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
This is covered well at <roger-russell.com>.  Short version :
expensive speaker wires are just good marketing. Most 
copper wire is pure. Bigger wire s better due to line loss.
Keep connections tight. I use low voltage landscaping 
wire from Lowes...lots of copper and good insulation .
I have been at this since 1967 and do own stereos that
costs as much as a nice new car. I maybe wrong but
have no excuses.
   
Leads from phono cartridge are a different story. I just
use stock in SME and VPI. work fine. So does wire in old Dual
1019 come to think of it.

I recently downgraded

From:
Krell KPS-25sc
Shunyata Aries XLR interconnect
Classe CAM-350 mono amps
Audioquest speaker cables (mid-range, not expensive model)
B&W Matrix 801s2 w/Northcreek Crossovers

To:
OPPO BDP-105
MIT XLR interconnect ($500 model)
Proceed Amp2 150W
14AWG cheapo speaker wire
NHT VT1.4 speakers

What stayed the same: the room: 18’W x 24’L x 12’H, with the speakers on the 18’ wall. A nice room for two-channel audio.

When I was building the high-end system, I definitely noticed a significant improvement between the Shunyata interconnects and a few others that I tried at the time. So in that sense, I can say that cables matter. However, in my new, much cheaper system, I’m amazed at what the Proceed/NHT combo can do for under $1000 (used). I’m perfectly happy with the cheapo speaker wires and have no plan to upgrade.
Good analogy paieta. I can see both sides, but there IS both sides. To say that cables do not matter is to say that one is satisfied with compromises. Nothing at all wrong with that as long as it is acknowledged and understood.

I love listening to 60’s/70’s/80’s rock on my vintage system with Monster 12 gauge speaker wire and a Pioneer 10-band EQ. It sounds awesome. But when it comes to reproducing music with the intent of creating realism, I hold no pretenses as to its limitations.

Dave
Once I was at my dealer and we made tests with some interconnects and speaker cables of the same company we started with their cheapest one and ended with the most expensive one and the results of this test was very clear the expensive ones were much better ,the difference between the most cheap cable to the most expensive one was like a day and night.

IMO it’s  wrong to jump to a conclusion that there is no difference between cables just because a dumb dealer that clearly doesn’t have a clue what he is selling and just want to make $$$ .