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Propeller Head Plaza

AudioQuest explains directionality

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In Reply to: RE: No, actually Let me help you out. posted by tomservo on November 13, 2022 at 08:01:39

Directionality: It's All About Noise

07.01.16
If you've ever wondered about the arrows on AudioQuest cables, read any of our educational materials, or merely followed any of the online chatter regarding our products, perhaps you've wondered what this "directionality" thing is all about.

There is the widely accepted version of directionality: In most audio-grade shielded interconnects, as compared to standard coax, negative has its own internal conductor and the metal shield is attached to ground at only one end, thus defining the cable's directionality. Many cable manufacturers end their exploration of directionality there, going only as far as to mark their cables for directionality based on the relationship of shield to ground, but altogether neglecting conductor directionality. Because we believe in directing noise to where it can do the least harm, we, too, believe in the advantages of controlling for the attachment of the shield. In fact, long before we controlled for conductor directionality, AudioQuest interconnects were also controlled for direction based on the relationship of shield to ground.

Over the years, our understanding of conductor directionality and its effect on audio performance has steadily evolved, growing stronger and more complete. While we've always been keenly aware that directionality plays a significant role in the overall sound of any hi-fi system, we couldn't completely explain it. This was okay: We trust our own ears and encourage listeners to do the same. The test is easy enough: Simply listen, then reverse the direction of the cable, and listen again.

Follow Ups:

RE: AudioQuest explains directionality - tomservo 10:16:33 11/14/22 (1)
I think your confusing what i was questioning with someone else i guess, i was very specific speaker cables and NOT small signal cables.

Rarely does one find an engineering approach where being skeptical is a bad thing, i find this discussion curious.

"Over the years, our understanding of conductor directionality and its effect on audio performance has steadily evolved, growing stronger and more complete."

Yes i get that impression from you and that there is a collective "our" somewhere too, it's just normally there is something in the objective world that indicates or suggests a mechanism for an actual change.

What does it look like when doing a google search on this subject, it would seem the only folks spending money to advertise or write about it are companies associated with hifi aftermarket.

Search any other topic about electronics engineering like skin effect or propagation velocity you you have many engineering hits.
- Mechanism for directionality - geoffkait 10:43:23 11/14/22 (0)
  I've already revealed the mechanism for the change in sound. Must be a mental block. This is what is commonly referred to as the backfire effect. When confronted with evidence to the contrary of strongly held beliefs or opinions a person clutches those beliefs even more tightly. We even have a name for it.
  Yes, there's a collective out there. It's a collective of advanced audiophiles, like the 140,000 who have bought directional fuses. Get on board the directionality train, toot, toot!
  I did not say being skeptical is a bad thing, please don't put words in my mouth. That's another logical fallacy strike for you. What I'm saying is being falsely skeptical is bad, pretending to be scientifically skeptical but not really willing to do the leg work. We call them pseudo skeptics.
  You wrote,
  "What does it look like when doing a google search on this subject, it would seem the only folks spending money to advertise or write about it are companies associated with hifi aftermarket."
  That's so funny you should say that because this entire discussion has been about directionality of cables and wire in audio systems. The concept doesn't exist outside of HiFi. Directionality is a HiFi word. Hel-loo!
  Tip: If you use the search engine for Propeller Head Plaza to search for the word "directionality" you will get a boatload of results going as far back as 2002.
  
  Edits: 11/14/22 11/14/22 11/14/22 11/14/22 11/14/22

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