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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
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cleeds
5,970 posts
 
roberjerman
Thomas Edison would have had a good laugh at the remarks of the "golden ears" crowd ...
Nonsense. Edison believed in hands-on experimentation - that was instrumental to his success. It's highly unlikely that he'd sit idly by, proselytizing theory from the comfort of an easy chair while others actually reported first-hand results. You might want to visit one of his museums sometime. It will give you some practical insight into the scientific process. Mind you, it can be a tortuous process. That's why so many of the measurementalists here avoid it like the plague. It's much easier to just preach.
geoffkait's avatar
geoffkait
23,365 posts
 
Like they teach you in boot camp, when you negotiate the live fire course on your belly through the mud and barb wire with your rifle tucked in your arms remember to keep your butt down. Otherwise...you know šŸ˜©
audioman58's avatar
audioman58
4,193 posts
 
I have been in Audio for over 35 years, have owned a Audio storeĀ 
And listened to many things.Ā  Money doesnot All ways guarantee you better sound, but system synergy does.Ā  Ā To even think a $10 cable canĀ  match even a $100Ā  cableĀ  is way off. There is diminishing returns with $$ power cordsĀ 
But, cheap ZincĀ  connectorsĀ  vs Solid CopperĀ  ,no comparison,Ā Ā 
Now cables proper dielectric, and design high purity Copper vsĀ  home depot copper , for one much lower resistance alone which brings better detail, depth andĀ 
Balance with good quality cables. CheapĀ  cables gritty,bright aggressiveĀ 
Not cohesive. I have done msny testsĀ  after proper 75-100 hours or so runin..
This too applies to speaker cables, interconnects, if you can't tell the differenceĀ 
Between a well designed $1000 cable vs one of $100.Ā  ThenĀ  you should just buy a $200 radio and call it a day for your ears are shot. Nothing more to be saidĀ  Ā  Ā  Period !!
dill
2,539 posts
 
" Nothing more to be said Period !! "
If only ... šŸ¤
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