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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
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 ... 😏
jmcgrogan2's avatar
jmcgrogan2
6,346 posts
 
sigh......these threads are like......https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zfBG0d5Oj3c
audioman58's avatar
audioman58
4,130 posts
 
I totally disagree. I have bought blue jeans cable and several high end brands 
Not all are worth  the extra Mark up.
I have found Silnote to have dome exceptional aufio cables .
And refinement, as well as nsturalness do found.
If you have any Ear st all just throwing a new cable in cold is not sound st all
The cable - circuit needs to reengergize  and stabilize,  if you just put in a new cable and play the scrappy cable bass big advantage .the scrappy cable will have minimal change,  the hood cable gets more refined .
Power cords also can make a profound improvement, but some engineers 
Say wire us wire.  Fuses are another item that is cumulative . 
Just look st metals resistance index high number the better ,silver,Copper 
High 60s, steel 8.  Bottle neck . Wire flow of electrons  their geometries 
Can and do dictate the sound,as well as types of metals ,shielding .
It can be very complicated.  All cables sound the same year may be in a cheaper 
Non resolving system but not a  quality well thought out aufio system .
I ran a audio store and ran Many experiments blind tests with several testers 
Some times ,not always their can be a profound difference . 
Just as in a Loudspeaker crossover  capacitors are not all the same quality 
Or character. Look st Humblehomemade high capacitor test . I have followed this for over 12 years very accurate . I have spent 35 plus years doing it all in Audio.
Believe what you will .dome people are do cheap they just cannot justify cables 
Can make that much of s difference. I sold s $50k system to a man who had 
600 worth of cable . I challenged him to take Th labs bedt cables home and power cords listen for a week compare yours. If it is better you buy them .he refused 
He  could not justify spending any more money . I just shook my head .
Penny wise pound foolish. 
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