The Cost of Cables


We all know that there have been countless posts with endless debates about cables on every audio forum available. The reason I start this post is to garner thoughts from others on the cost of cables, not necessarily whether they make a difference or not. I find the prices for cables staggering and I (me personally) do not understand where the cost comes from. Some will say R&D, ok, I can go for that to a point, but can the manufacturing of wire really cost much? (In thinking about this, the discussion could be applied to audio as a whole.)

Obviously cable companies survive because we purchase their products, I include myself. But if we quit paying these large prices, would prices fall dramatically or would they just quit making cables such as we know it and/or close their doors?
brianmgrarcom

Showing 4 responses by jeff_jones

The pride of bragging about the cost of possesions seems to be relativley common human nature. For many, spending big relieves insecurity and promotes a feeling of self worth when others see a possesion and respond to it. Also, one component of the high end of anything is that there are some individuals who enjoy shopping and buying as an activity all to itself.
I think of mega buck cables, or the desire for same, as a tax on folks who won't blind test. Some folks do seem to enjoy paying the tax however, so perhaps they are getting what they want.
"Higher octane gas is harder to burn, it requires more cylinder pressure to detonate.". This is good to know, I had thought you could light it with a match at atmospheric pressure.
How common is reverse - price psychology I wonder? Some of the motivations that drive some to the reach for huge prices seem to drive others to the reach for the exceptional values. If you split folks into three groups, high price seekers, price indifferent, high value seekers, I wonder how the percentages would come out.