Best Audiophile Power Cables

When it comes to audio and cables, there’s no denying that the science of sending electrical impulses through copper strands to drive a simple coil & magnet motor that’s attached to a cone is technology that’s been around for a while. Over the decades, each aspect of audio reproduction has been refined, with the goal of achieving Hi-Fi sound, where the gear gets out of the way and lets you hear the mix as the person who mastered it envisioned you would. Audiophiles are prone to doing whatever it takes to get as pristine sound as they can, and even something as mundane and detached from the signal chain as a power cable factors into the equation.

The claims made for justifying the cost of high-end power cables roughly fall into three categories. First are the claims a copper power cord is somehow filtering electrons, getting them to behave better. This is doubtful and would need to be proven through rigorous testing that for some reason cannot be achieved through scientifically accepted methods like AB/X blind testing. Following that is the notion that the real upgrade is using a wider gauge than the OEM cord and adding shielding—this can be valid if you are also buying a longer power cable than the OEM provides. Lastly, there is an aesthetic factor to audiophile power cords. Simply put, no other power cords have this over-the-top aesthetic. If you can’t hide your power cords, why not buy ones that look good?

While the question of whether a power cable can alter the sound of a audio component is the source of endless debate, for the sake of this list we will stay away from such claims. But longer, thicker power cables that impress the guests are, fortunately, rather affordable if you shop on Amazon instead of going to a high-end audio boutique retailer. And if brand cachet matters enough to justify a heavy premium—just as it does with watches, sunglasses and women’s handbags—you can always opt for the offerings of Audioquest.