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$100 XLR cable vs $19 XLR cable?

Posted on 11/15/25 at 10:47 pm
Posted by deeprig9
Unincorporated Ozora
Member since Sep 2012
73100 posts
Posted on 11/15/25 at 10:47 pm
What's the difference, besides $80?
Posted by Lee B
Member since Dec 2018
3484 posts
Posted on 11/16/25 at 1:46 am to
Flimsiness of cable and connections... and when somebody steals the $19 cable you aren't quite as angry
Posted by wareaglepete
Union of Soviet Auburn Republics
Member since Dec 2012
17479 posts
Posted on 11/16/25 at 4:06 am to
Yeah, the expensive one is made a little sturdier, will roll up better, and probably last a little longer.

As far as how they work, probably about the same.
Posted by TheOcean
#honeyfriedchicken
Member since Aug 2004
45133 posts
Posted on 11/16/25 at 8:11 am to
You get to tell everyone you spent $100 on a cable
Posted by wareaglepete
Union of Soviet Auburn Republics
Member since Dec 2012
17479 posts
Posted on 11/17/25 at 9:44 am to
Victor Wooten endorses a $300 power cord. Not an xlr, not a 1/4 instrument cord. A power cord to plug in your amp. You have to really buy into the marketing BS to buy a $300 power cord.
Posted by Lee B
Member since Dec 2018
3484 posts
Posted on 11/18/25 at 4:53 pm to
quote:

Victor Wooten endorses a $300 power cord. Not an xlr, not a 1/4 instrument cord. A power cord to plug in your amp. You have to really buy into the marketing BS to buy a $300 power cord.


Well, at his level those guys are using hardcore expensive power conditioners onstage...

I mean, Lou Reed used all of this and very expensive custom-made guitars to still sound like he was in a garage band...

Posted by Marco Esquandolas
Member since Jul 2013
11668 posts
Posted on 11/18/25 at 5:20 pm to
I use multiple Acoustic Zen balanced cables in my audio rig—about 25 meters total…cables run $450/meter.

In my humble opinion, on long runs, cabling matters, as does the level of gear you use it with.


Posted by Lee B
Member since Dec 2018
3484 posts
Posted on 11/19/25 at 3:54 pm to
I ran into Guitar Center on my way to a gig to get strings and picks and bought a $99 "specially designed for enhanced acoustic guitar frequencies" guitar cable on clearance for $6.99...

When I got to the gig and mentioned it as I was plugging it into my acoustic guitar preamp, the singer said "hmmm... I'll let you know if I hear a difference, but I notice that pedal is plugged into the PA with a regular cable, so maybe you should've bought two of them!" zing!!!
Posted by wareaglepete
Union of Soviet Auburn Republics
Member since Dec 2012
17479 posts
Posted on 11/19/25 at 8:51 pm to
quote:

"specially designed for enhanced acoustic guitar frequencies"


Don't fall for that crap. The frequency spectrum is the frequency spectrum. I want equipment that performs across the spectrum.

There are cables out there that say they are designed specifically to enhance and preserve bass frequencies for bass guitars. You know what they do? They put LPF on them and cut the highs and when you use the cord it sounds like someone threw 10 wet blankets over your rig.

Bass players use the treble frequencies. Guitar players use the bass frequencies.

All that to say, marketing sucks.
Posted by Lee B
Member since Dec 2018
3484 posts
Posted on 11/20/25 at 9:22 pm to
Oh, I know... but it's a very overbuilt cable that was on clearance sale for $6.99... I would've bought more at a price if they had more. I still have and use it... which is a bit miraculous since I destroy guitar cables somehow without trying. I have to buy expensive ones just so they last (Jodavi Zzyzx Snapjak magnetic tip cables are my fave... I've managed to find some for cheap when they were discontinued, and track down a lot of the tips over the years...)
Posted by tiggerfan02 2021
HSV
Member since Jan 2021
3909 posts
Posted on 11/22/25 at 9:30 pm to
quote:

"specially designed for enhanced acoustic guitar frequencies"


Don't fall for that crap. The frequency spectrum is the frequency spectrum. I want equipment that performs across the spectrum.

There are cables out there that say they are designed specifically to enhance and preserve bass frequencies for bass guitars. You know what they do? They put LPF on them and cut the highs and when you use the cord it sounds like someone threw 10 wet blankets over your rig.

Bass players use the treble frequencies. Guitar players use the bass frequencies.

All that to say, marketing sucks.



Ultimately, what someone's ears hear is all that matters.
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