Cables certainly make a difference. If you're not hearing it, then it is one (or more) of the following issues: 1) Your hearing is just not good enough; 2) Your system does not have the resolution to allow you to hear the difference; 3) Your listening to an unfamiliar system; 4) Your cognitive bias says you cannot hear a difference between cables.
As far as A/B testing, No.3 is often the culprit in not allowing differences to be heard. The differences between cables are often very subtle and it takes a while for the listener to adjust to hearing the intricacies of a new system.
I'm also of the opinion that cost of the cable has very little effect on the final sound, however, I do always feel partial to a silver-coated copper conductor.
Also, here's a 5th issue: different components change cables difference as well. I'm not talking resolution, but the interplay between source/preamp/amp/speakers. The interaction between impedance, sensitivity, etc. also play a role.
Yes, cables do make a difference -- regardless of price...
I thought you may find this interesting…or not. I know, another "cable post". Disclaimer up front — I am a believer that cables can make a difference in the sound that you hear from your system. With my speakers, like most high(er) efficiency speakers, I can hear large and small changes made to the system components — and cables are part of that system.
What I want to share is an exercise that I went through with my better half in setting up her recording equipment that she will be using to record audio books. The hardware part of the system is simple: Audio Technica Cardioid Condenser Microphone AT2035 connected with a XLR cable to the Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 preamp.
We started with the XLR cable that came with the microphone and recorded the short introduction of the book she has been contracted to record. Then she recorded the same section using each of the our XLR cables I have on hand: Vovox Excelsus, Mogami 2549, Gotham GAC-3, and Grimm TPR. Each of the cables have the same Neutrik connector and are very good studio cables that I have used in my system at one time.
Listening through headphones via the Scarlett 2i2, it was super easy to hear distinct differences in these cables. The differences were not small and very apparent. In the end, the Mogami cable was the winner — it seemed more open and warmer than the other cables and suited the tone of her voice the best. I have heard similar differences from these cables in my stereo system but not to the significant degree borne out by this exercise.
To keep going, today I replaced the $10 USB C to C cable that I bought as an “upgrade” from the Scarlett 2i2 to a MacBook Air with a $70 Audioquest Forest cable. We were more than surprised that with the AQ cable in the system the drop of the noise floor was very significant and the blackness of background made the sound even more crystal clear.
The purpose of this post is not to promote or compares cables, just a public service posting for those of you who do not believe cables make a difference. They really do affect how your system sounds (positive or negative) and if you cannot hear a difference then maybe looking at the transparency of your system is a place you should examine.
Imagine peace everyone.
Showing 2 responses by kirk9
@ donavabdear The miles of current to your system don't matter as long as it arrives cleanly - it never carries the music. |