Sample Test - Audioquest William Tell, AQ Oak, AQ Rocket 88 and Lamp wire

[@tosiek1493]

AQ Rocket 88 makes a true 3D listening experience, Awesome!

[@elise10lies84]

Prachtig zeg... ik heb zelf een aantal jaar terug een oudere afgemonteerde Audioquest kabel type 4 gekregen. Ik heb gelijk mijn Qed speakerkabel vervangen en wat een verschil zeg. Bas gaat veel dieper, alles klinkt veel echter... Fantastisch merk!

[@barskuleli8612]

Comments are unbelievable :) People understood which cable is more airy, which cable has wider stage, which cable has more detail from a KZbin video :)) I am speechless in front of your ear capabilities guys… Bravo… I am hundred percent sure if you put all these commenters to this room, even one of them can not understand which one is Walmart electric cable…

[@ropeburn6684]

The "bass goes much deeper" comment is my favourite. 😂😂

[@barskuleli8612]

@@ropeburn6684 😂😂

[@barskuleli8612]

@ropeburn6684 Someone says "it is a true 3D listening experience! Awesome" 😂😂

[@ropeburn6684]

@@barskuleli8612 You can get a real 3D sound improvement using cables! It's true! ...if you're using more cables to hook up more speakers and suddenly have a 5.1 or 7.2 system as opposed to stereo. 😂

[@PBlaik]

Thanks for the first song, in my playlist now 😆

[@Benvos]

I enjoy a good A/B test, they’re interesting because while I do believe cables matter, the differences can be small. A number of power cable A/B demos have shown real difference in sound. However this one I really struggled to clearly pick out differences which leads me to believe perhaps speaker cables don’t have as much impact on sound as other equipment connections. When it comes to building my system I will still opt for ‘quality’ cables because they look much nicer, and give you that peace of mind. Audio quest rocket 88 are the cables on my list.

[@BrentLeVasseur]

This is awesome! Thanks so much for doing this comparison. I am listening to this on a pair of Hifiman Sundara headphones with an audioquest Dragonfly cobalt DAC through my iPad. I can hear a big difference with the William Tell and Oak cables. The William Tell cables sound the best to me as I hear a slightly wider and more airy soundstage. The treble frequencies are more crisp and detailed. The Oak cable sounds almost as good but not quite. The Oak cable seems to be doing good things with the bass frequency response. Although the treble range is not as clear and articulate as the William Tell. The Oak doesn’t have that level of soundstage airiness that the William Tell has. The Rocket 88 was the smallest difference to me. It only had a slight improvement to the basic lamp wire and didn’t come close to the improvements that the William Tell had. So that’s what I heard. I then got excited to buy the William Tell cables only to google it for price to discover they are $2500 for a pair of 6 foot cables, which would put them at 50% of the cost of my speakers. 😂😂

[@yippie6862]

I have the AQ Rocket 88's. Now after this demonstration I might have to upgrade. Dammit AlphaAudio :) I clearly heard a difference between all 4. I was surprised how well the lamp cord did but the others were clearly better. My favorite is the William Tell. The Oak was just too controlled, tight, and less open in comparison. The 88's actually sounded more open the Oak but less refined overall. I guess, at least here, you get what you pay for. Thanks for the demo.

[@TheAlphaAudio]

Sorry... 😃

[@Prophet1cus]

Clearly psychoacoustics played a big role here. A proper blind AB(X) test would probably result in far subtler differences, if any at all. See www.soundandvision.com/content/speaker-cables-can-you-hear-difference-page-3 "This project was unable to validate the sonic benefits claimed for exotic speaker cables over common 16-gauge zip cord. We can only conclude, therefore, that there is little advantage besides pride of ownership in using these thick, expensive wires."

[@yippie6862]

@@Prophet1cus You deniers always come out when cables are concerned. The great news for you is that you can just buy lamp wire and be happy with it. All while saving money. I suggest you leave the rest of us alone. There are plenty of intelligent audiophiles with decades of experience that believe differently than you. We can decide for ourselves. Thanks.

