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
Kraftsound, thanks for the leveling this thread dearly needed. 
One point you made re: "stability of amp dependent on the impedance of the load" has been made before and should be used in every thread on cables. Not every cable can fulfill the need when there are so many variables involved. 

Everyone should just use common sense and experiment. I've kept most of the cables I've ever bought and occasionally try them out whenever I change something in the equation (amp, speaker, tone controls, etc.) and use that as a guide.

Just a few days ago I stated, earlier in this thread, that the Zu Event mk1 speaker cables sounded the best in my system. My newish speakers gave me a Dickens of a time as the Accuton drivers are a bear to break in. I finally gave up after settling on the Zu cables and just yesterday, turned the treble boost all the way up on my Marantz and used the Ayre test CD to burn in the tweeter, cables and circuits at that setting. Now I was getting somewhere (all those variables). 
 
It resulted in a much more relaxed treble as opposed to a boosted sound. The burn in helped tremendously. Not being satisfied, I tried some Tempo Electric speaker cables I had since they worked so well when I had the Tonian Labs TL-D1s. Viola! Treble extension is even better extended and defined without any sibilance. Mids are purer and not as forward and bass is better defined with lessened rear port emphasis in the room.

The Tempo Electric cables are just plain old 9 gauge, 4 nines, soft annealed, solid silver core cables in a larger gauge teflon jacket making air the primary dielectric. The sound I'm getting is so much closer to that of the Tonians that I'm somewhat shocked. That, and the price was about $280 back when I got them.

Everything is system dependent and there are no shortcuts. If one is truly into this hobby, then one must be open to and explore all possible avenues available to them. 

All the best,
Nonoise

Since it's too late to edit my post, I'd like to correct the gauge of the Tempo Electric speaker wire. It's actually 14 gauge wire in a 9 gauge jacket.

All the best,
Nonoise
Ah yes.  Another thread where a cable hater tricks somebody and then goes online to brag about it.  Threads like this are a waste of time.  Nobody on either side is going to change their minds.

The actual test conducted is unclear, but it seems that the OP wanted the salesperson to listen and compare the cables, and if he could detect differences, then the OP would spend another 10 grand on cables.  Meanwhile, he lied to the person and tricked him.

If one really wants to test speaker cables, etc., all you have to do is connect the right channel with your cheapo cables and the left with the expensive stuff, then hear for yourself.  

Other issues may prevent performance levels, as mentioned above, but generally speaking the differences will present themselves.  Whether one can hear them is another thing, not all people hear or process sound waves the same.  People who can't even sing a not on key may not be trustworthy judges of sound quality.  
Haha. I think you did what a lot of us would like to do. Kudos to you. I'm still smirking.