Unbeleivable deal on monster cables game/home theater setup

[Sylentwulf]

I'm not one of those monster cable addict, but anyone has to admit that this is a VERY VERY good deal. Care of bens bargains.

http://www.hardwarecooling.com/product_info.php?ref=23&products_id=700&htclick=1

[Anthony1]

Let me hip you to something for future refrence:



High Grade Video Cables = total waste of money. Infact, do you know what I use for component cables? I don't use some real expensive gold connector red, green and blue cables, I use cheapo, generic, yellow, red and white audio/video cables, like any old crappy cables that come standard with a $24.99 DVD player. You just have to make sure that you put the right color on the right color, and you're cool. I put yellow on green, white on blue and red on red, on both sides, and it's all gravy. Don't buy into the Monster Cable shit, it's all a scam.



High Grade Audio Cables = total waste of money. There are actually Monster optical audio cables if you can believe it!!! They sell them for huge $$$ too, and they are totally worthless, because you don't get any difference in sound whatsoever from a $10 PS2 optical cable to a $50 Monster platnium optical cable. Supposedly you get less dropouts with the Monster, but I've had no problems whatsoever with dirt cheap optical cables. Sound is exactly the same. Same thing with digital coaxial cables as well. In fact, with coax inputs, I just use a regular old red and white audio cable, and just use the red end on both sides. Works fine with no problem. Subwoofer cables are the same thing. If you have a really long red and white audio cable, just use that, split it down the middle and use a coupler and you have an extra long subwoofer cable that will work absolutely fine.


ALL OF THIS HIGH GRADE CABLE STUFF IS THE BIGGEST CROCK OF SHIT IN THE WORLD.



Now, having said all of that..... There is something that can be improved with better cables, and that is speaker wire. It would be ideal if you have 14 guage or lower speaker wire, but even then, Home Depot 12 guage speaker wire would be just fine. No need to pay super high $$$ for your speaker wire either, just make sure it's like 12 guage or 14 guage and you're cool.




I will say that there are some slight improvements that can be made with one of the better S-Video connectors, and if you have a analog CD player that has really good audio output, sometimes it would be good to use a high quality red and white audio cable with it, but for the most part, all of this is just incredible amounts of wasted money. If you want to improve your video and audio signals, my suggestion would be to buy super cheap cables, or use the ones that come free with DVD players and VCR's and stuff like that, and with all the money you save on that, if you really want to try to improve something, then try a line conditioner for your power.

[Sylentwulf]

$30 for that much cable even by an extremely cheapo brand would be a good deal, add in the colord coding, and higher manufacturing quality, and whether it actually SOUNDS better is completely void and null. I use cheap cables on everything, and when they start to fall aprat after plugging and unplugging them a few times, it gets annoying.

[c0ldb33r]

... when they start to fall aprat after plugging and unplugging them a few times, it gets annoying.
I use cheap cables - I've never had that happen

[Nez]

Same cheap composite cables is were it's at!

[njiska]

$30 for that much cable even by an extremely cheapo brand would be a good deal, add in the colord coding, and higher manufacturing quality, and whether it actually SOUNDS better is completely void and null. I use cheap cables on everything, and when they start to fall aprat after plugging and unplugging them a few times, it gets annoying.

While i think you're abusing your cables if the ends are coming off, you are right about one thing. That's a shit load of cable for an incredibly low price. Plus it's monster so you will have good quality cables to boot.

[Nesmaster]

From my tv to the component switchbox, I use composite cables as well. The cheapest real component cable I was able to find locally was $20. Pass.

[Joker T]

I'm going to be purchasing a Samsung DLP TV soon, so component cables are going to be needed. I'm planning on getting the offical cables from MS and Sony for that. I've heard monster cables make little to no difference in the quality of the picture and/or sound.

[nik]

It's much like the high end stereo stuff vs. just the average... to those who don't understand what the diffrences are, its hard to notice them.

For me, mp3's burned from a 192 kb source as opposed to a 128 kb source have a huge diffrence, but yet to some freinds of mine, there is non, but they do not notice the missing higher notes.

Is it worth the extra price for that little bit more? Thats up to you really... if you are casual... no. If you're an audio/visual freak, yes.

