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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
strongarm
30 posts
 
I started audio in 1965 with lamp cord and with PCs that were fixed to my ARC Sp-3 line stage and Dual 75 amps all sitting on planks with cinder blocks separating them. I bought Fulton's special cable here zoo creatures reacted to alarm calls and recognized them as welding cables such as I had used in materials testing. I heard 'charged' cables and found them somewhat better. Then about four years ago I got High Fidelity CT-1s to listen to. I was shocked at what their top end sounded like. Later I heard their enhanced which had better bass, and so it went until I got their 'Pros' I had never heard such realism. Later yet I heard their 154 pound IC between my line stage and amp. The bass was utterly real.
  I am utterly happy with your decision but absolutely disagree. I know the impact of the H-Cat OS12 amp, OS-12 line stage and very low cartridge phono stage contributes. I'm happy at last.
ghasley
2,507 posts
 
I was fine with lamp cord, zip cord or simple, straightforward cables for years. Unfortunately, my wife is a huge fan of the overpriced, overhyped cables which are debated here ad nausea. I sure wish she didn't hear a difference between Transparent Audio and Radio Shack cables but she does. She wouldn't exaggerate it, she has no reason to do so! She also likes tubes better than solid state. What can I say, I love my wife and will go to great lengths to ensure her happiness, even $10,000 cables.

I have heard second or third hand that expensive cables and zip cord sound the same when someone lives in their parent's basement but I have no firsthand experience with that rumor. That might explain some of the results people have experienced through the years.

At the end of the day, listen to your music however it makes you happy and stop obsessing about your gear....and especially the gear that someone else has chosen for their own enjoyment.
uberwaltz's avatar
uberwaltz
13,381 posts
 
@ghasley 

I suspect your premise that trolls living in the basement may have some merit.
Might explain a lot.....
And yes that is tongue in cheek and to be taken in said manner......
geoffkait's avatar
geoffkait
23,365 posts
 
It seems to be getting harder and harder to distinguish the sarcastic posts from the sincere posts. Maybe if people put a smiley face or grimacing face after their posts we would be more able to tell the difference.
ghasley
2,507 posts
 
Sorry about that @geoffkait , yes, the first two paragraphs were partially sarcastic and the final paragraph straight (my wife really can hear the difference and it is the epitome of double-blind testing, she will sit down and tell me what is different without knowing if anything was changed)....enjoy yourselves, its just hifi.


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