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
analogluvr-They pay $5K for cable because they love the taste of snake oil. And it comes in three different flavors, copper cinnamon, silver peppermint and six-nines orange.
@ jperry:  your buying something that may be "beyond my reach" is evidence that you have more resources than I do.  It has nothing to do with whether the purchase is a stupid waste of money or not.

I priced out some Nordost Odin cables for my stereo system at one point and I don't think it included power cords.  The price was $137,000.00.  That's well "beyond my reach."  Thank goodness.  I'd hate to have that purchase on my permanent record when I reached the Pearly Gates.


Checked out the Sonobond welder online. Reading a number of reviews, it appears their Ultrasonic welder is the best in the U.S.. The machine uses a patented cold weld technology. It wouldn't surprise me at all that MIT, Kimber and all the top high end cable companies are using the Sonobond Ultrasonic cold welder. There's a video on Youtube showing how the welder works.