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

Are you saying Unicorns don't actually exist? That's a real bummer because I was think about buying one...... :~)

I read that there's one who plays for the New York Knicks.

Regards,
-- Al  :-)

A good example is wheels, not tires so much. Example: on the 2017 Mustang GT350R, the one with magnetic suspension and the incredible high revving engine, the wheels are an additional $15K over the standard GT350. Why, you ask. Because they are carbon fiber. And because that’s what they cost, retail. I'm only guessing but most likely wheels for Lamborghini and Ferarri cost even more. For reference wheels for the $3M Agera or whatever the new name is are also carbon fiber, made in house. If you’re uncomfortable paying $3M for a car, don’t worry they’re all gone.

@jmcgrogan2 - Are you saying Unicorns don't actually exist? That's a real bummer because I was think about buying one...... :~)

Happy Wednesday to All ......

clearthink's post below pretty much hits the nail on the head for these types of arguments.

The only missing piece is how some base their argument not on the amount of money spent but rather on the manufacturer's marketing/quasi-technical discussion of what the expensive item is purported to deliver vs. the reality of what the item (cable, tires, etc.) actually delivers and how it actually improves on the competition.  There doesn't seem to be much in the way of regulation or a standard for proof for items that are marketed as providing a subjective improvement - such as a cable that will expand your listening experience by lifting veils, extending frequencies, and opening up your soundstage, etc.  Each listener must decide for themselves whether the item/cable actually does those things and is worth the selling price. 

People who buy this "bling" would also put a set of $15K tires on their car if they were actually produced. 

Exactly why it is such a poor analogy, $15K tires for cars are not produced.

As cleeds noted, apparently no one wants $15,000 tires. The is how markets work. Items that have no value are not produced. Welcome to Business 101.

When using analogies, it is best to stick to items that are actually produced, when trying to compare to other items that are being produced (and sold).

Making an analogy comparing a real animal, say a horse, with a mythical animal, such as a unicorn, is simply an exercise in futility.

Speaking of animals, and products that actually DO exist. Perhaps you may want to compare cables to expensive pet gear.

http://incrediblethings.com/lists/14-ridiculously-expensive-pet-products/

Your $137K Nordost cables example seems rather frugal compared to a $1.8 million dollar dog collar.

Life.......It's all a matter of perspective.

Again what we have here so clearly is an inability for some to comprehend how anyone could spend what they feel is an excessive amount of money on something when in fact they are simply unable to do so because of their own budgets, priorities, responsibilities and choices. But for some other people a US $5,000 expense on something such as a a cable for their Music Reproduction System is a trivial expense that in no appreciable, significant or impactful way effects their monthly budget for whatever reason. Yes of course this would be an excessive expense for some but for others it is not and why this should disturb someone so much as to suggest that it is a scam or that it should not be allowed is simply a result of their own lack of understanding of the basic factors that influence luxury products in general and not just those involving  Music Reproduction Systems.

Shadorne,

How about providing an example of hyperbole used in marketing of cables? Are you making this up?

@stfoth

LOL. Yes the marketing hyperbole is often excessive and totally unjustified. This hyperbole is not unique to audio tweaks but I suspect audio tweaks (especially wires) may be right up there as the most imaginative and pseudoscientific.

Guiness beer used to be advertised as good for you. No doubt in moderate quantities it most certainly is good for you - Drs once recommended Guiness to breast feeding women to help with milk production. The advertising police (probably with backing from pharmaceuticals) have killed that advertising meme even though it is true (now a Dr can prescribe a more costly solution - hormones to aid in milk production) . The Guiness logic probably stems from the pervasive false modern belief that if something in very large quantities is bad for you then small amounts of it must necessarily be bad too...

