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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
aberyclark
1,355 posts
 
Good or bad, like or dislike, with respect to cable choices are individual decisions.
Therefore, the attempt to convince others that one philosophy is right or wrong is pointless.
The discussions of different experiences and sharing of opinions, articles, and technical information can be interesting but the labeling and veiled name-calling is tiresome and mostly reflects poorly on the name-caller.
I agree. If people say they hear a difference more power to them. I have heard (really minor) differences between speaker cables. Mainly the cheap ones seem to (to me) allow more "noise" vs better shielded ones. I’m quite happy with my Canare star quad speaker cables. Compared to my old Monster basic, background seems more "black" (floabt). I never noticed before until I got my ZU Omen Defs which are quite revealing. However, I have to be listening for it. If I were just at my chair doing general listening, I probably would not notice.

As far as interconnects, I’m using beldon (Blue Jean cables) and see no reason to upgrade. I’m using BJ digital cables as well.

Right now, I do not believe the weakest links in my system are cables. Once I upgrade my Amp, Dac, etc, then I may find it worth the investment.



mapman's avatar
mapman
21,846 posts
 
Shadorne maybe a dominant left or right side of the brain thing.   

Playing is is more fun. 
grannyring's avatar
grannyring
6,436 posts
 
Building gear is like a chef cooking at creating in a kitchen. Different combinations of ingredients yield different results. When I build or mod tube gear I learned this first hand. Changing out wire, caps, resistors, diodes, layout, trannys etc... all influence the end sound. The art of it is choosing the ingredients (parts) that deliver the sound one desires. All gear has a flavor, no doubt about it. How the soup tastes, the gear sounds, is a net result of both the parts chosen and design/recipe.  Use cheap spices, get a different result in the soup and in the gear. 
aberyclark
1,355 posts
 
At the end of the day, the audiophile hobby is no different than any other. The hobbyist like to tinker, modify, change on a continual basis. If you are into gardening, you may find an exotic, high priced fertilizer produces more robust flowers. Another gardener may call it snake oil. As a car nut, you may swear that the custom racing air filter brings more "pep" where as the dealer mechanic says it adds nothing. 

I have to say, if I were able to afford the much higher end gear, I would probably invest in cables of the same level. 
grannyring's avatar
grannyring
6,436 posts
 
+1 aberyclark. You pretty much summed it very nicely. 
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