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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
mapman's avatar
mapman
15,679 posts
 
benjie you are putting words in my mouth. I heard no difference at all. Just results that did not live up to the hype no matter how much gear was packed in there.

Granted I was not impressed enough to stick around long given my limited time there. Maybe with a longer audition.

Plus I would have had to hear something I never heard before to even consider those expensive products. Didn’t happen. I was actually hoping it would. Magnetic wires are different hence interesting to me. But I was not sold even with teh tens of thousands of dollars worth of HFC products that were in the room.

That’s just my unbiased impression. I am not in this industry, just a customer, and have no business associations otherwise at all with anyone.
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mapman's avatar
mapman
15,679 posts
 
Benjie,

Not a problem.  Thanks for fessing up to a mistake.   Does not happen in this world as often as it should.
nonoise's avatar
nonoise
4,382 posts
 
Benjie, I like, and have used, your TV analogy as it clearly demonstrates the obvious: a better made cable can have an improvement. 

Going from a well made, run of the mill, PC on my TV (a GTT PC) to a Zu Mission PC made a HUGE difference on my plasma TV. A cyclops with macular degeneration could see and appreciate the difference. Which begs the question: if our eyes can clearly see the difference, then why not our ears? (another can 'o metaphysical worms).

If only we can agree on this then the conversation (debate?) can focus on what price point is too much?

Oh, silly me. It's always been that.

All the best,
Nonoise

dynaquest4's avatar
dynaquest4
368 posts
 
nonoise says: "If only we can agree on this then the conversation (debate?) can focus on what price point is too much? "

I think all this would lead one to believe that as long as basic cable requirements are met, any price over that is too much.  Basic requirements for various cables have been mentioned numerous times in this thread.

As for power cords.  If they can actually make a difference, then one would ask: "What about the other miles and miles of cable that brings power to your outlet.  Certainly upgrading all that wire would make quantum improvements in audio, video, lighting, air compressor performance, how well the vacuum sucks and how quickly your blender can take you to Margaritaville!"  Ha!  Can hear it now..."You wouldn't believe how much better my margaritas taste since I changed the factory power cord to that super-duper one that only cost me $699.00!"
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