Elevated speaker wire/cable
- Thread starter DMLBES
- Start date
There are really only a couple of things I would like to add.
First, there is no scientific evidence that raising speaker cables will have any effect whatsoever on the sound. And because of that we come to number 2.
Secondly, if something makes you feel good for whatever reason then feel free to do it. You can still do it because it looks tidier or allows you to more easily vacuum under the speaker cables. You may simply like the look of things. There is no harm in doing things however you like.
We just need to avoid going down the sliipery slope to "snake oil". One person's experience is not validation of something. That's why hypotheses get tested and we use data to see if something was correct or not. If we simply take the subjective opinion of one individual as fact then we are doing ourselves a disservice. We aren't being honest. I could say something like how my stereo sounds better with a potted plant in my lap. But there would be no evidence that makes any difference at all. No offense to the OP. I hope they understand what I am saying.
First, there is no scientific evidence that raising speaker cables will have any effect whatsoever on the sound. And because of that we come to number 2.
Secondly, if something makes you feel good for whatever reason then feel free to do it. You can still do it because it looks tidier or allows you to more easily vacuum under the speaker cables. You may simply like the look of things. There is no harm in doing things however you like.
We just need to avoid going down the sliipery slope to "snake oil". One person's experience is not validation of something. That's why hypotheses get tested and we use data to see if something was correct or not. If we simply take the subjective opinion of one individual as fact then we are doing ourselves a disservice. We aren't being honest. I could say something like how my stereo sounds better with a potted plant in my lap. But there would be no evidence that makes any difference at all. No offense to the OP. I hope they understand what I am saying.
Congratulations, you've discovered something that makes a difference in your system. Some believe that such things cannot be real because measurements don't reveal them. Some say there are things we haven't learned how to measure. If you find a way to raise you speaker wire that suits you, heck you may not mind just draping it over other speakers, go for it. If you find there's no difference than placing the wires on the floor versus elevated, all you've spent is time. If you find a difference elevated and you like it, you needn't spend a lot to implement it.
BTW, welcome to the collective
Now about those DIY panels, got any pics 
ironcoder
Active Member
You guys are missing the real point. Using risers to elevate speaker and other cables simply looks cool. Those old ceramic electrical insulators are especially cool.
Yes, those old ceramic insulators on power poles would make very cool looking cable holders. Maybe the aesthetics of this makes the sound seem better to the listener. The quality of sound is so subjective that just about anything can make it sound better or worse. Some people even change solder and are sure the sound is better. If I had room, I would actually use those old power pole glass or ceramic insulators to support my speaker wires, just for the cool look. Alas, I do not have that much room in our home. Oh, even better, have miniature power poles in your living room supporting the speaker wires. That would take a very big house.
You can do a test to see if there is really an audible effect of raising the speaker cables or not.
Since the only thing your would be changing is the position of the speaker cables, do an experiment. Record the sound in the room with mikes and a digital recorder, or directly from the amp output without the mikes. Make one recording with the speaker cables on the floor, and another with the cables elevated. Save as two separate digital files, with all other audio equipment set at the same settings for the recordings. Evaluate with one or more of the following ideas.
1.) Play the two recordings and compare, using "good" headphones. Try to randomize this so you eliminate personal bias of knowing which file is which. I did this by renaming the files as apples and oranges or some other names, and listened only after enough time had elapsed so that I had forgotten which file was which (without looking at the file date, time, etc.) because I was performing this test by myself. You can ask a friend to record so you don't know which file was which.
There are other tests, but are more complicated to perform.
2.) Compare the two recordings using an audio editing program by subtracting one recorded file from the other. If no waveform appears in the difference file then there is no difference. If some difference appears, look at how small or large the difference is in signal strength, relative to the original signal strength. If you can audibly hear a difference, then it should be very apparent in the difference waveform.
3.) Use a null test with a speaker. Similar to #2 above, but requires more work to make the test reliable.
David_NC
Super Member
As for whether it’s psychological or really audible... I think the fact that we have double-blind tests, and often inclusive results, sort of indicates that at least some of it is psychological.
He never chewed any other cord again, either. I wish he’d chewed that lamp cord first instead of all my interconnects. My record covers weren’t so lucky either.
One reason I won’t use single banana plugs on the speaker end of the cables is that if they unplug while the amp is on, it may not end well. I also added clear heat shrink to the exposed parts of my double banana plugs; I don’t think bare speaker connectors are a good idea.
We had a rabbit like that once. He chewed the cord of a lamp exactly one time! That was the only time I heard him make noise - a loud squeak!
He never chewed any other cord again, either. I wish he’d chewed that lamp cord first instead of all my interconnects. My record covers weren’t so lucky either.
imral3
Enjoy the musics!!
I haven't been that unlucky and hope I don't get to that point. Yikes!
Good to see you Bill, though of you the other day thinking you got lost.
C6Bill
Super Member
More reading than posting lately
But the RSD BF list should be released today so good luck getting rid of me for the next 2 months lol
While I was qualifying to teach Aural Recognition (Critical Listening) we went over a lot of studies by Johns Hopkins U on this subject. These where all Navy sponsored studies so I am not sure how much if any are available to the public.
After teaching over 2500 students it’s a real thing.
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Plus, it looks neet as all get out.
SoCal Sam
Lunatic Member
While I was qualifying to teach Aural Recognition (Critical Listening) we went over a lot of studies by John Hopkins U on this subject. These where all Navy sponsored studies so I am not sure how much if any are available to the public.
After teaching over 2500 students it’s a real thing.
Listening is subjective. Science is not.
Well the science of those studies said it was a thing so I am not sure what to tell you.
Not really to worried if you buy into my real world training and experiences or not. I just put it out there for info like everyone else on here.
SoCal Sam
Lunatic Member
Well the science of those studies said it was a thing so I am not sure what to tell you.
Not really to worried if you buy into my real world training and experiences or not. I just put it out there for info like everyone else on here.
You have dodged my question, which is typical of the sales and marketing of risers. I don't doubt that you have heard a difference. In fact, I will concede that you hear a difference. I would like to know why. Referring back to your own listening impression is a circular argument.
DaveVoorhis
Addicted Member
Sorry, I'm not clear what was identified here as the subject of the Johns Hopkins studies. Was it psychoacoustics? Or the effect of elevating wires? Or both?Well the science of those studies said it was a thing so I am not sure what to tell you.
