Do cables matter? Comparing $50 interconnects

Does it make sense to upgrade from $10 cables to ones costing closer to $50 a pair? This video looks at the performance and differences between three popular audiophile interconnect cables.

Mogami cables (assembled by Worlds Best Cables)

Belkin cables (assembled by Blue Jeans Cable)

Morrow Audio cables

[watchin-stoof]

Always interesting listening to people talk cables. Had another review (British Audiophile) who said the exact opposite for Mogami and Belden. He said Belden for added warmth and Mogami to use for added energy. Gotta love it haha. Placebo effect and the mind are amazing

[kerryvanderkamp]

This is the best cable review I’ve seen. Very reasonable and balanced.

[Darkmatter]

Great video! This is all completely the case with my experience as well. My system is more resolving than the average listener and my audio quality completely changed when I ditched the old power brick I was using. I now have a Furman power conditioner brick and a AudioQuest NRG-2 AC power cord running to my Dac/Amp. Significantly less (sometimes zero) background white noise from my system than what I was used to hearing. I also use the Blue jeans RCA cable which has great build quality. I don't focus on headphone cables too much and I prefer to only buy them when I have a HP worth keeping.

[martybousum]

I'm a BJC junkie, using the video digital instead of analog cables. I'm all in on BJC. Speaker cables too!

[sginfdfw]

Over my 20+ years in the world of audio, I’ve consistently found that a balanced (XLR) connection and topology outperform a single-ended (RCA) setup, regardless of the specific cables used. This is why my system is fully balanced from source to amplifier, with both input and output connections designed to maintain that synergy throughout the chain. Note: Just because a piece of audio gear has both RCA and XLR input/output connections, it doesn't guarentee that the gear is truly a balanced design internally throughout. Be sure to confirm the internal circuit topology is a true balanced design.

Synergy is key in any audio setup, but it’s highly dependent on every component in the chain. What works exceptionally well for a headphone system might not deliver the same results for a speaker system. Personally, I use high-end STAX earspeakers paired with a top-of-the-line STAX tube amplifier, alongside both highly resolving dynamic and electrostatic speakers. I also adjust my cable configurations depending on the type of music and the listening experience I’m aiming for with each system.

I hope this insight helps you on your audio journey!

[Solus]

Cables are not a parametric EQ or tone control.
If you buy some quality cable eg. Belden and terminate it with Neutrik or Amphenol connectors you are finished with cabling. This costs about $10-$20 and 5 minutes of your time...

[michaelwright]

I replaced the WBC Mogami, same ones in the video, with the Blue Jeans Cable LC-1, same in the video. They sound a tad bit better to my ear, more dynamic, larger sound stage and definelty more pronounced bass. For the money, I am not complaining. I'm using the Zu DW6 Supremes, which are pretty sensitive to any changes in the system, good or bad, and I have had plenty of both.

[johnsmith]

With blind testing you could not tell any difference between these.

[alphaniner]

I guess that it is a bit tricky to have a completely fair test if cable length is not the same - although it obviously depends on the gear how much that will actually make a difference (or not).
- spending this amount (and not more) to upgrade stock cables certainly seems to be a good idea for systems that cost up to a few thousand.

I like well constructed cables, comparable to what is presented here, and put the rest of my money where it matters most - the components, not the cables. I tried a few more expensive cables, but they didn't really convince me they were worth their price tag. One good thing was that prices of them went up a lot the last few years, so I didn't really loose money selling them.

[kittykatking]

Is a balanced cable versus an interconnect cable a fair comparison? I just made my first Y jack with 2549. I'll never look for anything else. I'm one cable and done.

[rejean]

My BIL is a cable nut. I've tried a host of them and settled on world's best cable and Blue Jeans for my interconnect. I hear no difference. I think these look best. I hate the big chunky looking cables. I don't even think there's a difference in sound with some monoprice interconnects I have but their connectors are too loose fitting. If there were a difference in sound, they would test different. They don't.

[dell]

I have mostly Murrow interconnects but be aware they are not shielded so use care in where you use them. My power amps sit below a 50" plama TV and the field arond a plama panet is a powerful thing. Make sure you use VERY well shielded cables if your near a plasma TV. I'm using a 10ft pair of WBC Gotham cables, ˆ have no idea how they sound vs the other 4 wire shielded variants but they sound fine to me.

I like the BJC RCA cables but the RCA's are just to seep for my setup, not a ton of room behind the components

[Squishmallows]

Can this BJC Coaxial Digital Audio Cable be used as interconnection cable from an AVR to an amp to drive your speakers?

[shaolin]

Interesting you say the mogami is more rolled off as in some forums i have read people saying they like the 2549 over the lc-1 because the lc-1 is rolled off which i dont get how a cable with lower capacitance is more rolled off lol

[sginfdfw]

CABLE DEBATE, A Perspective: The debate over whether cables make a difference in audio systems is as flawed as debating the color of an object between someone who’s not colorblind and someone who is. Both see the same object, but their perception depends on the spectrum of light their eyes and brain process. Similarly, in audio, perception depends on the spectrum of sound an individual can hear and how their brain processes it.

Just like light, where each person's vision varies, the audio spectrum is interpreted differently by every listener. Our brains act as signal processors, shaping how we perceive sound or color based on the input we receive. The challenge is finding a common ground to "normalize" these perceptions, but since everyone’s processing is unique, achieving this is nearly impossible.

So, when comparing interconnects and speaker cables, remember: the impact is often subjective, shaped by the listener’s auditory spectrum and brain interpretation. What matters most is how your system sounds to you.

[kittykatking]

I appreciate the effort, but everyone needs to hear all of them on their own system. I was recommended an op amp that a bunch of people swore was the best. It sounded like pressing the loudness button on an old stereo. Umm, I want more than that. Just bought some mogami cables so im about to find out.

[Corndog]

Kimber Kable PBJ interconnects turned me into an audiophile. Much more open and detailed than the ones here. But even PBJ was bested by Iconoclast BAV cables (also by Belden and sold by the same people at BJC)

I wouldn’t expect much difference between these cables shown as they are similar in design.

[christianreyes]

I have both morrow MA4 and bj lc1, funny with me it’s the opposite . In both my tube and solid state systems the results are the same, yes the bj has a slight wider soundstage, faster in dynamics but I felt the trade off was a thinner presentation, less bass, I cable I would use if your system is in the warmer side of things . The morrow while sound stage closes in a bit, every instrument has a larger presentation, they sound fuller, it’s a more neutral cable, made to translate the true representation of a recording without adding. Morrow by the way has better bass representation

[LeoRousseau]

The Morrow 1 series are horrible. They actually take away the highs quite a bit as far as the MA1's go. If anyone is interested in trying Morrow Audio cables, the 3 series is a good starting point. I've been there and done that throughout the years, Now I have all Morrow 7 series and I'm very satisfied with my rig. Someday I might venture to Shunyata (god willing).

[frederf]

for domestic applications the cost makes no difference. for commercial, yes, but only because you want something robust that wont let you down; frequent use. if you are hearing a difference please put up a blind test where you get it right at least 8 out of 10 times & i will be amazed ✌😎👍