[@Prophet1cus]

@@yippie6862 Clearly :) But whose? Did you read a bit into the rigorously set up test sound and vision did I linked to? That's quite a bit different than a sighted test where you are told by the tester what differences you should look out for.

[@Prophet1cus]

@@yippie6862 I come out on all sorts of audio (and other) topics. Regardless the topic I'm a critical thinker. I've got a pair of nice looking cables as well... something to be said for a nice finish and looks when used in a living room. However, I don't believe they offer much benefit if any in audible quality. Decades of experience is a rhetorical fallacy I'm not sensitive to by the way. But hey, you know what matters in the end? Do you enjoy your music listening experience? I hope you do. Have a good day.

[@belotan4218]

I am now a true believer that speaker cable matters.

[@petermartin9494]

My initial impression is that rocket 88 is little if at all better than lamp chord... The Oak seems to be the only one worth having.

[@jluis5188]

AQ OAK FTW!

[@harryballector]

Een 0,75 kabel is mss een wat extreme keuze daar de sectie van deze kabel niet overeen komt met de andere kabels, een gewone ofc speakerkabel 4mm2 zoals bv sommercable of oehlbach zou een interessant vergelijk maken .

[@devranayaz4349]

Chord Signature XL or Audioquest Rocket88 for Kef Reference Meta 3 ?

[@valentinvalentin8916]

Wich one did you liked more?

[@guillermomartin8248]

I downloaded the FLAC files for the AQ 88, Lamp, and Oak. What I noticed the biggest difference is from the Lamp to AQ88 however, when testing the Oak all I noticed is that the AQ88 sounded louder, they didn’t seem to be on the same gain.. so not sure how accurate this is.

[@TheAlphaAudio]

We try our best to level all files, so they peak on -3dB. You can check it in your editor.

[@TheAlphaAudio]

Can I ask on what webpage you downloaded the files? We migrated the server, but I noticed you used the old - slower - server.

[@gregorydijoseph5873]

Good video as I am a skeptic and the WT Silver bring out much more detail.

[@ManThingg]

waiting for the harbeth super hl5 plus vs Focal Sopra No1 test

[@TheAlphaAudio]

Good Idea.

[@Didadumdam]

Do kimber speaker cables please 😃

[@sharan6816]

Which cable would you recommend for the Denon PMA 2500NE and Tannoy XT8f?

[@TheAlphaAudio]

@@sharan6816 the one you like best.

[@chasehatton3691]

It does seem to prove the overall higher importance of interconnects in all things cable. As we can hear from this demo, there are at time no real discernible differences between the lamp wire and and the sole rep from the AQ Rocket series. Definitely a more noticeable improvement with the Oak and just a tad less with the William Tell overall. Lesson to be drawn here : if you feel the need , more to satisfy that inner desire for higher priced cables, go the used route and save the money. I originally went approx $600 for AQ Rocket 44 and returned them for a $800 used AQ Robin Hood. Is there a $200 worth of difference, I certainly think so. Now, with that in mind, would the the William Tell at $2400 represent a $2000 worth of improvement over the aforementioned Rocket 44 ?. Probably not in my books. Once one finds that sweet spot between value for money and marked improvement over what was there before , stay there as the reality of fast approaching diminishing returns happens sooner than rather than later in this audiophile pursuit.

[@gioponti6359]

On first listen: not bad at all this nameless lamp cord (run in at all? ;o) ), provided listening via ipad & non-aptX BT connection to in-ears - which we want to avoid, all of us, by putting together a proper hifi system... so listening on the big system recommended (which i cannot wait to do). Great work & kudos to Alpha Audio!

