2. cables
  3. 127600-2130

Who thinks $5K speaker cable really better than generic 14AWG cable?

I recently ordered high end speaker, power amp, and preamp to be installed in couple more weeks. So the next search are interconnect and speaker cable. After challenging the dealer and 3 of my so called audiophile friends, I think the only reason I would buy expensive cable is for its appearance to match with the high end gears but not for sound performance. I personally found out that $5K cable vs $10 cable are no difference, at least not to our ears. Prior to this, I was totally believe that cable makes a difference but not after this and reading few articles online.

Here is how I found out.

After the purchase of my system, I went to another dealer to ask for cable opinion (because the original dealer doesn't carry the brand I want) and once I told him my gears, he suggested me the high end expensive cable ranging from $5 - 10K pair, depending on length. He also suggested the minimum length must be 8-12ft. If longer than 12ft, I should upgrade to even more expensive series. So I challenged him that if he can show me the difference, I would purchase all 7 AQ Redwood cables from him.

It's a blind test and I would connect 3 different cables - 1 is the Audioquest Redwood, 1 is Cardas Audio Clear, and 1 my own generic 14AWG about 7ft. Same gears, same source, same song..... he started saying the first cable sound much better, wide, deep, bla...bla...bla......and second is decently good...bla...bla...bla.. and the last one sounded crappy and bla...bla...bla... BUT THE REALITY, I NEVER CHANGED THE CABLE, its the same 14AWG cable. I didn't disclosed and move on to second test. I told him I connected audioquest redwood but actually 14AWG and he started to praise the sound quality and next one I am connected the 14awg but actually is Redwood and he started to give negative comment. WOW!!!! Just blew me right off.

I did the same test with 3 of my audiophile friends and they all have difference inputs but no one really got it right. Especially the part where I use same generic 14awg cable and they all start to give different feedback!!!

SO WHAT DO YOU ALL THINK? OR I AM THE LAST PERSON TO FIND OUT THAT EXPENSIVE CABLE JUST A RIP OFF?
sautan904
uberwaltz's avatar
uberwaltz
13,381 posts
 
Some of this boils down to purely financial sensible choices.
NOBODY is going to spend 5k on speaker cables for 4k speakers....at least I hope not!
I feel the whole question can be a little irrelevant until you are at a mega bucks system level to start with.
I know I am never even going to contemplate spending close to or more on cables than components period!
So to even be in a situation to consider 5k cables I would probably need to have spent at least 30 to 40k on speakers....and I very much doubt that will happen in my lifetime.
Obviously not saying they  MIGHT not make a big difference, just that I fear I will never find out.....
tls49's avatar
tls49
1,351 posts
 

Well over 400 responses to an original post that was bogus!!

Definitely proves a comment I made early in the thread.

"It has been said, put 10 audiophiles in a room to discuss cables and they will emerge with at least 11 different theories. Now I’m thinking they will never leave the room!!"

It’s OK with me, if you’re having fun go for a 1000!!

uberwaltz's avatar
uberwaltz
13,381 posts
 
Does it truly matter if it was a bogus original post?
There have been some interesting comments and points made all the same.
And of course you are going to get 50 different ways to paint black! No two peoples ears are the same and audio is a very perception based science, if you can use that word. No two people are ever going to hear the same thing and more than likely will each have their own viewpoint as to who is right, thats human nature. 
crazyeddy's avatar
crazyeddy
381 posts
 
@shadorne  In regards to your last post on this thread about the cable for the Boulder amp I have a theory. It is  much broader in scope than just Boulder. I suspect that from a manufacturers point of view, any product that they are selling, regardless of price point, will be purchased by a very diverse clientele, that have vastly differing opinions as to which cable is "best" for them (this thread is proof of that). The customer will quite probably want a cable of their own preference, especially in higher end gear, for the product being purchased, and will quite possibly discard the generic cable supplied from the product manufacturer. So the device is sold with a cable that is, in a manner of speaking, inexpensive to manufacture, and "disposable" This is my take on the matter. I'm just guessing, but it seems sound to me. No pun intended :)
shadorne's avatar
Ag insider logo xs@2x
shadorne
7,467 posts
 
@crazyeddy.

I think it is more likely that the best amplifier designers know that there are limits to technology and also human hearing. At some point extra costly aesthetics and marketing become much more important than measurable improvements in sound.

From a marketing perspective, it would be foolish for an amplifier manufacturer to criticize the highly lucrative business of high end cable accessories that their dealers and retailers enjoy. Margins on cables/cords are in the thousands of percent and picking a fight over the usefulness or not of cable jewellery would bite the hand that feeds of the retailers...

That said, Bryston has been quite honest about the benefits of power cords. As a well established pro highish end brand they don’t seem to endorse the idea that you need special power cords for their amps.
More to discover