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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
asvjerry's avatar
asvjerry
4,764 posts
 
Dave....proving that vampires are Really Hard to Kill...*LOL*

But I really like the 'coat hanger' idea...but only if they're solid copper, like buss bars, tinned from end to end, wrapped in the flesh of some environmentally 'non-sensitive' creature that we eat anyway...

I can see it now....Chicken WireZ.  Or, perhaps, KowKable..

(Note: Do Not show up at my doorstep with torches and pitchforks.  I am armed with neon transformers.  I will stop y'all in your tracks and gaily decorate y'all with lipstick while you twitch.  Rubber boots won't save you from looking like a Keith Harding painting gone bad.  You have been warned..)

*Evil laughter, fading into the Echoplex thumping bass line*
dlcockrum's avatar
dlcockrum
2,190 posts
 
What drugs are you on?
jetter
3,052 posts
 
+shadorne  Note he said "is going to transform their system in a significant way?" and "To me a significant way should be akin to changing your TT cartridge or speakers."
analogluvr
859 posts
 
Douglas Schroeder you need to reread the op.  He mentions trying two out of the three cables. 
Shadorne good for you for trying to bring some sanity to the discussion. And to the OP as well, kudos for posting this experience, unfortunately you can lead a horse to water but.....
As you can see the truth is very unpopular, people don't want to hear that there is no Santa Claus. 
Randy-11 I love that one!
i can just see all these cable gurus searching online for this wonderful new cable company. 
glory's avatar
glory
1,614 posts
 
When SR came out with their Apex stuff it was pushed as the "deeper higher wider 3D black blackest complete  silence holographic .... cables ever save their Galileo wire. 6 years later we are getting the same marketing BS with wider deeper higher etc... 

how much wider deeper higher 3-D holographic  can it get each year??? When does it stop ?? It's as if a vail was lifted bla bla bla. HF Pro cables at $20K will do it. More vail removed. 6 years from now more vail removed!! 20 years from now the same Marketing BS!! Add more magnets now $30K for one cable.

So this thread kills the golden cow!! Makes the cable guys twist $ squirm! Same old responses written 10 years ago. Nothing has changed!!!

There is a more excelllent way to bettter SQ in your audiophile  Journey than wire !!

After SR Apex I was  burnt so bad that I never wanted to hear or see them again. Deepest BS in Audio World ever!!! MPC BS!!!

But alas,  I tried one of their newer products that made me Realize wire was not the Rd to the pot of Gold. 

Honk Honk!!!!
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