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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
gillatgh's avatar
gillatgh
224 posts
 
Geoffkait, I'm not done with this evaluation. Stated my experience at 60 hours of burn in. I don't have a clue if it will improve from here or not. All I can say for sure is the cable improved from 0 hours to 60 hours quite a bit and has also improved on the audible experience. I'm no novice at this. All equipment is in a dedicated and treated listening room. Maybe that's why the JW wire sounded also very good.
rja's avatar
rja
2,112 posts
 
The title to this thread should have been: Let's Argue!
geoffkait's avatar
geoffkait
14,147 posts
 
No, it shouldn’t!

dynaquest4's avatar
dynaquest4
368 posts
 
Exactly, Geoff...having an opinion, albeit different, and stating that opinion is not arguing.

@ rja:  That I believe expensive cabling is filled with myths and borders on a scam is a relavent opinion shared by many...and needs to be in this forum.  And it will not go away.
ctsooner's avatar
ctsooner
2,104 posts
 
Dialectric gets loaded up and will negatively affect the sound.  That's what the AQ DBS units do. They don't them them build up if you would.  No expert, but that's basically what happens.  

I think some of the major problems high end has had IRT cables are that they are so easy to make, that so many got involved.  Many were charlatan's and many folks screwed themselves over paying too much for crap cable.  

To do a cable properly and effect a positive change, not just a change, isn't as easy as many want you to believe.  The other thing is that the mark up in cables is similar to cartridges.  I'll never forget speaking with the Grado guys when I was in HS.  I used to sell audio gear on the side to make extra money.  I asked what the differences were in the various Grado cartridges.  He told me that as you went up in price, they sounded a bit better. I asked him why they cost so much for basically the same parts and process to make.  He simply said, because they can.  Said that it costs them pennies more for the various tips they were using, but that they could charge 2 to 3 times more for the more expensive and complex stylus.  Then we talked about the Polk cables that I was just starting to use with my Polk 10's (loved those speakers, lol).  I defiantly heard a positive difference.  They were very expensive, but looked teh part too.  All of a sudden things went crazy and cable manufacturers were popping up all over the place.  

Are 5k cables that much more expensive to produce?  Not really, but they can charge these prices, because many will pay as they feel the differences is well worth it in their systems.  Should someone use a 5k cable in a system worth 10K?  I feel that's a waste as do most.  I'm a firm believer that most folks should take that extra cable money adn upgrade their components.  That said, you do need to spend a certain about on cables to max out your system IMHO.
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