Page 1 of 2 >>
First Look: Essential Sound Products MusicCord Pro Power Cord
Could a power cord make that much of a difference in the sound of your amplifier?
Of the hundreds of products we've reviewed over the past 11 plus years in Church Production, we've never looked at anything so seemingly mundane as an after-market power cord. What possible difference could a power cord make on the sound of an amplifier?
Enter Michael Griffin, founder and president of Rochester, Mich.-based ESP - Essential Sound Products. I first met Michael at the AES (Audio Engineering Society) Show in New York late last year. An old friend and colleague was helping Michael work his booth. So, as a favor to my friend I stopped by to hear the story of ESP's patented multi-gauge power cable design.
To be honest, I was very skeptical-especially the part where Michael described the "slow current delivery speed" of most stock power cables. "How much faster can you get than the speed of light?" I thought. I smiled politely as I listened to Griffin's story of how he came up with the initial design for cords by combining his personal interest as an audiophile with his engineering background designing fuel injection systems for General Motors.
ESP's booth at AES listed the names of a number of bass players who endorse the power cords. But AES is not a musician's show. It's an engineering show, a place where sound engineers (live and studio), system designers, consultants, dealers and contractors come to see the latest in pro audio.
When Michael learned that I was a bass player he offered to send me one of his MusicCord Pro power cords to try. I was able to try out the cord a few weeks later while playing bass for my church's worship team.
I immediately heard a difference, but asked for the opinion of several other people on the worship team: one has a degree in electrical engineering, the other is a long-time sound engineer and our church's technical director. We couldn't agree on exact wording of what it was that we heard through my bass amp (Gallien-Krueger 400 RB head through an Electro-Voice B210 cabinet), only that we heard a difference, and it was an improvement. To me the sound had more depth...like it had more dimension. To several other listeners the sound was more dynamic.
The more I talked to Michael Griffin about it the more I noticed that he was careful not to color my perception. He never told me exactly what I would hear, only that I would hear a difference.
Had the evaluation ended there, we probably would never have published the review since we're not a musician's magazine. We don't cover musical instruments, guitar or bass amps, etc. But Michael and I began to discuss some of the other uses for these cords. Though his products are best known among home stereo enthusiasts and bass players, he says they are used by recording studio and live sound engineers. He then offered to send 14 MusicCord Pro cords, enough for us to rewire our entire church sound system: a QSC Wideline loudspeaker system in a left-center-right configuration, powered by QSC PowerLite Series amplifiers and a Yamaha DM2000 board. Michael was on-hand at our church the day we swapped the cords and did our initial tests, which consisted of listening to various reference CD's.
Page 1 of 2 next page >>
Brian Blackmore is editor-in-chief and publisher of Church Production Magazine and Worship Facilities Magazine. He can be reached at bblackmore@churchproduction.com. .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Post a Comment
ADD NEW COMMENTDid the consensus of the scientists alive in the time of Copernicus anad Newton prevent the world from actually being spherical, or having gravity? You do yourselves a disservice my brothers by so quickly discounting the honest perception of several who had the courage to try something a little different. Have you performed this particular Power Cord Experiment yourselves? Would you dare to trust your own reactions and those who honestly forayed with you into the Great Unknown?
Posted by craiggoff on 02/21/2011 report abuse
I am disappointing in CPM for publishing this article. This cable is a huge gimmick. Read Dean Cooper’s comment.
Posted by Tim on 07/27/2010 report abuse
If you want to REALLY improve your sound, spend the $150 on a better mic, not on a power cord.
Posted by Jason Cole on 07/23/2010 report abuse
FACT: “independent listening test” aren’t accurate unless they are blind A/B test. The brain colors what we perceive we are hearing. Go to YouTube & search for “Audio Myths Workshop EthanWiner”. In 3 minutes this video debunks this entire article.
I am highly skeptical of this product. Think about it. You are only effecting the AC current in the last few feet before it hits the amps - the cord cannot improve your electrical infrastructure from the plug back to the power company.
Posted by Dean Cooper on 07/23/2010 report abuse
Why didnt you also describe the tech makup of what this magic cu does to even lend a shred of credibility to your ba—-LOW—NNEEEE. I actually did cancel my subscription and it was the right thing to do.
