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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 4 responses by toddverrone

toddverrone's avatar
toddverrone
840 posts
 
@shadorne ... I don't think it's that components won't work resonably well with less pure conductors or less exotic architectures. It's the fact that many of us on here are OCD and have good hearing.. So we notice these tiny differences and then mess with what those differences offer.
I'm sure you know this. I, personally, don't have super pure copper in my cables, but having experimented with different materials and architectures has led me to believe these subtleties do make a difference. So if some say purity matters, I won't dismiss it out of hand until I experiment myself.
toddverrone's avatar
toddverrone
840 posts
 
I was a mega sceptic, but also old enough to know I should investigate for myself before I make a snap judgement. Being a cheapskate as well as a sceptic, I decided I’d make my own cables. I started with power cables and distributors, then did speaker cables and interconnects.

They all made a difference.

I’ve now tried various materials and construction techniques and have settled on the things that have sounded the best.

Before you decide, try with an open mind. I had my mind made up too. I loved the article on the bluejeans site, decrying expensive cables..

I still think some prices are straight up ridiculous, but I still pay attention to what I use to connect things..
toddverrone's avatar
toddverrone
840 posts
 
@hifiman5 spot on! So many naysayers go on and on about price, or that something is a rip off, or that marketing claims are hyperbole.. as if any of that speaks to the efficacy of the cables and their effect on a system. Tune out all that noise and just listen with an open mind...
toddverrone's avatar
toddverrone
840 posts
 
@mward - have you heard the musician who goes by your username? MWard? Lovely stuff!

+1 to your post, too. I only get into these stupid debates when someone comes in and categorically denies that cables can't possibly make any difference and their view is absolute truth. Though, in retrospect, those are probably the least fruitful people to argue with.. but my, this wall is fun to bang my head against.
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