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speaker cable prices

I read plenty of articles on the demise of high end audio and have been an enthusiast for 40 years and worked at a high end retail chain for ten years back in the 90's. I still own several systems and buy and sell gear to keep tweaking my systems. Nonetheless I'm pretty shocked at the prices of cables in particular- I look for a decent pair of speaker cables to run from a Pass amp to a good pair of speakers and can hardly find a pair of 8 ft cables for less than $1000- most are commonly 2-3k for a pair of cables. 

Is it me or is this ludicrous? 

What are people buying for an average pair of cables ? Can a pair be had for $300?
128x128cowan217
59 responses Add your response
nonoise's avatar
nonoise
10,838 posts
 
From what I've read, it's the signal that goes to the speaker that matters, so go for the direction that best facilitates that, no matter how small the discrepancy.

As for what can possibly make a cable, any cable, directional? It seems to be that all cable are drawn through a die, and that impresses the structure enough to give directionality. 

All the best,
Nonoise
td358
28 posts
 
Yea a sucker born everyday at least that's what some of these company's think. I have a good one for you go too Sonic Electronics and get their NVX XWS08120 8 gauge oxygen free silver plated wire 120 feet for 169 bucks. I am 73 and have been doing audio since the 60's.
tomic601's avatar
tomic601
12,911 posts
 
Azbrd

why not start a thread on the physics of directionality and leave this thread to affordable wire ?


ps
747 posts
 
@geoffkait
"... Wires would be wrong 50% of the time. As regards the sound. That’s why Audioquest controls directionality for all their cables including their new line of power cords. Follow?
But let me correct you on one point. It’s not electrons that don’t know the difference (at least according to you), it’s the photons. Am I loosing you?"

There will be a tragic number of audiophiles losing (not "loosing") sleep over this one.
djb32
8 posts
 
SVS Sound makes a nice speaker cable.
Post removed 
dmcarrera
2 posts
 
River Cable... The purchase comes with all relevant measurements of your specific cables tested before shipment.     www.rivercable.com
chrisr's avatar
chrisr
543 posts
 
Also crutchfield cables... you can choose from 18 to 10awg OFC, they are figure 8 in a black jacket; I know some high-end cable makers stay clear from black jacket because it deteriorates the sound, but for less than $2 a foot, it must not be all that bad.
boxer12
8,656 posts
 
Oyaide speaker cable uses PCOCC wire & is very good for the money. 
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