LETTERS

Wired

Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence. That is a famous tenet of physics. I have seen many claims by hi-fi wire makers and even reviewers that seem to me to be indeed extraordinary. We’re told that a few feet of power wire tightens bass or opens highs—this despite there being many feet of ordinary wire to which they connect. Similarly, we hear that connectors or speaker wires make huge differences in soundstage, and so on. Yet, typically, there are no measurements, let alone extraordinary physical evidence offered.

One rejoinder put forward is that the soundstage can’t be measured. True, but that is not the point. Rather, the point is that these substantial effects must leave some physical differences. Further, if these physical differences can be correlated with the audible improvements, then engineers are given a clear direction to make improvements and reduce the cost of doing so.

All of this seems patently obvious. Consequently, I give little credence to such claims.

—Dr. Bruce N. Stram

Dr. Stram, I take no issue with your position.