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Do speaker wires make a difference?

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jamiecantar

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Perhaps this has been discussed before. I have a pair of 12 gauge box-store copper speaker wires which I probably paid $30 for on my system, but I keep getting the itch to get some " so called" quality speaker cables like Kimber or Oyaide. Do they really make an audible difference? Has anyone actually noticed a difference or measured it some how?

Anyone?
 
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They do , but I would do a search here , there are dozens of threads to read up on this subject.
 
The most basic and non-inflammatory remark is "depends." Depends a lot on your system, some on your ears, some on your wallet. I can't hear much difference between the various things I've tried, but I have low- to mid-fi systems.
 
Like golf it's all in the hips or wallet pocket more like it. I say pure conductors good insulators and correct gauge per run will matter the most. Depends also makes adult diapers lol.
 
I would also say "depends".

I've had situations where it did make a difference and others where it did not. I really think it depends on the related components, room, recordings, etc.

I've found no correlation between cost/MSRP and sound quality, so I'd recommend not giving much credence to the expectation bias argument. I've been surprised at how much performance has been drained away by some expensive (by my standards) cables. OTOH, I find extension cord/lamp cord suffices in a pinch. I've found some happy mediums for myself along the way buying used high-end-ish cables at a fraction of their original cost.

The only way to know is to try. Any retailer worth dealing with will either let you borrow cables (in the case of independent brink and mortar stores) or will have a preferential return policy (in the case of online retailers).
 
jamiecantar said:
Perhaps this has been discussed before. I have a pair of 12 gauge box-store copper speaker wires which I probably paid $30 for on my system, but I keep getting the itch to get some quality speaker cables like Kimber or Oyaide. Do they really make an audible difference? Has anyone actually noticed a difference?

Anyone?
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12 AWG.. Thats what I run good enough for me. :thmbsp:
 
If you've got an opinion you can express respectfully, please do. If you just want to mock the thread or the topic, just don't. Thus spake the moderator.
 
Boozehound said:
12 AWG.. Thats what I run good enough for me. :thmbsp:
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Seconded. I run 12 AWG also. I have not done any comparisons, other than to upgrade, some 30 years ago, from 16 gauge lamp cord. When it comes to interconnects, I can tell the difference between Kimber vs. shielded cable; but I think some of these brands are specially treated with snake oil, which is quite expensive . . .
 
In my experience once you pass a certain gauge to handle the current your pushing (less than most think I believe)it's moot.

I've seen ppl who have spent +$100 a ft and when I cracked open their BIG dollar speakers for repair the wire used internally is a joke at best. I have also rewired one speaker with premium wire and left the other with the dental floss it came with from the factory and test ran them for ppl I respect, no one could tell which was which.

Now this is just my experience and I have not been privy to the endless possibilities of combinations.

Publications and their reviews are imho worthless. Many times the reviewers are hoping to or are currently being paid by said manufacturers to advertise the products being reviewed.

I have personally witnessed a review that was written before the product even arrived to test. Sort of removes any faith in the process.

Many disagree and I respect their opinions. I just have mine.
 
Donkey Karma said:
Publications and their reviews are imho worthless. Many times the reviewers are hoping to or are currently being paid by said manufacturers to advertise the products being reviewed.

I have personally witnessed a review that was written before the product even arrived to test. Sort of removes any faith in the process.

Many disagree and I respect their opinions. I just have mine.
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Gee, I hope that wasn't in Stereophile or Absolute Sound. I just renewed my subscriptions.
 
You will find people to say yes or no. The only way to figure out which one you side with is to try it yourself. There's nothing wrong with either school of thought.


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Buy 'em with a generous return policy and then see what your ears tell you.
Switch 'em every few days and listen to 'em for a few days between switching.
Then weigh the difference in sound to the difference in cost.
 
Does anyone else find it meaningful that most of the people advocating 12 ga lamp cord haven't done any comparisons?

As has been mentioned, retailers will work with you for in-home trials. The Cable Company has a lending library; you pay a deposit and shipping and they will let you audition up to 4 different pairs of cables. That's really the only way to answer the question for you.
 
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