Once again, speaker cables

[mouettus]

Once again, cables

This time, I don't mean to start a fight. I just read a simple explanation of how audio/video cables work and liked the way it was explained.

http://www.electronichouse.com/article/the_truth_about_high_end_cables/C29

Now it's yours to tell if you want some or not. My pocket has an end, so I chose the inexpensive cables option. I am a found believer in "if you don't hear/see a big enough difference for the price, then don't buy". In fact, the ONLY thing that could make me buy something else than home depot/monoprice/blue jeans is looks. And it HAS to be a reasonable price anyway. That is my opinion, and let me assure you that I respect those of you who don't think like me, even though I don't share your opinion.

 

[Midcow2]

smaller, cheaper,better ...

This time, I don't mean to start a fight. I just read a simple explanation of how audio/video cables work and liked the way it was explained.

http://www.electronichouse.com/article/the_truth_about_high_end_cables/C29

Now it's yours to tell if you want some or not. My pocket has an end, so I chose the inexpensive cables option. I am a found believer in "if you don't hear/see a big enough difference for the price, then don't buy". In fact, the ONLY thing that could make me but something else than home depot/monoprice/blue jeans is looks. And it HAS to be a reasonable price anyway. That is my opinion, and let me assure you that I respect those of you who don't think like me, even though I don't share your opinion.

People spend way,way too much on cables!. I completely agree with you!

 

[10010011]

I think you will find most people here are in agreement with you.

If you want to hear the other side then take a look here http://www.audioasylum.com/audio/cables/bbs.html

Fair warning, these guys on the Assylum are off the deep end.

The Assylum is like a train wreck, I read it shake me head laugh, and wonder how people can be so foolish, get disgusted, walk away, but something keeps drawing me back...

 

[Exit]

Some people believe they hear differences in receiver power cords, so companies come up with expensive power cords to meet their expectations. (Or maybe its the other way arround). The same happens with interconnects and wire. Go figure.

Not everyone can afford expensive cars and houses. Therein lies the snob appeal. Just the fact that they make these products and a number of people believe in them does not mean they actually confer any sonic benefits to an average person. People with more money than sense need to have esoteric outlets to dispose of their excess income. What fun is it to keep all your money in investments all the time when you can buy gold plated wires for your HT and impress your guests. Same thing goes for average joes buying Bose systems. They think they are paying more and getting the best too, and we all know how that story goes.

 

[bandphan]

what they dont make nad sound warmer jk

 

[Penny]

Some people believe they hear differences in receiver power cords, so companies come up with expensive power cords to meet their expectations. (Or maybe its the other way arround). The same happens with interconnects and wire. Go figure.

Not everyone can afford expensive cars and houses. Therein lies the snob appeal. Just the fact that they make these products and a number of people believe in them does not mean they actually confer any sonic benefits to an average person. People with more money than sense need to have esoteric outlets to dispose of their excess income. What fun is it to keep all your money in investments all the time when you can buy gold plated wires for your HT and impress your guests. Same thing goes for average joes buying Bose systems. They think they are paying more and getting the best too, and we all know how that story goes.

Sounds like someone has Cable Envy. I love these HT sites, you guys all crack me up. Each one of you (rich or poor) thinks you have a real bead on things and pity's the other side. Why is that?

 

[davo]

I used to have speaker cables, untill I found a few meters of F1 PIRELLI electrical cable on the building site I was on. Man it was hard work getting the banana plugs to fit. Even through my modest setup, music sounds a bit more airier I suppose, but in no way was it a chalk and cheese difference.

Here are some vital stat's if anyone wants to know -
Electrical Resistance in metals: Silver - 1.59e-8 Ohm-meters
Copper - 1.673e-8 Ohm-meters
Gold - 2.35e-8 Ohm-meters
Nickel - 6.84e-8 Ohm-meters
Titanium - 42.0e-8 Ohm-meters
Aluminum - 2.65e-8 Ohm-meters

So you can see pure copper, like you get in electrical cables but not speaker cables (I've been told there is a reasonable Tin content in speaker cables - must find out more) is right up there with pure silver, but at a fraction of the cost. (Building site, remember?)

 

[fmw]

Sounds like someone has Cable Envy. I love these HT sites, you guys all crack me up. Each one of you (rich or poor) thinks you have a real bead on things and pity's the other side. Why is that?

Because I've actually done the bias controlled listening tests. I can talk about test results rather than opinions. Good enough reason for you?

 

[m_vanmeter]

still the best "common sense" site reference for speaker wire
http://www.roger-russell.com/wire/wire.htm

a quick read about Mr. Russell's background will give you a greater appreciation for his comments and recommendations

http://www.roger-russell.com/

 

[Brett A]

The Assylum is like a train wreck, I read it shake me head laugh, and wonder how people can be so foolish, get disgusted, walk away, but something keeps drawing me back...

