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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
dragon_vibe
430 posts
 
5K is a joke for speaker cables.

I just posted Neotech XLR and Speaker Cables on Audiogon. The price and performance will surprise many people.

These are UPOCC Copper and Silver Cables in my opinion being in this hobby for 25 years and falling for the cable crap for many years. These are High End Audios best kept secret.
dill
2,539 posts
 
Right on the money zephyr ...
jayctoy's avatar
jayctoy
4,182 posts
 
If you don't believe 5k cable make a difference then stick with cables you have, no one will force you to buy, But before you disagree try it with your open ears and wallet...I too many yrs ago, I went to a friend house, cables total price 10k, I was shocked, my ears shut off.Many years later I came back to listen, I knew why they are expensive.The music in that room emotionally connects to the listener, it's like live...I respect to those who can't hear the difference.in time you will, when you are ready to spend.
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jetter
3,035 posts
 

jayctoy, I think there may be another side to this topic you didn't address above. Agreed that there are people who don't or can't hear any difference between any cables, regardless of price, for this topic lets forget this subgroup. But for some of us that can hear the difference, its not an all or nothing proposition. If I like the music I am playing I am going to connect with it no matter the cables I am using. It does not become an all or nothing proposition. So for us that it is only an incremental improvement, and not a matter of "emotionally connects" or not, $5K seems a bit off the wall.

That said, if I was rolling in green and had my kids set up pretty and I easily afforded a megabucks system I wouldn't think twice about it. But only if.

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