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
The idea that a manufacturer can "choose" to sell $5/ft(their cost) cable for $750/ft shows a complete ignorance of basic economics.  Also ignorance of the expense of exotic cable designs, and the cost of high purity silver, now that I think of it.   I was going to dig up some links to educate in these areas, but I realize that where dogma is concerned, logic and education can not help.  


Yea, it seems like dynaquest is playing fast and loose with his "alternative facts".
does silver make the cable sound better?

or just enhance your expectation bias?


If you think that more expensive cables don’t represent a good value, then don’t buy them! Why the crusader-like fervor ridiculing the choices of others that feel and act differently regarding how they choose to participate in this HOBBY?

Some of these posts fall only slightly short of suggesting that the sale of hi-end cables should be outlawed. Really? Why? On what basis? C’mon folks, that is a complete loss of perspective.

How do others’ buying decisions affect you? Are they buying these cables with government subsidies paid for by your taxes? Are they stealing from you to pay for them? Are these expensive cables polluting the environment compared to cheaper ones? Are your children being exposed to life-threatening addictions by hi-end cable manufacturers? Are your constitutional rights being violated by manufacturers and buyers of expensive cables? Are your lives or way-of-life being threatened by the hi-end cable marketplace? Do expensive cables kill you? Can they readily be used to kill you?

Please step back from this thread, take a deep breath, and think this over for a while.

Dave
213runnin says: "The idea that a manufacturer can "choose" to sell $5/ft(their cost) cable for $750/ft shows a complete ignorance of basic economics."

The above statement demonstrates a complete ignorance of the reality of high end cable/IC/wire marketing and sales.  Though the numbers are estimates, the concept is real.  If these over priced audio products were under the perview of the FDA or the FCC, they would be under investigation by the government...but they physically harm no one and generally only take advantage of the those with money to waste, little understanding of science and no interest in research.  I'm not too concerned about those that are duped into giving money away, but it does bother me that these manufacturers get away with hawking this 21st century snake oil equivalent.