2. cables
  3. 134438-1252

Thinking out of the box here. It might make some defensive

I was thinking, that all the different wire constructions and purities is pointless if they are tied to a connecter. How can the signal carry the purist signal when it has to be compromised by the mercy of a connecter. Why not make a solid wire out of the connecter and use the bare wire for the connecter? Same end result. I’m not an engineer but it seems to me it would sound the same. Right? The end product is only as good as its weakest link. I’m beginning to think speaker cables are too over rated . I switched out my $1500 cables for some 10 gauge $20 copper wire with bare ends and I will say if there was any difference it was slight. I do know my amp doesn’t clip like it used too. And music is louder and more dynamic. I tried some 12 gauge and couldn’t tell any difference from the 10. And yes all the cable lengths were 8 foot. If you want the purist signal then you would have to take the wire and run it right through the speaker and bypass the terminals. So my question to the electrical educated members here is how can the signal arrive intact if it has to be transmitted through a connecter and then to the speaker terminals. It makes me think speaker wire is not all that important. I’m just saying. I don’t mean to be starting a war here.
128x128blueranger
lwal22's avatar
lwal22
76 posts
 
no doubt other variables come into play when making a change in a system, though I doubt my Birthday comes into play.
thats why a reasonable person makes a change one at a time and lives with the results for a period of time to assess it under varying conditions. 
So:  speaker wire changes made a great improvement in my system. Under months of observation. 
Oh and they burned in over time.... yes the sound changes as manufacturing stresses and materials such as dielectrics settle down.  
Preconcieved denials will prevent hearing these things I suppose, but the observations of so many audiophiles over so many years cannot be ignored. 
My father is a respected electrical engineer, odd how he disagrees so vehemently with those who look only to one or two electrical parameters to describe such complex interactions. 
dill
2,542 posts
 
" I have never owned expensive cable, but both myself and other electrical engineers believe that cable type/gauge/weave is pretty insignificant."

If only to believe ... ;-)
geoffkait's avatar
geoffkait
23,365 posts
 
It all comes down to Signal to Noise + Distortion Ratio. This is where conductivity and purity of metals, noise (RFI/EMI/magnetic field/static electric field) rejection, anti vibration, wire directionality, minimizing losses at electrical contacts, things of that nature, come into play. I’m surprised electrical engineers don’t grasp that. Aerospace Engineers sure do. 🚀 🤡
jperry
2,454 posts
 
"I have never owned expensive cable, but both myself and other electrical engineers believe that cable type/gauge/weave is pretty insignificant." 

I have never bought a taco anywhere else but Taco Bell. Based on my review of the ingredient list from other restaurants, none of them will taste different, so I am sticking with Taco Bell. 
ozzy's avatar
ozzy
7,517 posts
 
Still, IMHO the wire itself is important.
Take for example a 9999 soft annealed silver wire and compare that to a copper wire. There is a HUGE amount of difference in sound quality!

Then perhaps try the new Cerious Technologies Matrix cables and compare them to $20 copper wire. (This cable contains silver/ copper, graphene, carbon fiber and ceramic). Much of the wire design combats rf/emi. You would be able to tell the difference in sound quality right away.

And I agree connectors are important and their elimination would be great except as noted already in this thread it would make for a cumbersome set up.

ozzy
More to discover