So ironic. Truths are crushed and make believe runs rampant. We don’t have witch hunts but we have so many laughable fears that not much has changed in 200 years. Anyway I need to stop now and take my vitamin supplements...can't afford to miss that!

stfoth: Well said and I pretty much agree with everything in your post. Have I purchased things that are more "showy" than they are functional? Sure I have. Would I pay a bit more for "pretty" cables just because they looked cool? Yep...as long as I could see them. The Kimber Kables I have going to my speakers are visible and look cool...but I don’t believe they accomplish much else over basic generic cables.

jmcgrogan termed my tire analogy "ridiculous." Yet I priced out a set of Nordost Odin cables and interconnects for my stereo system and it came to $137,000.00. I think that included one of their $11,000.00 power cords (snicker). People who buy this "bling" would also put a set of $15K tires on their car if they were actually produced. Or are autophiles smarter than audiophiles?

I'll say again, those who have purchased this overpriced wire are more than welcome to do so.  Just don't confuse and misdirect newbies into thinking that this stuff actually does anything over basic wire.  Then...you become part of the scam.

That must give you the warm and fuzzies when you go to sleep at night.
Just another member of the "Save The Newbies" brigade. LOL!

The reason that you can't buy $15,000 tires for a BMW is because apparently no one wants them. That's how markets work.

@cleeds , Bingo! These ridiculous analogies show someone grasping at straws.

Seems I am (again) being called a "troll." Really? I shed name-calling in junior high.  According to some here, if you disagree with the general audiogon consensus regarding exotic cables, you are a "troll."  Seems that if you go back to the OP's original post, he was asking if $5K cables can possibly be better than generic.  I agree with the OP that if you spend more than is required to meet basic length/impedance requirements, you are wasting your money and are being scammed by companies that know they are scamming you.  I'll say again, those who have purchased this overpriced wire are more than welcome to do so.  Just don't confuse and misdirect newbies into thinking that this stuff actually does anything over basic wire.  Then...you become part of the scam.

603 conflicting and highly personal value judgement sourced totally  biased posts so far .....and counting...

This thread was destined to sink from the very start with reference to  WIKIPEDIA's definition as follows

Internet troll

In Internet slang, a troll (/ˈtroʊl/, /ˈtrɒl/) is a person who sows discord on the Internet by starting arguments or upsetting people, by posting inflammatory, extraneous, or off-topic messages in an online community (such as a newsgroup, forum, chat room, or blog) with the intent of provoking readers into an emotional response  or of otherwise disrupting normal, on-topic discussion, often for the troll's amusement.

dynaquest4

Just like there shouldn't be any such thing as $5,000 speaker cables.

Why? It's clearly what some people want. Why shouldn't they be able to buy them? To go back to your analogy:

Sorta like putting $15,000 tires on a $40,000 BMW

The reason that you can't buy $15,000 tires for a BMW is because apparently no one wants them. That's how markets work.

cleeds: Exactly!!  Just like there shouldn't be any such thing as $5,000 speaker cables.  

BMW is, though, full of scams.  For instance, when we bought my wife a new one, they (in 2014) deleted the spare tire so they could sell you pretty expensive run-flats (that you could insure for an extra $1200).  Then they want you to fill them with nitrogen...which isn't free like ambient air.

dynaquest4

Sorta like putting $15,000 tires on a $40,000 BMW.

Not exactly, right? After all, there are no such things as $15,000 tires for a BMW, correct?

Sorta like putting $15,000 tires on a $40,000 BMW...and then saying how it rides now like a Ferrari....just to justify the purchase?

Told me everything in original question except what you were connecting to! 5k speaker cable you put on 14000.00 dollar Mark Levinson amps! Sound of things, keep the generic!

For folks who care about the science of cables, there are tests that I've seen that show various cables as well as 'minimum' wires trying to pass a square wave.  Cables and cartridges have the highest mark up in the audio world (maybe some accessories are up there too), but there are audible as well as measurable differences.  I'm not an engineer as possibly some of you are, but there are plenty of reasons for cables to pass things along differently.  Some utilize plated cables, AQ uses a DBS system that reduces loading of the dielectric if I recall correctly.  All of these things can be measured and are measured.  

