The Science of Cables


It seems to me that there is too little scientific, objective evidence for why cables sound the way they do. When I see discussions on cables, physical attributes are discussed; things like shielding, gauge, material, geometry, etc. and rarely are things like resistance, impedance, inductance, capacitance, etc. Why is this? Why aren’t cables discussed in terms of physical measurements very often?

Seems to me like that would increase the customer base. I know several “objectivist” that won’t accept any of your claims unless you have measurements and blind tests. If there were measurements that correlated to what you hear, I think more people would be interested in cables. 

I know cables are often system dependent but there are still many generalizations that can be made.
128x128mkgus
They will never submit to blind tests? Wow, I didn’t see that coming! 😛
@danvignau

Science is not used to explain cables for the same reason it is not used to explain creationism.


Well as long as we are playing with the precision that the use of science implies I should note that science, in point of fact, is often used to explain creationism.
I love the "scientific" silhouette of a man sitting in Lotus position - perhaps uttering a mantra - at the Mogami Cable site. Real scientific.

Mogami will give you a religious experience, all right. You'll feel holy and clean as you consider yourself brilliant to be using such "scientific" cables. 

Does Mogami do Electrical and Mechanical Characteristics comparisons to other cable brands/models? Have the published any such comparisons? If not, why not? Wouldn't you think it would be a great advertising scheme to publish such comparisons? 

Or, maybe such things are mostly for marketing. 



http://www.mogamicable.com/additional/best_cable.php
Note also the myriad of factors Mogami says go in to a cable: 

"There is no single magic bullet for cable design. Superior design is a mix of conductor material, dielectric, conductor and shield geometry, jacket stiffness, along with fanatical dedication to manufacturing quality. Only technical expertise combined with years of experience can result in the kind of performance that transcends the ordinary."

Funny; when users of aftermarket cables appeal to such factors in sound with cables they are mocked and charts/graphs are demanded. They are called unscientific. But look, Mogami has verified the uncertainty of cable making. 

Huh, "no single magic bullet" for cable design. That from the cable that skeptics believe in. 

Let's get scientific. Measure the crap out of a cable. Precisely how much does that tell you how it will sound? Not very much, imo. Why would I say that? Because I actually USE cables in comparison. I don't let Pro marketing dictate what I do, and what cables I select.  :) 
No one ever mentions the color of the jacket. White is the best color for the sound. Think outside the box. Please, no outraged angry emails.

When you assume something you make a fool of me and Uma Thurman.