2. cables
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Why Do Cables Matter?

To me, all you need is low L, C, and R. I run Mogami W3104 bi-wire from my McIntosh MAC7200 to my Martin Logan Theos. We all know that a chain is only as strong as its' weakest link - so I am honestly confused by all this cable discussion. 

What kind of wiring goes from the transistor or tube to the amplifier speaker binding post inside the amplifier? It is usually plain old 16 ga or 14 ga copper. Then we are supposed to install 5 - 10' or so of wallet-emptying, pipe-sized pure CU or AG with "special configurations" to the speaker terminals?

What kind of wiring is inside the speaker from the terminals to the crossover, and from the crossover to the drivers? Usually plain old 16 ga or 14 ga copper.

So you have "weak links" inside the amplifier, and inside the speaker, so why bother with mega expensive cabling between the two? It doesn't make logical sense to me. It makes more sense to match the quality of your speaker wires with the existing wires in the signal path [inside the amplifier and inside the speaker].

 

 

kinarow1
yoyoyaya's avatar
yoyoyaya
614 posts
 

@ieales. I am a recording engineer.

stuartk
2,381 posts
 

@kinarow1 

If you can't hear a difference between cables, why worry about this?

 

 

pauly
1,012 posts
 

"It doesn't make logical sense to me."

Unless you know everything, it really doesn't matter. And none of us knows everything. 

In some ways audio is like witnessing a UFO. Sometimes we can explain a phenomenon, but sometimes not. I stopped trying to find reason and logic after I listened to audio quality fuses. Yes, they made a difference. I don't have the faintest clue how or why they would. I've never heard an explanation that is even remotely adequate. 

Do what works for you, don't do what doesn't. Ignore the little people who delude themselves into thinking it's their place to ridicule you. 

soix
8,729 posts
 

I won’t even bother reading this ridiculous thread.  I’ll only say just put crap tires on a Ferrari or Porsche and see what that gets you. Chain only as strong as the cheapest link.  Underspend on cables at your own peril.  They’re a necessary evil, so just deal with it.

curtdr
348 posts
 

@jasonbourne71  +1.  All these claims by Lee were unsubstantiated by any lab measurements! He said " just listen". The "My golden ears told me it is so" crowd fell for this hype and bought miles of Monster Cable, making Noel Lee a multi-millionaire! Soon other entrepreneurs took notice and started their own wire businesses. They discovered that all you need was a nicely made product with a catchy name and a liberal amount of print spin (this was pre- Internet). Lab measurements not needed! 

@mrskeptic  +1.They don't and it isn't objectively provable that they do. The people that say "I know what I hear" or similar, are no different than people who believe a random set of stars in the sky has something to do with what happens in their lives.

People need to justify their "chase" and expenditures thereof.  Of course your system will sound better to you if you spend $2000 on speaker wire... it has to, or you have to admit your foolery.  If your system doesn't sound right, get different speakers instead of chasing the snake-wires.  If your system isn't fully satisfying, the wires are not the issue.  

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