I personally have limits to what I will spend depending on my system.  Most of the time, it's not difficult to chose wires/cables in a system.  For those who believe in using basic wire, that's awesome and it works for you.  No reason for any of us to talk you out of it.  

I also agree with those who feel that some of the cables change the sound, but not always for the best.  I actually don't like many lines of cables and I'm against 'tuning' your system using different cables.  To me, I just get the system I love up front. I spend my money on components.  Once I like what I'm hearing, then I will chose the cables that are the most neutral and will give me the dynamics, staging and anything else I loved to begin with.  For me, the AQ and Cardas lines have been the best.  I only am using the AQ line now and like anything else, there are diminishing returns. I will say that going from the less expensive cables in the line to the ones that use DBS, I hear positive differences. That's where the point of diminishing returns comes in. When I had the Vandy Treo's, I heard positive changes all the way up the line into the mega thousands range, but for me, it was silly to spend that much when I was using an 8k speaker and a 13k integrated.  

Now I have a pair of Quatro's that cost over 15k or so I believe.  NOW, the smaller positive differences are more pronounced and I'm thinking about spending a bit more as the system is worthy of it.  Again, this is just me and my hearing.  

I have been using a basic USB cable from my server to my Ayre QX5/20 DAC.  I had a friend over and had him behind the system constantly changing the USB cable while I listened to the same passaged over and over again.  I then asked him to leave on of them in to listen to some full songs.  The cable that won out was the AQ Diamond USB cable.  It works for me as it's not too expensive in my mind.

Nice try dynaquest 14, but it is impossible for me to compromise. Just have way too much experience with music to allow that to happen.  I judge everything on it's merits. In fact I have many cheaper components I rate higher than more expensive components. Would be great if the generic cable sounded better, sadly it didn't. Bang for buck is what it's all about for me. I recommend you try the US$115 cables and highly recommend them as great bang for buck. I looked at your system, you would really need better source and much, much better speakers to do the cables justice though.

infirthemusic: As long as you knew which cables you were listening to, your ability to actually faithfully "judge" comparative performance is compromised.  But whichever ones you think sound better are the ones you should use.

Well, never tried 5K Speaker Cable and unlikely to. What I can say is I bought some 14AWG Generic OFC Cable around 3 months ago to hook up a little set of Speakers that were sitting idle.

On seeing this thread I decided to put the Generic Cable into one of my better set-ups to do a comparo. I allowed each cable around 3-4 listening days with approx. 2-4 hours listening each day used.

My findings were: My AU$80 cables allowed a better performance from Speakers than the generic. My US$115 cables provided a much better performance than the generic. My AU$130 cables a much better performance than the generic. My approx. US$200 cables a much better performance than the generic. My approx. US$600 cables a significantly better performance than the generic.

I agree on the Vandersteen speakers as anyone who has read my posts knows. I also love the AQ cables as to me, they do everything well.  They are the most neutral for my ear and pass what the electronics are passing, without adding or subtracting.  JMHO

A trolling we will go, a trolling we will go, hi ho the derry-oh, a trolling we will go.

dill.....Really?! What are you trying to accomplish here? Can’t imagine how long it took you to search, cut and paste all those snippets. I think... "Thou dost protest too much."

We would all be better served if you would stick to the subject and not to me.

dynaquest said: " Not sure you recent post accomplished anything other than taking another personal shot at me."

The AudiogoN community has many people of many beliefs, most I believe are in the "cables make a difference" category. You and others are not and that is fine. Above, you are accusing me of taking " another personal shot at me." I added a few quotes below from this thread that you made at different times. I am offended by many of your posts because of your tone and condescending attitude. You say that we are being "duped", " fleeced ", "suffering from expectation bias & placebo effect ", " preys on those with some sort of an audio quality addiction that causes them to ignore science and get sucked in by slick marketing, bright and shiny cables and other butterflies and rainbows."

