Thank you for being a valued part of the CNET community. As of December 1, 2020, the forums are in read-only format. In early 2021, CNET Forums will no longer be available. We are grateful for the participation and advice you have provided to one another over the years.

Thanks,

CNET Support

General discussion

What brand equipment is better

Jun 8, 2005 1:24AM PDT

I keep hearing alot about Monster Cables and power centers. Are they everything they are talked up to be? To get good quality is it necessary to spend $150.00 on power centers & cables?

I am hooking up a new 56" Samsung DLP - HLR5667W - to a DVD/CD Player; VCR; Reciever & Bose surround sound system. I am getting digital cable & HDTV too.

Can anyone help tell me what I need to purchase? What brands are good & will work?

ThanksHappy

Discussion is locked

- Collapse -
Sometimes
Jun 17, 2005 7:19AM PDT

Like many have commented before, it is best to find the limiting factor in your equipment (the weakest link), and upgrade that. In most cases, subtle differences in cable quality will not make a noticable differece.

However, like almost all things in the technical world - it depends. Are they really better then everything else? Yes, slightly - at least in the audio world. I share from experience that sometimes the extra cash for the Monster Cables can make a difference. I wouldn't recommend purchasing their video cables or even basic speaker cables. Where I did find a noticable improvement in quality was the subwoofer cable.

Not knowing details about your room / soundsystem, I can't predict how much of a difference this would make, so I recommend trying it out for yourself. See if you can find someone who has and will lend you some of the cables you are interested in and try them out in your own comparison test, because it's only your experience - not that of reviewers - that counts. You may also find somewhere to buy multiple cables that will let you return them without restocking fee within so many days. Try for yourself and ask: is this an $XX differece?

- Collapse -
I'm with Justin
Jun 17, 2005 3:42PM PDT

I agree with Justin on his choice, but I think any bulk speaker wire is OK as long as it's 16 gauge or better. I went to see what Best Buy had to offer, needing an optical/digital cable to hook my DVD player to my receiver, and it was a choice between Monster and AR, which were about half the price of Monster stuff. I bought the AR and have had no problems whatsoever, plus saved some $$ in the process. Even Home Depot sells this stuff now! You might get the most bang for your buck there and it pays to shop around, so good luck! An afterthought: you might want to look at a semi-high end online vendor such as OneCall.com or 6ave.com to see what they have to offer.

- Collapse -
Cables and Samsung DLP
Jun 18, 2005 11:32AM PDT

Just like to know how u like your dlp...i am hoping to get the HL-R4677W, THE 46 BECAUSE IT FITS MY CABINET. BUT MORE INTERESTED IN HOW U LIKE YOURS. AND WHICH CABLES DID U DECIDE ON?

- Collapse -
Expensive Cables are a Waste of Good Money
Jun 18, 2005 11:48AM PDT

Many years ago when I lived in Pittsburgh, I went to the high end audio store in Pittsburgh and was convinced that my Radio Shack interconnects between my preamp amd power amp were a total joke and I should buy these high end interconnects and I'd hear the results immediately. Try as I could, hoping that I could pursuade my ears to hear the difference, even with the listening bias that comes with spending a bunch of money, I never heard any difference. Since then, I buy the cheapest cables I can find, so long as they have gold connectors to eliminate the possibility of oxidised and noisy connections. Save your money.

Jim Nelon

- Collapse -
Cables & Samsung DLP
Jun 19, 2005 12:51AM PDT

So far I love it but we are still trying to get everything connected! You need a degree in this stuff! I have set-top cable box; VCR; DVD and stero receiver.... HELP!

The TV thought is awesome. Right now I only have what Comcast gave me for the set up - I believe it is a composite cable. I did buy (don't hate me guys) a Monster 400 DVI/HDMI cbale from the internet for $40.00 LESS than the local stores but have not yet hooked it up. Still trying to figure hook ups without adding to the mess.

I will keep you posted but my advice - GO FOR IT!

- Collapse -
Cables & Samsung DLP
Jun 20, 2005 2:20AM PDT

FYI, One of my son-in-laws works for Comcast and the cables they supply are GOOD. John

- Collapse -
Cables & Samsung DLP
Jun 23, 2005 9:01PM PDT

Thanks - maybe he can tell me how to get my surround sound hooked up! ARG!

- Collapse -
Way Overpriced
Jun 18, 2005 8:29PM PDT

There are many other brands that are just as good that cost a lot less.

- Collapse -
You cable need is based on the best video output
Jun 20, 2005 5:28AM PDT

What do you need the HDMI cable for if you're pumping composite signals from cable in anyway? If you have a HD cable box or HD satellite, then you'd benefit, but if the best is your DVD player, that's only 1/2 the resolution of HD anyway. Component cables would be sufficient. Also, are you switching inputs from your receiver? Does IT have HDMI outputs or just S-VHS or component?

After answering these questions, I agree with everyone else that Monster overcharges for all their products. On the other hand, I've bought a Monster subwoofer cable and some of their 12-guage flat speaker wire on eBay because it was a lot less than retail. I also see nothing wrong with Radio Shack's heavier gold-plated interconnects, although they're not that cheap either.

I believe that I went to http://usedcable.com to buy video cables and looked for inexpensive brands which were on sale for half-price. So I paid $18 for one 3' cable and $25 for a second. You can always look up particular products at http://audioreview.com/reviewscrx.aspx.

With video cable you're paying for the connector at the end and the shielding to prevent RF interference from the other wiring behind the components. Better cables have sturdier gold connectors and heavier shielding. Anything else is hype or eye-candy.

- Collapse -
finally someone who gets it.
Jun 30, 2005 3:21PM PDT

Now if we could just get people to quit buying speaker wire at Home Depot. A few cents more per foot is worth it. What they sell is glorified lamp cord.