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 20 responses by jayctoy

Randy, I think nonoise, is saying if Sautan don’t hear the difference, in a simple way, so be it.just respect it.Our ears  get better as we listen....Now I own Heimdall 2, I bought it because my ears demand it,Iam sure, when Sautan hear the difference, He will buy Odin, only maybe..
Sautan with those gear you will need a descent cables at least.Good gears deserve good cables...
Bpolleti silver usually works on tubes, but stick on copper if that's what your are happy, silver are not for everyone. Like you said that's why there are many cables out there.
Wlutke putting a a musical system, you need experience, train ears, money, time to listen, it's a lot of work, stressful, my experience I have two audiophile friends, who have good ears, and very musical system, so I listen to their system a lot, they explain to me every quality their system does, it took a long time before I learn, one problem, I don't want to spend money  on good cables, and gear,true expensive give does not give you guarantee to have musical system, you have to match them until the music will connect to you, until you are in a hurry to go home so you listen to your favorite music, Iam bless to meet them 20 yrs ago.Now when one of my audiophile listen, His jaw drop, And I always thank them for mentoring me.

My wife is reading it just to laugh, she thinks we all crazyphile...she enjoy it...

Bpoletti try silver in six twist at four feet it might remove the resonance and coloration, skin effect might be eliminated, black background might improve, you never know....
Sautan , the truth expensive cables do sound better than most cheap cables, this is not hype,Nordost kimber MIT Audioquest cardas this company would have been long gone if true audiophiles can't hear the differrence, For music lovers who are happy with their $10 cables, cool. I wish I could be happy as well, but sorry Since I have the means of buying good cables that performs on my system, Iam bless with good ears as well, I enjoy music more with my revealing musical system, with good price cables, My advise to you is be happy whatever wire you use, with those expensive gear you order, you posted  here, agoners are here to share their  opinions, you can either agree or not, your gain or your loss, that's your choice, I just hope your post is true, otherwise you wasted all our time here, even though I laugh at times, I still have fun reading grannyring post...I like the oil n cotton granny on the cable, I will experiment with Kimchi....

Andrew you got it right...cables forum is the most entertaining...the arguments here is fun.
Tls49, I agree, Agoners are mostly passionate and they are willing to give the benefit of the doubt.Why I like cables forum.

Glory they make money by adding Mark I, Mark 2, Mark 3, others they changed name, but basically the same...at times...
We can agree Granny, remember wire still need speakers ,amp,cd, and preamp to hear them....

jSbach my friend did that , you are right, his ears were so different than mine, he loves bass and hated brightness, he drove me crazy, 20 yrs ago all I hear is no bass, too bright.Listen skeptics about cables, there is 30 days money back guarantee or 60 days , if you think or can't tell the improvement just return it, if you really like this hobby , you might miss something that's out there.I was skeptic too, but when I audition with open wallet and mind , then I heard the differrence , but for those who can't hear , the  ,difference one day you will.
Abeyclark I agree, my friend has 8ag kimber 7k is the price now, connected to Elac B6 $279, it's sounds crazy but that's him.. the ELac did sound $500 though.,,
If you don't believe 5k cable make a difference then stick with cables you have, no one will force you to buy, But before you disagree try it with your open ears and wallet...I too many yrs ago, I went to a friend house, cables total price 10k, I was shocked, my ears shut off.Many years later I came back to listen, I knew why they are expensive.The music in that room emotionally connects to the listener, it's like live...I respect to those who can't hear the difference.in time you will, when you are ready to spend.
Jetter I agree with you 100%, This hobby is only secondary to our daily needs, I will not spend 5k just for cables, the most I spend is $1400 used...
Nowadays technology improves my friend who has 20yrs audio experience, he bought Elac b6, integrated amp used outlaw integrated, clear day cables, old Oppo DVD with Sacd $60 worth.not even 1k but it's musically involving, I go to axpona annually so many expensive systems, they sound loud, but no music, it's not the cost but your ability and experience, Robert Harley is right.
My Norh 9.0 set up $900 I like it better than my Andra $19k new set up, because my Norh set up is more musical and it's more live sounding than my Andra....so it's not the price.

I used to think only expensive stuff, can accomplish good music, not ALWAYs true.On the audio show go to Elac room and music shows up.Andrew Jones will introduce you to real world of music with reasonable price, where mostly can afford it.

Expensive gear don't mean a thing if they don't match and produce musicality anyway....