Speaker Cables Really Don't Make Much of a Difference?

In this video I actually measure cheap vs expensive cables using very precise test equipment connected to an amplifier and resistive loads as well as a loudspeaker to show the amplitude and distortion differences. The results may surprise you. Have you been sold a placebo when it comes to "high-end" cables? Watch this video to find out.
0:58 Test Equipment
2:31 Speaker Cables Under Test
4:10 DC Resistance of Cables
4:47 AC Resistance of Cables (Rac)
6:22 Inductance of Cables (Ls)
7:12 Capacitance of Cables (Cp)
7:59 Reference Equipment
9:22 Frequency Response & Distortion of Various Cables with 8-ohm load
12:19 Frequency Response & Distortion of Various Cables connected to Loudspeaker
14:30 Placebo Effect and Listening Bias
15:30 Burden of Proof is on the Cable Manufacturer
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[@tomahack1]

Audiophiles are super humans with the power of super hearing but like all super heroes, they have one weakness..their super hearing goes away the moment their vision is blocked

[@joemarz2264]

I was once present in a Kimber demostration with Ray Kimber himself presenting his cables. He setup his demo with one pair of speakers laying on the floor and connected to an amplifier via cheap cables, and another identical pair of speakers on top of them and connected to the same amplifier using Kimber cables. Sure enough, when Ray A-B switched both pair of speakers there was an audible difference in favor of the speakers connected with Kimber cables. When I remarked that the audible difference was most probably attributable to frequency response differences caused by the different positions of the speakers, he flatly denied it. I then asked him to switch the positions of the speakers so those connected with Kimber were on the floor and repeat the test, which he reluctantly did. Now the speakers with Kimber cables were at a disadvantage, and at that moment most people present understood we were being fooled by a high-end cable manufacturer and left the room.

[@georgelewis3047]

You neglected to measure one important variable, which is the amount showing on the invoice for the deluxe cables I bought. Shame on you.

[@Bruh4reel]

As a professional audio engineer, I know this to all be true. I also knew this over 3 decades ago as a 12 year old with a budding interest in audio (and a subscription to an audiophile magazine). Some people just prefer the buttery smooth sound of their own voice when they say how much they overspent on speaker wire.

[@superd222tube]

Finally! A credible source who has the courage to measure it and say it! Thank you.

[@Carl-bd1rf]

Finally someone who does a common sense test of speaker cables.

[@tony8354586]

EXCELLENT! This nonsense over very costly cables has been going on for eternity. Bottom line length and gauge matter that’s it! I know electrical engineers and they say the same thing…cheap Home Depot speaker wire. I laugh when I see speaker cables on little stands elevated off the floor! More NONSENSE!

[@billsmith8339]

I am glad I came across this video! When I was setting up my system, I was telling the sales guy that I could not hear a difference between the $3k cables vs the ones for a couple of hundred. He blasted me with all this gibberish (like you pointed out) of floating highs, thundering lows, yada yada yada ... so I switched the cables myself when he went to get a different CD, and low and behold, he kept pointing out how great the cables were, until I pointed out that he was really talking about the cheaper cables HAHA I then went to a different store to buy my stuff HAHA Incidentally, I think the same way about some of these wine guys who can taste the wind in Chardonnay in April when the sun was partly obscured by 3 clouds over the knotted oak barrel that had some rust on the steel hoops HAHA

[@JC-bl9bo]

Oh come on Gene! 10,000 dollar cables make a huge difference...in your bank account. Also lifted cables with batteries work! It's a proven fact. 😏🤣

[@matthiasmartin1975]

It's probably been mentioned before but just in case it hasn't: You correctly emphasize the importance of room treatment, but your room is a mess, your speakers are put right to the wall and you have reflective surfaces (glass door, glassed picture frames) all around. This is going to make your message fall on very deaf ears when it comes to serious audiophiles. Maybe your message should have been: "Hey audiophiles, if your room looks like mine and your speaker placement is as thoughtless as mine you don't need to spend money on cables."

[@ShakyTraveler]

Thank you!!!! I'm an electrical engineer and have know this all a long. I remember once walking into an High end audio store to buying a amplifier. The sales man started talking about speaker wire. I let him ramble on for a few minutes and then I told him I was an electronics engineer. He immediately stopped trying to sell me the expensive cable and handed me a spool of 10awg.

[@frankenstudio22]

Thanks for the Video. 14 years Electronics Technician in the U.S. Navy Submarine force. Gene, you are spot on with your measurements and explanations. People who dislike this video and message are in denial. Most likely because they overspent on speaker wire ~ Peace.

[@chrishanley1853]

The best youtube presentation I’ve seen. Thank you for your clear, concise and logically presented explanation of speaker cables and their electrical characteristics along with the quantified results and test equipment used. Being an Electrical Engineer, who was a NATA Signatory and Calibration Facility Registration Holder of a Lab that could measure Electrical parameters from DC to daylight, it’s a real pity there are so many snake oil salesmen in the Industry where so much misinformation can be presented without any form of evidence.

[@NosEL34]

Every couple years i get antsy when i dont have a new piece of gear i want or need to buy and start looking at expensive cables.

[@voiceofreason9238]

Speaking as an audiophile, that was the most clear, useful and to-the-point

[@mikeinmontana8875]

I have been reading and watching your reviews and technical know how for years. Since I purchased the Yamaha rx-v2700 back in 2007. Purchased after having read your review. I still have this receiver as the main source in our 5.2 family room. On almost daily since new and never a single problem. This cable video is just one example of so many honest, well explained videos and writings. Just wanted to pass on a big thank you Mr. Dellasala All the very best to you and yours. ~Mike in Montana

[@WilliamRobinsonislostinspace]

I came across your video recently because I have just started getting into the home audio/ home theater scene. What impressed me the most about this video was the level of depth you went into analyzing the scientific data. You didn't just present a surface level overview of the studies, but instead delved deep into the methodology, sample data, and statistical significance of each study to draw your conclusions. Overall, I found this video to be an excellent example of how science can be effectively communicated to the general public... Thank you! (and Thank you for saving me my hard earned money)

[@joedirt6222]

Gene's voice came through my samsung s20 speakers very airy and chocolaty. Must be magic.

[@Leprecano64]

Gene says the most sensible words I've heard in a long time, "we need more science in audio". Amen. Massive cred to Gene for doing this. My biggest Audio Hero, PWK, also had a great line about this (you probably know it already), "if it isn't based in science and physics, it's Bull$#!t". He also liked to insist on measurements because "if you don't measure, you can't possibly know what you have". These tests lend credibility to those of us who recommend generic OFC wire, and to manufacturers like Kimber, who actually STICK to the science and physics of it. Just makes me wish that the more nefarious peddlers of reptile juice could be shut down by the FTC for making false claims.

[@tarzanfixjane]

i have a BAS in electronics engineering, and maybe 22 years in the field. I really like how you did this video! REALLY informative, and you are obviously educated in this field as well