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Isn't this a bit like asking someone to disprove God?

Though there are some similarities, and an argument (which in my opinion would fail) over burden of proof could be asserted in response to the OP; I could indeed come up with predictions based on a model of actual differences and incompatable with the other models mentioned.

 

The most obvious would be blind testing. We do it all the time on other things (speakers, soda, etc) with successfully found differences.

 

For example: If we could show that cables could be identified by sound alone: we would effectively disprove all of the above.

Jerry, the problem is that no listening test has ever been passed.

What I find curious is that the believers sit around and throw rocks at anyone who disagrees with their opinion.

I cannot think of a single believer who actually put himself to the test to prove what they assert. And it's a simple matter, really. Identify cables - or simply the sounds they make - while not knowing which cable they're listening to.

But not one has tried.

I've measured cables, and many skeptics have performed tests. Funny thing is that I'm pretty sure that skeptics would change their position if they found a shred of evidence. I sure would. And then I'd use whatever I found to start selling cables. The profits are terrific, I just have a problem with the dishonesty of claiming what cannot be demonstrated. But if I could demonstrate something, hey, that crow would be delicious considering margins in the cable industry.

Back to the initial point, I think that believers are afraid of what they'll find. They know very well that all tests have failed. Deep down, they probably suspect that they've been cheated. If there really was something there, it would have been teased out through measurements or listening tests.

Any cold colored metal will sound clinical and harsh. Any warm colored metal will sound warm and liquid.

 

Psychoacoustics at play.

 

LOL, and a wood floor sounds warm, while cement and linoleum sound cold. Yet if you measure the frequency ranges each material reflects, they all sound exactly the same!

 

Surface Reflectivity

 

--Ethan

Oh my...

I don't buy it to be honest. In my experience cables have always had an influence on the ultimate sound. Not always good and not often profound, but the differences are there.

I had identical K701s, with the dual entry mods and balanced XLR connections. One was a Moon Audio Black Dragon, and the other was from A Pure Sound, I'm not sure what version. There were very obvious and noticeable differences in the two, plugged into the same amp at the same time (WA22). I am certain I could have passed a DBT with the two of them, as besides dynamics there was a definite volume difference as well. I don't think volume matching should be done with otherwise identical headphones.

 

I was hoping for an identical sound signature (they looked the same with their silver techflex, assumed the APS was also a Moon before I got a hold of it) so I don't think placebo was at play here. I don't think a company like Moon Audio could keep re-wiring headphones for so long and keep their great rep intact if it doesn't make a difference.

Be prepared for someone telling you of sample variability in the actual manufacturing of the headphones themselves.

Yeah I was thinking of adding manufacturing variance as a disclaimer but decided against it 

The cause of volume on a speaker is well understood. A cable effect should be easy to see on a meter attached to the cable.