The Physics of Electricity

Mostly everything I hear can be measured. I think we need to try to come up with a way of interpreting these measurements, or new ways of measuring, but that is easier said than done.

Sometimes these cables can measure differently in and out of systems.

A cable carrying a lower level signal will usually be easier to identify the difference. Also, a longer length may show more of an audible difference.

Those throw away cables that come with some equipment usually deserve that description.

I've had cables that were over a hundred dollars that made noise just moving them. I'm guessing music vibrated those wires, and added some bad audible characteristics. Some throw away cables did it so bad, I did through those away for sure.

Anyone who has heard those early commonly used speaker cables that were 22 to 24 gauge wire can see why there are good and bad cables, that can make a difference. If you could get a 20 to 30 foot length of this stuff, Try it. You may be surprised how bad something can be, even if cables now sound the same to you. Cheap 12 gauge sounds so much better, it's unreal. So that shows it does exist.

Glass Audio, or Audio Express I believe, was the one who measured new cables (some years back) for a big box stores in house brand, and they had a lot of distortion. They looked good though, and I wouldn't want them in my system, even though they looked nice.

Now comes the 100 dollar, vs. 1000 cables. I'm usually satisfied with cables that cost a lot less than thousands. This is where I find than something else in the system will give you more in return. Or buy a second system for a bedroom, or somewhere else in your home.

Trebejo, Jim Thiel had a degree in physics, and though I can't say for sure that he actually spent money on magic cables, he did have some prefered cables that he would diplomatically recommend for use with his speakers.

So Elizabeth, you've deemed that this is either a Troll, or at least a trollish question.

It seems fairly reasonable and honest question to me. Can YOU explain in common parlance or techniocal terms the difference" - or is it just easier to use it as an excuse to attack the OP.

Why not just say as you've done before the (sniff) "apparently your ears or your equipment can't tell the difference so good for you" (sniff) response.

Just because you see a need to respond to every thread doesn't make your opinion any better than anyone else's - just FYI.

Anyway - to the OP - cables are made out of all different materials, in varying quantities and qualities, using various methods of combining them. Everyone claims they're better than others, and have found some semblence of the Holy Grail.

Is there a difference in sound - yes; is it major - not really; do some components sound better with some brands than others - yes; is there hype, bullshit, smoke and mirrors involved - yes; can you get "great" performance for "good" money: yes.

And don't be afraid to ask reasonable questions, even if the self-anointed feel it necessary to provide self indulgent opinions.

Snofu3 - It is not a need to answer every question, on my part as well, but rather irritation that OP asked a question that was beaten to a pulp on this forum. Any attempt to search in archives would reveal it. Yes, it is trollish question.

So you see the need to reply to a question that's been beaten to pulp rather than just pass it by.

OK, makes sense