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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
duckdownman
17 posts
 
I’ve had many different cables and get absolutely say there was a difference. It wasn’t as simply as low vs high price though. Some mega expensive cables sounded horrible and some cheap ones sounded great. Factor that in with system symmetry and the listeners ears and things can sound very different. If it sounds good to you that’s all that matters.
I can also say that I had a pair of generic solid core copper cables that I personally thought sounded great, but when I changed my amp/preamp they sounded horrible. Swapped back in my old pair of elrod silver signatures (expensive) and it was an amazing difference. 
At the end of the day try some different cables and get the one that sounds best to you, regardless if it's cheap or expensive. 

geoffkait's avatar
geoffkait
23,365 posts
 
There are plenty of reasons why folks don't hear the differences in cables. The cables are not connected in the right direction, cables are not broken in, the system is not sufficiently resolving, the listener's hearing acuity is not what he believe it to be, there are mistakes in the system (out of phase, etc.), test material in reverse polarity, system in reverse polarity, the reverse expectation bias in action. Things of that nature. 

mapman's avatar
mapman
22,333 posts
 
Or there is no or little difference to hear. Conveniently forgot that one didn't you placebo man?

randy-11
1,913 posts
 
placebo man is a good moniker for him
geoffkait's avatar
geoffkait
23,365 posts
 

mapman
Or there is no or little difference to hear. Conveniently forgot that one didn’t you placebo man?

One assumes the one about your hearing ability must have set you off, mopman. Better watch that hair trigger.

😉



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