I have been in this hobby for 46 years, have had hundreds of pieces of gear, owned scores of all types of cables. I experiment wilh my gear, my friend’s gear too. I have done more serious listening to music than you have and from my EXPERIENCE, amps, preamps, speakers, the parts inside and cables sound different, sometimes good, sometimes bad. Those results are obtained from actual, long term listening, noting the results and sharing them with others.

Other than rudimentary measurements that were developed scores ago and quotes from a few articles, what has been YOUR experience, regarding the sound of cables in your system?

dlcockrum’s question is spot on dynaquest; "Do you think that your trite and worn out contentions, repeated ad-nauseam, are helpful to anyone, dynaquest?"

Below are some quotes from dynaquest in this marathon thread:

1/4/17 - Think I’ve made my opinions known so I will leave this forum now. If anyone needs the final word, fire away.

... if that was only true

1/4/17 That these exist is almost laughable. That someone would have so little respect for the value of money to buy them is incomprehensible to me. That otherwise intelligent "audiophiles" would fall for the "science" that goes into these WIRES is just funny.

1/2/17 - Crazy-expensive cabeling is proof positive that, on some products, if you overcharge you will sell more to the duped masses.

3/20/16 - From recent posts, it seems like many of the responders are "in the business" of selling audio equipment; that would include relatively expensive cables/wire/interconnects. I can’t help but believe there HAS to be bias in their expressed opinions.

1/18/16 - On the other hand.... who praises the significant, if not impressive, improvements in sound quality that can be achieved by buying very expensive "high end” cables? Two groups. Those that manufacture, distribute and sell these products at a serious profit and those who were talked into drinking the Kool Aid and would NEVER fess up to being fleeced. Actually there is a third group. This group gulped the Kool Aid and are victims of the incedious audio placebo effect that causes you to hear the advertised, albeit impossible, sound quality enhancement.

1/13/17 - Well...perhaps you need to read more than the past ten posts. This thread is NOT about the audio industry nor the audio "hobby" nor audio systems; it is about the audio cabling industry that preys on those with some sort of an audio quality addiction that causes them to ignore science and get sucked in by slick marketing, bright and shiny cables and other butterflies and rainbows.

1/10/17 - Now....if you have nothing of significance to contribute to the subject ($5K expensive cables), why just just sit in the crowd and refrain from useless, personal comments.

And....I really don’t think I am being "snarky;" but feel free to take it that way if it helps you sleep.

2/7/17 - My opinion continues that if you have decent cables to begin with, any improvement in sound quality, if any (and I don’t think there will be any) is going to be so subtle that the only way you will be able to discern a difference is with an instantaneous A/B switch. Hardly any consumer has the capability to do this so improvements are more likely to be the result of expectation bias.

1/24/17 - 5. Expectation bias (placebo effect): It is absolutely amazing what the brain can imagine. Once an “improvement” (new equipment/accessories) is added to a music system, one listens – this is a physical and, of course, mental process. You cannot isolate the brain from the experience for a number of reasons, and the more that is spent, the greater the expectation for improvement. The placebo effect will always be there because the listener/big-spender knows that there has been a change. Since virtually no consumer does, or has the capability to perform, an instantaneous AB test (the only kind that are really valid) on the old/new equipment, his expectation will allow him the pleasure of experiencing superior performance – even when there is none. In almost every case, once very basic requirements are met, more expensive cables, ICs and speaker wire do nothing to improve sound quality. It is science. Wowwow, voodoo magic wire is a scam.

1/23/17 - @ dlcockrum: I may have missed your point but I doubt seriously I missed the point. That point is that before people spend hundreds or (even) thousands of dollars on pretty cables with shiney connects, that come in felt bags and wooden boxes, that they are aware of the insideous power of the subconscious that will lead their ears to justify the money they spent on accessories that are incapable of improving audio signals. That psyco-effect is real. To deny it is sophomoric.

Double blind tests have a place in medicine, at least that's what they say. They certainly have no place in audio. At least inasmuch as they actually prove anything about a device under test. 

