Don’t laugh! Newbie...
 

Can someone explain why the same XLR cable for a microphone can cost $100 for 25 feet, yet another for 1 foot is $2500? I can understand some other audio cables, but I have subs that need to be spaced in a fairly large room, and it just doesn’t seem right?? Let me re-phrase..... It doesn’t make sense! But, as I’m trying to understand, I hope someone can help explain why a signal carried on the Sub Channel XLR cable is impacted by how much money is spent not the cable??!!

Matt... WW Sub Cables are quite inexpensive, next time we talk I will give you the full scoop.

One can debate the value of audiophile cables, but no one can deny they are a vital component that ties all your gear together. Look at them like your systems arteries; budget accordingly and you will be just fine. :)

The law of diminishing returns is why some cables are 25 vs 2500.
A Camry may cost 20,000 while a Bugati can cost 1.5 million.
A Bugatti isn't 75 times the better car than a camry, but it does cost 75 times the price.

What makes a cable more expensive are several things.
Copper Purity is one. What's the cost difference between Chinese pot copper, 99% copper, 99.9%, 99.99% and 99.99999 like Nordost?
Some have some wild technology like silver plated wires and contacts. Some cable companies use pure silver which has better conductivity instead of copper.
There are some technology like oxygen free copper which I know little about. The gauges are different too.
$100 cables may sound a lot better than a $25 cable, but a $2,000 cable may not sound any better than a $1900 cable. Don't let the cost of a cable keep you from getting your dream stereo or home theater.

If you're on a budget but like the hobby I'll suggest Blue Jeans cable. My $127 pair of speaker wire from blue jeans sounds much better than my $500 cable pair from my audioquest dealer. (not to say that audioquest is that bad, there is just a lot more to the story and I don't want to derail your thread)

Do I believe cables change the sound? YES! In cases where something is wrong or ill fitting the sound difference is amazing. In cases where you had a decent cord and you bought a better cord the difference can be subtle. I think it's worth exploring, but the change in sound probably won't be better than just upgrading to new speakers or room treatments.

But I like my speakers and I like my McIntosh so I'm not changing those two things. I'm toying around with new cables though, and so far I've had some positive benefits.

Yes it is. :D

What subs do you have?

Let's start there and then we can get to concrete recommendations. I have had more than a few subs in the past and may be able to give some advice.

I will simply say +1 and agree with Ivan and other posters on the value of good cables to the ear, in an audio system. FYI,...that XLR mic cable you are referencing is clearly a stock item,...I have a couple myself; there is no comparison with better cables for an audio system IMHO.

JL F-113 V2 x 2

Would recommend the following to conserve on budget but allow you to get your toes into the pond so to speak;

- Shunyata Delta or Alpha XLR: they are full-range XLR but they excel at bass/sub-bass and all other frequencies....

- Wireworld Solstice7 Subwoofer cables; silver-plated OFC and its Dual DNA Helix geometry will help delivery and time accuracy of bass/sub-bass input to your subs. The cable is mid-line for WW but of high quality

- If you want to say with WW, stick with something in the Dual or Quad Helix line...

- Bluejeans as mentioned previously, VHAudio Symmetry, Anticables, I'm sure there are others (DH Labs, etc...)

If you want to scour various 'other' forums for used cables, you may wish to look for a used pair of Audioquest SKY XLRs or their successors; I owned the SKYs for my subs in my past home theater setups and even had custom REL cables made out of SKY. Their 100% silver excelled IMHO in fast, articulate sub-bass for home theater and 2-channel listening....

I'm sure Ivan will give you great pointers as well if he has not already done so. Same for others on the forum...

Thank you to all for the responses and feedback!

As Ivan already mentioned, I’m upgrading to a pair of JL F113 V2’s in a system with Revel Salon’s and a trio of MC601’s.

I will preface all comments with this.... I’m learning by experiencing, and am trying to learn as I go, knowing I’ll make some mistakes. Having said that, I’m just trying to avoid making the “big mistakes” that are avoidable. Doing something I just don’t like, isn’t something I consider a mistake; but more of a learning.

So, that is why I asked the question about some cables. Someone that buys MC-2301’s isn’t necessarily concerned with the expense as much as understanding why he needs to spend that much on wire. I’ve spent money on speaker cables and other wire, but was wondering as it would be much longer runs for the subs, and for future items in the rear, etc. and there doesn’t seem to be XLR cables in the higher end for longer runs.

I appreciate everyone’s time helping me through a lot that I don’t understand yet. I hope I don’t have to sit in the corner!

RxJedi

http://m.memegen.com/07qpme.jpg

I couldn’t resist... :D

Thank you Obi-Wan Messer!