Speaker cable

[Gray]

Without the mixer, there´s no soundstage for you to perceive.

Well that's true of many modern multi track recordings.
But a few audio engineers will argue that the best imaging is achieved with a single crossed pair of directional microphones.
They act like the listeners ears, picking up all the differing amplitude and time cues that any brain needs.

 

[Gray]

Left and right maybe but not depth.

Yes, the traditional pan pot changes only the relative amplitude of the signal to L & R channels.
But digital cleverness can alter the timings to each channel - so depth perception can be played with.
(There was a good demonstration of electronic spatial manipulation yonks ago on Tomorrow's World).

 

[Al ears]

Yes, the traditional pan pot changes only the relative amplitude of the signal to L & R channels.
But digital cleverness can alter the timings to each channel - so depth perception can be played with.
(There was a good demonstration of electronic spatial manipulation yonks ago on Tomorrow's World).

That may be true but nobody can know what it's going to sound like on my system so I don't see how it can be measured

 

[GroeneLeeuw]

That may be true but nobody can know what it's going to sound like on my system so I don't see how it can be measured

 

[GroeneLeeuw]

That´s about the master.
And of course nobody knows how a recording is going to sound exactly at YOUR house, let alone how YOU are going to perceive it.
But, they have a pretty good idea of how the recording is going to sound to a lot of people.

And that´s also a bit the point. The topic started with speaker cables.
Speaker cables are like the 2nd to last step (the last being the speakers emitting sound) in a long, very long, chain that results in a recoding.

Many technical and artistic decisions are made throughout the whole process.

How much difference do you think a 1-3 meters of cable are going to make given the whole chain behind?
Asking is already admitting there are differences in speaker cables 😉 , which I think, are none if you use technically adequate cables.

 

[Gray]

That may be true but nobody can know what it's going to sound like on my system so I don't see how it can be measured

Any genuine difference between two sounds can be measured, that's all we're saying 👍

 

[Al ears]

Any genuine difference between two sounds can be measured, that's all we're saying 👍

If it is genuine and not simply perceived I would agree. However what that measurement means is anyone 's guess. Is it actually relevant? I doubt it.
Simply meaningless.
Measure all you like but it isn't going to tell me what difference it is going to make in my system.
Enough, I am out.
This thread is getting too long for a speaker cable thread anyway.....
😎

 

[Gray]

If it is genuine and not simply perceived I would agree.

But you must understand that the perception is caused by something genuine - and it's the genuine that can be measured.
I never said that it should be measured, or that anyone would want to 🙂

Anyway, I'm out too.
...back on the subject of cables - which is best left to those that hear differences.
(Special brains needed for that perception....often helped by the price of the cable).

 

[woodbar]

Phew, can I add to the finale of this saga of different opinions by quoting Bertrand Russell -

"The whole problem with the world is that fools and fanatics are always so certain of themselves, and wiser people so full of doubts"

or maybe even -

"Do not fear to be eccentric in opinion, for every opinion now accepted was once eccentric."

 

[GSV Ethics Gradient]

Disagreement is fine, but personal comments directed at individual members have been deleted.

 

[Jasonovich]

Guys, all nice and well.

I´m stepping out, we´re going circles. No point staying.

Be all well, enjoy your music and your equipment.

It's an eternal loop! 🙂

Lot's of toing and froing but enjoy listening to the various thoughts of peoples opinions/reflections/hypothesis etc. I won't declare these are conflicting or opposing viewpoints, there's relative truth in every argument.

Just to add;
measurements does it actually correlate to sound quality or merely an acknowledgement the device/cable is electrically sound?

Touch, hearing, smell, seeing are triggers to the brain to react or provoke a response.

You touch a burning log, you withdraw your hand immediately and place it under a running tap. You smell the shaslik on the barbeque, you see the raging bull in the field racing towards you, because you failed to cover your Man U t-shirt - all of these aforementioned are actual and yet when we listen to beautiful music, we're told much of it is perceived by the brain?

Ah what the heck, maybe I'm just a simpleton! 🙂

Oh wait, every one is OUT, that's fine I'll talk to the hand ha ha ha 🤣

 

[davidf]

Oh wait, every one is OUT, that's fine I'll talk to the hand ha ha ha 🤣

I'm not out, I was just letting a few calm down 🙂

 

[Jasonovich]

CABLEPEDIA.
It would be nice if everything was XLR, fully balanced or Not, it's a robust type of connection. I just love the Pro setup in my study, it's robust, fully secured and simple.

View: https://youtu.be/pPlZ_MJSU0s?si=sVWXUaoG_QAt_i-7

 

[woodbar]

That would be a good idea except for the size of it as it would rather dwarf the end panel on my M15S DAP!

There are so called mini XLRs I believe fitted to some cans? Never seen one in the flesh but that might be a good option?

 

[Jasonovich]

That would be a good idea except for the size of it as it would rather dwarf the end panel on my M15S DAP!

There are so called mini XLRs I believe fitted to some cans? Never seen one in the flesh but that might be a good option?

Mini XLR are tiny but still bulker than balanced 4.4 Jacks. TRS small form factor for DAPs are absolutely fine, it doesn't have lock in mechanism like XLR's but I think, it makes no sense to change these, not unless someone comes up with Micro-XLRs with locking mechanisms.

 

[idc]

Some AKG headphones use mini XLR cables. I made a cable for my AKG K702. It sounded no different to the stock one, but it was heavier, so less comfortable.

 

[Gray]

Some AKG headphones use mini XLR cables. I made a cable for my AKG K702. It sounded no different to the stock one, but it was heavier, so less comfortable.

And for those that can be bothered with 4-pole mini XLR (plus a bit of faff)....

View: https://youtu.be/x6msKqxcKcc?si=Wstes6a-9WeIVadO
(Once you've done the headphone-end mod, you've got the option to use to use them balanced or unbalanced in the future - depending on your amp-end connector).