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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
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almarg
9,670 posts
 
Regarding the possibility that audio components can be designed to be insensitive to cable differences, in the case of line-level analog interconnects Atmasphere has described the design criteria which would accomplish that. And he has offered what I consider to be compelling proof of his contention. See the first of his posts dated 3-22-2013 in this thread. Also see my follow-up question dated 3-27-2013, and his response thereto.

Unfortunately, though, it seems that for whatever reasons the designs of the majority of high end audio components do not meet one or more of those criteria. And my impression is that it is more common for pro audio equipment to do so, presumably in many cases as a consequence of the need for that equipment to be able to drive long cables.

And regarding sensitivity to speaker cable differences, as Ralph (Atmasphere) has said in a number of past threads that will be minimized, at least, if the speakers have high impedance and if the cable length is kept short (as would be facilitated by the use of monoblock amplifiers).

Regards,
-- Al
 
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dlcockrum
2,190 posts
 
Should we all decide, as shadorne has, to enclose our speakers in massive, flat wall cabinets, thus destroying any hope of time coherence, to use parametric equalizers to grossly alter the audio signal, and to consider electronic drums our audio reference, it is entirely possible that the deleterious effects of dielectric absorption (time smearing), capacitance/inductance/resistance and RF/EMI on the signal moving through our speaker cables would be inconsequential.

Dave
jsbach1685
145 posts
 
While were getting down to the nitty-gritty, let's not forget the many, many slight variations of the human ear itself, and how its shape affects how each of us perceives sound. I was listening to music the other night, and for some reason, I began to play with the ear auricle; bending it slightly forward or back. It's incredible how much the sound of music changes while doing this. The sound was much brighter when bent slightly forward, whereas the sound seemed to lose a lot of high end frequencies when bending slightly back. I'm sure this info is nothing new, but then again this is all re-hashed at one time or another. Happy Listening! 
chrshanl37
835 posts
 
Well said Al per usual.
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jafant
19,818 posts
 
You guys sure know how to crank out a laugh or two in this thread. I like how the OP bailed out and has not returned? Since the Emperor has no clothes make certain his cock is covered in the least.  Yes, pro-cabling can be used in a home Audio environment. As above, most dealers/retailers, sadly, do not know Music nor know how to set-up a system.

Interesting. Happy Listening!
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