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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
ctsooner's avatar
ctsooner
2,480 posts
 
Well, since it's all subjective, the law of diminishing returns is up to each and every one of us. That means that no one can tell me or anyone else if the return is worth it.  I can promise you that everyone who's listened to my system with the WEL cables (I guess new around 8k or so) vs my Niagara (I think these are around 1700) have said there is a very large difference and it's all positive. 

I have had similar situations with my USB cables also.  For me/us it's a huge difference.  As much as changing out various DAC's.
zephyr24069's avatar
zephyr24069
1,245 posts
 
"There is a principle which is a bar against all information, which is proof against all arguments, and which cannot fail to keep a man in everlasting ignorance—that principle is contempt prior to investigation."

rja's avatar
rja
2,385 posts
 
I have no contempt for investigation and have experimented with many cables, however, this incessant bickering about cables becomes tiresome. I'm at the point where I just don't care anymore.

Read the title of this thread. If that isn't a troll what is?
Post removed 
teo_audio
2,197 posts
 
trolling of this nature is all about saying something and hoping the mirror of it will come back, and make the issuer of such missives..feel comfortable in their own skin. that the ego gets what it wants, which is to be comfortable and in charge. The body’s high level programming, responsible for the voice in the head effect, as a rolling moving awareness loop. It’s not the real mind. The real mind is far more intelligent and is in the unconscious aspects.

Said differently, very few people actually understand and live with the word ’consciousness’. Most are on a rose colored glasses version of an ego driven/filtered autopilot. As in likely...99% of the population. If not more. Not quite 100% --- but frighteningly close.

Generally, +75% of the people reading this will somehow put themselves in that 0.5% or less remainder.

Part of human psychology. Which is why Jung had it right and Freud was, in the end, an idiot. And Bernays an opportunistic roving butcher. Eating the world, like all his contacts and connections.

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