MONSTER CABLE SPEAKER CABLE...
- Thread starter ghamilton
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Audioraven
Well-Known Member
It sure looks like they are giving up on the speaker cable and interconnect business. Anybody else know what gives?
Overpriced? Over-hyped? Maybe the market they were going for found better or just-as-good but cheaper alternatives.
I gave up trying to keep up with un-affordable (to me) equipment years ago. Were they the first to offer higher quality cables?
If so, I wonder if Monster created a monster they couldn't keep up with.
I gave up trying to keep up with un-affordable (to me) equipment years ago. Were they the first to offer higher quality cables?
If so, I wonder if Monster created a monster they couldn't keep up with.
Branched out into all sorts of products.
The hype ran out.
I drank the Koolaid way back in the 70s. Bought their 10ga wire.
Didn't sound any different.
Pain in the ass to connect.
OEM called for 18ga lamp cord and that always worked well for me.
Other companies invented their own BS super cables and opened Koolaid stands.
Don't get me wrong, I love high dollar fancy schmancy cables. Whenever they show up in a recycle pile, I flip them for nice profit!
The hype ran out.
I drank the Koolaid way back in the 70s. Bought their 10ga wire.
Didn't sound any different.
Pain in the ass to connect.
OEM called for 18ga lamp cord and that always worked well for me.
Other companies invented their own BS super cables and opened Koolaid stands.
Don't get me wrong, I love high dollar fancy schmancy cables. Whenever they show up in a recycle pile, I flip them for nice profit!
savatage1973
Addicted Member
Competition--back in the 80's, they were "innovative" and "high-end"--now, not so much. The company evolved, but the speaker and interconnect cables, again, not so much.
Not "all". There are places for "good" cables. But the $$$ snob area just doesn't really work for me, except in profit.
StimpyWan
Addicted Member
I could never really tell much differences between interconnects, but for me, speaker cable was different. First, "18 gauge zip cord" is good enough, and seemed fine. Then, "Monster Cable is best", so that was next. And I did hear a nice improvement, over zip cord. Finally, let's try the "high end" stuff. High end, for what I could afford, was Kimber Kable 8TC. Now that stuff was awesome. Much better than Monster (IMHO), with crazy bass response. I still use it.
Now as to Monster, I think they've spread themselves too thin, trying to market to too many diverse markets. That, plus the fact that there are just too many available competing products now, no one company can dominate anymore. Even years ago, Acoustic Research, had a one third market share of every loudspeaker sold! That's insane. Now, they're a almost forgotten name brand, on cheap stereo cables, and even cheaper blue tooth speakers. Sad. But, you have to adapt with the times, to survive.
Now as to Monster, I think they've spread themselves too thin, trying to market to too many diverse markets. That, plus the fact that there are just too many available competing products now, no one company can dominate anymore. Even years ago, Acoustic Research, had a one third market share of every loudspeaker sold! That's insane. Now, they're a almost forgotten name brand, on cheap stereo cables, and even cheaper blue tooth speakers. Sad. But, you have to adapt with the times, to survive.
WaynerN
Addicted Member
By today's pricing, Monster cables are a bargain.
ghamilton
Super Member
For those of you that can't hear a difference in cables,...perhaps your setup won't let you hear the difference. I hear BIG differences between cables and a change in sound with break-in. 
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By the way...check out this buy> https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00PV8ZSNA/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
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Lazarus Long
Super Member
That's a good price. I just bought some speaker wire from parts express. Looks like the same stuff.
Tom Bombadil
AK Member
For those of you that can't hear a difference in cables,...perhaps your setup won't let you hear the difference. I hear BIG differences between cables and a change in sound with break-in.
This is such an insulting comment. And very common from those who proclaim to hear differences.
My primary audio system is extremely good. I picked my amp because I could hear a difference. I picked my CD player because I could hear a difference. I swap 3 different preamps in and out based upon what I am in the mood for and can hear a difference. I auditioned many, many speakers, carrying prices up to $20,000/pr, and picked the ones I liked best, because I could hear a difference. The total list price for the components I have in my system is in excess of $25,000.
But when it comes to cables, I tested dozens of speaker cables and interconnects, selling for prices of up to several hundred dollars each, but except for some really odd & cheap cables, I could not hear a difference. Believe me, my system is very, very capable of reproducing very highly resolved music.
I do use decent quality cables, like Audioquest 10AWG and 12AWG speaker cables. Some nicely made AR Gold interconnects, which sold for about $15-$20/pr for 6' runs some years back. Not cheapie lamp cord or $2 interconnects. However in my testing, I did find some pretty inexpensive 14AWG speaker wire and $5'ish interconnects which were pretty good. I do have some $50-$100 Monster, Kimber, Tara Labs and other brand name cables, which I picked up on the cheap and which sound just fine (same as my AR interconnects).
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Djcoolray
Addicted Member
No...
But I bought some Monster THX Cables off Fleabay for $14.00 each and could tell the improvement over everything else I had before. Just a bit more clarity and I get my ears checked at the VA annually.....I can hear the difference. I really wish someone had the equipment to test different kinds of interconnects and post the differences for all to see. But, then again if your running point single digit distortion rates like 0.5% THD......I don't think there would be a noticeable difference.
But I bought some Monster THX Cables off Fleabay for $14.00 each and could tell the improvement over everything else I had before. Just a bit more clarity and I get my ears checked at the VA annually.....I can hear the difference. I really wish someone had the equipment to test different kinds of interconnects and post the differences for all to see. But, then again if your running point single digit distortion rates like 0.5% THD......I don't think there would be a noticeable difference.
Tom Bombadil
AK Member
Quads certainly have sufficient resolution and clarity to hear cable differences.
