So you think wire conductors in cables are directional? Think again...

But hey, he's only a recording engineer working with Pink Floyd so what do they know?

 Really interesting article. Thanks for the link. 

speakermaster382 posts05-13-2021 4:58pmThe reason that some manufacturers put the arrow on the wire is because they made the wire and know which way the copper was drawn through the dies when it was manufactured the other manufacturers listen for best sound but i can understand how the sound would be better in the direction the copper was drawn out it is the best explanation i have ever heard about this.

It's just not true...especially for AC. The AC current travels in both directions. Here's an easy explanation. Next time you have a burning question for a high-end cable manufacturer, present them with this:

https://www.dummies.com/education/science/science-electronics/electronics-basics-direct-and-alternat...

It's just not true...especially for AC. The AC current travels in both directions. Here's an easy explanation.

Wrong.  AC current travels in one direction.  Look up Poynting vector.  We've been through this.  You're a bit late to the party.

The link you provided is like high-school level for those who can't get past first year college.

I've never bought into the directionality myth. Blind tests over the years indicate I cant tell the difference when the directions are reversed, no matter where the arrow is. I align the arrows just to assuage my OCD, but that's all.


The same with most cable quality. My 15' and 20' lengths of Canare 12 gauge speaker cable is indistinguishable from the 8 foot runs of Acoustic Zen Holograms I had before.

I especially found interesting in the link to the Physics Forum the idea that this myth is even more fantastic when it comes to digital signals.

Alternating current alternates, it's the energy that flows in one direction.