@randy-11

I wasn't referring to a "scientific" or "mathematically significant" test result.  Music isn't math.  Music isn't science.  Music is an art and the appreciation for sonic differences are inextricably tied to the emotional reaction to music in the same way a piece of art will move one viewer and leave someone experiencing the same exact work cold and uninvolved.  A system wired with one set of interconnects could evoke an aesthetic reaction within one listener different from another listener.  My guess is that most of us have been there with this experience in our time as audiophiles.  An example for me personally is hearing the exactitude of notes reproduced by top level electrostatic transducers but being unmoved by the overall gestalt of the music in total.  I "hear" the accuracy, but the music fails to engage me emotionally. It's an intellectually informed experience rather than one of the heart and soul.  I'm always going for the latter. 

If you need the math to substantiate what your ears transmit to your heart then have at it.  Just doesn't work for me.

I'd agree if it was a dbl blind test with adequate sample size to be statistically significant.

I've never seen any for interconnects, and bet I never will.

Speaker cables can change the sound of speakers with odd impedances.

@dynaquest   Would you not agree that two listeners could do a cable listening test and agree to disagree as to which sets of cables in the same system helped to yield the best sound?  We all hear differently due if in no other way, to anatomical differences.  Add to that our personal preference for what sounds "right" and two or more listeners will differ in their sonic perceptions.

One more thing that occurs to me is the sensitivity of different people's senses.  Example...my son and I have a poorly developed sense of smell, due mostly I suspect as a matter of anatomical differences over my wife and daughter who are, relative to us, hyper smell-sensitive.  This example is, besides the profit motive, the only way to explain the panoply of speaker designs extant today.  Different designers perceive music differently and that accounts, in large part, for the incredible diversity of approches to music reproduction.  Vive la difference!

dill: You are saying the same thing "to me" that you have said before. I only restated my position on this subject because I was called out "by name" in gmcleod’s post as he was "passing through."

Also, I did not say: "Hearing a difference is moot," I said "Just hearing a difference is moot" and that within the context of the rest of my post.

Not sure you recent post accomplished anything other than taking another personal shot at me.

It is too bad, dynaquest, that your music listening enjoyment is based on rudimentary measurements that were developed scores ago. Hearing a difference is not moot, it is the whole point and YOU as the listener decides what sounds best. You say "audio placebo effect and expectation bias". I am smarter than that, realized years ago that could be a possibility, however with experience and long term listening of many different products I have learned to expect different sound from different metals and designs. Those of us that can hear a difference are rewarded with an enhanced listening environment and might even wind up spending less than you on cables. It is what it is. 

Actually, and I’ve said this before, and with science on my side, it is not that I cannot hear the difference, I do not believe there is a positive difference to be heard once basic, minimum cable requirements are met (gage/length). And even if there were a "difference" who determines whether is is "better" or "worse?" Just hearing a difference is moot. I can put my hands behind my ears and hear a difference. I can close the drapes and hear a difference. I can toe in my speakers and hear a difference. I can change the EQ and hear a difference. Some people WANT an "improvement" so badly they will do really, really (to me) dumb things. On another thread here a fellow paid $225,000 each for a couple speakers and then proceeded to change out the internal wiring . What? He researched what he thought were the best speakers on the planet and decided that the manufacturer was not smart enough to include appropriate crossover wiring? And, of course, he said the difference was stunning! Same audio placebo effect and expectation bias....that is the only science involved in expensive cables/interconnects/power cords.....and crossover wiring.

