like cables, I don't buy a car strictly on performance spec.   Spec is just 1 parameter.