Why Do Cables Matter?

While everything makes a difference, does that mean better? As pointed out by many here, science does suggest that Material quality and shielding makes for a better cable. It may cost hundreds of dollars to produce a cable with the properties desired to produce audiophile grade sound. What makes me scratch my head in wonder is seeing $7k power or $30k speaker wires. I suppose enough market exists among the Less than 1% crowd to keep some of these in business.

Then again, nothing new under the sun. Some of the claims thrown around remind me of the early 70's first fuel shortage. Reading about all the miracle fuel saving gadgets coming on market would lead one to think that you may need to tow a tanker to collect all the extra fuel you would be making.

At the end of the day, only so many veils can be lifted before it becomes a gadget obsession instead of a music hobby.

Why Do Cables Matter?

They don't and it isn't objectively provable that they do. The people that say "I know what I hear" or similar, are no different than people who believe a random set of stars in the sky has something to do with what happens in their lives.

Why do cables matter?

To stop signal contamination and degradation of the sound. Sure, wires in equipment are different, but then they are in cases that provide shielding.

As for claiming, they don't, and it isn't objectively provable. What utter rubbish. Test equipment is completely incapable of showing it. That's why every decent reviewer does a listening test.

If you can't hear the difference, then either your equipment or ears aren't good enough. Just because you can't hear the difference, don't belittle people who can.

Here is why / what cables matter.  #1 the connectors are secure and have contact surface that is noncorrosive.  #2, the cables are flexible and route and lay orderly without strain. #3 shielding is present and again does not make the cable stiff. #4 if one wants to code cables for visual identification or attractive looking.  #5 the obvious, current capacity.  #6 As a well dressed person that looks good commands respect, so does a cable. 

Now, some people dress over the top, some look over the top others act over the top, as we chose out friends, we chose our cables.  

I will admit the Miles Davis albums I listen to often sound better when I have a clean room and I'm dressed well and have a drink in my hand.  So, my bias is admitted.

Cardas cables for me made a huge difference so I use them throughout