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
How about a little bit of perspective?

If there is a difference it is minuscule in comparison with those found in loudspeakers, recordings, rooms etc

Some cables (high cost/ poor design) might alter the tonal balance.

Value for money diminishes rapidly as price goes up in audio. Ten times as fast for cables. At least.

Throwing away money in an effort to get better sound is a sign of desperation.
If we must delude ourselves, perhaps we can learn to enjoy our delusion by first laughing at ourselves.





cd318
How about a little bit of perspective?

If there is a difference it is minuscule in comparison with those found in loudspeakers, recordings, rooms etc.

>>>>Sorry, that’s an old wives tale. Oft used by newcomers and naysayers.

Some cables (high cost/ poor design) might alter the tonal balance.

>>>>>>Another old wives tale. A naysayer favorite.

Value for money diminishes rapidly as price goes up in audio. Ten times as fast for cables. At least.

>>>>>Guess what? Yup, another old wives tale. 

Throwing away money in an effort to get better sound is a sign of desperation.
If we must delude ourselves, perhaps we can learn to enjoy our delusion by first laughing at ourselves.

>>>>>When people throw money away do they really actually throw it?

How's that for some perspective? 😀





cd318: You hafta understand Geoff! He absolutely cannot be wrong....and has an uncanny ability to immediately jump on you and pick apart anything you say on this forum; and demand that you understand you cannot be right if you do not agree with him.  Therefore, participation in this forum sometimes can be a frustrating experience.
That’s right, shoot the messenger, not the message. Heaven forbid we could have a real debate on the topic. What we have here is failure to communicate and a bad sense huma to boot. 👢