Now we're talking about OFC??! People, people - get off the specs, open your ears, and know that the cable choice may matter to you. Then again, others like eating at McDonalds, and you get what you pay for.
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Have You Listened to Your Cables?
- Thread starter Callus McFinger
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IMO what is missing is a formula that standardizes measurement of conductivity, explains why it’s relevant to instrument level signals, and then shows a large enough data set to demonstrate anything one way or the other. Until that happens, I am in the camp that believes that regular cables and premium cables make no difference, and both of those are probably equally better than certain exceptionally cheap “throw in” cables.
For me, I use wireless and don’t have any cable runs in my bass signal where it would make a difference.
The biggest signal quality issue I have ever observed with longer cables had to do with their position relative to power cables. I’ve had cases where long cable runs parallel to power were problematic. Changing the path and ensuring long audio and power cables cross at perpendicular angles wherever possible, and otherwise stay clear of each other, is about the best advice I can think of concerning cables.
For me, I use wireless and don’t have any cable runs in my bass signal where it would make a difference.
The biggest signal quality issue I have ever observed with longer cables had to do with their position relative to power cables. I’ve had cases where long cable runs parallel to power were problematic. Changing the path and ensuring long audio and power cables cross at perpendicular angles wherever possible, and otherwise stay clear of each other, is about the best advice I can think of concerning cables.
I don't believe you can conduct a test of this sort and ignore science. Any results done in this manner are meaningless. What you are dabbling in is known as pseudo-science, and is more closely related to blind faith and voodoo, than science.
Placing all your trust simply in what you are hearing doesn't always work. Many times I've come back into the recording studio the next day after mixing some music, and asking myself "What I was thinking and hearing?" when listening back to the previous days mix.
Placing all your trust simply in what you are hearing doesn't always work. Many times I've come back into the recording studio the next day after mixing some music, and asking myself "What I was thinking and hearing?" when listening back to the previous days mix.
Ok. Go ahead and put one strand of copper between 2 points. Now put 200 strands. Now put one solid 8 gauge wire in there. Use a freakin coat hanger. Who cares. Are there going to be different physics occurring? Yes, obviously. Just because bozos in stores, in a very uncontrolled environment, slowly switched between cabling and couldn't hear a difference, means nothing. They simply wanted to believe in their opinion. I could record what I noted, and post it, but unless it's played back on the right equipment, it may not be perceived. So then, does it matter? To me, it does. I know the way these cables perform supports my style of playing.
This. Capacitive reactance doe effect basses (passive much more than active). Cable length is probably the biggest factor.
We're not talking about a mix. We're talking about quickly switching between sources and noting differences. Pseudo science? I didn't claim to be making a scientific test. It was a subjective comparison, with no instruments doing any measurements. There are differences that are obvious. What they mean, and how they would sound to any one individual, is subjective. What the hell is it with trolls? You want to have an issue, so you find a way to make one up.
Bought a monster cable a long time ago and I couldn't tell a difference between that and the $15.00 dollar cables I buy from MF. The $15.00 cables usually last 5-10 years. Maybe after playing for 50 years I just can't tell the difference.
With praise for the OP and his obvious tenacity, I would have gone bat-sh** crazy trying to figure out which cable is "better"! Gave me a belly-ache just reading it. No diss just sayin'.
With praise for the OP and his obvious tenacity, I would have gone bat-sh** crazy trying to figure out which cable is "better"! Gave me a belly-ache just reading it. No diss just sayin'.
This can’t possibly end well. Subbed.
Absolutely an excellent site for facts. Lots of information for anyone reading threads like this.
Agreed. Of course, if those knobs are connect to a rat tail, then I suppose that would matter.
SirMjac28
Patiently Waiting For The Next British Invasion
I make my own cables. Far cheaper, and I've never had one fail.
Monster cables may be durable, but they're ridiculously over priced. IME, any quality cable sounds just as good and costs less.
Monster cables may be durable, but they're ridiculously over priced. IME, any quality cable sounds just as good and costs less.
Regarding Monster cables for bass:
I cannot confirm whether there is any truth to what I read years ago about Monster cables for bass, but what I read was, those cables were designed to remove some of the high end frequencies, fooling the user into thinking that those cables provided more bass.
Also, (and again, I cannot confirm this), but I recall reading that the 1/4" plugs that Monster was using were ever-so-slightly larger in diameter than what most other cable manufacturers were using, making it an uncomfortably tight fit in some 1/4" jacks.
This is going back 20 years ago or so, so maybe things have changed since then. I am only sharing what I recall reading back then. So please take that for what it's worth!
I had a VERY strange experience about 3 years ago... one-by-one, 3 of my (most used) basses were cutting out intermittently... I was using Monster ‘bass’ cables- because I could
... I read some articles & forum posts about this ^^^^ I changed jacks in said basses (I originally had switchcrafts in them- replaced with the same)- never had an issue since. I did compare them to Mogami’s (which is what I replaced them with) and did see that they were slightly larger... so- I’m not 100% convinced that this happened from the Monster cables- but I won’t buy them again.
Please measure the electrical characteristics of those cables and give us a science based answer. Listening tests are subject and pseudo-science and always will be.
Then ask the next question... If two cables actually do sound different, which one is better? Better to whom? Better for what? Better in what application?
- John
A speaker voice coil is one thin strand of wire between two points.
How do you know it was bozos slowly switching between conductors in a store environment? It just might have been two accredited Electronics Engineers in an audio electronics service shop doing the switching. The environment? Well, most listening environments are uncontrolled, unless you are in an engineered studio control room, or an anechoic chamber.
These same engineers also believed in their opinions, perhaps as strongly as you do yours; however, they also had some previous testing experience behind them that led to their conclusions.
What is the right equipment? Is this an opinion?
I don't believe I'm acting as a troll in any way, only pointing out flaws in a simple test backed up by little facts other than one listener's opinion. The danger in this is many people can be led astray believing your opinions are factual information, rather than you personal opinion.
My opinion is that the weak point in "bad sounding" cables is usually worn or dirty jacks and plugs that aren't making enough contact. I think well made and properly attached connectors are the most important aspect.
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