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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
freediver
1,019 posts
 
I've never been a big believer and only bought Acoustic Zen cables because I like the idea of the extremely pure solid core copper..
 That was until about an hour ago when a friend let me borrow a 9'pair of Nordost Red Dawn Rev.II...Now my system may not be big dollar stuff but it is highly resolving,has wonderfully natural tonal quality and can truly disappear...Holy mother Mary everything went from good to oh my good is this the same system..The only way I can describe it is everything sounds more relaxed yet when called for has an extra bite,like you can now see Billy Idols sneer as well as hear it in his voice...Soundstage has widened and deepened and imaging is levels sharper with actual air between instruments if it's in the recording...Im a convert now.Cables can and do make a difference...Now I gotta figure out how to afford $750.00 cables...
hifiman5's avatar
hifiman5
1,825 posts
 
@freediver  I counsel caution.  Usually when someone reacts so strongly so quickly to a very new system change, the test of time will usually provide perspective.  Put simply...when something jumps out at you initially, be cautious.  Give yourself time with the Nordost cables before making a purchase.  Beware of the shiny ball!🤗
jmcgrogan2's avatar
jmcgrogan2
6,346 posts
 
^^^ +1 hifiman5!

I was smitten with Nordost twice, and went down that path twice.

What I learned was that Nordost makes great cables to demo your gear with, and they do sound impressive. However, I always found my listening sessions growing shorter and shorter due to listening fatigue.
Too much information can burn out the brain.
Now I avoid Nordost, and can listen for long periods of time again.

If I had to choose one cable line to demo a system, it would be Nordost, but I found out that I could not live with them for long periods of time. YMMV.
hifiman5's avatar
hifiman5
1,825 posts
 
@jmcgrogan2    Exactly!!  Anecdotally, if you go back through some months old cable threads here, you read of more and more Nordost folks abandoning ship.  The sound Nordost cables present becomes fatiguing.☹️
mitch2
3,717 posts
 
I counsel caution. Usually when someone reacts so strongly so quickly to a very new system change, the test of time will usually provide perspective. Put simply...when something jumps out at you initially, be cautious.
+1
Good advice also when reading posts from folks who often "beat the drum" loudly for the tweak, cable, or doo-dad du jour. The result can be a frenzy of posts and people who just have to have the "whatever it is." It is sometimes interesting to go back and read about how long "the last thing" was a hot item before "the next thing" came along.
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