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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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geoffkait's avatar
geoffkait
23,365 posts
 
Jea48, not sure why you asked the last question, the one about flipping solid core silver, since silver or any metal solid or stranded conductor should exhibit directionality since they are crystal structures. Which brings me to this rather disturbing situation: if copper and silver cables are directional, then aren't all wires Nd fuses directional as well? If that last statement is TRUE then we have a big problem. Mathematically, unless someone tracked the wire as it came off the spool as Crump suggests, there is a 50% probability that any wire or conductor or fuse in the system is installed backwards. This holds TRUE for any internal wiring, capacitor, resistor, crossover network, speaker wiring, transformer, inductor or fuse. If you see what I mean.
geoffkait's avatar
geoffkait
23,365 posts
 
By the way, there is probably no doubt about wire directionality being produced by the final die since cable manufacturers have been marking the wire as it comes off the spool for decades in order to be able to correctly mark the cables with ARROWS. Think of it like porcupine quills. Wouldn't it be easier to stroke a porcupine's back going in the direction of the quills instead of the opposite direction?
geoffkait's avatar
geoffkait
23,365 posts
 
Actually the differences in wire directionality have been measured. These measurements appear on the data sheets on the Hi Fi Tuning fuses web site. Also provided are differences between cryo'd and non cryo'd fuses (wire). Hel-loo!
geoffkait's avatar
geoffkait
23,365 posts
 
Al, what difference does it make if the speed of the electromagnetic wave is variable? For the purpose of argument let's say the speed vary between half the speed of light (or about ninety thousand miles per second) and say 3/4 speed of light (or about 135,000 miles per second). Are you suggesting that a difference of a foot or two in cable lengths would be audible due to difference in time it takes the signal to travel the length of the cables? Now, the dielectric material could affect the sound, but that's a different issue.
scvan
99 posts
 
I want to clarify something. I honestly believe that some people hear a difference in the directionality of cables. I just do not feel there is a scientific explanation for this. This a belief thing.
I find that the only evidence that has been submitted is evidence from people that could make money off of cables, like cable manufacturers. Of course it is always good marketing to say, "buy my product because of X Y and Z". My skepticism comes from the lack of 3rd party evidence or ABX comparisons or anything.
I disagree with Kijanki on something. I strongly believe we have the tools to measure these sorts of things. If you can't measure it directly on the cable, but hear a difference, there are certainly mics our there that are much better than my ears.
I have a a mic at work that is capable of 4hz to 100khz +/-3db. If anyone on this forum can hear that well, please call me because I want to take you around the world as a side show. We also have mics that are +/-0.5db for smaller ranges, I certainly can't hear that well, but it is easily measured.
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