[tylerwillis]

I'm vaguely curious, Anthony1, did you even look at the item before you typed up a manifesto? Whether or not you believe in "high grade" cables or not (which, btw, nik has the right answer: most people won't notice/care of the difference, but it is there), the price is good for a whole heck of a lot cabling.


Additional 10 ft. Monster® subwoofer cable for non—powered or passive subwoofers.
All the right lengths of high performance speaker cable: 20 ft. front, 10 ft. center, and 35 ft. rear.
High performance 8 ft. component video cable for improved home theater performance.

If you just need a little bit of it, then it's not so good... but for a beginner needing everything, it's not bad.

That said, it's sold cheaper on eBay (reputable dealers).

[Stark]

Monster Cable makes a difference if you are serious about your set-up. Don't listen to naysayers like our own Anthony1. Do a little research (unlike little Anthony1) and not only has Monster won tons of awards over the last 25 years in the buisness they are recommended and used in reviewer system set-ups. There are plenty of websites and magazines that have done tests and agree than Monster provides better audio/video period. So if they were no better than the cheap freebie cables why would experts use them? Anthony1 is clearly no expert.

[max 330 mega]

ok... so wait.. wtf. are you guys saying i can just plug my normal composite video ps2 hook ups into the component video on a tv, and it will work? no need for the more expensive component cables??

[nik]

ok... so wait.. wtf. are you guys saying i can just plug my normal composite video ps2 hook ups into the component video on a tv, and it will work? no need for the more expensive component cables??

no, you need componant cables, he's just talking name brand(heavy grade wire, reinforced etc) vs. el cheap-o no name brand (thin wire, is "good enough")

[nik]

ok... so wait.. wtf. are you guys saying i can just plug my normal composite video ps2 hook ups into the component video on a tv, and it will work? no need for the more expensive component cables??

no, you need componant cables, he's just talking name brand(heavy grade wire, reinforced etc) vs. el cheap-o no name brand (thin wire, is "good enough")

The diffrence in the wires itself are the number of outlets, one for each color band, so less bleeding.. sharper.. etc.

Read up on this stuff, don't belive forum posts, or "guess".

[Sylentwulf]

ok... so wait.. wtf. are you guys saying i can just plug my normal composite video ps2 hook ups into the component video on a tv, and it will work? no need for the more expensive component cables??

no, you need componant cables, he's just talking name brand(heavy grade wire, reinforced etc) vs. el cheap-o no name brand (thin wire, is "good enough")

The diffrence in the wires itself are the number of outlets, one for each color band, so less bleeding.. sharper.. etc.

Read up on this stuff, don't belive forum posts, or "guess".

No, he's saying using normal composite type rca a/v cables to connect to component jacks on each end. It works fine, but the cables are usually so small, badly shielded, and cheap, it's not overly worth it.

[nik]

ok... so wait.. wtf. are you guys saying i can just plug my normal composite video ps2 hook ups into the component video on a tv, and it will work? no need for the more expensive component cables??

no, you need componant cables, he's just talking name brand(heavy grade wire, reinforced etc) vs. el cheap-o no name brand (thin wire, is "good enough")

The diffrence in the wires itself are the number of outlets, one for each color band, so less bleeding.. sharper.. etc.

Read up on this stuff, don't belive forum posts, or "guess".

No, he's saying using normal composite type rca a/v cables to connect to component jacks on each end. It works fine, but the cables are usually so small, badly shielded, and cheap, it's not overly worth it.

It won't display in 480 or anything else though, will it..

[roushimsx]

It's much like the high end stereo stuff vs. just the average... to those who don't understand what the diffrences are, its hard to notice them.


That's my favorite defense regarding a/v cables. While there IS a difference over longer runs (lower impedance and such on the stuff you pay stupid amounts of money for), shorter distance cables (like the kind you need to hook up a console/dvd player/dvr box/whatever to a tv) from generic companies are every bit as good as the "high end stuff".

Audiophiles are funny.


For me, mp3's burned from a 192 kb source as opposed to a 128 kb source have a huge diffrence, but yet to some freinds of mine, there is non, but they do not notice the missing higher notes.


That's not even a really valid comparison. That's like comparing a gif vs a png of a photograph.

With the cables in question, it's more like comparing a normal PS2 game vs a Greatest Hits PS2 game. Sure, it might not come in as pretty of a box, but you get the exact same end result for cheaper.