Just passing through here today (since I have one of those "expensive" cables for sale), and all I can say is: I’m not interested in converting anyone. Don't need to.
If Dynaquest cannot hear the difference, good for him. I can’t imagine who his dealer is, or how the difference can’t be heard: I can hear it even with my hearing loss.
But it’s certainly CHEAPER to NOT hear a difference, and believe me, I wish my hearing was  even poorer, too. I’d be quite a bit richer. Money-wise, but not music-wise.

dill: Great suggestion,...definitely a worthwhile test!

toddverrone: If I had your skills and was able to build cables, I would definitely have gone down that path. 

uberwaltz: I'm happy to discuss this and talk through the multiple vendors I've used with good results over the years and those I've owned or tried that did not get it done (for me alone, they are reputable and good brands, just did not wind up liking them in the long run).  As for my current prefs spanning the last 3-4 years and moving forward, check out my systems page With exception of changing clocking and AES cables as a possibility, the analog IC, speaker and power cables listed there are a brand that is a cornerstone of how my system sounds its best today.   Please drop me a message via mail here on the forum. I don't want to have this thread turn into "my list of past cables owned" as opposed to the OP's topic and have any appearance that I'm bashing vendors that I don't happen to own cables from any longer as that would not be the case at all.  

Have a great day all!

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..

One way is to insert a cable made from a different metal. If you are using copper speaker or interconnect, try a silver plated copper or solid silver cable (they don't have to be expensive). Use the same lengths and only change one pair at a time, speaker cables or interconnects. Use familiar music, match the appox. volume and be in a quiet environment.

@zephyr24069 
I guess I am still the skeptic you once were and tbh if I need to spend the equivalent of a small 3rd world countries national debt to hear that hard sought difference then I will surely remain a skeptic...lol.
Would you care to name the cables you allude to in your post at all?
I am not a skeptic by choice, just as of yet I have not been convinced on aural changes by ANY cable change I have ever made anywhere.
Whereas items like tubes, tube dampers etc I can honestly say that yes I did hear changes.

dynaquest: great response and thank you for the kind words on my post. have a great day!

zephyr24069  - While I agree with almost nothing you stated regarding expensive "high quality" cables, I found your response refreshing, polite and well written.  

Regarding the Rolex analogy; audio systems play music, watches tell time. You can dramatically improve audio quality with better, more expensive equipment (to a point).  It is almost impossible to buy a watch that tells the time more efficiently, effectively or accurately...regardless of how much you spend. The Rolex level watch is not purchased because it is a watch...it is purchased because it is jewelry.  Or, in some cases, an outlandish personal financial statement.

dill: I see your point,...ironic in part that Rolex watches are preferred don't you think?  If someone were to be of the mindset that marketing and snake oil arguments held for cables, touting the value of a watch manufacturer with the largest PR machine within a large group of hi-end competitors that appeals chiefly to ego and always has in that particular market should not be on the list! To be consistent, we should be hearing that there is no difference worth spending all that ego money on Rolex, Tag, and many other $$$ brands, etc., etc...and instead should be satisfied with garden variety Timex, Citizen, Bulova, Fossil, etc.....easily obtainable for 100 USD or less these days!

Hifiman: Well said!!!

Many of us have participated in various similar threads to this one.  The cable conundrum is an ongoing source of subject matter.

If you have listened through your system with a variety of cables and not heard a difference, then unless you have an irrational compulsion to spend your expendable income on audio affectations, be happy with what you have and enjoy your music.  For those of us who have investigated various cables of diverse metals and topologies with a variety of dielectrics and connectors and have heard differences meaningful to us...yippee for us, or in the case of preferring a high priced spread, woe for our bank accounts.

At any rate, in the same way that I may look at a "great" painting and see splotches of color and you, a cable skeptic, might see true meaning in those splotches, good for you for perceiving what my individual sensibilities did not enable me to appreciate.

Lastly, if you are reading this and think that there are these absolute truths in audio or watercolors you might do well to open your walls of perception and come to appreciate the unique differences that one will cherish and another not even experience.  Viva la difference!  oh, the humanity.

