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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
128x128broadstone
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.
kijanki's avatar
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.
scvan
99 posts
 
It is true that some audiophiles believe in something other than science, which is fine. However, I don't think any of the manufacturers feel that way. I'm sure they don't just stumble upon something and say "hey this sounds great" and sell it. It probably does happen that way but 99.99999% of the time it doesn't.

May some may disagree, but if it sounds different b/w two tweaks or components then the actual sound wave being generated by the speaker is different. If the sound wave is different a high-end transducer (mic) can pick that up and record it. It is that simple.

Magic doesn't exist except on stages in Vegas.

If nothing more than serving my own purpose, I think the data should exist and be available to the public.
People fret on this board about picoseconds of jitter but then ignore other data. It is all very odd to me.
kijanki's avatar
kijanki
4,426 posts
 
Scvan, even assuming that we know everything (we had no idea about existence of transient intermodulation until 70') certain things might be very difficult to measure. How do you propose to measure signal propagation speed in the cable or characteristic impedance and dielectric absorption. What about shielding? How do we test coupling characteristic of different types of electrical noise (capacitive, magnetic, electromagnetic). What frequency spectrum and what type of modulation shall we use to emulate real life conditions.

People who learned about R,L and C believe, that everything can be measured. There is a thread "Capacitor log Mundorf Silver in Oil" on Audiogon running for years (currently 2588 posts) where people discuss sound of capacitors. Would you tell them that two capacitors of the same RLC have to sound the same?

How do you propose to evaluate digital cable that in my opinion is system dependent and might even sound different in identical systems at different locations.

We don't even have clear way to measure amplifier's power and the one listed as the strongest might actually be not the loudest. Perhaps testing has some value - 20W amplifier is clearly not 200W but other than that testing IMHO is a joke. Are you, for instance, sure that 1% THD tube amplifier has to sound worse that 0.01% SS amp? Would amplifier with wider bandwidth always sound better? If anything, price or weight might be better indicators of sound quality.
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