[@gioponti6359]

Now one early remark: first song best heard first in original version (spotify or else) to understand the nature of instrumentation at ca 3:00 or later again at 4:30: this seems voice, guitar, piano plus something distorted. Even through non-aptX BT connection the version around 4:30 onwards (AQ Oak) is so much more enjoyable while at 3:00 (The Lamp Cord) that mix of voice, guitar, piano and distorted sound is difficult to endure like v low data rate mp3 (on described minimal playback system; only me? makes me wonder how this works out on real focal/bryston/pass system).

[@TheAlphaAudio]

Thanks for adding this. The lamp cord is more rough than the Oak. The Oak is very smooth. The William Tell is more clear and detailed.

[@ЭстетЗвука]

Good afternoon .. tell me you didn’t have the opportunity to compare how robingood zero + bass plays (2 SEPARATE CABLES) vs. OAK BEAVIRING. Did Robin Hood win? If he lost, then in what?

[@TheAlphaAudio]

Unfortunately I haven't tested the Robin Hood yet...

[@ЭстетЗвука]

@@TheAlphaAudio .I think he will lose .. oak in the system where bass is needed .. but it will be better where they listen to jazz vocals .. VILLIAM TEL IS IDEAL .. BUT VERY EXPENSIVE .. TO ME ROBIN GOOD WILL COME IN MAY .. I'm looking forward to him with impatience bass + zero

[@guilhermedealmeida2299]

Did the lampcord have the same cross section area (same mm² or same AWG) as the 'boutique' top cables? The comparison only is fair with same AWG (or same mm²). Otherwise the comparison is useless. Not fair and ilogical to compare a top cable AWG 12 with a AWG 22 lampcord...

[@AlfredoCoronel]

Awesome , Listening on my Mac book Pro , Old Dre Beats Headphones Wth short on Aux Cord , Sounds great!

[@TheAlphaAudio]

Thanks!

[@ManThingg]

waiting for the harbeth HL-compact 7es-3 vs Focal Sopra No1 test

[@LQ-gaming]

Would you recon these speakers work well with a magnat RV 4 hybrid amp?

[@robkleinjans4029]

Is er een grens waar de kwaliteit (prijs) van een kabel (te) weinig toevoegt in verhouding tot de kwaliteit (prijs) van luidsprekers? Of te wel: is er naar ratio een kwaliteit/prijs van een kabel die het maximum uit een kwaliteit/prijs van een luidspreker haalt? Benieuwd naar jullie reacties. Bvd

[@TheAlphaAudio]

Ja. Die is er zeker. Ik zou persoonlijk niet een William Tell Silver aan de Sopra koppelen. Je hoort wel een verbetering, maar het rendement is wat laag. Dan zou ik eerder een betere speaker aanschaffen. Maar een AQ Oak kan wel vind ik.

[@stevenoconnor5693]

Still waiting on an 805 d3 vs d4 comparison from you.

[@TheAlphaAudio]

You can wait forever... We can't ... They are not available.

[@fredrickanderson17]

The Oak sounds best to me on all tracks. I am 69 yrs old with moderate hearing loss nothing at all beyond 8K.

[@redleather100]

Ok I can hear a difference . My first thoughts were if I close my eyes I bet I wouldn’t notice a difference but I did. But only from the cheap cable to the audio quest .

[@TheAlphaAudio]

That is the largest difference. I you use headphones it is easier. You can also check and download the lossless samples on alpha-audio.net.

[@TheAlphaAudio]

@Sebastian Tomita You were right! Added the samples. alpha-audio.net/background/pure-music-audioquest-william-tell-silver-oak-and-rocket-88/

[@TheAlphaAudio]

@Sebastian Tomita added it!

[@nmahamad]

Heard a difference with the audiquest

[@MrComand3r]

The AQ Oak produces a full and refined sound. All others Idk. Good job Alpha Audio.

[@TheAlphaAudio]

Thanks!

[@juntonglim9572]

For me Aq Oak the best

[@jmtennapel]

Het zal aan mij liggen, maar de Driade kabel die in de vorige vergelijkingsvideos is gebruikt klinkt heel veel beter. Of beter gezegd: je hoort geen kabel.

