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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
ps
411 posts
 
Lots of variables, as Randy-11 and others have pointed out.  

How does one quantify "better" give that some speaker wires will sound merely different than others?  For example, you run Monoprice wire and are pleased, but decide to go ahead, for one reason or another, and purchase much more expensive brand "X" wires. You then discover that they sound different, (hopefully better) how do you measure your return on investment?

In other words, if Monoprice wire costs $50 and brand X super-duper wire costs $5000, is brand X worth $4950 more?  Are you happier? Do you enjoy listening to your stereo system that much more? Would you have been ultimately better of if you'd invested the $4950 into T-Bills or some other conservative financial growth vehicle?

Do you even care, given this hobby can be so whacky?
dynaquest4's avatar
dynaquest4
368 posts
 
@ ps: yes!!
nonoise's avatar
nonoise
4,382 posts
 
Maybe the conversation (debate?) should lessen the price delta between beer pocket magnet wire and champagne filigree cables to something more sensible. 

There will always be an argument for doing things on the cheap and those who are advocates of that argument will never see the advantages of better cabling and their inherent costs. Yes, there is a limit to what is reasonable but that too, is in the eyes (ears and pocketbook) of the beholder. 

Do whatever you like and stop trying to herd cats.

All the best,
Nonoise


dynaquest4's avatar
dynaquest4
368 posts
 
Cats can easily be herded, NoNoise.  Just show them shiney, bouncy, visually appealing things that cost way more than barn mice...and smell like they might taste better, and they will jump toward them.  Not knowing (or caring) that the decrepid ole barn mouse was, in all meaningful ways, a better deal.

Also, "doing things on the cheap" as you say, sometimes makes you the smartest guy in the room.  It is always a measure of value.
pcrhkr's avatar
pcrhkr
34 posts
 
What matters most in speaker cable is that you have the proper gauge for the type of power you are delivering to your speakers.  The greater distance and power deliver will demand a higher gauge.  P / IE   What the expensive speaker wire companies claim is that the capacitive and inductive reactance along the conductor is figured to give minimal degradation of the sound and also have a lower resistance.  Alos the Purity of the conductor. (Which lowers resistance)
That is the claim.  I reality, the human ear is sensitive to a point.  Everyone has an opinion on what great sound is.  Some people like a velvet mid-range to their music and the next guy might not care as long as the highs are crisp.  Some like resounding bass.  I have been an audio enthusiast for over 45 years.  During that time I have heard many high end systems ranging from  $1,000 for a pre amp and power amp to the $10,000 Levensen mono blocks which are cheap in this forum.
 I have to say I have never heard anything better than the levenson.  I have heard Conrad Johnson, Krell, MacIntosh, and the old Crown amps / pre amps.  The Crowns were the poor mans MacIntosh, close but not quite.  To get better than a $1,000  power amp pre-amp, it would take about 4 times the cost.  One you reach the Levenson Quality, then it is opinion and taste. The Speaker wire as long as it was 12 gauge no longer than 15 ft was good.  I use 10 gauge at 15ft and it does great!  Go by what you hear, that is what matters, not the hype!
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