Belden ICONOCLAST XLR Cable Review

[amirm]

Re-reading the initial stuff, is my impression correct that Galen is saying we can hear stuff below the threshold of what @amirm measured?

It is not even that. It is some theory of arrival time of different frequencies which does not remotely hold.

 

[Cbdb2]

It is not even that. It is some theory of arrival time of different frequencies which does not remotely hold.

Does he give any numbers?

 

[Billy Budapest]

Having re-read the review and the designer’s comments, I have come to the conclusion that Iconoclast cables have pushed the state of the art in the electrical performance of the cable as to the parameters the designer was optimizing for. However, in terms of audio performance, no differences were measurable much less audible.

 

[egellings]

I use RG-58U and some connectors for the ends of my home brewed cables. Cheap and effective and I gits to brag "Made 'em muh self!".

 

[amirm]

Does he give any numbers?

I recall some.

 

[Head_Unit]

Does he give any numbers?

I think it was "1 2 3 4 5 6 7 all good children go to heaven" but maybe I am mis-remembering.

 

[mhardy6647]

It is not even that. It is some theory of arrival time of different frequencies which does not remotely hold.

That's Nobel prize stuff*! Physics is forever changed!

___________
* or is it Ignobel Prize?

 

[Alexander Gödde]

I also tell people as pointed out with headphones or reality wise with all components.. the cabling inside is not going to be a $100/foot so not sure what that interconnect is going to do. ...

You would assume if audioquest for example had any common sense they would try to have their product used for internal wiring. Yet at the same time you probably don’t want to bring attention to that crucial point which might make people consider the very point I bring up

High-end equipment makers are increasingly using branded audiophile cabling in their speakers and electronics. Only started in the last couple of years, but is spreading fast. So, instead of accepting that these cables do not make an audible difference they are going deeper into the madness.

 

[Cbdb2]

They are being pushed into the madness by audiophools who believe the BS or are already all over the snake oil as many "high-end" equipment manufacturers are.
I would not go near one.

 

[Ruediger]

High-end equipment makers are increasingly using branded audiophile cabling in their speakers and electronics. Only started in the last couple of years, but is spreading fast. So, instead of accepting that these cables do not make an audible difference they are going deeper into the madness.

Well, after taking apart some speakers, changing woofers and such. Where I often found lousy internal cables in not so cheap speakers - I can take away that the buyer can at least look up what's in there, if interested. And make sure they don't use the cheapest doorbell cables. For the brand it's probably not costly compared to the rest of the speaker and a welcome advertising opportunity.

Of course those brands that use proper internal cabling all the time get the short end of the stick with that. Once the crowd is used to having certain cable brand internals, they will have that on their comparison list. Making sense or not, it's out there..

 

[EngineerNate]

Just stopping in to say that I stumbled across the WBC star quad XLRs and hate to admit it but… I can’t make a nicer cable. The Amphenol or Neutrik connectors they offer are industry standard best in class, and the star quad cable with braided jacket is the most flexible and nice to handle cable I’ve come across.

Plus they’re reasonably priced.

I still make my own cables for custom lengths or odd connector combos to avoid adapters, but for just wiring up a mic or stage use I don’t see a reason to look further or burn my fingers with the soldering iron.

 

[EngineerNate]

Having re-read the review and the designer’s comments, I have come to the conclusion that Iconoclast cables have pushed the state of the art in the electrical performance of the cable as to the parameters the designer was optimizing for. However, in terms of audio performance, no differences were measurable much less audible.

The difference between 99.99999% and 99.999999% perfect transmission of the signal in a world with ears that can’t distinguish 90% from 99%.

 

[mhardy6647]

The difference between 99.99999% and 99.999999% perfect transmission of the signal in a world with ears that can’t distinguish 90% from 99%.

10 dB