[@TheAlphaAudio]

We wilden die er ook nog bij pakken. Maar dat doen we in een volgende wel.

[@Antoon55]

Mooie test. Voor mij klinkt de Oak het best op mijn Sony headphone.

[@nickvankreij1626]

Weer een mooi stukje werk Alpha Audio! Een tip, zoude jullie misschien de start tijden in de beschrijving willen plaatsen, zo kan iedereen snel schakelen tussen de kabels.

[@TheAlphaAudio]

Dat kunnen we zeker doen. Per track lijkt me nuttig. Maar per kabel niet echt. Het gaat immers om de verschillen ;-)

[@TheAlphaAudio]

Done!

[@dennisstempher9684]

Poeh, zou het nog een lastige afweging vinden: de 'volheid' van de Oak vs. de extra resolutie van de William Tell... Maar goed, ik hou het for the time being nog bij mijn AQ Castle Rock, ook fijn ;-)

[@TheAlphaAudio]

Prachtige kabel... En héél goed gehoord! Complimenten... Oak is ronder maar William Tell heeft meer resolutie.

[@Prophet1cus]

Deze test maakt mij wel duidelijk hoe weinig een speakerkabel, mits dik genoeg en zonder breuken, uitmaakt. Het geld dat je zou betalen voor een 'betere' kabel kun je m.i. beter steken in je budget voor speakers of akoestische behandeling van je kamer. Als dat laatste niet gaat, want luisterkamer=woonkamer en WAF, een gekalibreerde microfoon en miniDSP of een versterker met iets als Dirac....maar dat voorstel is vast als vloeken in de kerk hier.

[@TheAlphaAudio]

Dus als jij het niet hoort, is het een feit?

[@Prophet1cus]

@@TheAlphaAudio Nee, het is slechts een feit dat ik geen verschil hoor. Daarnaast vind ik het waarschijnlijk dat een hoop vermeende verschillen die worden gemeld minder danwel niet hoorbaar zouden zijn in een blinde (ABX) test.

[@TheAlphaAudio]

@@Prophet1cus we gaan een keer een blindtest opzetten. Leuk idee

[@tattednyctrkman8119]

For me it’s the AQ Thunderbird. Right behind the Dragon. Biggest bang for the buck.

[@theflyingdutchman7127]

Leuk weer 👍

[@LimePieMusic]

Which cable do you like best?

[@TheAlphaAudio]

That is irrelevant. Its about what you like.

[@LimePieMusic]

@@TheAlphaAudio value for money i like rocket 88

[@TheAlphaAudio]

@@LimePieMusic than thats the cable of choice!

[@gabrielueta6908]

I liked the Yamaha amplifier connected to these speakers more.

[@PAULPM15S1DYNXCITE]

Not much difference between the lamp cord $20 and rocket 88 at $1800 aud 🤷🏼‍♂️

[@TheAlphaAudio]

Well... There is - in my opinion - in refinement. Did you use headphones?

[@PAULPM15S1DYNXCITE]

This time I did and honestly I couldn’t tell ... the oak was the one I heard change most I probably need to be there listening . Thanx for a great demo and some great music 👍

[@TheAlphaAudio]

@@PAULPM15S1DYNXCITE welcome!

[@Ceko]

PAUL & SHELLEY Munoz I wonder if anyone can really tell them apart in a blind AB test.

[@r423fplip]

@@TheAlphaAudio it funny how the brain thinks it hears an improvement. It’s easily fooled !

[@lawrencesnyder]

You listen to this over a nice system and there are indeed differences. If you invest several thousand dollars on equipment just nit picking components over others in order to get the best sound posible, might as well get the William Tell although the difference between the Oak, WT & R88 are subdued. There is a noticeable difference though.

