Audio Cables vs Mud and Bananas

AI-generated, human-reviewed.

A recent blind test highlighted on Home Theater Geeks found that listeners could not reliably tell the difference between music played through typical audio cables, mud, or even bananas. This finding suggests spending extra on exotic or expensive cables likely offers no practical improvement for most home audio systems.

The Surprising Experiment: Audio Through Mud, Bananas, and Cables

On Home Theater Geeks, Scott Wilkinson shared results from a creative blind comparison conducted by forum users at diyaudio.com. The tester, known as Pano, sent audio signals through four different paths:

• Uncompressed CD-quality WAV file (the reference)
• Traditional copper interconnect cable
• 20 cm trays of wet mud (using wire and aluminum shielding)
• Bananas (with wires soldered to pennies and aluminum tray)

Each path was used to record 30-second music clips across various genres. The files were then uploaded for blind testing, so listeners could try to identify each one without knowing which was which.

How the Test Worked

Participants accessed the test files online in both hi-fi FLAC and standard WAV formats. They could listen on their own systems at home before picking which was the original, the cable, the mud, or the banana.

In the latest version, an online ABX (a double-blind test format) system played the samples in random order. Listeners guessed the source and the system tracked their success rate.

Results: Listeners Couldn’t Tell the Difference

The outcome was clear. Of 43 guesses, only 6 were correct—a 13.95% success rate. Statistically, that's roughly what would result from random guessing. Tom's Hardware calculated only a 6.12% chance of getting as many or fewer correct answers by guessing—a result just above the typical “significant” threshold used in statistics.

In short, home listeners couldn't distinguish audio that had traveled through standard wire, mud, or bananas at all.

Why This Happens: Conductivity and Audio Signal Integrity

The test’s results surprised many, but they have a logical explanation. Both mud and bananas contain water and natural minerals, which can conduct electricity—albeit not as efficiently as metal. For short runs and at line-level (low-voltage) signals, just about any reasonable conductor delivers a signal with minimal loss or degradation in audible frequencies.

The aluminum foil shielding reduced noise, ensuring a fair comparison.

What About Expensive Cables?

Scott Wilkinson noted this experiment’s implication: even ultra-expensive “audiophile” cables may not offer perceptible audio improvements in normal setups. The host suggested running the same test comparing budget (e.g. Monoprice) interconnects versus boutique cables costing thousands per meter. Based on these findings, there’s little reason to expect anyone would consistently hear a difference.

Big Takeaways

• Listener bias is real: Many believe pricier cables must sound better, but blind tests largely remove these expectations and reveal practical realities.
• Science trumps marketing: Results reflect existing knowledge about line-level audio. If the cable isn't faulty or unshielded, vast price differences offer negligible audible benefit.
• DIY and fun experiments matter: Creative, transparent tests like this help home theater fans make informed choices and save money.
• Exotic interconnects may not be required: Cables making outlandish promises likely won’t have a real impact on music enjoyment.

If you’re planning a home theater upgrade or system build, focus your budget on parts that matter: speakers, amplification, and room acoustics. Use decent, well-built cables, but don’t rush to chase boutique brands promising sonic “night and day” improvements. Simple, affordable cables will almost certainly perform as well as products costing many times more.

Spending big on audio cables isn’t super necessary as blind testing demonstrates most listeners can’t hear a difference, even when compared to signals sent through mud or bananas. Prioritize your budget for real upgrades, and rest easy knowing quality, affordable cables will deliver all the performance your system needs.

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