Hi-finews Investigation

摘要

These days we're familiar with audio magazines carrying adverts for a wide variety of types of 'audiophile' cables. But this wasn't always the case. The idea that speaker cables mattered began to surface in UK magazines during the late 1970s. In the March and April 1978 issues of Hi-Fi News there were reports of one of the first commercial 'supercables' to be sold on the basis that it gave superior sound. Initially, this was to be imported from Japan by Transonic Imports Ltd. However, the cable was eventually imported and sold by Monitor Audio. It was said to deliver better results as a consequence of being designed to have a cable impedance of around 8ohms. Thus - allegedly - being a better 'match' for typical loudspeakers. Subjective reviews appeared in some magazines supporting the idea that using the new cable did produce an audible improvement. But Hi-Fi News was more cautious. As were members of the UK section of the Audio Engineering Society. During 1978 a number of prominent audio engineers, including Bob Stuart, James Moir, and Peter Baxandall came together at an AES meeting to discuss cables. Having investigated the claims they were fairly sceptical. Yet now the idea that cables affect sound is a given in hi-fi magazines. Adverts present all kinds of technical claims said to make each new design better than its competitors - albeit often at a price premium!