I have the same relationship with this site. A lot of angry radical objectivists here, but I keep coming back from time to time.

AA (and the 'gon) is one end of the spectrum, AH is the other. I spend most of my time in the middle, with the reasonable and sane people.

 

[Jack Hammer]

What I primarily like about the article is how they explain the nature of a digital signal. It's easy to follow and there really isn't much room left for bs. I do think they could have done a little better at clarifying to people that for longer runs they may need a better cable.

This was my favorite part about digital signals put into laymans terms:

It’s not that these features don’t improve the wire, but once the wire is “good enough,” making it even better really doesn’t provide any benefit. A car that can travel 140mph may not benefit someone who never drives over 60.​

Jack

 

[mtrycrafts]

I have the same relationship with this site. A lot of angry radical objectivists here, .

Angry? Where do you get that from? Just because one approaches this issue in an objective manner is no indications of anger. Nor it the fact that we keep repeating the same answer, 2+2=

 

[mtrycrafts]

Sounds like someone has Cable Envy. I love these HT sites, you guys all crack me up.

And we love your posts. Just keep it coming. It is a relief from the mundane stuff

Each one of you (rich or poor) thinks you have a real bead on things and pity's the other side. Why is that?

Pity the other side? Hardly. Information sharing. Just because some of the info doesn't change like some change their underwear, it doesn't mean it isn't valid. Besides both cannot be right, right?

 

[mtrycrafts]

I used to have speaker cables, untill I found a few meters of F1 PIRELLI electrical cable on the building site I was on. Man it was hard work getting the banana plugs to fit. Even through my modest setup, music sounds a bit more airier I suppose, but in no way was it a chalk and cheese difference.

Here are some vital stat's if anyone wants to know -
Electrical Resistance in metals: Silver - 1.59e-8 Ohm-meters
Copper - 1.673e-8 Ohm-meters
Gold - 2.35e-8 Ohm-meters
Nickel - 6.84e-8 Ohm-meters
Titanium - 42.0e-8 Ohm-meters
Aluminum - 2.65e-8 Ohm-meters

So you can see pure copper, like you get in electrical cables but not speaker cables (I've been told there is a reasonable Tin content in speaker cables - must find out more) is right up there with pure silver, but at a fraction of the cost. (Building site, remember?)

Speaker cables, unless they are externally coated is in fact copper as pure as they get, 99.95 or better. That is the standard. And no, electrical cables do not have more copper or purer copper, period.

Besides, that 6% difference in resistance between copper and silver is peanuts, meaningless in speaker cable applications, period. You get more change in resistance by going to a lower gauge by 1 number if you could, say by 20%.

 

[Penny]

Because I've actually done the bias controlled listening tests. I can talk about test results rather than opinions. Good enough reason for you?

Ever been published? If not, I'm not even interested in your delusions.

 

[Geno]

Sounds like someone has Cable Envy. I love these HT sites, you guys all crack me up. Each one of you (rich or poor) thinks you have a real bead on things and pity's the other side. Why is that?

I think we have a bead on things because we rely on science, engineering, and double-blind tests to come to our decisions. The "other side", apparently, believes in magic, pseudo-science, marketing constructs, and the most baffling suspension of common sense I've ever seen. Just because someone believes they see fairies and hear heavenly trumpets doesn't make them real.

Of course, that's just my opinion...I could be wrong

 

[jaxvon]

I love it. It has become abundantly clear to me in my travels throughout cyberspace picking up little nuggets of knowledge from "well informed" gents like yourself; the people who can't afford the finer things in life are destined to condemn those that can.

[STUFF]

Well good luck with the rent.

Whoever said anything about not purchasing high end equipment? I thought this was a discussion about cables. People here advocate avoiding high priced cables because the 'benefits' are inaudible and therefore a waste of money. You seem hellbent on insulting the people here because they believe in the science that is behind all A/V equipment and seem to suffer from "cable envy". If you would like to continue discussing the matter at hand in a civil manner, I'd be glad to do so. But if you are to continue trolling, well, I have nary a minute left for you.

 

[Panhandler801]

I have yet to concern myself with cables. still trying to figure out components.

only wire i've run in the house are to the outside cheap speakers. will look more into the quality cables when it comes to running them to my interior speakers.

 

[dorokusai]

Gear first, the rest is up to you. The "rest" can get way out of hand so if anything, keep it simple and cheap compared to the rest of your setup.

Mark
Polk Audio CS

 

[Geno]

Aw, c'mon, Let Penny back in...

This guy is just beggin' for it. Us poor dumb Blue-collar schlubs are just begging for a lesson in humility from this obviously superior AUDIOPHILE UBERLORD...