why do people feel the need to buy expensive cable


I have tried expensive cables and one's moderately priced. I would say there were some differences but I can't actually say the expensive cables were better. IMHO I believe a lot of people buy expensive cables because they don't actual trust their ears and are afraid of making a mistake. They figure the expensive cables are better for the fact they cost more. If you have a difference of opinion or share the same thoughts, I would like to hear about it.
taters
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.


cleeds - I obviously don’t need your permission for anything.

At least certain statements of yours are true.
gdhal0
At least certain statements of yours are true.
Quite so. Evidently, your proclaimed interest in "mutually agreed objective testing" was fiction, or part of a ruse.