Are Dirt Cheap RCA Cables Any Good?

Review and measurements of "throw-way" stereo RCA cables to see how they perform.

[amham]

Absolutely quality review. I'm 76 and have been an audiophile since my late teens (Fisher 400 anyone?). I've owned many, many audio devices over the years. Some expensive and others inexpensive. I've bought and sold amps/pre, speakers, DAC's, tape recorders, TT, CD/SACD, portables, etc., etc. more than I can remember. Have I ever "fell" for the cable scam...yes but within reason. Never more than a couple hundred dollars for a pair of balanced/unbalanced as well as speaker wire. I've always argued that I could not hear any difference between the models/brands regardless of price/quality construction. So, thanks a lot for proving this old man has not been crazy all these years.

[antibrevity]

Ha! I love this one. While I would prefer to buy something more durable, it's awesome to see such a "horrible" set of cables do so well as audiophools will claim to hear the difference between $300 and $1000 cables. Yes, much longer cables may have parasitic losses that do become relevant, but the companies selling ultra-premium cables are charlatans.

[markfreedman]

I’ve been in Audio for the last 60 years (prior to the cable insanity era) and I always knew that the so called crappy cables were perfectly fine. I guess because I couldn’t hear the difference I assumed they were good. It’s nice to know You’ve vindicated my judgment. Thank you. Kudos to you! Interestingly enough, I visited Grammy award winning recording studios 18 years ago and guess what? They didn’t give a rat’s ass which cables they used in the signal chain, as long as they worked.

[Carl-bdrf]

I’ve been into audio systems since the mid 70’s wish I had all the money back I’ve wasted on cabling and speaker wire over the years. Currently using 16awg speaker wire and $5 interconnects. Sound is awesome.

[fwabble]

Amir is the super hero that abused and innocent audio consumers need. Absolute LEGEND.
I can just see Amir head super imposed on Superman with 'aSr' on his chest.
I also have the Amazon basics cable, I think the trick is to pay just enough for decent build quality and sheilding.

[BradOlsonBemidji]

In automotive audio, it is usually better to have better shielding and as a result, if you go to Walmart's automotive department or an auto parts store, they have decently priced but well shielded RCA cables. The better shielding is recommended for coax digital audio hookups as well. A lot of well shielded RCA cables can also be found in musical instrument/DJ audio stores as well.

[johnsmith]

That was fun, with at least 10 educational technical points, 4 or so gentle & amused chides of critics, and a useful ironclad conclusion.

[fruitpunchi]

Finally i found someone that has the right tools to prove what i've ever suspected. Great job!

[davew]

There he goes again! Spoiling the enjoyment of music with facts and science! Great to see the analysis on such an essential, and yet basic component of nearly all setups. I enjoyed the added note of "feel free to refer them to this review".

[brandonenn]

Fantastic video!
Excellent review style and communication skills. No nonsense. Just the facts!
I finally found a reviewer I can stand.
I like audioholics but he’s a bit hard to follow sometimes. What a great service Amir is providing.

[iampuzzleman]

Love the quickie reviews. Getting to the point is very helpful

[solitaire]

Sadly, marketing and influencers will dispute your findings and audiofools will always side with them rather than with solid, scientific facts.

[jeankazamer]

2 tubes in a row ... again most appreciated learning experience ( sharing is believing !! ) Love from up north big boss Amir :)

[edwinporter]

Thanks Amir, you are the only audio review worth listening to. I saw a big name audio youtuber say that if you use thin cables the music sounds "thin" too! Honestly, that is so annoying when you are looking for good advice.

[BobTrainor]

I knew it! Thanks for settling this once and for all. The scope doesn’t lie. I’ll pay a couple of bucks extra for a nicer looking, better feeling cable, but I ain’t buying all that improved performance crap. I could never hear a difference myself. Nobody wants cheap wires connected to nice gear, but people have gone nuts with this cable stuff. Another great little video!

[Amaraldo]

Good to know they measure well but how is the soundstage? Instrument separation? Microdetail? Punch and slam? These are the important questions to answer when evaluating cables. 🤣

[frkifrk]

exactly what I need! thx and keep it on! you became my first subscription on youtube in 20 years :)

[Chris.from.]

I love what you’re doing, Samir! It makes for a nicely balanced diet of audio discourse! My own highest level of education was in language, literature, and writing, so I’m now going to “dunk on you, ” as the current (enough) saying goes, for your usage at 5:09, of the phrase, “I squeezed it with a plier.” I know that you are all about precision, and will appreciate knowing that, actually it is impossible to squeeze something with “a plier!” The tool is “a pair of pliers, ” which, joined by the pivot, allow the squeezing pressure to be applied. 😂 All the best to you and yours! Keep up the good work! 🎉❤

[emmet]

I would like to see a shielded cable vs the cable tested in this video, but among the rats nest and power cords! That represents 99.9% of our situations.

[SirBunghole]

A cable review is not completely unless you wax poetic about those "liquid chocolately mids".