Do Fancy Audio Cables Make a Difference? (video)

[Gassten]

There were requests in youtube to do a video on high-end audio cables. So I did one based on the review of audioquest Wind cable. If you have already read the text review, there is little new information in there but for the rest of you, this is one you can watch or listen to instead of reading:

FYI, the audio got screwed up in the first recording and had to do it all over. I had tried to optimize the audio but by accident had added a 1 second delay. Anyway, other than the start where it still mutes too much, let me know if the sound is any better.

Video is a little less than 15 minutes.

seen audioholics on these cables, horrible ( Speakers only )

 

[engin_ear]

No respect for AudioQuest. They are just like Monster, a marketing company.

 

[Human Bass]

No respect for AudioQuest. They are just like Monster, a marketing company.

Monster is better imo. They are not crazy over priced like AQ and have practical design and build quality.

 

[Steve Dallas]

Monster is better imo. They are not crazy over priced like AQ and have practical design and build quality.

All of my 'O2-free' Monster speaker wires turned green within 10 years. Worse quality wire than lamp cord.

 

[J-Mo]

What are the negatives of using wire like this example?
Aside from the questionable description of specs " maximum power transfer and high damping factor" it looks like a suitable cable for most systems.

Audtek 50 ft. 10 AWG OFC Speaker Wire

Audtek 50 ft. 10 AWG OFC Speaker WireAudtek Electronics' SKRL speaker wire is designed to complement any high-end audio system. Oxygen free copper (OFC) is configured in a rope-lay configuration to minimize skin effect which causes high frequency roll-off. Clear, flexible PVC insulation...

www.parts-express.com

 

[Steve Dallas]

What are the negatives of using wire like this example?
Aside from the questionable description of specs " maximum power transfer and high damping factor" it looks like a suitable cable for most systems.

Audtek 50 ft. 10 AWG OFC Speaker Wire

Audtek 50 ft. 10 AWG OFC Speaker WireAudtek Electronics' SKRL speaker wire is designed to complement any high-end audio system. Oxygen free copper (OFC) is configured in a rope-lay configuration to minimize skin effect which causes high frequency roll-off. Clear, flexible PVC insulation...

www.parts-express.com

There are no negatives. That speaker wire is perfectly fine, although overkill in gauge. Sixteen gauge is adequate for most applications, although I use 12 just because.

 

[Speedskater]

Yep, Sixteen gauge is adequate for most applications.
But if a audiophile has concerns, then go larger for peace for mind.

 

[Beave]

The negatives are that 10 gauge wire is very thick, heavy, and can be quite stiff/inflexible. That's all I can think of.

 

[J-Mo]

The negatives are that 10 gauge wire is very thick, heavy, and can be quite stiff/inflexible. That's all I can think of.

Yes. I probably would not go that heavy. Have to figure out the lengths I will be using first.
It's just that I see these high price cables and wonder if I am missing something.
Seems like good quality oxygen free copper is the best bet for home audio.

 

[TLEDDY]

I believe also in paying for good no nonsense cable. Since I went for BJC, I don't know if the sound improved, but my quality of life improved. Over the years, bad/faulty cables have been the single most frustrating thing in my audiophile journey. Especially when you get to more complex systems, the bad cable that cause a hum or noise is not necessarly the obvious one, lot's of debugging, trouble shooting, time wasted. To me good shielding is also important and sorry 2$ cables don't have that. The thing is serious cable manufacturers for the pro industry like Canare, Belden, Mogami, actually measure their stuff, the have standards and specifications to comply. This comes at a cost. Some savings can be made with DIY, but I hate soldering, and I'm simply not that good at it so my "construction" is not necessarily better than poorly constructed cables. and it defeats the purpose of saving troubleshooting time.

Agree! Blue Jean Cables don’t sound any better (my subjective opinion); they are incredibly well made and I have never had a hum issue such as I have experienced with economy [cheap, inexpensive etc,]
other cables.

Their terminations are rock solid, do not break and, in my numerous purchases, completely satisfactory!

Tillman