Psycho-acoustics

Where is the just noticeable difference? The JND?

The Surprising Truth About Audio Cables: What Really Matters?

There’s a long-standing debate in the audio world about whether expensive interconnect cables genuinely enhance sound quality. While technical measurements often reveal minimal differences, a double-blind study uncovered something far more intriguing: people consistently perceive differences between cables, even when those differences are nearly measurable.

In the study, over 100 participants compared five interconnect cables—ranging from a €1 brandless cable to a €1,600 Siltech—using a high-quality analog sound system. Participants were asked to perform tasks like drawing frequency response curves and identifying instrument placement. Remarkably, every participant gave the same responses for the same comparisons. For example, when comparing the Cardas cable to the Siltech, all identified the Siltech as offering a broader soundstage and better high frequencies.

Interestingly, many participants initially believed they wouldn’t hear any differences between the cables. Yet, not only did they consistently perceive distinct characteristics, but they also identified the more expensive cables as better—except when comparing the cheapest to the most expensive. In that instance, all participants incorrectly identified the cheaper cable as the pricier one. Otherwise, they consistently pointed out the cheapest cable when compared to any other and correctly identified the most expensive cable in every other pairing.

This suggests that when the gap in quality is too large, unfamiliarity with the high-end product can lead to surprising results. Even though participants could recognize quality differences, it seems that truly appreciating the highest-end products may take time. Initially, a superior product might feel off-putting, but with familiarity, it could become preferred.

This study suggests that while subtle differences in sound quality are real and detectable, learning to fully appreciate those differences—especially in high-end audio—requires both time and exposure.