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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
dynaquest4's avatar
dynaquest4
445 posts
 
dynaquest410 posts12-31-2016 7:59amAs an aside, Note that if you HAVE spent mega-bucks on interconnects or speaker cables, there is not a chance in hell that you (on this forum) would EVER change you mind that THAT purchase must have made your system sound better - even if you cannot hear it.  It is called the audio placebo effect.  If you put out the big-bucks on cables, a better sub a DAC or just about any component, once you get it installed your system WILL sound better.  

Crazy-expensive cabeling is proof positive that, on some products, if you overcharge you will sell more to the duped masses.

Some time ago, I replaced the Kimber (speaker) cables that came with a slightly used pair of B&W 803's with a 20 dollar set of Monoprice cables.  I had no way to do a "blind" A/B test but after I switched them out those 803's continued to sweetly sing...no difference that I could tell.
cerrot's avatar
cerrot
1,700 posts
 
I replaced Tara labs Rsc air one speaker cables on my bass amps, MSRP was $1,700.  Replaced with Tara Labs The One, MSRP $5,000 - they blew the crap out of the prior cables.  A deaf man could hear it. 
thebestaudio
10 posts
 
there is a number of issues to be considered when talking about cables. yes, 14AWG can be used but is it transporting all frequencies properly or is it acting as a cheap 'tone control' for an expensive system? how 'fast' are the cables as high transmission (or propagation) speed results in fast transients and high level of details. transmission speed depends on dielectric used and geometry of cables and differences can be quite significant. does your environment needs shielding - how 'noisy' it is and are there issues with static electricity, etc. some people spend hundreds or thousands of dollars on 'cable lifters' and similar gadgets instead of getting shielded cables to start with. these are just some of the issues 'good' cable manufacturers have to deal with, and this is not to say there aren't inflated prices and gimmicks in this industry. look for good science and good reviews on manufacturer's sites.

rodman99999
6,170 posts
 
So many wasted keystrokes by the Stereo Review/Julian Hirsch/Dunning-Kruger effect crew.    Any wise man should understand that human senses vary greatly in acuity, recognize their own limitations, but- NOT assume everyone else is thus limited.
rspyder
98 posts
 
Interesting discussion.  I have heard others dispute the differences between high and mid level cables, but never $5k vs $10 wire.  There are only three variables here: ears, equipment and cables.  I agree with some of the earlier comments in this thread: there are folks who don't have the ears for this hobby.  I also know from experience that some equipement is not that transparent/neutral.  Some manufacturers intentionally "voice" their gear to produce a certain sound that distinquishes and sells their brand.  I found such equipment is relatively insensitve to both cabling as well as source material since the "signature sound" of the components dominate the signal path.

Truly neutral gear, which is tranparent to source and devoid of a particular sonic signature, is very revealling of everything that is in or otherwise influences the signal path. 

In terms of cables, I had Acoustic Zen speaker cables and auditioned several brands, including Synergistic Research CTS, before settling on SR Atmosphere Level 4.  Admittedly, the differences between some SC's were less noticable than others.  However, the elevation in each of the sonic elements of sound that the Level 4 provided was very noticable.  Even the audio sceptic in our family (my wife) was quick to notice and she didn't even know I had replaced the Zen's.
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