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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
dynaquest4's avatar
dynaquest4
445 posts
 
dill... thanks but I'll use terms of my choosing.  Was you last post condescending? 

Want my evaluation of WireWorld and Kimber?  Go find it.  I'll not repeat it to satisfy your curiosity.
dill
2,461 posts
 
I would say more sarcastic then condescending.

You mean this:  "Some time ago, I replaced the Kimber (speaker) cables that came with a slightly used pair of B&W 803's with a 20 dollar set of Monoprice cables.  I had no way to do a "blind" A/B test but after I switched them out those 803's continued to sweetly sing...no difference that I could tell"
realthing
45 posts
 
Count me in the 'very little difference' camp, if there is one in what seems a fairly binary issue. What's certain to me is that the difference between 14awg lamp cord and $10k cables isn't proportional to the price difference.

I wonder what blind testing would show in a case with a known quality/impedance difference, e.g., a 3-foot length of cable vs. a 30 foot length of the same cable. My guess is zero.
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cleeds
5,690 posts
 
dynaquest4
Holy Moly...you guys ARE old! How is it possible your hearing is even remotely still good enough ...
Let's please not make this about age because if you do, it's only fair to point out that the human brain doesn't finish developing until it's well into its 20s. Some of the renderings here suggest their authors are well south of that benchmark.

So let's please talk about audio and music and not judge others based on age.
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