The audio cable market is small, yet competitive. With competition, there may be companies making big claims about why their cables are better than others. All in all, does cable quality matter or is all just “marketing fluff”? What makes one guitar cable more special than another? Today, we will be testing out and recording through our very own Hosa guitar cables (Essential, Pro & Edge) and we’ll let you be the judge.
Does Your Audio Cable Affect Sound Quality?
They certainly can, but it’s important to note that cables don’t “improve” your sound. Their main purpose is to translate sound from its source as transparently as possible. So, when it comes to “making a difference” — we are referring to a cable’s durability, internal build, and longevity. To dive more into cable specifics, check out our article on Do Audio Cables Affect Sound Quality?
Capacitance, What Is It?
Capacitance is the ratio of the change in electric charge of a system to the corresponding change in its electric potential. In the cable world, it’s ideal to have a lower capacitance as that means less resistance, allowing a more pure signal to pass through. This is especially important in instrument cables because they tend to be unbalanced, and the longer the length of the cable, the more inherent capacitance you introduce. The easiest way to explain this is: the longer the cable, the less pure the signal.
Hosa Guitar Cable, GTR-200 Series
- Serviceable, all-metal plugs for touring and other applications
- Oxygen-Free Copper (OFC) conductor for enhanced signal clarity
- Hi-density OFC braided shield for superior EMI and RFI rejection
Hosa Pro Series Guitar Cable
- Nickel-plated REAN® plugs for efficient signal transfer and superior durability
- 20 AWG Oxygen-Free Copper (OFC) conductor for a louder, clearer signal
- 90% OFC braided shield for a higher signal to noise ratio
Hosa Edge Series Guitar Cable
- Original Neutrik® connectors for security and durability
- 20 AWG Oxygen-Free Copper (OFC) conductor to reduce resistance
- Low capacitance wire for a crystal-clear high end
So, do cables affect sound quality? The short answer is not really – but still want to learn more about why cables are important? Check out our video which goes in more depth about what the specs mean and why they matter:
