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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
douglas_schroeder
3,281 posts
 
Dana quest, great, now you should have two cables for comparison! Have at it! You should not need blind testing to compare the fact cable to throw away cable. The test is to see if you can hear a difference. Whether it's worth it is another question.  I'm looking forward to your  comparison.

I would be willing to review Atma-sphere preamp and amp with their choice of optimum cables versus  my favorites and tell about the experience, a no lose proposition for the community.  :)
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dynaquest4's avatar
dynaquest4
445 posts
 
Dumb to continue to debate the HDMI cable issue.  Other than physical durability the digital signal cannot be "made better."  I'm fairly sure most of you know (or should know) this.  My only point in bringing it up was to highlight how people can be duped into giving away money and, even more surprisingly, convince themselves there is a real (better) difference. See here:  https://www.cnet.com/news/why-all-hdmi-cables-are-the-same/
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,979 posts
 
I’ve had great luck with Amazonbasics digital wires.

Here’s the thing about Amazon. Everyone knows this company has their act together and does most things right usually sooner rather than later. Nothing Amazon brand that has been around for any extended period of time is likely to be of poor quality or a bad value. This company has its act together to an extent that is almost scary.

Does anyone realize how many first rate companies trust Amazon to host their computing resources on Amazon Web Services, the same software Amazon web site itself is built upon?

Didn't some wise man once say "put your money where it matters"?
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