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
Sorry about that @geoffkait , yes, the first two paragraphs were partially sarcastic and the final paragraph straight (my wife really can hear the difference and it is the epitome of double-blind testing, she will sit down and tell me what is different without knowing if anything was changed)....enjoy yourselves, its just hifi.


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the only way you will know what you like is to live and try all for a couple months. For ease of change my amp faces backward with binding post facing me....easy to change cables
yna said: " Holy Moly...you guys ARE old! How is it possible your hearing is even remotely still good enough to note the subtle differences expensive cables and wire might make???"

I got interested in audio in 1970 (I was 18) and started experimenting with cables in 1980, I was 38. I am now 65 with only a very minor loss in my left ear and have no problem hearing differences (good or bad) in cables.

Why do you state facts based on other people’s work, citing nothing you have done yourself. It sounds like you think any cable more expensive than Monoprice is a ripoff, doesn’t sound any better and provided nothing that says you have tried anything else.

If you are of the camp that says if the measurements are the same, the sound is the same and that if you pay more then ?$, it is a ripoff. So what, who cares! Most of us in high-end audio are smart people and are not swayed by condescending statements like:

" intelligent people can be so naive when it comes to audio improvements with no basis in reality." -
" In my opinion, the differences in cables (if any - for comparable resistance and length) are very subtle. So subtle that by the time you swap our to a different set your audio memory (the accuracy of which is extremely perishable) will not be able to recall the previous audio parameters sufficiently to note a difference. " -
" Not to mention the colorful garden hose sizes you can buy for mucho $$$$$$. " -
" What audioman is saying in his post is that if you pay more it, will sound better. Same old snake oil pitch. " -
" You should have spent $5K, wgutz, with that extra two grand expectation, your system would have sounded jaw-droppingly better for sure." -

I resent being talked to down by you! Please, consider a vacation from this forum, go on a "quest" and do a bit of cable exploration, maybe gain some experience in listening to different types of wire other than Monoprice.   😎
Pretty good with the 'ole Cut and Paste, dill.  Please do not ask me to take a vacation from this forum.  My comments are not offensive unless, for whatever reason, you are inclined to take them as such.  I stand by my opinions and my right to express them.  Being 65, you surely should understand that.  🤩🎼