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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
shadorne's avatar
shadorne
7,333 posts
 
@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!
geoffkait's avatar
geoffkait
14,147 posts
 
Shadorne,

How about providing an example of hyperbole used in marketing of cables? Are you making this up?
stfoth
435 posts
 
Would the use of "testimonials" count as "use[] in marketing?"
clearthink
672 posts
 
Again what we have here so clearly is an inability for some to comprehend how anyone could spend what they feel is an excessive amount of money on something when in fact they are simply unable to do so because of their own budgets, priorities, responsibilities and choices. But for some other people a US $5,000 expense on something such as a a cable for their Music Reproduction System is a trivial expense that in no appreciable, significant or impactful way effects their monthly budget for whatever reason. Yes of course this would be an excessive expense for some but for others it is not and why this should disturb someone so much as to suggest that it is a scam or that it should not be allowed is simply a result of their own lack of understanding of the basic factors that influence luxury products in general and not just those involving  Music Reproduction Systems.
jmcgrogan2's avatar
jmcgrogan2
6,346 posts
 
People who buy this "bling" would also put a set of $15K tires on their car if they were actually produced. 

Exactly why it is such a poor analogy, $15K tires for cars are not produced.

As cleeds noted, apparently no one wants $15,000 tires. The is how markets work. Items that have no value are not produced. Welcome to Business 101.

When using analogies, it is best to stick to items that are actually produced, when trying to compare to other items that are being produced (and sold).

Making an analogy comparing a real animal, say a horse, with a mythical animal, such as a unicorn, is simply an exercise in futility.

Speaking of animals, and products that actually DO exist. Perhaps you may want to compare cables to expensive pet gear.

http://incrediblethings.com/lists/14-ridiculously-expensive-pet-products/

Your $137K Nordost cables example seems rather frugal compared to a $1.8 million dollar dog collar.

Life.......It's all a matter of perspective.
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