Zephyr, looks like dynaquest is not interested in an actual test as he believes that his cables are good enough. He thinks we are all "unknowing victims", scammed by the cable industry, afflicted by the dreaded "audio placebo effect." No "snake oil" for him, nothing can sound better than the $10.00 Monoprice cables, Emotive amps & B&W speakers or Rolex watches either.

dynaquest: Truly happy that you enjoy your system and the cables you are using.  In some ways I wish I'd never tried better cables than what I was using that were essentially straight 28awg, 22awg, 14awg, 12awg, etc...way back;  the problem is that what I've come to use as my reference cables have brought so much to the table in my system to my ears and people who have come over to listen, not being told anything of price, config changes,etc..., that I simply have to have them in the system. Every time I've tried to subtract them and go to stock cords (which I've done several times over the years and often had to live with that for several months for various personal reasons), sound stage, imaging, musicality of instruments, voices, etc....becomes literally a shadow of how the system performed the days before.   This is according to what I've heard and those with good ears that I've allowed to share in my system in my home.

You'll notice that I don't go for the reviewers' current flavor of the month in my system at all or cables....there's a reason for that. What I have kicks ass and while they cost well more than I EVER thought reasonable as I used to think like you do many years ago, I cannot deny how the system sounds (and measures mind you) when I have 'the good stuff' installed.

You are going to laugh at this response I'm sure and think me another of the fools who have drunk the kool-aid, the snake-oil, whatever. Quite the opposite actually as I was a huge skeptic for a long time up until a few years ago. Regrettably, my hearing and an open mind now having me using those cables that you would claim don't make any difference; penalties to me I guess both figuratively and financially.  With I could get away with 14awg or whatever :-) !

I also side with gbmcleod on cables needing to settle after shipment or transit, not because some dealer or cable maker told me to, or because some fan-boy on some forum said it was so, but because I have found many times, with certain topology cables, particularly those with woven/intertwined helix geometry for multi-stranding conductors or particularly for any cables with heavy ribbon compliment, that they frankly have to reach steady state and their capacitive properties need to stabilize before they start to sound their best.  This is usually the first 24-36 hours and sometimes has been as few as 12 depending upon the cable, the metallurgy and the topology.  My father was a metallurgist, a musician and an audio hound who NEVER invested in anything but bargain cables from Radio Shack or the local stereo shops beginner's rack; he would tell me that any metals that have been through extremes in altitude, temperature or radical movement have their physical properties changed a bit and they have to acclimate to a certain degree to their current environment.  Enough said on that....

dynaquest: I'm sure you are enjoying this response as further proof of your position.  Anytime you want to spring for a plane ticket and drop by with your cables, you are welcome here. I'd love for you to do some A/B here with those I'm running and bargain cables and let me know what you hear! BTW...I'm not joking!

"Cables need to settle!" Actually I thought this was presented as a joke. Now I see it is just another snake oil input into the overall high-priced cable joke. Do not be offended. My beef isn’t with those who who are unknowingly victims...but with the manufacturers, distributors and dealers who perpetuate the scam. My $10.00 12ga Monoprice cables do a fine job. Or...I could spend $137,000.00 on Nordhost Odin cables. Yep, I’m still chuckling.

Yes, Dynaquest, "cables need to settle." 
And your comparison with flowers is quite apt, since my mother was an expert flower grower. And anyone who with any gardening experience past a 3- year olds (apologies to the expert younger gardeners) would have told you, the soil around the flower needs to be left alone. Surely you know that when you plant even a lawn, you are not supposed to walk on it until well after the grass has grown a bit. Soil should not be tamped down. All you have to do is read the bag to learn that. It's not a mystery.
So, in essence, you've answered your own question, although I suspect  you didn't intend to. And it sounds like you have not experienced the higher priced spreads and their quirks. They have quirks. Shunyata, on their website, even shows diagrams of how the cable should not slump, but should be perfectly level at all points. 
At some point, novices need to listen to more experienced users before registering  disbelief. And, my training was: do the experiment yourself to see the results (did you skip high school chemistry?) You also skipped the experiment, as recommended above, didn't you? Naughty boy. You get an "F".

Oh, and  speakers need to be PERFECTLY level, too. Not 1/8" off. PERFECTLY. Small inflections, inner detail will disappear. So dealer's showrooms are not the last word in authority. I'm sure that will cause  you chuckles, too. All for the good.  After all, laughter is the best medicine, non?