Posted by David on 07/22/2010 report abuse
Unless listeners can reliably detect a change in blind A/B listening test, claims like these are worthy of all the skepticism they’re receiving here. And you can’t deny the peer influence of a bunch of people standing around trying to hear a difference they know they should be hearing. “It sounds a little more fruity, doesn’t it?” “Yeah—and a little more purple.”
Posted by Soundguy on 07/21/2010 report abuse
have to agree on the ‘placebo’ effect comments. Just by changing the cords, one expects a difference and it ‘has to be better, right?’ If there had been some serious blind A/B testing going on, the report would have carried some weight. As it stands now, no, sorry.
Posted by Terry Nelson on 07/21/2010 report abuse
ESP in this case must stand for the “Extra Sense” you need to “Percieve” an change in the sound from this cord.
Posted by ADC on 07/21/2010 report abuse
One parameter that is undeniably measurable is the “placebo effect.” It is certainly out in full force here. Is there no competent technical editorial staff at CPM? Care to try an ABX?
Posted by Dale Shirk on 07/20/2010 report abuse
Reads like an advertorial to me! I know the present economy is tough, but has Church Production Magazine abandoned any sense of objectivity and sold itself to the likes of monster cable? What is going to be peddled next, $100 ultra low noise fader knobs? Sad to see this publication stoop so low. :o(
Posted by Arthur on 07/20/2010 report abuse
Only up side. I have one less mag to read now. I need to spend my time reading publications I can trust.
Do you have ANY idea how a amplifier power supply works?
Posted by Frank on 07/20/2010 report abuse
Boloney. Bologna. Balony. However it’s spelled, that’s what I think of this article. Do a web search for “monster vs. coat hanger” and you’ll laugh out loud.
I also have lost respect for CP magazine over this.
Posted by NoisyCricket on 07/20/2010 report abuse
Brian is 100% correct - you CAN hear a difference with the MusicCord Pro! To all the naysayers and skeptics, all I can say is forget what you think and LISTEN. Like Brian, I won’t play anymore unless I have a MusicCord Pro! It’s a HUGE improvement. If you don’t believe what you hear, plug it into a high-quality video monitor and SEE the difference
Posted by Gizmot on 07/20/2010 report abuse
What gauge power cords were in use prior to the change over? If they were all SEVERELY undersized and VERY long, and the blades were corroded, that is the ONLY possible valid reason for ANY improvement in performance. “Snakes in the Lobby”? Snakes (with lubricant) in the audio rack.
Posted by G on 07/20/2010 report abuse
Brian, you asked the question.
No, a power cord, as a tiny end of the mains power delivery circuit of any building would not make a difference in the sound of your amplifier.
I am grieved at the magazine for accepting without professional peer review, such folly and delivering it to folk who may have trusted you for Godly wisdom implicit in your expected charter to assist ministry to His people.
Posted by Richard B on 07/20/2010 report abuse
I feel bad for the small to medium size churches that just read this irresponsible journalism. This tradeshow booth visit favor went a step too far into a promotion for a product that no God fearing church should waste His funds on.
Posted by @JAD77 on 07/16/2010 report abuse
I call rubbish! Unless there was a double blind A/B test, Any comments are irrelevant. One short cable making up for 10’s or kilometres of ‘normal’ power cable? Nope. Save your money, do not buy into this rubbish and lies.
Posted by isaac on 07/16/2010 report abuse
I know a little about how amplifiers work (ok a lot since I service and repair them), and this is pure hype. Sure a $150 dollar cable sounds better, it cost $150, it has to sound better… I just lost a lot of respect for Church Production promoting such an item to churches.
Posted by Shane on 07/15/2010 report abuse
I understand that there was something different heard when the cable was used. Our bodies and minds are amazing things, and our minds have an ability to make us think we are feeling something. I’m sure everyone has heard of the placebo effect. It doesn’t happen in just medicine. Our ears can fool us if we are listening for something.
Posted by A.J. McGlynn on 07/15/2010 report abuse
I’m Sorry but I just don’t buy it. How does a cable probably 6ft in length make up for the miles of cheap cable that it takes to get to the power source. I also don’t see how a power amp needs to acclimate to the cable. As long as the cable is thick enough to provide the correct amount of current the amp is going to work and it doesn’t matter if you put a $200 cable on it.
Posted by A.J. McGlynn on 07/15/2010 report abuse