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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
chrisr's avatar
chrisr
543 posts
 
I am a mid fi guy and i hear the difference between two sets of same brand/model cables but assembled by different guys.  So hifi guys, keep it quiet.
dill
2,525 posts
 
Randy said: " my Audio Research and Magnepan gear doesn’t care about interconnects (or even the cables to the speakers; nor did my Sonic frontiers"

They shouldn't care, they are unsophisticated machines, humans use these as a tool along with good cables to make music sound better to them. Some of us implement and understand that, some choose not too.
audioman58's avatar
audioman58
4,135 posts
 
I donot find this true for every cable. I owned a Stereo store,not all cables dound the same for many reasons .we too did tests where each cable had a nylon shieth 
Over it. Myself evrn recently tried to get away cheap with a awg 11 from parts connection I put my own copper over gold ends  .the Neotech  wires where clearer soundjng with better resolution.  I had blue jeans speaker wire ,and interconnects 
Conaire a aufioquest colorado which the AQ CABLES  shielding, or purity of metals used had better detail  and a bigger soundstsge. 
All cables have different   inductance , resistance, Capacitance, these 3 things
Directly effect the outcome through the speakers .there to in your speakers 
Xovers the quality of that directly effects the clarity and detail of the performance.
All too often you get less expensive Solen capacitors  sand cast resistors and sledge hammer inductors just to save money, out of sight out of mind .
The ear is a very sensitive instrument I have upgraded many Xovers and higher end parts such as capacitors from top of the land Copper foil Teflon caps 
To evrn use cheap electrolytic in thd signal path.  The better speakers like Magico 
Marten , B&W use Mundorf, capacitors and resistors,inductors with Xovers  premium parts most certainly matter.any quality speaker builder will attest yo this, the drivers included with all the different choices is another topic to 
Discuss. This is why your equipment power supplies rectifiers transformers 
All electronics will sound different through certain cables because of all thjngs mentioned .every different cable design will have a different sonic attribute in 
Different amplifiers ,and preamplifiers. There is Allways exceptions to thensure rule.if someone buys a $500 interconnect and 1,000  speaker cable. If they feel 
It makes theIR system sound better then buy it .that us why Audiophiles have 
So many opinions .just enjoy your music !!
dynaquest4's avatar
dynaquest4
445 posts
 
Audioman58: need to proof your posts, dude.... painful to read.
zephyr24069's avatar
Ag insider logo xs@2x
zephyr24069
1,243 posts
 
"Just enjoy the music..." 

I could not agree more...this thread continues to amaze as there will never be a conclusion that everyone is happy about or a single point of view that is agreed to. Price does not mean one has a better (or worse) audio system. That goes for components and speakers as well as cables.  I have a good friend across town that paid $500 for a $1000+ used tube integrated amp that SOUNDS AMAZING and a system around it that sounds great regardless of price.
I honestly go home to my system and still enjoy it after but this and a couple of other systems I've heard that were intelligently assembled and sound great for far less money keep me awake at night (so to speak).... The price does not make it (or him) "mid-fi" nor does what I have into my current and recent-past systems make those systems (or me) "high-fi".   What rubbish :-) ...

There are a lot of great posts here on both sides of the fence with many great points of view including those on legitimacy of testing whether money is spent or when it's not and it's a pure test, and many other things to think about. There are also the posts that are blatantly fish bait and inflammatory.

I think I said it before but in any case, I'll say it now; everyone who thinks zipwire sounds the same as ANY other cable from $100 to much higher price, keep buying the zipwire and enjoy it and stop bashing those (of us) who can hear differences in cables....anyone who hears difference in cables at any level (and I do mean any level) buy what sounds good in your systems and continue to enjoy it!

Somebody delete this thread please and put us all out of our misery <LOL>!!!

Have a great day everyone!


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