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Who thinks $5K speaker cable really better than generic 14AWG cable?

I recently ordered high end speaker, power amp, and preamp to be installed in couple more weeks. So the next search are interconnect and speaker cable. After challenging the dealer and 3 of my so called audiophile friends, I think the only reason I would buy expensive cable is for its appearance to match with the high end gears but not for sound performance. I personally found out that $5K cable vs $10 cable are no difference, at least not to our ears. Prior to this, I was totally believe that cable makes a difference but not after this and reading few articles online.

Here is how I found out.

After the purchase of my system, I went to another dealer to ask for cable opinion (because the original dealer doesn't carry the brand I want) and once I told him my gears, he suggested me the high end expensive cable ranging from $5 - 10K pair, depending on length. He also suggested the minimum length must be 8-12ft. If longer than 12ft, I should upgrade to even more expensive series. So I challenged him that if he can show me the difference, I would purchase all 7 AQ Redwood cables from him.

It's a blind test and I would connect 3 different cables - 1 is the Audioquest Redwood, 1 is Cardas Audio Clear, and 1 my own generic 14AWG about 7ft. Same gears, same source, same song..... he started saying the first cable sound much better, wide, deep, bla...bla...bla......and second is decently good...bla...bla...bla.. and the last one sounded crappy and bla...bla...bla... BUT THE REALITY, I NEVER CHANGED THE CABLE, its the same 14AWG cable. I didn't disclosed and move on to second test. I told him I connected audioquest redwood but actually 14AWG and he started to praise the sound quality and next one I am connected the 14awg but actually is Redwood and he started to give negative comment. WOW!!!! Just blew me right off.

I did the same test with 3 of my audiophile friends and they all have difference inputs but no one really got it right. Especially the part where I use same generic 14awg cable and they all start to give different feedback!!!

SO WHAT DO YOU ALL THINK? OR I AM THE LAST PERSON TO FIND OUT THAT EXPENSIVE CABLE JUST A RIP OFF?
sautan904

Showing 3 responses by audioman58

audioman58's avatar
audioman58
4,306 posts
 
I donot find this true for every cable. I owned a Stereo store,not all cables dound the same for many reasons .we too did tests where each cable had a nylon shieth 
Over it. Myself evrn recently tried to get away cheap with a awg 11 from parts connection I put my own copper over gold ends  .the Neotech  wires where clearer soundjng with better resolution.  I had blue jeans speaker wire ,and interconnects 
Conaire a aufioquest colorado which the AQ CABLES  shielding, or purity of metals used had better detail  and a bigger soundstsge. 
All cables have different   inductance , resistance, Capacitance, these 3 things
Directly effect the outcome through the speakers .there to in your speakers 
Xovers the quality of that directly effects the clarity and detail of the performance.
All too often you get less expensive Solen capacitors  sand cast resistors and sledge hammer inductors just to save money, out of sight out of mind .
The ear is a very sensitive instrument I have upgraded many Xovers and higher end parts such as capacitors from top of the land Copper foil Teflon caps 
To evrn use cheap electrolytic in thd signal path.  The better speakers like Magico 
Marten , B&W use Mundorf, capacitors and resistors,inductors with Xovers  premium parts most certainly matter.any quality speaker builder will attest yo this, the drivers included with all the different choices is another topic to 
Discuss. This is why your equipment power supplies rectifiers transformers 
All electronics will sound different through certain cables because of all thjngs mentioned .every different cable design will have a different sonic attribute in 
Different amplifiers ,and preamplifiers. There is Allways exceptions to thensure rule.if someone buys a $500 interconnect and 1,000  speaker cable. If they feel 
It makes theIR system sound better then buy it .that us why Audiophiles have 
So many opinions .just enjoy your music !!
audioman58's avatar
audioman58
4,306 posts
 
I totally disagree. I have bought blue jeans cable and several high end brands 
Not all are worth  the extra Mark up.
I have found Silnote to have dome exceptional aufio cables .
And refinement, as well as nsturalness do found.
If you have any Ear st all just throwing a new cable in cold is not sound st all
The cable - circuit needs to reengergize  and stabilize,  if you just put in a new cable and play the scrappy cable bass big advantage .the scrappy cable will have minimal change,  the hood cable gets more refined .
Power cords also can make a profound improvement, but some engineers 
Say wire us wire.  Fuses are another item that is cumulative . 
Just look st metals resistance index high number the better ,silver,Copper 
High 60s, steel 8.  Bottle neck . Wire flow of electrons  their geometries 
Can and do dictate the sound,as well as types of metals ,shielding .
It can be very complicated.  All cables sound the same year may be in a cheaper 
Non resolving system but not a  quality well thought out aufio system .
I ran a audio store and ran Many experiments blind tests with several testers 
Some times ,not always their can be a profound difference . 
Just as in a Loudspeaker crossover  capacitors are not all the same quality 
Or character. Look st Humblehomemade high capacitor test . I have followed this for over 12 years very accurate . I have spent 35 plus years doing it all in Audio.
Believe what you will .dome people are do cheap they just cannot justify cables 
Can make that much of s difference. I sold s $50k system to a man who had 
600 worth of cable . I challenged him to take Th labs bedt cables home and power cords listen for a week compare yours. If it is better you buy them .he refused 
He  could not justify spending any more money . I just shook my head .
Penny wise pound foolish. 
audioman58's avatar
audioman58
4,306 posts
 
I have been in Audio for over 35 years, have owned a Audio store 
And listened to many things.  Money doesnot All ways guarantee you better sound, but system synergy does.   To even think a $10 cable can  match even a $100  cable  is way off. There is diminishing returns with $$ power cords 
But, cheap Zinc  connectors  vs Solid Copper  ,no comparison,  
Now cables proper dielectric, and design high purity Copper vs  home depot copper , for one much lower resistance alone which brings better detail, depth and 
Balance with good quality cables. Cheap  cables gritty,bright aggressive 
Not cohesive. I have done msny tests  after proper 75-100 hours or so runin..
This too applies to speaker cables, interconnects, if you can't tell the difference 
Between a well designed $1000 cable vs one of $100.  Then  you should just buy a $200 radio and call it a day for your ears are shot. Nothing more to be said      Period !!
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