Forum poll.. Do you believe that hi-fi cables make any difference

[iceman16]

iceman and drummerman talking audiophile wires on this video.

I too personally have noticed when playing Bach that with wrong audio cables lute-harpsichords start sounding like clarinets. That is of course unacceptable, which is why I now use double-shielded cables.

Vlad .. Im playing Neil Young

 

[Ajani]

Unfortunately, the poll question would need to be more specific. A poorly constructed cable will clearly mess up the sound. The debate is whether ultra expensive cables (liberally sprinkled with magic pixie dust) sound different from affordable (but properly constructed) cables.

IMO, Cables are the perfect example of the audiophile spectrum:

Imagination -> Exaggeration -> Colouration.

My interpretation of DBT results is that cable differences are generally either imagined or very subtle. If I ever came across cables that I felt made a night and day sonic difference, I'd probably toss them in the trash, as I believe they'd be colouring the heck out of the sound.

 

[ID.]

Yes. I couldn't hear a bloody thing when I tri d my system without cables 😛

Have you tried it without speakers?

there was some noise from the hard drive if I listened closely. not sure whether it was music.

 

[Andrewjvt]

Unfortunately, the poll question would need to be more specific. A poorly constructed cable will clearly mess up the sound. The debate is whether ultra expensive cables (liberally sprinkled with magic pixie dust) sound different from affordable (but properly constructed) cables.

?

IMO, Cables are the perfect example of the audiophile spectrum:

Imagination -> Exaggeration -> Colouration.?

My interpretation of DBT results is that cable differences are generally either imagined or very subtle. If I ever came across cables that I felt made a night and day sonic difference, I'd probably toss them in the trash, as I believe they'd be colouring the heck out of the sound.

You should start a new thread on this topic. I dont believe its been covered before.

 

[RobinKidderminster]

Should be two questions. Second question - Do u believe in Santa

 

[drummerman]

Should be two questions. Second question - Do u believe in Santa

I did last year but was dissappointed yesterday with the lack of luxury items to the extent that I now question his existence.

 

[chebby]

When doubling the gauge (cross-sectional area) of copper in my speaker cables recently? Yes. Without doubt.

When investing £25 in the convenience of an Audioquest optical cable (Toslink - 3.5mm mini optical, 0.75m) where every single parameter was just right? No audio differences. None were sought. (I just paid extra to save myself time and to not have to compromise 'ergonomcally' on the wrong length, or use of adaptors, or thick cable, or cable that didn't 'drape' correctly, etc.) Some much cheaper cable (of the the wrong length and appearance and thickness and using an adaptor) would perform just as well i'm sure.

Ex-demo room Chord C-Power 1.5m mains lead for heavily discounted price. Not what I sought originally but is excellent build and shielded. Still overpriced (compared to something from Wilko) despite the 3 x 2mm2 pure copper conductors. Makes a difference? No. Not to the sound. I just have a 'thing' about good plugs and mains leads especially MK and Duraplug etc.

My conclusion (for me and my experiences with my system) is that speaker cables with lots more good quality copper made a difference. All the rest was to keep me happy in other ways than just sound quality.

 

[Reijer]

Yes.

 

[CnoEvil]

NO!

Just kidding. *pardon*

 

[Vladimir]

iceman and drummerman talking audiophile wires on this video.

I too personally have noticed when playing Bach that with wrong audio cables lute-harpsichords start sounding like clarinets. That is of course unacceptable, which is why I now use double-shielded cables.

Vlad .. Im playing Neil Young

Is he making special audiophile cables now? He should.

BTW, I'm playing Eric Whitacre's Light & Gold.

 

[Diamond Joe]

Some cables yes.

But not anything like the way the marketing and Hi Fi journalists make out.

Yes, that!

 

[ellisdj]

Do i need to answer

Amazingly this thread majority yes. Even with a few quips here and there

 

[Infiniteloop]

Yes of course.

In the same system, sometimes expensive cables sound better, sometimes cheaper ones do.

It's a pity not everyone can hear the difference.

 

[Native_bon]

Yes it does make a difference but also it can be system dependent

 

[Vladimir]

For the more intellectual crowd. Clicky

 

[radiorog]

Yes. But the differences are subtle, and and there could be millions of qualities to the sound which are effected (soundstage, brightness to name 2) which is why I believe it is almost impossible to put your finger on specific changes in quick back to back testing. I feel you need to listen to a cable for at least 40 hours before you can swap for another to witness changes. Two alternate cables might be more obvious tho in some changes and won't require such extended listening, but more often than not the changes between two cables will be more subtle. But they are there.

 

[Gaz37]

I've just changed a 99p one metre cable for a 0.3m Cambridge Audio aud500 between my amps & "think" I can hear a definate improvement in SQ especially at low listening levels, whether this is due to the shorter length or the better quality or a combination of the two I cannot say. Equally I am prepared to accept that I've convinced myself that they sound better because they cost more

 

[Native_bon]

At least we now know expensive does not always mean better.

 

[drummerman]

At least we now know expensive does not always mean better.

I think we've probably known that before today but its also likely (imho) that paying more sometimes can mean better results.

 

[BIGBERNARDBRESSLAW]

I do.

I also believe in Father Christmas, Pixies, Elfs, Leprechauns, and Elvis not being dead. *blum3*

 

[Infiniteloop]

I do.

I also believe in Father Christmas, Pixies, Elfs, Leprechauns, and Elvis not being dead. *blum3*

Well, One correct out of six isn't too bad.*biggrin*

 

[BIGBERNARDBRESSLAW]

I do.

I also believe in Father Christmas, Pixies, Elfs, Leprechauns, and Elvis not being dead. *blum3*

Well, One correct out of six isn't too bad.*biggrin*

I know. I saw Elvis riding on the back of Shergar yesterday.

 

[Infiniteloop]

I do.

I also believe in Father Christmas, Pixies, Elfs, Leprechauns, and Elvis not being dead. *blum3*

Well, One correct out of six isn't too bad.*biggrin*

I know. I saw Elvis riding on the back of Shergar yesterday.

And I truly believe you did.

 

[ellisdj]

I do.

I also believe in Father Christmas, Pixies, Elfs, Leprechauns, and Elvis not being dead. *blum3*

Well, One correct out of six isn't too bad.*biggrin*

I know. I saw Elvis riding on the back of Shergar yesterday. 

Should have asked him if he thought cables made a difference

Think he would have said

Uuuaaha! !

 

[unhalfbricking]

Changing my speaker cables was the 'last piece in the jigsaw' for getting my system right. Swapping my QED Silver Anniversary cables for QED XT40 just smoothed out the 'top end' ever so slightly, stopped me fretting about the metal dome tweeters on my Kef Q-300s and meant I didn't have to splash out ridiculous amounts of money trying to rectify the situation. The difference in sound is subtle but has been crucial. Nagging feelings of discontentment and all thoughts of expensive upgrades have now vanished -- a huge relief!