Is it worth the extra price for that little bit more? Thats up to you really... if you are casual... no. If you're an audio/visual freak, yes.

More like, "no, it's not worth the extra price. ever."

Seriously, A/V freaks suffer from the worse case of the placebo effect I've ever seen. But hey, don't take my word for it. do a little research for yourself (http://www.roger-russell.com/wire/wire.htm). If you want to keep pissing away your money on name brands then knock yourself out.

edit - I really like the way Monster cables really grip the fuck out of your inputs/outputs! Thank god I don't have to disconnect/reconnect them too often, because every time I do it feels like they're going to rip them right out of my god damn tv.

[SkiDragon]

For an analogue signal the amount of shielding and "quality" of the cable probably has some effect, although in my experience the difference is not noticable, and the further the signal is split up (i.e. 2 lines for s-video and 3 lines for component/rgb), the less the cable shielding is necessary. Of course any RCA cable can be used to hook two RCA jacks together, the color makes no difference.

The stupidest thing has to be these heavily shielded optical audio cables. I thought these carried a digital signal, so they shouldn't be as affected by interference. In addition, what sort of interference would hurt an optical signal. A really bright lightbulb?

[K3V]

I guess the big question is: is this "Hardware Cooling" website going to rip me off or not?

[stuffedmonkey]

When I try to load the link - it goes to a 404 error - strange.

But Monster Cables are the biggest scam since those "I am the deposed price of Nigeria" emails. I have Monster 1/8th inch minijack to dual RCA cable that I was given by a Monster rep. it is a well made cable - to be sure, but am I some how supposed to believe that the electrons flow quciker through name brand copper? The "Monster Digital" series is even better. Does it make the 1s and 0s cleaner? Many A/V type stores have stopped selling regular cables, because the profit margin on the Monster ones is obcene. A shielded cable is a shielded cable.

[Anthony1]

Is it worth the extra price for that little bit more? Thats up to you really... if you are casual... no. If you're an audio/visual freak, yes.



Wrong. I'm an audio/visual freak, and I can tell you that the high end cables are pretty much worthless. High end speaker cable is actually somewhat worth the price, but generic 12 guage or 14 guage will work fine too. I'm hardcore into my audio and video, and if there really was a substantial improvement, then I would spend the $$ for sure. Back in the old S-Video days, I did get a Monster S-Video cable that was a slight improvement, but even then it was nowhere worth the huge premium in price. As for component and all that other stuff, I'm telling you, you are throwing your money down the drain. Sure for Xbox 360, it has a proprietary plug, so you have to buy the 360 component cables, but for things like DVD players and stuff like that, just use any old cable and plug them into the same colors on both ends.



If you really want to spend money on something rather unnecessary, then I would get a line conditioner. A power conditioner. They can cost huge $$$, but they will help your pictures and sounds much better than any improvement in cables. Of course, you won't see me buying any line conditioner, I would rather put that extra money into acoustical treatments.

[Anthony1]

Monster Cable makes a difference if you are serious about your set-up. Don't listen to naysayers like our own Anthony1. Do a little research (unlike little Anthony1) and not only has Monster won tons of awards over the last 25 years in the buisness they are recommended and used in reviewer system set-ups. There are plenty of websites and magazines that have done tests and agree than Monster provides better audio/video period. So if they were no better than the cheap freebie cables why would experts use them? Anthony1 is clearly no expert.



Man, you've been played x_x



No wonder 3com Park, formerly Candlestick Park, is now known as Monster Park. (Monster Cable has the naming rights to the home of the 49ers) There are enough sheep that believe these cables actually mean something, it's so amazing to me! LOL

[nik]

look at me I can type!

Wow buddy, relax. I wasn't defending nor attacking the subject, just offering my point of view.

I've used regular cables, and monster ones, to me it doesn't matter, to others it might, get a helmet guy.


more total garbage

Same with you, relax guys, its just fucking cable, people who might throw money away on name brand stuff might be stupid to you, but good god, seems you take it far more serious then they ever will.

I guess I'm just glad I have better things to do with life then get hot under the collor from talking about wires, even though I, nor you know jack shit about them other then you own opinions.

