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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
geoffkait's avatar
geoffkait
23,365 posts
 
Huh? You mean you’re not a pinboy? Whoops, my bad.

mapman's avatar
mapman
22,338 posts
 
That's OK.  I've lost count by now.
geoffkait's avatar
geoffkait
23,365 posts
 
Ouch! Very ouch!

mapman's avatar
mapman
22,338 posts
 
Hey look I may not be a pin boy, but I do think that there are certain aspects of wire construction beyond the fundamental electronic properties that affects how waves of varying frequency propagate along it much like the atmasphere affects propogation of light so that it is not always seen as white, ie as blue skies, rainbows etc.

Anecdotally, I even think I can hear differences between say minimalist DNM ICs (single solid conductor core) I use (and tend to like best) and other wires of much different form factor and construction. They have a coherent sound I do not find in large overbuilt wires.

DNM proves to me though that its a simple problem to address and does not require fancy overbuilt wires that may add some unique or exotic flavor to the sound but is not required and may even cause further harm in some cases.

Don’t you love a good anecdote?

Regarding speaker wires specifically, I tend to not care much other than I follow old school dogma that says longer runs need to be lower gauge (larger diameter).   Back when I actually sold gear I never recommended 16 gauge speaker wire to anyone.
randy-11
1,913 posts
 
yeh, not much profit on 16 ga. speaker wire

the analogy to light in the sky is way off base

aspects of wire construction beyond the fundamental electronic properties that affects how waves of varying frequency propagate exist but only affect RF frequencies

electrostatic speakers present complex impedance loads and the sound will change based on capacitance and inductance in the wires - that doesn't mean the sound is better

this does not apply to Maggies or to most electrodynamic speakers

I won't say that speaker cabling is the most injurious and fraudulent audiophile product however.  That 'crown' is shared among interconnects and various tweaks.
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