High priced power cords, koolaid?

[dDaddybass]

I saw an ad for some of these being endorsed by some pretty big name players. Anybody ever a/b test these? Thoughts?

[KJung]

Do a search on this one. Many threads on this over the past 5 years or so. The vast majority of posters (including every EE that posted) cry 'snake oil'

[dDaddybass]

Thanks Ken. That's what I was thinking but the endorsers were pretty reputable.

[CL400Peavey]

Originally Posted by dDaddybass

Thanks Ken. That's what I was thinking but the endorsers were pretty reputable.

Pay me enough money and I will tell you just about anything.

[bongomania]

Even the most reputable musicians are subject to placebo effect, confirmation bias, and all the other mental effects on our hearing that plague non-famous musicians and cause them to hear things that aren't real.

[Jim C]

Originally Posted by bongomania

Even the most reputable musicians are subject to placebo effect, confirmation bias, and all the other mental effects on our hearing that plague non-famous musicians and cause them to hear things that aren't real.

But the Sterofiles are 10X worse.
Some of the theories regarding speaker wire challenges the laws of physics.

[inthevelvet]

Originally Posted by bongomania

Even the most reputable musicians are subject to placebo effect, confirmation bias, and all the other mental effects on our hearing that plague non-famous musicians and cause them to hear things that aren't real.

Not to mention the pro's get paid to endorse things. Honestly I'd take the advice of someone on TB whether a given product was worthwhile, before I'd listen to some celebrity paid endorser.

[Ukiah Bass]

Expensive power cords are as useful for producing great bass tones as expensive bobbles are for ensuring a happy marriage.

[bb03]

My hedge trimmer went through the expensive cord just as quick as the cheap one it replaced!

[Woodstockz]

Originally Posted by KJung

Do a search on this one. Many threads on this over the past 5 years or so. The vast majority of posters (including every EE that posted) cry 'snake oil'

As an EE, I have used such expensive cable in the design of missiles, so I know why it exists.

However, for audio: "Snake Oil".

Monster cable started this crap. It's all about marketing.

[Coolhandjjl]

Can't you just see VanHalen walking on stage and a bunch of them saying: Wait a minute, these are the wrong extension cords....and I thought I saw brown M&M's in the dressing room also.

[mjac28]

Originally Posted by bongomania

Even the most reputable musicians are subject to placebo effect, confirmation bias, and all the other mental effects on our hearing that plague non-famous musicians and cause them to hear things that aren't real.

+1 On that it goes for basses,pedals,amps and speakers I fell victim myself.

[fenderhutz]

Same principle.

http://consumerist.com/2008/03/do-co...er-cables.html

[the_stone]

There's a website for home stereo enthusiasts called AudioKarma, and they have a LOT of discussions about high-end power chords, speaker chords, audio connectors, etc..., along with a LOT of varying opinions about the effectiveness of the stock power chord for your stereo amplifier versus a $2,000 aftermarket power chord (and if you think that's expensive, check out what high-end speaker cable can cost).

I don't doubt that there's people for whom the expensive cables make a discernable difference, but my ears aren't that good.

[Russell L]

My old Silvertone amp has what looks like lamp cord, lol. Works fine, though.

[i_got_a_mohawk]

Originally Posted by the_stone

There's a website for home stereo enthusiasts called AudioKarma, and they have a LOT of discussions about high-end power chords, speaker chords, audio connectors, etc..., along with a LOT of varying opinions about the effectiveness of the stock power chord for your stereo amplifier versus a $2,000 aftermarket power chord (and if you think that's expensive, check out what high-end speaker cable can cost).

I don't doubt that there's people for whom the expensive cables make a discernable difference, but my ears aren't that good.

I wonder if those people have rewired their homes with $2k/m wire?

Whatever must they think of the common muck of electricity coming into their homes from the grid!

[kdogg]

I was having some tone issues with my amp, changed to a boutique high end power cord, problem solved! Several people approached me after my first show with the new cord and commented on how great the bass tone sounded. My drummer couldn't believe the difference. :sly:

[Mark Reccord]

Summary:

Cable threads usually turn into epic battles with a few true believers essentially saying that everyone who doesn't hear a difference with fancy cables has defective hearing in the face of an overwhelming amount of evidence that they do nothing. Of course there are a few of the more vocal opponents that essentially say that people who do hear differences have defective brains.

Personally, I don't think high end AC cables make any sonic difference in any situation over properly functioning regular cables of adequate gauge. Physics backs that idea up and indeed my personal experience with high end cables backs it up as well.

After one of the big power cable blowouts a year or so ago, I ordered an ESP power cable and put the manufacturers claims to the test. the I still have all the data somewhere. I was going to post it here, but then we had a second kid and I forgot about it. Long story short: there was no difference in amplifier behaviour between it and a regular IEC cable both in terms of measurements and in listening tests.

I also spent 5 years working for a manufacturer of high end stereo gear and had the opportunity to test all kinds of cables from the mundane to the outrageously expensive and exotic (Crystal Cable, Nordost, Cardas, Wire World and so on).

[Bruins29]

Originally Posted by the_stone

I don't doubt that there's people for whom the expensive cables make a discernable difference, but my ears aren't that good.

There actaully isnt they just think it does. Its impossible and even if the cable or wire did make a difference, its a function of a faulty cable, or a cable designed to change the sound of something (why would you want that) or an inadequate gage of wire for a certain length of cable which is possible but very easily fixable..

The only differences detected are as mentioned above a placebo effect. Double blind test have shown time and time again cable can not improve the sound of anything. If its not a controlled ABX test than listening to cable is a waste of time.

Also, have you noticed that not one manufacture of high-end cable or wire has ever marketed their product as one which will improve sound of something. Why do you think that is?

If these cables were so great and offered such obvious sound improvements wouldnt the manufactures be shouting this from the rooftops?

[Woodstockz]

Originally Posted by the_stone

I don't doubt that there's people for whom the expensive cables make a discernable difference, but my ears aren't that good.

We used expensive materials in a harsh and caustic aerospace environment because we had to. Like gold plated connectors, and silver coated copper. Back in '80, I relocated the battery to the trunk of my '71 Cuda using surplus silver coated copper that was scrap and sold by the pound.

Thin wires eat up voltage, we call it voltage drop. High end stereo guys would set up A/B testing for customers. One using thin gauge speaker wire, and one using thick wire. The thin wire would eat up enough voltage that people could tell that the speaker with the thicker wire was louder. However, lamp cord is just as good.

Monster cable is just marketing hype around thick gauge wire. That madness has migrated to connectors and power cords from aerospace.

There are some heavy gauge power cords that are used on high power electrical equipment that really needs it. People that market to audiophiles have latched onto this as well.

Hey, KoolAid!