The Cost of Cables

Quite frankly, I started this thread because it appears to me that the purchase price of cables are just plain rediculous, but wanted an open discussion if anyone could enlighten me/us differently.

Obviously there is nothing wrong with companies making a profit. But the profit margin on cables would appear to me to FAR exceed that of the rest of the audio industry.

I lay my cards on the table and say that cables make a difference to me from my experience. So with that said, I understand when people say, "if one hears a substantial improvement, the price is worth it to them". It seems to me that cable companies are gouging us for this in comparison to the rest of the industry.

Brian

Well said Brian. Now you seem to grasp the situation.

That being said, I don't have inexpensive cables/cords, I'm probably over the old 20% ratio that cable manufacturers intiated 20 years ago (blame power cords).
However, I still cannot understand those who spend MORE on cables than on their gear and speakers. When your cable budget goes over the 50% level, I have to scratch my head.

I mean $15,000 speaker cables on $10,000 speakers and $13,000 power cord on $8,000 cd players does still confuse me.
Maybe it is the answer, maybe the paradigm has shifted and I'm not aware of it, maybe I just don't get it.

John

John, I can't relate to the prices for cables you refer to. I start scratching at much less than 50%. :-) But I can't blame the manufacturers of any tweaks for getting as much money as they can, while they can. Its the old American free market in full bloom.

And I can't criticize someone who has already optimied his equipment and set up who finally takes the last step in fine tuning the system, regardless of cost. His choice, his preferrences, his ears, his wallet. I would imagine that his expectations would be to get the most neutral yet revealing wire available. I can't imagine him getting wire tone controls although I'm sure that happens.

The person who I do feel for is the wantabe/wantahave who, for example buys an inexpensive SS (or tubed, but I can't imagine it :-)) integrated based on 'user' or reviewer testimonials, matches it to high resolving speakers, and then tries to compensate for the tonal problems by chasing after cables, IC's, and PC's, instead of just investing in, very selectively, some higher quality goods in the first place. FWIW, I think this is what drives a great part of the demand (and prices) for wire, the more exotic appearing, or described, the higher the price.

FWIW

Well said Brian. Now you seem to grasp the situation.

I wouldn't say that I have now gotten a grasp of this situation, I already felt this way; I was open to being shown I am wrong.

Brian

I wouldn't say that I have now gotten a grasp of this situation, I already felt this way; I was open to being shown I am wrong.

Brian
Brianmgrarcom

Certainly the results could not have surprised you though Brian, could they? I would have been stunned to the point of disbelief if someone tried to validate/justify the cost of cables.

If they do, I bet you'll find the catch all phrase being R&D costs. The customer is expected to pay for the designer's cable/cord purchases from competitors and his hours of listening. You see, they 'have to' buy competing products to test against their own. They have to buy a reference system of three to use as 'synergestic testing lab equipment'. Then they 'have to' listen hours a day for years sometimes, to tune in their products. That's a lot of time and money spent on research and development. Now you may say 'hey, that's what I do for a hobby'. However, when you are selling products it is no longer your hobby, it is a job, and you can write this in as R&D costs.

There is simply no way to justify the material/labor costs, it's all in the 'R&D' department.
Some manufacturers could have HUGE R&D costs. Maybe they have a million dollars or more tied up in R&D assests alone. Someone has to pay for that, and it's certainly not going to be the manufacturer.

Nobody said it would be easy. You must have very expensive audio gear and comparison cables in your 'R&D lab'.

Does that help?

John