Monster Cable (Audio/Video) : really make a difference or just rip-off ?

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K

kyutip

Golden Member
Jul 24, 2000
1,729
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I just got a TV with S-Video input (Samsung with comb filter, not a high end TV though).
My other stuff is Apex DVD and Pioneer VSX-509S.
I also got a gold plated S-Video cable (Acoustic Research from BB) for $19.99
After using the S-Video from the DVD to TV I couldn't see any difference between S-Video and regular A/V cable.
Does getting Monster Cable brand cable makes any difference ? is it a better quality cable ?
Or just any gold plated cable brand (GE, RCA, Radio Shack) would do ?
It just that Monster Cable are really expensive.

I also got a regular S-Video cable for my PS2 (no gold plated, Sony brand).
I can notice some differences (smoother line, less pixelation, etc).
But it's kinda ho hum, nothing to be excited about.

So, is it really worth it to get a good brand of cable ?
 
A

AUMM

Diamond Member
Mar 13, 2001
3,029
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ive heard it makes a difference, i usually just get Monster Cable just in case
 
StageLeft

StageLeft

No Lifer
Sep 29, 2000
70,150
5
0
After using the S-Video from the DVD to TV I couldn't see any difference between S-Video and regular A/V cable.

If you also can't tell with PS2 much don't bother getting a monster cable. Personally I can't bear PS2 with av after using S-video!
 
franksta

franksta

Golden Member
Jun 6, 2001
1,967
6
81
in my opinionn monster cable is good but don't tell the electrons. copper is copper. and gold plated connectors may only conduct marginally better than silver/copper ones.

so my recommendation is to not get monster cable. just 0.02
 

Yes.
They can handle more power and there is more surface area at the connection points.

Its just throwing the extra 2 bucks to get better beer.
 
I

ikar0s

Banned
Oct 2, 2001
531
0
0
It's all a matter of perspective.

If your eyes can't discern the difference between a composite video signal and an S-Video signal, I don't think you would notice the difference between brands of cabling either.

The quality of cabling can differ between brands, but again, it doesn't matter unless your eyes can tell the difference.

So in your case, no, it's not worth spending extra money on more expensive cabling because you probably won't notice a difference at all.

Limiting factors include your components (i.e. Apex DVD Player vs. Better Quality DVD Player), your TV, and your eyes.
 
B

brxndxn

Diamond Member
Apr 3, 2001
8,475
0
76
S-video looks best... But monster cable is crap for the price of gold... Go to Radio Shack and buy normal old AV wires and they'll be just as good. If you want them to be as good as monster cables, then just make sure they're the same thickness.
 
G

glen

Lifer
Apr 28, 2000
15,995
1
81
No, just science.
But there is a long running conflict and confusion between the two.
 
V

Viper GTS

Lifer
Oct 13, 1999
38,107
433
136
Wasn't it you Glen that bet your 5-series BMW in that 500 post sh!t slinging fest in HT or GH (can't remember which)?

Viper GTS
 
S

sohcrates

Diamond Member
Sep 19, 2000
7,949
0
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you get a thicker wire and better shielding from interference, so i feel better knowing i've got monster cable back there. technically, thicker wire supposedly helps the very low frequencies and very high frequencies propogate better.

BUT remember, monster cable is some of the CHEAPEST "upgraded" cable you can get. It's worth the money cause it's better than crappy entry level cables, but there's a limit to how much difference "quality" cables will make.

the debate begins when people such as my roomate spend 1200 bucks on a pair of speaker cables...which i think is nuts. in fact, i once participated in a blind listening test between radio shack glow-in-the-dark zip cord and thousand dollar kimber cable speaker wires....and the results?? that's right, 50/50. no one could tell the difference anymore than anyone else.

 
T

Tominator

Diamond Member
Oct 9, 1999
9,559
1
0
There was a VERY long thread a many moons ago on this subject with several Members that were rather well versed in the topic. If I remember correctly the consensus was you are paying for the name.
 
StageLeft

StageLeft

No Lifer
Sep 29, 2000
70,150
5
0
the debate begins when people such as my roomate spend 1200 bucks on a pair of speaker cables...which i think is nuts.

What a moron! I know a guy who imported some weird illegal crazy cable that cost like $30/foot for his home entertainment setup. Some people just love to waste money.
 
K

kyutip

Golden Member
Jul 24, 2000
1,729
0
0
I got the Monster Cable Audio wire for my speakers (Polk RM series) since in that I do believe in better quality cable.

On DVD I couldn't differentiate the differences between S-Video and A/V.
But on PS2 I can (just regular S-Video)
would a gold plated on PS2 improve it more or I'm just throwing away money ?
 
Eug

Eug

Lifer
Mar 11, 2000
24,180
1,822
126
Well, not actually crap, but it's waaaayyy overpriced. They're built reasonably well and should last quite a while, but the image will not improved over other reasonable cables. In other words, it's good cable at outrageous prices. The boutique brands are even worse.

I have tried more expensive cables, but now have settled on good quality medium-gauge cable, like the Radio Shack Gold series, etc. The only expensive (audio) cable I'd consider is the ultraflat cable, but only because it's ultra-flat, so it it's easy to hide.

By the way, ikar0s, it's easy for an average person to tell S-video from composite on even mid-range systems. However, it does become much harder on low-end systems, ie. entry level smaller TVs even if they do have a comb filter, but you can tell with A/B comparisons. On a nicer system it's obvious though. Ie. Cheap S-video beats expensive composite. On the other hand, blinded studies have shown that so-called audiophiles can't tell US$200 audiophile speaker cables from 10 cent/ft hardware store speaker cable.

BTW, in case you're interested (since many claim expensive digital coax cables equals better sound).I can get beautiful sound from a $1 digital coax cable I built from an ultra-small gauge computer case LED power-button wire, while another guy online has managed error-free transmission of PCM data through a coat hanger.

 
C

CocaCola5

Golden Member
Jan 5, 2001
1,599
0
0
I would get a nice S-video cable because they make a huge difference with video. For the average consumer audio gear, a cheap $1.99 cable will do.
 
B

beat mania

Platinum Member
Jan 23, 2000
2,451
0
76
Save your money for a better TV. One that you can actually tell the difference between Svideo and composite.
 
Eug

Eug

Lifer
Mar 11, 2000
24,180
1,822
126


<< If Anandtech's hardware forum doesn't give you the answer checkout some real audio buffs. -=Audio Forums=-

The more you pay the better your off. >>

It's interesting to note that the "real audio buffs" refuse to believe blinded studies. It's called the placebo effect.
 
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