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Directional speaker cables - switching direction

Some time ago I started a thread regarding speaker wire directionality and my inability to understand how it could have any affect on sound quality. The question was inspired by the fact that, after quite a few years using them with my Martin Logan Odysseys, I discovered that the cables (Straightwire Octave 2) had arrows printed on them. Not surprisingly the opinions expressed were pretty strong on both sides of the argument but those supporting directionality were the most vociferous and in greater numbers, one to the point of being downright insulting. In no case, though, was an explanation given by those supporting the importance of cable direction for how this phenomenon occurs except that it should be obvious that when a cable is broken in in one direction only someone with an uneducated ear would be unable to discern the difference.

Even though I still don't get it I'm not taking the position that there is no validity to the directional claim; if there truly is I just don't understand how. This leads me to my two part question. I haven't been using the Octaves for a few years but now, because of cable length issues, I want to put them back in my system partly to avoid the cost of new quality cables.

IF, then, the directionality theory IS valid and I don't recall which way the arrows originally pointed or which direction they were "broken in" do those in support of directionality think I should install them with the arrows pointing toward the speakers
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almarg
9,670 posts
 
12-23-14: Scvan
I would really be interested in the study from hi-fi tuning. Can someone point me to a link?
Here it is. My comments on it can be found in the first of my posts dated 5-14-12 in this thread.

If I recall correctly, there was a revised version of this paper that was subsequently issued by HiFi Tuning, providing measurements of some additional fuses and incorporating some minor changes. I recall stating that my comments about the first paper remained applicable to the second one, but I can't find the link offhand.

Regards,
-- Al
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audiolabyrinth
4,555 posts
 
can you imagine what would happen If tara labs claim's was false?, I do not believe they would base their entire company on the claim of 8-nines mono crystal, super annealing process and not be what they claim, ha, ha,he,he, Im sorry, I got a good laugh out of that.
scvan
99 posts
 
I must say this post is really inspiring me, maybe it is the spirit of the season.

I'm thinking of starting some website that investigates claims of various manufacturers of all types of hi-fi goods. I see too much going back and forth, which is fine. But we should all have data on our sides to make a decision. Maybe a potential site that does measurement of goods, and then measurement of those goods in a fixed system. In addition to that, outside labs can give feedback. I think I am on to something here.

I would really enjoy this and I think it would bring clarity and openness to this hobby. Hopefully it would propel things forward in the positive way.
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kijanki
4,426 posts
 
Scvan, don't forget to measure amplifiers and speakers as well, because as we all know if things measure the same they have to sound the same and when they measure better they have to sound better :)
mceljo
1,356 posts
 
Scvan - the problem with your idea is that a lot of audiophiles believe that science isn't up to measuring audio equipment. As stated in the post just prior to mine, things can measure the same and sound different. I agree that it is impossible to measure every attribute of a component, but believe that a lot of things believed by audiophiles are not significant, if true, to be audible.
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