*sigh*
Again, nobody has ever been able to distinguish between speaker cables in blind tests. Of course, there may be minuscule differences in the way different cables measure, but there's no evidence these differences are audible.
Could we acknowledge that to some people cables make no difference while others hear a difference? That seems a balanced answer to the original question of this thread. Then the OP's ears can settle the matter rather than our words, and if the OP hears a difference between cables those who do as well can recommend which cables to try and those who hear no difference between cables can rest having educated the OP that many people don't hear a difference between cables so it isn't worth spending money if the OP hears no difference.
(01-Feb-2016, 15:58)deviousalet Wrote: [ -> ]Could we acknowledge that to some people cables make no difference while others hear a difference? That seems a balanced answer to the original question of this thread. Then the OP's ears can settle the matter rather than our words, and if the OP hears a difference between cables those who do as well can recommend which cables to try and those who hear no difference between cables can rest having educated the OP that many people don't hear a difference between cables so it isn't worth spending money if the OP hears no difference.
I think this is a good post otherwise this forum could go the way of many others
(01-Feb-2016, 15:58)deviousalet Wrote: [ -> ]Could we acknowledge that to some people cables make no difference while others hear a difference? That seems a balanced answer to the original question of this thread. Then the OP's ears can settle the matter rather than our words, and if the OP hears a difference between cables those who do as well can recommend which cables to try and those who hear no difference between cables can rest having educated the OP that many people don't hear a difference between cables so it isn't worth spending money if the OP hears no difference.
By all means do take that position. You'll have to excuse me if I can't. These are after all matters of objective fact, and not matters of taste.
This has been an ongoing discussion since we started using larger gauge electrical cords for our speakers. I was first aware of the discussion in 1964 and became a believer in 1965 when I finally tried it for myself. I think that we shouldn't disparage those who believe as we do. Just agree to disagree. Thank you @divousalet for your reasoned post.
My only interest in this is to save the OP some money, which I think we can all agree is a good thing. To that end it does seem important to point out that
1. a decent gauge copper cable is a good thing
2. aside from that, there's no evidence that audiophile cables improve sound quality.
(01-Feb-2016, 21:02)Jwg1749 Wrote: [ -> ]My only interest in this is to save the OP some money, which I think we can all agree is a good thing. To that end it does seem important to point out that
1. a decent gauge copper cable is a good thing
2. aside from that, there's no evidence that audiophile cables improve sound quality.
I'll disagree with you jwg1749. I recently compared some 12 ga ofc speaker wire with a set of well known mid priced cables and thought that the 12 ga wire sounded better! I wasn't prepared for that result but after a few hours of listening that's what I thought. I would encourage anyone who is curious to try this inexpensive test. I got the wire from Monoprice.
(01-Feb-2016, 21:02)Jwg1749 Wrote: [ -> ]My only interest in this is to save the OP some money, which I think we can all agree is a good thing. To that end it does seem important to point out that
1. a decent gauge copper cable is a good thing
2. aside from that, there's no evidence that audiophile cables improve sound quality.
Right on. This is objective fact. Science is not a matter of opinion.
My position comes from experience as an ear, nose, and throat surgeon and the considerable amount of otologic/audiologic training inherent to that field. There is a defined threshold and resolution to human hearing that, again, is a matter of science fact and not audiophile dreaming. Having said that, there is the matter of psychoacoustics. Having spent thousands of dollars on speaker cable, it is completely conceivable that an individual would subconsciously prefer the sound of their new purchase as more [insert pretentious audiophile adjective] than their prior cables. The placebo effect. Another well defined scientific fact. Identical to the perceived relief of pain demonstrated in double blind controlled studies when you provide participants with sugar pills and not the analgesic they thought they received.
So, no, I do not agree that some "hear" a difference and others do not. Rather, some "perceive" a difference...but that has absolutely nothing to do with their hearing. This perception of improvement is worth significant financial outlay to some -- indeed, many "audiophile" manufacturers of snake oil products absolutely count on it.
(02-Feb-2016, 06:01)El_Duderino Wrote: [ -> ] (01-Feb-2016, 21:02)Jwg1749 Wrote: [ -> ]My only interest in this is to save the OP some money, which I think we can all agree is a good thing. To that end it does seem important to point out that
1. a decent gauge copper cable is a good thing
2. aside from that, there's no evidence that audiophile cables improve sound quality.
Right on. This is objective fact. Science is not a matter of opinion.
My position comes from experience as an ear, nose, and throat surgeon and the considerable amount of otologic/audiologic training inherent to that field. There is a defined threshold and resolution to human hearing that, again, is a matter of science fact and not audiophile dreaming. Having said that, there is the matter of psychoacoustics. Having spent thousands of dollars on speaker cable, it is completely conceivable that an individual would subconsciously prefer the sound of their new purchase as more [insert pretentious audiophile adjective] than their prior cables. The placebo effect. Another well defined scientific fact. Identical to the perceived relief of pain demonstrated in double blind controlled studies when you provide participants with sugar pills and not the analgesic they thought they received.
So, no, I do not agree that some "hear" a difference and others do not. Rather, some "perceive" a difference...but that has absolutely nothing to do with their hearing. This perception of improvement is worth significant financial outlay to some -- indeed, many "audiophile" manufacturers of snake oil products absolutely count on it.
Yes its very important to use the correct term - perception is all.
The Emperor's new clothes is the longest running story in town.