The cable debate (Oh NO!!) SORRY

I meant I have tested different cables in a different room i.e. someones else system someones else room.  I agree the room does play a huge factor in the sound reproduction - as does placement, seating positon etc, however I am very aware of this and the measuring methods and treatment methods available.

I still have never once swapped out a cable and ever thought that sounds the same, in a way I wish I had as I would be a hell of a lot richer.  I am not talking digital cables, I mean interconnects and speaker cables. Even when I have nothing ti gain or lose from the siuation i.e. come round and listen and tell me what you think scenario

I did it recently and did an A/B test and the difference to me was not small, it was not a blind test. 

I sit there and listened on a system not my own to a song for the first time and I heard messy/ mush in the background and I concentrated on listening to it as I am used to a clearer sound - I tried to work out what it was for the whole song - it was not possible to make out what it was -

Then I changed the speaker cable listened to the exact same song at the same volume then I could clearly hear the background mush as a mixture of instrument noises and some vocal.  There was no mistaking that for me - it was a clear difference and that is just one example of how better the second speaker cable was to the first

Where you have used another person to quantify your results - ie. we both heard no difference I am the same the other way round.

I have been with someone changed cables and we have both heard the same or very similar changes to the presentation, without discussing it during.

I would be very interested to know.  What was the quality/  guage/  copper-ofc- silver etc.. cost difference between the speaker cables you changed between?  Did the more expensive cable sound better in your opinion?  What length per channel are we talking about in your test? 

Nb:  If the first speaker cable was a standard copper cable,  light guage and you upgraded to an OFC or silver etc.. then you will hear a difference in detail.  That is why I stated,  a good guage OFC copper speaker cable.  You really do not have to spend a fortune but you do have to invest a bit more than standard copper speaker cable.  My test was between OFC copper approx £6/m and the Chord silver £25/ m.  I have in the past tested mains 13amp flex v OFC copper speaker cable and the detail and clarity improves when you use OFC copper.

My recent test was tested in isolation by myself.  I would have invested in the speaker cable had it made a difference.  I have no need to spend money on new speaker cable as the test results were neutral,  both my existing OFC copper and new Chord silver sounded the same. 

It was during our research into DSP/ triple Amplification per channel that a very clear and dynamic presentation was noted when to quote you 'where you have used another person to quantify your results'.  We used the same loudspeakers and built a switch box to cut between the passive crossover v active crossover/ amps per driver.  The loudspeaker presentation is greatly improved with DSP/ triple amplification in a 3 way speaker,  although more costly. By the way,  we don't discuss during when testing,  that ensures no influence in any one direction!  Oh,  we converted my friends transmission line 3 way speakers to active/ 3 amps per channel.  Lucky chap he had the funds to invest in this set up.

Its great to experiment.  We all want to get the best out of our system setups.  Each to their own ;)  

I am now looking into experimenting with an external DAC v my CD players in built DAC. The £150 (+ some more cash ) may prove more fruitful investing in an external DAC

Sorry for the delayed response been busy with other things

The 2 cables were both copper - one was van damme LP UOFC 2.5mm which is a heavy enough gauge of OFC for you I would assume - its actually supposedly better than standard OFC - that was the first cable that was giving the messy sound.

I then put in Graham Slee Spatia which you can read my review of in another thread which is also Copper - I dont think I am allowed to say what type it is - however its nothing too far out of the ordinary to become snake oil such us frozen or anything like that.  Its also thinner than 2.5mm - its hard to tell as its covered but I would say 1.5mm.  Thats why I said you dont need a heavy gauge of copper to get a great soundign cable.

Either way the difference was night and day between the 2 - the Spatia allowed me to clearly hear the background detail as I described eariler which with the Van damme cable was mush.

If you imagine listening to the soundstage flat left to right - thats how it sounded with the Van damme.  Clear vocal but no sepration of anything else - put in the Spatia and then it clears up all the presentation so you can hear each element clearly and the soundstage then has depth front to back as a result

the price difference is massive 3 metre pair of Van Damme terminated would be about £75 - 90 depending the plugs

The Spatia is about £200 for a 3 metre pait terminated so its twice the money - but to me more than twice the sound quality

Thanks for responding :) 

It is interesting to hear that we both have differing results.  As I said,  if you can pick a winner spend the money and be happy with your choice.

I also said,  a good guage OFC speaker cable,  not heavy is what you need

The two cables you tested were really that different?  I do have a question,  if someone did a blind A/B/X test with you,  you could choose the Spatia speaker cable every time?  Many Recording studios in the UK use Van Damme cables!

That is impressive that both OFC copper cables behave so differently.  One cable clearly must offer some resistance/ distorts the electron flow and removes analogue sinewave info and the other cable can improve the electron flow to improve the analogue sinewave somehow adding info reaching the speakers to provide clear presentation, allow you to hear each element clearly and improve soundstage depth. 

Granted you have used more expensive cables.  The cable difference ratio I tested was almost five times more expensive but no improvement in sound quality.

I am still going to invest my money on an external DAC.  I would rather believe in a device that is processing a signal to the Pre-Amp/ Amp stage rather that a piece of wire carrying a signal from the Amp to offer a true improvement in audio quality. 

Each to their own.