For the $, that package is decent, name brand or not, those wires work, and for all those in that package for that price, I'd pick it up, I don't have time to whine about 30$, total waste of time to scrimp and save and bitch about anything that costs less then 100$.

[Anthony1]

Look, I apologize if I'm come off as a total ass, in my disregard for high end cables, but at one time I was actually a Monster believer. I still think their speaker wire is very good, although much more pricey than necessary. If you have something that uses a S-Video cable and you are trying to get the best quality, you can get a little bit of an improvement from the Gold series S-Video cables, I know cause I have one.


But for the most part, the whole cable thing is a scam. Back in 1998, 1999, 2000 and 2001, if somebody said that Monster Cable was a complete scam and wasn't worth crap, I would have took offense to it very much so. But over the last few years, I've come to the understanding that it's a total scam (for the most part), and it's nothing against people who want to spend $$$ on high end cable, it's just that for most people on a budget, we must be very wise where we allocate those dollars.


Now if somebody is filthy rich, then sure, go ahead and get some Monster Cables or go to BetterCables.com . Certainly these expensive cables aren't crap, but to really notice any improvements you would have to have the hearing of a dog, and the eyesight of an owl or spider or something! he he.


Again, better speaker wire is legit, but for anything other than S-Video and for any of the audio cables, it's all a bunch of crap.

[nik]

.

Understandable, it's the same with me, I'm not interested in buying monster at full retail.. but if I get the chance to buy some for the same price of the cheaper stuff, I will.

I won't buy cable because of name brand, and the fact my TV is performing just fine with the stock xbox 360 wires, and the DVD player with its own wires, but that package is a pretty decent deal if you think about it.. if I just bought some home theatre stuff, and a new TV, dvd player, I'd grab it just for back up, since usually the stock spreakers never have enough wire length as it is!

Chances I'll have a home theatre worthy of super expensive wires? nil. I just bought a house, paid off my 50 inch LCD, brand new couches, and have 2 cars to take care of, and a kid on the way fairly soon.

I'll get a set up, but nothing massive, I guess its all about your previous experiences, mine with monster is but 1, an XboX componant cable, and it performed well!

Gold series I've heard is great as well, and if both were on the shelf, I'd probably grab the Gold, since it would be for a much fairer price.

On a side note, I'll never ever understand why Car audio freaks get wires that start to look like the size of my cats tail, I like car audio as well, and would get decent shielded wire, but holy god, you could knock someones block off with that crap.

[Jibbajaba]

OT, but I always thought that Monster Park was named after Monster.com. I'm pretty surprised that the Monster Cable Co. has that kind of cabbage.

I've never gotten into high end AV shit, but based on the knowledge that I have, I don't see why Brand X shielded AV cables would be any worse than Monster brand shielded cables, provided that the wire was the same gauge. I think that the big selling point for me would be the increase in the quality of the cable itself, meaning how well it is put together and will therfore last if repeatedly plugged and unplugged.

Chris

[Sylentwulf]

OT, but I always thought that Monster Park was named after Monster.com. I'm pretty surprised that the Monster Cable Co. has that kind of cabbage.

I've never gotten into high end AV shit, but based on the knowledge that I have, I don't see why Brand X shielded AV cables would be any worse than Monster brand shielded cables, provided that the wire was the same gauge. I think that the big selling point for me would be the increase in the quality of the cable itself, meaning how well it is put together and will therfore last if repeatedly plugged and unplugged.

Chris

This was kinda my point, as I said in the first post, I'm not a monster-o-holic, but items that are built better LAST longer, not necessarily WORK better.

If I buy a $5 alarm clock, and a $50 alarm clock, it's a pretty damned safe bet that, while both will wake me up in the morning perfectly fine, the $10 one probably won't last long after I smack the snooze button 20 times.

[Bluteg]

The reason some car audiophiles use insanely large wires is that they are generally putting more power into subs than a normal HT setup. If your running a 1500 watt RMS amp on anything smaller than 2 gauge power and ground your wires can and will melt the plastic shielding. It's not fun when well hidden wires overheat because of their inadequate size and you have 100-150 amps arcing against the frame of your vehicle below carpet while your driving down the road. Only so much amperage can fit through a set thickness of aluminum/copper wiring.

Now with monster cables, I thought it was a well known fact that the components have no significant improvement over Sony/MS cables.