2. cables
  3. 181727-20253

Are cables additive or subtractive?

There’s lots of debates here about the effectiveness of cables. Let’s please keep that elsewhere so we can have a DIFFERENT discussion about cables.

Let’s assume for argument’s sake that yes, cables make a difference and that it’s worth paying for that difference.

Lets assume that is true, then lets ask the question:

  • Do cables ADD or SUBTRACT from the signal?

Again, for this thread, assume cables change something audible.

What do you think and what are your experiences?

Also, let's try to avoid sweeping generalities and try to focus on what happens along this axis:  Subtraction or addition.

erik_squires
erik_squires OP
16,917 posts
 

I should also say this, I've wondered if sometimes a maker's mid-range cables weren't deliberately made to be darker?  Like I've felt that they make low and mid-range cables to demonstrate an obvious difference, but only because the high end cables didn't totally suck?

jtcf's avatar
jtcf
1,620 posts
 

I should also say this, I've wondered if sometimes a maker's mid-range cables weren't deliberately made to be darker?  Like I've felt that they make low and mid-range cables to demonstrate an obvious difference, but only because the high end cables didn't totally suck?

Not for evil intent necessarily. The darker cables can be a godsend for a too bright component. Nothing wrong with getting a little help until one is ready to make an upgrade.

antigrunge2
1,485 posts
 

@jtcf 

Might as well hang a sock over your tweeter. Cables as tone control? So NOT!

mceljo
1,357 posts
 

Another way to ask the original questions is:

How can a cable add anything to the electrical signal?

The scientifically perfect cable would pass the signal unaltered.

Every cable changes the signal.

Here's an over simplified example:

If cable A has a better high end than cable B then either cable B is rolling off the highs (subtractive) in comparison OR cable A is rolling off the lows (subtractive) making the highs more prominent in the overall sound.

felixa
34 posts
 

Cables are both additive and subtractive. Additive in that as a piece of wire it act as an antenna and pick up noise and add it to the signal chain. Cables are also subtractive because they have a resistance. The fact that resistance is different for different frequencies cables act as tone device. The dielectric material being polarized back and forth as the signal varies tend to dull or smear the sound, that could be also considered to be additive.

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