Some cynics would say: authentic NBS cables are already a copy of other cables (Cardas, PAD...) and there are a few cable companies that copy NBS "legally" already (Heaven's Gate in Germany, as one example): if the counterfeit cable sounds as good as the real one, why should the end-user worry as long as they got a good deal? Here are a few other points:
1. Detecting counterfeit NBS cables is difficult for a few reasons: even within a single production run of the "classic series" there were changes in manufacturing materials and specifications. Thus the same cable within the same series often had different outer mesh sheathing (a good example of this is the change from silver to crimson red sheathing for King Serpent early on) and varying circumferences. Also, it is "easy" to manufacture a counterfeit (given the right supply chain and manufacturing know-how): the company label is especially simple to duplicate with a copy machine and attach (not exactly with "scotch tape" but with transparent cable shrink tubing).
2. However, there is one way that the authenticity of an NBS cable can be certified: the series II cables from Signature upwards (but also some early King Serpent IIs) have proprietary copper/berylium RCA connectors that are easy to identify and help to authenticate the origin of the cable (go to the NBS website or get their promo literature to see a picture of this RCA connector). Since the RCA cables with the proprietary connectors are the most expensive in the line, the problem of authentication is virtually solved for the most crucial instances (of course, the XLR, speaker. and power cables are still left as a problem). The spade connectors on NBS speaker cables are Cardas and can be identified by the Cardas shell logo very faintly embossed in the metal (of course, anyone can get these spade connectors...). Similarly, the power cables all use Hubbel plugs (no help, again...).
3. For those who claim that NBS is made from Belden wire, could you please specify exactly what cat. no. Belden wire is used in which NBS cable: I have heard this accusation many times but have never seen a detailed listing of the specific Belden wires used, which should be easy to provide if you have fully dissected the cable. I am also specifically interested in knowing IF the material of the supposed Belden wire is silver-coated copper since NBS claims their wires are made of this material layering.
4. The price margins on NBS cables are "normal" for the high-end audio industry (40% for retailer, 25% for distributor) and only a little more immoral than other high-end companies since the cost of the parts for a cable is lower than the costs for an electronic component (but then, given outsourcing and the world market, some components are very cheap to manufacture these days, and there is really no reason for the extremely high price of, for instance, Wilson Audio speakers, or Burmester CD players, to name two offenders) and of course the MFSR price is inordinately high for NBS (with some second-hand dealers charging too much as well). However, NBS offers a life-time warranty. They also do not waste money on expensive packaging and labeling.
In the end, the retail customer suffers under this situation as long as there are enough customers willing to pay normal retail price and no significant price competition between high-end cable manufacturers (PAD, AQ, MIT, Transparent, Synergistic, NBS, Cardas, Wireworld, Kimber, Fadel Art, Shunyata being the chief offenders). The used customer suffers (when he wants to honestly resell the cable later on or when the forgery is poor quality) when there is a flood of counterfeit cables on the market and the cable company is unwilling to authenticate these used cables. Even if NBS did offer this service (which is against their IMMEDIATE economic interests), what would a used customer do when he discovered that his cable was a counterfeit (with or without it sounding as good as the original)? Would he really bring charges against the salesperson (presumable a private citizen with no connection to any industry) for false advertising or fraud? How much would this cost in legal fees and what would a court award as settlement to justify the hassle of initiating legal action? What are the legal regulations concerning fraud and counterfeit manufacturing at internet auction sites?
