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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
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dynaquest4's avatar
dynaquest4
445 posts
 
Assuming that exotic cables do, in fact, cancel out or mitigate external influences that distort or otherwise modify pure audio signal transmission, it would seem that the more expensive your system, the less you would need  cables and other interconnects to assuage these issues.  But, no...it seems otherwise.  The more you spend on your system components the more you need to spend on wire to cancel out these external influences.  Interesting.

Also, one poster continues to push the theory that the more affluent you are the less spending matters.  That is BS.  Whether cables actually work or not or whether they are a good value are not has nothing to do with your bank account.  It they do nothing, they are a poor value.  Affluence does not excuse poor judgement.
roberjerman
4,319 posts
 
I used two 20ft pieces of Mogami Blue Neglex connected to my pair of KLH Nines for 25 years. Truly excellent sound and NO urge to change! The cost - $1 a foot!
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cleeds
6,012 posts
 
dynaquest4
... one poster continues to push the theory that the more affluent you are the less spending matters.  That is BS.  Whether cables actually work or not or whether they are a good value are not has nothing to do with your bank account.  It they do nothing, they are a poor value.  Affluence does not excuse poor judgement ...
You're engaging in circular reasoning here. The value of something is often a subjective determination so, yes, relative affluence could be an influencing factor.
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