Cable myths, or truths?

[Larry Kirn]

media at mail1.nai.net wrote:

> all the mixes were made while listening with too much high-end...
> >
> >They had to tear out all the monster cable and replace it with convention
> >cable.
>
> How can a cable attenuate bass??

I have seen bad cables limit bass in a big way, with two mechanisms at play.  At
the input of the speaker, damping factor (measure of how well the amplifier
controls the speaker) comes into play at the low end first.  Larger cone
excursions (bass) induce higher kickback from the speaker (back EMF).  If the
impedance (practically resistance in this case) of the cable is sufficiently
large, the amplifier will be incapable of quelling this, limiting the bass.  At
the output side of the speaker; human ears require much higher power at the low
end to equal the percieved level of higher frequencies.  This is why the large
cone excursions are needed in the first place.

Although I've yet to hear any benefit from any of the 'ultra-hype' cables, I'd be
really surprised to see high resistance, considering the gauges involved.  Maybe
oxygen isn't such a bad thing ??

Larry