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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
mtrot
804 posts
 
@almarg
Thanks for injecting a bolus of reason into this thread! 

The basic premise of the cable deniers here seems to be well summed up by shadorne:

"Surely the wishful thinking is on the part of any person believing that a mere piece of copper wire (even some wire costing a ridiculous $5000) is going to transform their system in a SIGNIFICANT way?"

Well, for one thing, it seems to me that shadorne and other take it upon themselves to presume to know what is "significant" for others.  Well, who are they to know what is significant to someone else?  Who are they to presume to know the acuity of another's hearing, and how their brain perceives sound?

Also, in speaker cables, we are dealing with an analog signal, not 1s and 0s, as with digital signals.  We're told that, with digital, the device on the other end of the cable either gets the digits and decodes them, or it doesn't.   But the situation is totally different with speaker cables.  Actually, it seems absurd to me to think that cables constructed of widely differing materials and physical designs would sound alike at all.

So, back to "significance".  If a person is willing to purchase pricey cables in order to obtain an additional 5% of realistic presentation of the system's signal, why can't some people just accept that they can indeed hear a slight difference and that the product is worth it to them?
tbg
5,263 posts
 
I agree with Goeffkait that bind tests have very limited value, but for the primary reason that they don't correspond to listening and therefore are invalid.

if I are merely hidden for your knowing what components are being used and you get to listen for a reasonable time to a known cut, one should get something out of them.

But a 30 second same/different task is useless as we don't listen like that when listening to music. I have been involved in such listening test of 30 seconds where after afterwards I listed for more extended time and always picked one unit as best. If you don't hear a difference between two components don't buy either. If you hear your piece sounding better, keep it. Screw anyone else opinion unless you have much prior experience they hear as you do.

How do you get confidence with so few audiophiles and dealers? THis is a major problem. I have many friends even in other countries that often give valid advice to me. But forget double blind 30, same/different tests and try to ignore bells and whistles.

But I do agree with him that many factors matter. No cytogenetic treatment, however. TEsla coil treatment is far superior.
geoch's avatar
geoch
354 posts
 
monster patience

when enough ... is not enough

let's go fishing
knghifi
1,668 posts
 
I have decade old 1st generation Monster speaker cables in my basement.   Several years ago out of curiosity I installed them in my system.   Didn't take 30 seconds but immediately noticed collapsed soundstage, 2D (Bo, were you using Monster cables??), fuzzy, lack extension ... and NO bass.

Like I said earlier, OP is just a TROLL.  No way with Wilson Alexia, McIntosh ... and can't hear a difference between cables.
tbg
5,263 posts
 
I agree with Goeffkait that bind tests have very limited value, but for the primary reason that they don't correspond to listening and therefore are invalid.

if I are merely hidden for your knowing what components are being used and you get to listen for a reasonable time to a known cut, one should get something out of them.

But a 30 second same/different task is useless as we don't listen like that when listening to music. I have been involved in such listening test of 30 seconds where after afterwards I listed for more extended time and always picked one unit as best. If you don't hear a difference between two components don't buy either. If you hear your piece sounding better, keep it. Screw anyone else opinion unless you have much prior experience they hear as you do.

How do you get confidence with so few audiophiles and dealers? THis is a major problem. I have many friends even in other countries that often give valid advice to me. But forget double blind 30, same/different tests and try to ignore bells and whistles.

But I do agree with him that many factors matter. No cytogenetic treatment, however. TEsla coil treatment is far superior.
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