2. cables
  3. 989252885

Power Cord Challenge

I've got a couple of weeks off before starting a new job. As I clearly fall into the camp of those who suspect no purely audible differences exist (except in pathologic cases of too-small cords or RFI interference), here's a challenge:

If you live in the San Jose, CA area, let's get together and put this to the test. Your system, your choice of music, I supply a stock power cord to test against your exotic. We play both cords blind (identified as A and B) for a reasonable amout of time; I then play one of the two (randomly chosen through a coin flip) for a reasonable amount of time and you identify it as either A or B. We'll do 10 trials for some statistical significance.

Given that some claim drastic and easily heard differences ("blacker background", "music is more alive", etc., etc., etc.), it should be trivial to get right and shouldn't take more than 5-10 minutes per trial. The kicker: you get 9 or 10 right and I'll give you $500! The downside: 8 or less correct and you donate $250 to the Red Cross. Hey, I'm even giving you 2 for 1 odds!

Regardless of the outcome, we post the results to this site. Any takers?

Cheers,
JHunter
jhunter

Showing 6 responses by jhunter

jhunter OP
45 posts
 
Brulee -

As it turns out, my new company is HQ'd in El Segundo so I'll be down in SoCal on occasion. I'm a bit geographically challenged (some would argue hearing challenged as well . . .) - how close is Ventura county to LAX? Maybe we could set something up on one of my trips down. I agree - it'd be fun and an education regardless of how things turn out.

Cheers -
JHunter
jhunter OP
45 posts
 
Estrnad -

I'm pretty familiar with stats and probability, although didn't spend any time formulating a null hypothesis, etc. for this case. I did a quick back of the napkin calculation and figured out that there's roughly a 1% probability of getting 9 or 10 right if just guessing. The napkin was pretty messy, though, and I might be off. I did figure that whomsoever took me up on the deal would be somebody who felt that they could hear the differences, though, so qualified (ITHO) as a "super-hearer".
jhunter OP
45 posts
 
BTW - I am a he/dude/male/whatever. Just ask my wife . . .

And the deal is serious for anyone in the area who wants to try it.

Cheers,
JHunter
jhunter OP
45 posts
 
Drubin -

This is definitely a "win-win" proposition. If people find out that they can reliably HEAR the differences in power cords, they pocket at least $500 and can shop for an even better cord. If they cannot hear the difference, then the give the Red Cross $250 (a good idea for us all, regardless of the amount) but should save much more than that in PC expenses and possibly recoup the donation by selling their current PCs.

That being said, education is a higher incentive. I just thought that it was a good way to entice folks to do some serious testing, regardless of which way the test comes out.

I'd be happy to do some informal testing if we can find a mutually agreeable time.

Cheers,
JHunter
jhunter OP
45 posts
 
Tsquared -

Your comments re: fast switching are right on. This is the only proven way to hear subtle differences. Hard to do with power cords, though it might be possible to rig up a rapid switch box.

Cheers,
JHunter
jhunter OP
45 posts
 
Looks like no takers for now, and I'm back at work next week. Tomorrow is golf, with no audio except for the "woosh" as I wiff. The offer stands for those in the San Jose area, though we may need to do some work setting up a time.

Brulee and others in SoCal - let's try to figure a date in late June/early July for some listening, as formal or informal as we like. It'll be fun in any case.

Cheers,
JHunter
More to discover