Nicked this from ZG.
A brief article in this months New Scientist on hi-fi cable directionality. Appropriately it appears in the humour section.
Who is the unnamed writer and cable seller who is “not at liberty to quote the measurements or their origin�
Complete crock of shite.
Hi-Fi sense of direction
A NEW theory about hi-fi sound quality called "directionality" decrees that the sound of music depends on which way the electrons are flowing through the wires. So, surprise, surprise, we are told it is worth paying more for direction-tested wires.
Theories like this are usually supported by sophisticated arguments along the lines of "if you can't hear the difference there must be something wrong with your ears". However, a recent issue of the respected Hi-Fi News magazine has an article that states as cold hard fact: "All cables - yes all cables - have signal directionality... in one direction the sound is slightly louder, has lower distortion, is cleaner, smoother, sweeter, has deeper bass and overall wider dynamic range."
Some of these parameters are scientifically measurable, so we tracked down the writer of the article, who also happens to be in the business of selling cables, and asked him if he could cite any statistically significant results of listening tests and electrical measurements.
"Yes, it is a statement of fact," the writer assured us. "Directionality is observable by listening test and measurable with test equipment. Regrettably, I am not at liberty to quote the measurements or their origin."
That being the case, we feel at liberty to keep on enjoying music through direction-untested wires, and to give the writer no name check and sales publicity until he feels at liberty to quote some of the measurements his "facts" rely on.
A brief article in this months New Scientist on hi-fi cable directionality. Appropriately it appears in the humour section.
Who is the unnamed writer and cable seller who is “not at liberty to quote the measurements or their origin�
Complete crock of shite.
Hi-Fi sense of direction
A NEW theory about hi-fi sound quality called "directionality" decrees that the sound of music depends on which way the electrons are flowing through the wires. So, surprise, surprise, we are told it is worth paying more for direction-tested wires.
Theories like this are usually supported by sophisticated arguments along the lines of "if you can't hear the difference there must be something wrong with your ears". However, a recent issue of the respected Hi-Fi News magazine has an article that states as cold hard fact: "All cables - yes all cables - have signal directionality... in one direction the sound is slightly louder, has lower distortion, is cleaner, smoother, sweeter, has deeper bass and overall wider dynamic range."
Some of these parameters are scientifically measurable, so we tracked down the writer of the article, who also happens to be in the business of selling cables, and asked him if he could cite any statistically significant results of listening tests and electrical measurements.
"Yes, it is a statement of fact," the writer assured us. "Directionality is observable by listening test and measurable with test equipment. Regrettably, I am not at liberty to quote the measurements or their origin."
That being the case, we feel at liberty to keep on enjoying music through direction-untested wires, and to give the writer no name check and sales publicity until he feels at liberty to quote some of the measurements his "facts" rely on.
