Are Pricey A/V Cables Worth the Money?

It's a common question: Are expensive A/V cables really better than their cheaper, less hyped counterparts? While you can buy $16,400 speaker cables, they won't ensure breathtaking sound, and they likely won't even make a noticeable difference in audio quality.

HDMI: There can be only one

HDMI is the one cable that defines contemporary home-theater systems, and a host of companies claim to have the best HDMI cables out there. Unless you're going to run cables at distances of more than 50 feet, which requires signal boosting, there is no significant difference between the quality of the signal from expensive cables versus their cheaper counterparts. That's because HDMI signals either arrive at their destination or they don't?there's no in-between.

PopMech editors couldn't tell the difference between HDMI cable types, and the test-centric folks at Gizmodo and CNET have also noted how inexpensive HDMI cords don't impact performance significantly in standard home-theater setups. A quality 50-foot cable can be had for $43, even less if you buy in bulk. And they're dirt-cheap if you only need 3 feet.

Legacy Connectors

The same thing is largely true for legacy connectors, be they legacy analog connectors such as the venerable single RCA jack, older digital connectors such as the HD-video-only DVI (Digital Visual Interface) and audio SPDIF (Sony/Philips Digital Interconnect Format), or even coaxial audio connectors. Pricey cords will not provide noticeable performance improvement. Prices vary, but cords acceptable for most uses shouldn't cost more than a few dollars to around $20, depending on length.

However, because low-shielded cable can cause signal degradation, investing in better-shielded cord makes sense if your components are separated from your television or audio system by significant distance, such as in a multiroom instillation. Well-shielded cable is also a must when running standard coaxial cable for satellite cable television or speaker cord to avoid electrical interference.

Speaker Wire

To add external speakers to your flat-panel TV, you're going to have to run wire. There are many myths about oxygen-free wire, with intense marketing pushing the idea that pricey silver wire costing hundreds to thousands of dollars is better than standard copper. But given that you can get acceptable sound from coat hangers, 100 feet of quality, shielded 14-gauge bulk copper speaker wire will work just fine. It will fulfill most needs and costs about $25 from a reputable online retailer.

If you're running less than 10 feet of wire, thin, 18-gauge cord will work well. If you need less than 100 feet, 16-gauge is also a good bet. If you're running between 100 and 200 feet, upgrading to 14-gauge wire makes sense, given the reduced signal resistance, as does thicker 12-gauge if you're running it a distance greater than 200 feet. If you're running your wire in walls, you'll need UL CL2/CL3-rated wire, which is safety-tested for electrical shock and fire.

The Perils of Wireless

If you're paying extra for high-speed bandwidth, why not take full advantage of your system by running Cat 6 Ethernet cable, today's standard computer interface cable, between your PC and television or receiver? You'll get higher signal-transfer rates and fewer problems than with bandwidth-limiting Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connections. Just make sure to use well-shielded cord to avoid electrical interference, and run away from electrical wiring.

Of course, all of this begs the question, how do you know you're purchasing quality cable? Go with a provider known for it. Monoprice, Newegg, and Blue Jeans Cable are all good online bets.

Ultimately, you should trust your own ears and eyes when it comes to system setup. If you try a cable and something seems amiss in your sound or picture, it probably is. Return it and try something else.

Source: http://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/gadgets/are-pricey-av-cables-worth-the-money-15508469?src=rss

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