Though they are often overlooked, cables are essential elements of an audio system, connecting its components to one another and to the supply of electrical power they need to work.

Opinions on the effect of cables on sound divide listeners into two broad groups.  One group holds that cables have no effect on sound.  They state that any properly constructed cable can function fully satisfactorily in an audio system, and that all such cables "sound" the same. They make reference to a range of scientific measurements and principles to support their argument.

The second camp, to which I belong, says that cables do have an important effect on the sound quality of an audio system.  They say that different cables affect the sound of an audio system differently.  This applies to analog and digital cables, loudspeaker cables, power cords, and even network cables.  They often base their view is on their critical listening experiences.

The human hearing system is extremely sensitive to a wide range of aspects of sound, very much more so than most people recognise.  As a result, differences which are difficult or impossible to measure with laboratory instruments can clearly be detected by the ear.  Such differences can affect how we perceive and enjoy recorded sound in music and movies.

In an article entitled "A Short History of High-End Cables"  the audiophile magazine The Absolute Sound presents an brief, interesting account of the evolution of audio cables.

If you want to get the most out of your audio system, rather than taking one position or other in the argument, you owe it to yourself to explore the issue with an open mind.  Listen critically to music with which you are familiar using different audio cables.  If you hear no differences, or none that are important to you, that's fine.  If you do find important differences, then choose the cables that work best for you and your system.

© Wayne Butcher