The Case of the $7,250 Speaker Cables
Mon Oct 1, 2007 2:56PM EDT
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Renowned hoax-buster, magician, and all-around skeptic James Randi has a new target: a company that's hawking a pair of 12-foot speaker cables for a jaw-dropping $7,250. Oh, and he has a sub-target, too: the audio "critics" who claim that these cables are worth the cash.
The best part of the whole story is this review by Dave Clark, the editor of a Web site called "Postivie Feedback Online." Indeed, I've rarely read a review that's more positive than this one for the Anjou:
Simply put, these are very danceable cables. Music playing through them results in the proverbial foot taping scene with the need or desire to get up and move. Great swing and pace—these cables smack that right on the nose big time. In this area, they are simply way better than anything else I have heard prior to their audition.
"Danceable cables," eh? For $7,250, I'd certainly hope so. Randi says that Clark is more than welcome to apply for the $1 million prize; so far, no word if Clark has taken Randi up on his offer.
Related:
James Randi Offers $1 Million If Audiophiles Can Prove $7250 Speaker Cables Are Better [Gizmodo]
Comments on The Case of the $7,250 Speaker Cables
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2 Posted by elcapitanmas on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:53PM EDT Report Abuse
who cares if the make a slight difference. 7200 is ridiculous to say the least. Companies shouldnt even be allowed to make products that dont save lives and cost that much.
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3 Posted by vdpcjosh on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:32PM EDT Report Abuse
First get an ear check before you purchase this cable. I am sure with our ipod, cellphone headset etc.. our ear is not at optimal condition to hear any difference at all. Most of us will be deaf by our 40's
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4 Posted by vamountainman77 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:31PM EDT Report Abuse
My Klipsch speakers retail for $1000.00 a pair. My middle of the road speaker cable (Monster Cable) was about $100.00. That's about 10% of the value of my speakers. I've personally auditioned $100,000 Genesis speakers. $7200 is a deal at less than 10%. Clearly, they'd be overkill for my speakers, but I don't think they intend on the average Joe (or even the typical audiophile) to purchase them, just like Genesis doesn't intend the average Joe to buy their $100K speakers. It's all a matter of perspective. I wouldn't get my money's worth out of my system if I went too cheap either. You wouldn't put 87 octane gas in a Viper or Ferrari!
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5 Posted by t_sayles on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:26PM EDT Report Abuse
If the cable were 15 feet long I could see paying that but it's way overpriced for only a 12 foot cable! More important than getting your ears checked prior to purchase - get your head checked. Obviously, you would have more money than brains and putting 87 octane in a Viper is a poor analogy. Get or make a nice shielded cable with all your speakers runs at equal distances, good connections, and your system will sound as best as it can. Shelling out $7K for cables won't make it sound better - it all starts with the foundation of your system.
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6 Posted by patchboy69 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:01PM EDT Report Abuse
I record music for a living, and even if these cables are all that they say they are, the cables we use from the mic to the mic preamp aren't at that level. And if it isn't in that original signal path, no amount of wonder-cable is going to bring it back at the other end. Good cables are important, but most of us in the recording industry just scratch our head at the shena----- ns and excesses of the audiophile community.
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7 Posted by c22gold on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:16PM EDT Report Abuse
God, what a load of horse hockey!!! Who-the-heck cares??
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8 Posted by djchrysys on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:44PM EDT Report Abuse
I don't whats worse the Cables or the speakers one the posts mentioned $100k for speakers are they made out the rarest wood, gold and platnum, and come with a on call sound tech cuz thats outrageous. Like post 7 I am in pro audio I DJ and run a home studio and I could buy a full low budget set up for the $7200 and still sound as good as high end set up, and those speakers anybody stupid enough to buy those come see me I can use some of the money you have to waste maybe sell ya a tropical paradise in Alaska if your that studid.
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9 Posted by neoleopoe on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:35PM EDT Report Abuse
You've got to be kidding me;cables that cost as much as the taxman,takes from me every year! I'd pay(not that much),to see what nucklehead,would buy these things!
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10 Posted by vamountainman77 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:31PM EDT Report Abuse
I seem to hear about diamond layer cellphones, panties, and other strange things for sale at Tiffany's these days. People pay millions for various paintings and such. A few years ago, someone paid many thousands of dollars for some celebrities underwear. I guess it's what's important to someone. I'm sure they're better than most, if not all other cable, but the price difference between better than average and this cable is rather staggering. I still think that if you have $100K-$200K worth of equipment, these cables are a drop in the bucket.
1 Posted by rogueist on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:49PM EDT Report Abuse
Woot! A million bucks! Wish I had the cash to buy those cables... How thick are they? 15 ft around and can drive megawatt speakers?