Who thinks $5K speaker cable really better than generic 14AWG cable?

Seems I am (again) being called a "troll." Really? I shed name-calling in junior high.  According to some here, if you disagree with the general audiogon consensus regarding exotic cables, you are a "troll."  Seems that if you go back to the OP's original post, he was asking if $5K cables can possibly be better than generic.  I agree with the OP that if you spend more than is required to meet basic length/impedance requirements, you are wasting your money and are being scammed by companies that know they are scamming you.  I'll say again, those who have purchased this overpriced wire are more than welcome to do so.  Just don't confuse and misdirect newbies into thinking that this stuff actually does anything over basic wire.  Then...you become part of the scam.

dyna--the scam isn't their price or their existence.  some folks buy them for status/show.  some have megasystems and want cabling to match.  some like how they look and feel.  some actually find changes/improvements, real or imagined.  bling or durability, etc. etc. for whatever value folks place on the above, a "waste" is entirely subjective to them.  and to completely trash the existence must rely on the idea that the sole purpose of the cable is to transmit the signal.  one might say something similar about automobiles--get from point a to point b.  your bimmer might be considered a waste by some when a Toyota does the same--assuming similar size, safety, etc.  maybe that bimmer sure feels good to drive, impresses your friends, or looks pretty, though, subjectively.  or maybe you just like it.  all good.  no judgment, here.

the scam comes when the sellers, reviewers, and cable-junkies, with a straight-face claim--

'changing out your perfectly functioning and spec'd power cable on your ancillary device will change your life.  we swapped one out.  when we flipped on the power, the angels sang.  it was as if they opened the Ark and freed all the trapped souls of the entire history of music and audiophilia.  a glorious light shown on our speakers as these souls danced a beautiful aerial ballet and unleashed previously unknown and unheard tight powerful bass, warm involving mids, and airy highs.  all traces of sibilance and extraneous noise disappeared.  when we cranked the volume, our previously lower midfi system was so amazing, our faces melted off.  in the midst of the magnificently broadened and deepened soundstage, we could 'see' God shed a tear of joy, with incredible air and separation around that tear as it fell to the floor, ten feet behind the front wall of the room.  with each passing hour as the cable settled and burned in, another tear would fall.  by the time the cable reached its peak performance at 20,000 hours, we were bathed in the holiest of holy waters, and we were healed.  every atheist who listens, leaves a believer.  buy this cable that costs more than your amp(s).  if you can't hear the incredible improvement, you are either a stupid, stone-eared freak that just needs to buy a wave radio and listen to your iPhone earbuds or you are a communist.'

some might just call it a little puffery, though.

I'll say again, those who have purchased this overpriced wire are more than welcome to do so.  Just don't confuse and misdirect newbies into thinking that this stuff actually does anything over basic wire.  Then...you become part of the scam.

That must give you the warm and fuzzies when you go to sleep at night.
Just another member of the "Save The Newbies" brigade. LOL!

The reason that you can't buy $15,000 tires for a BMW is because apparently no one wants them. That's how markets work.

@cleeds , Bingo! These ridiculous analogies show someone grasping at straws.

stfoth: Well said and I pretty much agree with everything in your post. Have I purchased things that are more "showy" than they are functional? Sure I have. Would I pay a bit more for "pretty" cables just because they looked cool? Yep...as long as I could see them. The Kimber Kables I have going to my speakers are visible and look cool...but I don’t believe they accomplish much else over basic generic cables.

jmcgrogan termed my tire analogy "ridiculous." Yet I priced out a set of Nordost Odin cables and interconnects for my stereo system and it came to $137,000.00. I think that included one of their $11,000.00 power cords (snicker). People who buy this "bling" would also put a set of $15K tires on their car if they were actually produced. Or are autophiles smarter than audiophiles?

@stfoth

LOL. Yes the marketing hyperbole is often excessive and totally unjustified. This hyperbole is not unique to audio tweaks but I suspect audio tweaks (especially wires) may be right up there as the most imaginative and pseudoscientific.

Guiness beer used to be advertised as good for you. No doubt in moderate quantities it most certainly is good for you - Drs once recommended Guiness to breast feeding women to help with milk production. The advertising police (probably with backing from pharmaceuticals) have killed that advertising meme even though it is true (now a Dr can prescribe a more costly solution - hormones to aid in milk production) . The Guiness logic probably stems from the pervasive false modern belief that if something in very large quantities is bad for you then small amounts of it must necessarily be bad too...

So ironic. Truths are crushed and make believe runs rampant. We don’t have witch hunts but we have so many laughable fears that not much has changed in 200 years. Anyway I need to stop now and take my vitamin supplements...can't afford to miss that!