2. cables
  3. 186342-457

WHY CABLES MATTER!

I have seen the argument over and over again on why cables matter and the that wire is just wire and how scientifically it’s impossible for them to make a difference. The thing that surprises me the most is that different materials are used. Different shielding is used. Different connectors are used. Different braiding methods of the cables are used. Materials are sourced from different manufacturers and put through different creative processes but I always get some guy who comes on and says. WIRE IS WIRE AND YOU ARE NOT HEARING WHAT YOU ARE HEARING? To me it’s pure arrogance to think you know more than everybody else to the point where you tell me what we are hearing through my ears and we are not smart enough to know when are minds are playing trick on us. But using all these different materials, process and shielding and creative processes don’t make a difference. I spent the last 15 years trying all the cables I could try.  Thoughts anyone?

calvinj
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cleeds
5,967 posts
 
drbarney1

... when a set of speaker cables cost $27,000 and the manufacturer misapplies physics in the marketing of the design, no credibility remains.

To which manufacturer do you refer? What model cables are you referencing, what misapplication of physics are you claiming? Without specifics, as you say, "no credibility."

hifimusicman's avatar
hifimusicman
5 posts
 

If you ask me then I will tell you that different cables absolutely do have different characteristics and do affect the sound. The problem is that those who say that this is not true are usually the ones who have not made the comparison by listening to different cables in the same system and hearing those differences for themselves. I have no idea why they would be so sure that they are right without having tested it out for themselves.

mclinnguy's avatar
mclinnguy
541 posts
 

+1 ☝

Exactly. Imagine evaluating different chefs without ever tasting the food. 

dill
2,538 posts
 

"Imagine evaluating different chefs without ever tasting the food."

- no worries, the specs. will reveal the taste ... ;-)

fleschler
2,021 posts
 

Sometimes zip cord is better than high end cables, certainly compared to the defunct High Fidelity Cables. Cables require system matching, especially interconnects. I’ve noted the vast differences between my friend GroverHuffman boutique patented power cables with a 2 hour build time (complicated EMI/RF materials and construction as well as the manipulation of the wires themselves) versus Pangea mass produced on a $1/2 million system my electronics engineer neighbor was using, refusing until he heard just one (of six in his system) fundamentally alter and greatly improve his system, for cheap ($750 6’ and bought 6 for his system).

Digital cables are causing me the biggest problem though which really they shouldn’t. Also note that some high enders have replaced their $18K speaker cable with Silversmith Fidelium cables for only $1,300. So, it is both quality and system dependent decision and takes some quality listening and one’s personal listening preferences (sound and music) to determine which cables fit best.

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