TomOpus

Okay, to make a long story short, I started with a HTIB and have been replacing the components/cables here and there. Today, I bought a sub cable from Acoustic Research. As you all probably know, but I found out, there are arrows on the cable that, when installed, point to the output.

Now, my question is, what makes these audio cables directional? Usually I'm pretty good at figuring stuff out, but I'm baffled.

I'm always up for learning something new so I'd appreciate any information. Thanks!

joshd2012

I have some Monster Cables that have this too. I believe that the way the cables are made, they offer less resistence when the current is going one way as opposed to the other. I honestly have no idea, but this is what I always thought.

Mr. Salty

The cables themselves aren't really "directional," meaning it makes no difference which way the electrons flow. Usually the difference is in how the cables are grounded to avoid ground loop hum. The grounding is connected to the connector at one end of the cable, but not the other.

jonw9

Yup, and I do believe it is the receiver end.

TomOpus

Here is how it's written on the installation sheet: "Position arrows on directional cable so that signal path points towards input". It just sounded odd to me.

Thanks for all the replys! It's fun learning new stuff.