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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
 
To be more specific here’s the blurb from Elite Motoring, where I get my stuff. These sleeves look good! 

”Carbon Fiber Fabric Sleeve 1.5"/38.10mm Diameter 3k Aerospace 8.3oz 281gsm. This Fabric is Aerospace Grade. This fabric is woven into a tube/sleeve so you can easily make straight or curved pipes with no seams. These sleeves will expand in diameter if the ends are pushed together and also will decrease in diameter if pulled from both ends. This 1.5"/38.1 mm Diameter sleeve will have estimated range of 0.6"-1.75"(15.24mm-44.45mm) Diameter. This sleeving has a tow size of 3k which will yield a lighter and easier to work with fabric. Thickness is 0.013"/0.33mm. These carbon sleeves have a 34Msi Modulus stiffness with a 640ksi Tensile strength. .022 lbs. per foot.”

- your humble scribe


clearthink
1,421 posts
 


dynaquest4"Well...you know when you pause a CD or up-cue the tonearm on a record and then turn the volume way up? That hiss and other interfering noise that you don't hear at all....it fixes that."
This is an apparent effort at what the contributor presumably believes is a humorous post but all it really is in effect is another snide remark towards those who know more than him and even more importantly have actually conducted thorough, hand's on, scientific exploration into the very nature of carbon fiber including its properties and applications in Music Reproduction Systems. What this carefully conducted research reveals is just as expressly claimed here regarding its inherent abilities to reject substantial quantities of RFI and EMI which have been empirically shown to have a deleterious effect on  Music Reproduction Systems. Those who postulate to the contrary from the comfort of their sofa should consider avoiding making their statements as though they are revelations of fact and instead endeavor to express their opinions while making clear they are only opinions and avoid the belittling of those who are embedded in research.
czarivey
5,946 posts
 
I believe you can get better quality wires $50 or lower from bulk suppliers to outperform $5k cable made from same stuff only with more advertisement and brain wash. A little homework instead of reading pointlessly reviews will save you week or month worth of income. 
geoffkait's avatar
geoffkait
23,365 posts
 
Dude, you’re following the wrong, you know....

🐑
flashbazbo's avatar
flashbazbo
12 posts
 
Less talk the science a bit. If you are passing high current to your speakers you need the wire to have the capacity. This means lower gauge, braided. Yes if you try telephone wire, you will limit the current and is going to sound like crap, filtered. Current travels on the wire surface, that’s why you want to use branded, it has more surface area for the same gauge. Go with fatter wire ( lower gauge).  I bought 10 awg braided copper speaker wire for $1/ foot at Lowe’s on a 100 foot spool.  It will carry considerable more current than 14 gauge, thus less limiting than 14 gauge.  I did try a comparison with borrowed high price specialty speaker cables and found no difference.  You will find that the recording industry does not buy in to the boutique speaker cable fad.  The limiting point on your cables will be the connects, so the argument to not use banana plugs is real, they offer very poor high current pass. Spade plugs are better, or copper wire through the binding posts, tight. 
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