why do people feel the need to buy expensive cable

cleeds - Please feel free to correct me. My understanding is that you've proposed testing the audibility of wire directionality, but whenever anyone expresses interest in such a test, you direct the conversation offline. What part of that do I have wrong?

The part you have wrong is that I'm *NOT* proposing testing the audibility of wire directionality. I'm proposing *YOUR ABILITY TO HEAR IT* with the naked ear using mutually agreed objective testing. You know, like Amy and Bob.

"Hearing" is something that can only be accomplished offline, true?

Consider yourself "corrected".

geoffkait - Just as there was something wrong with the programming of the HAL 9000 computer.....

Point well taken Geoff. And yes, the avatar is that of the HAL 9000. I never said, implied, or wrote there isn't anything "wrong" with me  though. In fact, if you search the forum, you can easily find that I've stated "I’m proud to be in the minority". But among the things I know are "right", are the inability for humans to do the impossible. And the impossible includes hearing a difference when ordinary speaker wire is reversed. 

gdhal

I'm *NOT* proposing testing the audibility of wire directionality.  I'm proposing *YOUR ABILITY TO HEAR IT* with the naked ear using mutually agreed objective testing ..."Hearing" is something that can only be accomplished offline, true?

It sounds like we're talking about the same thing here, so let's discuss what would constitute a valid objective test. There's no reason to discuss that in secret, is there?

I'm not sure what you mean by "the naked ear." Is that supposed to be amusing, or do you mean you'd not allow use of headphones for your listening test? Using headphones in tests such as this can eliminate some variables and be very useful, and would certainly be my preference here.

As for the test itself - perhaps that's something that could be done in public, such as at a dealer, or audio society meeting. We could resolve those details later, after we've designed the test first.

Meanwhile, I hope you find a way to fix that CAPS LOCK key..

 

^ Headphones would be fine. I've previously posted my test scenario. That was rejected for invalid reasons. Nevertheless, I asked for *YOUR* (caps lock must still be broken) test, and that too was rejected as being to much to ask. In any case cleeds, *YOU* (there goes that nasty caps lock key again) cannot hear a difference when ordinary speaker wire is reversed.

Besides, I already gave you my permission to spend whatever you like on cables. After further review, I neglected (unintentionally mind you) to give you my permission to reverse your cables. I am hereby giving you my permission - although not my blessing - to reverse your cables.

gdhal0

^ Headphones would be fine. I’ve previously posted my test scenario. That was rejected for invalid reasons.

As I recall, you suggested having a friend disconnect and reconnect the cables while changing the cable’s direction. That kind of test has two flaws for our purpose here: It’s not double-blind, and it doesn’t allow for quick switching between the two orientations. It just wouldn't be an objective test.

While I think abx tests using an abx comparator have potential flaws and aren’t always useful for detecting differences in audio equipment, they do address the need for double-blind and quick switching. Would you consider that kind of test?

In any case cleeds, *YOU* (there goes that nasty caps lock key again) cannot hear a difference when ordinary speaker wire is reversed.

I don’t know if that’s true, or not. Isn’t that the purpose of the test?
And what do you mean by "ordinary speaker wire?" Zip chord?

You also didn’t answer whether you’d be willing to conduct the test in public, such as at a dealer or audio society meeting.

I already gave you my permission to spend whatever you like on cables.

I’m not sure what your point is there. I obviously don’t need your permission for anything.