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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
dynaquest4's avatar
dynaquest4
445 posts
 
Well, geoff, are you saying that cables actually and actively "change" the audio signal.  Who would want that?  Good audio equipment should neither add nor take away anything from the audio signal.  If you want to modify the sound coming from your speakers or the pressure waves reaching your ears, use EQ or modify the acoustic qualities of your listening area.

If expensive aftermarket cables, are made to approach perfection in audio transmission, wouldn't perfection be doing nothing to the signal while preventing any outside influence from changing the signal?

If you buy these as bling to please your eyes and impress your friends, then I get that.  That has value....just like a Rolex.

For cleeds: Value is a mathematical formula; to wit: Value = Quality / Price.  The only thing somewhat subjective is quality...but that still has nothing to do with your bank roll.  People with more money are just less impacted by purchasing a poor value.
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cleeds
6,012 posts
 
dynaquest4
For cleeds: Value is a mathematical formula; to wit: Value = Quality / Price.  The only thing somewhat subjective is quality...but that still has nothing to do with your bank roll.  People with more money are just less impacted by purchasing a poor value
You could not be more mistaken, and this thread proves it. Value is most definitely a subjective evaluation. To return to your car analogy, some people buy a Honda, some a Toyota; some buy a BMW, some buy an Audi. Clearly, those buyers are using different criteria to establish value, as I would expect. After all, value is very much subjective.

To return to audio: Audiophiles comprise a tiny percentage of the consumer electronics market. Why is that? It's because most consumers don't see the value in owning high-end audio equipment. That in no way diminishes the value of high-end audio to those who cherish it any more that it suggests that those not interested in high-end audio are mistaken.

You apparently don't see the value in a $5,000 audio cable, and that's fine. You're not mistaken any more than those who disagree with you are mistaken. Your refusal to understand that suggests  that others here might have been correct when they identified you as a troll.
geoffkait's avatar
geoffkait
23,365 posts
 
 
dynaquest4
Well, geoff, are you saying that cables actually and actively "change" the audio signal. Who would want that? Good audio equipment should neither add nor take away anything from the audio signal. If you want to modify the sound coming from your speakers or the pressure waves reaching your ears, use EQ or modify the acoustic qualities of your listening area.

>>>>No, I'm not saying that. Stop putting words in my mouth!


dynaquest4
If expensive aftermarket cables, are made to approach perfection in audio transmission, wouldn't perfection be doing nothing to the signal while preventing any outside influence from changing the signal?

>>>>You said it, not me. Are you answering your own questions now?






dynaquest4's avatar
dynaquest4
445 posts
 
geoff:  settle down, my friend, no one is putting words in your mouth.  I was just attempting to clarify your vague reference to the benefit of more expensive cables.

cleeds....no need for name calling;  though we had gotten past that.  If you believe my point of view is merely disruptive, I'd suggest you just refrain from answering or addressing my future posts.

Pricing/Quality/Value in marketing: "...as years and years of research have shown, pricing is a strong psychological component which can manipulate customer’s decision making. Keep the pricing high, and the customer will think that the quality must be high too. This expectation of the customer is because he wants to receive value for his money. So when he is paying more money, he is expecting more value. And you are better off giving him a high quality product."

That is my issue with expensive wiring.  High pricing gives you the expectation of high quality and therefore a good value.  Except the high priced cables do nothing to improve audio signal transmission as proven by science.  So unless it's the "look" you are after, you are purchasing a poor value.  I think I've said this three times already so no need to repeat it again after this.
folkfreak's avatar
folkfreak
1,349 posts
 
My dear @dynaquest4 may I assay an attempt to make a case for "expensive" cables while working within the logical framework you ascribe to

If we accept that fancy cables are nothing other than tone controls (I don't believe this btw) then it still may be a sensible value proposition for someone with say a $500K system to drop $5K on such a cable if they want to tailor/change the sound of their system in some way while minimizing any negative affects on other aspects of the system performance (as the introduction of an active tone control would surely do).  In that context $5K may be a very cost effective and high value way of tailoring the sound in a way you want. In fact many cable manufacturers (e.g. Synergistic with their bullets, MIT with their adjustments etc) provide tools to do just this as part of the cable design.

The audiophile with a $500K system will already have worked on the room and all the other things you discuss so a cable change is often one of the best ways of adjusting the sound if needed. Achieving the same changes via swapping the speakers or amps would cost much more, and you may well like other things the amps and speakers do just as well and not want to change them

Presumably you have no problem thinking that their are differences between different $100K speakers and that audiophiles may have a preference for one over another -- why not allow us to see value in doing the same with cables as well

Finally if you accept this logic then it works in reverse -- you could just as well select the cables first and then build the mix of active components around them to suit ... 😏
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