[@artlevy9595]

Finnally an opportunity to hear the difference in cables on the fly. Thank you !!! Now how am I going to come up with $ 7 k for cables. 💕☺

[@TheAlphaAudio]

Sorry about that ;-)

[@jurre9892]

Krijg een beetje een deja vu gevoel van toen ik de AQ Golden Gate (net zo 'veel' als Oak) vergeleek met de Victoria (net zo 'schoon'? als de William Tell). Mijn vriendin vond de Golden Gate mooier en ik de Victoria prettiger. Maar heb even de prijzen Gegoogled van deze kabels. En het goede nieuws is dat ik nu niet hoef te kiezen 😉

[@ericshutter5305]

De oplossing heet Bluejeanscable.co.uk waar je goede kabels voor een normale prijs kan kopen... Niet dit soort consumenten kabels met exotische prijzen...

[@mikefadu]

i have n1 with mcintosh 300 watt per MC312 sounds great power is king with good cable

[@johnvalatos4073]

The Walmart and Rocket were really close not much difference really. William Tell was a touch fuller in sound.

[@TheAlphaAudio]

I think the differences are in scale en refinement.

[@shannonwilliams6623]

Hey Gene with @Audioholics you can hear the difference just from phone speakers lol

[@genesis667]

The difference is so slight it's almost nonexistent...

[@shannonwilliams6623]

@genesis667 being viewed through KZbin is the problem

[@billymilano3499]

Na 3 minuten luisteren ben ik maar afgehaakt ,in de eerste plaats vanwege de muziek wat niet mijn smaak is en ten tweede ik nog geen wisseling heb waargenomen.

[@damirormanec4742]

On a desktop hard but to a living other song

[@Burevestnik9M730]

Standard cable sounds no different than others.

[@kirilkirilov7236]

💥💥💥💥🌟🌟🌟🌟👍👍👍👍☝☝

[@MrComand3r]

Lessons learned, no lamp wire on your Hi-Fi system 😅

[@TheAlphaAudio]

Indeed

[@ianarthur3412]

Close your eyes…….and realise! they all sound the same!….if the listeners cannot all agree on the best and worst cable surely it comes down to personal choice not quality?

[@Ceko]

Gelukkig, ik hoor helemaal geen verschil.

[@theflyingdutchman7127]

Ceko ik ook niet

[@TheAlphaAudio]

Hoofdtelefoon geprobeerd?

[@Ceko]

TheAlphaAudio jazeker. Misschien weet ik gewoon niet zo goed waar ik op moet letten?

[@TheAlphaAudio]

@@Ceko Let eens goed op hoe "S-klanken" worden neergezet. En bekken... hoe sterven die uit? Hoe klinken ze? Hard, fel, rond, warm, groots... etc.

[@Prophet1cus]

Ik ook niet. (Ja met koptelefoon: Philips Fidelio X2). Oftewel: koop een kabel die zo kort mogelijk is en dik genoeg, van koper is ook wel fijn. Verder... maakt het niet zo veel uit en moet je vooral kopen waar je blij van wordt. Ook ik heb mooi afgewerkte kabels met banaantjes een hoes en krimpkous, het oog wil ook wat. Ik heb echter niet de illusie dat ze beter klinken dan 'blote' kabels van de rol die me een kwart zoveel hadden gekost.

[@oldmaninhisshed1111]

A difference may be, but not enough to justify the cost, what is it they say, an audiophool and his/her/theys money are easily parted. I go with science on all this cable nonsense sorry.

[@TheAlphaAudio]

Well... We have actual measurements it does matter. And there will be more coming.

[@aussie8114]

I can hear bugger all difference.

[@milkman100001]

no difference

[@givemethejob3293]

Very very little, only a tiny difference between rocket 22 and the upper level cables and the std cable very similar to rocket 22.

[@jm_1214]

Digital all sounds the same. Music wrapped in metal..

[@martifilipponi1024]

shut your eyes you will not hear any difference