Monster cables any better than regular wire?


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Old 11-24-08, 07:39 PM
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Monster cables any better than regular wire?

Hi, Radio Shack has a 100 ft spool of Monster cable for $88... is monster cable really any better than say, 14 gauge lamp cord for wiring a home theater system?
 
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Old 11-25-08, 05:11 AM
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You're likely to get some lively responses to that question. I'm not sure I would compare Monster cable to 14ga lamp cord, but if you compare apples to apples IMHO it is no better. This is especially true when dealing with digital signals. When I got my big screen I bought an HDMI cable for about $10 vice the $50 they wanted for a "Monster". I would defy anyone to tell the difference in signal quality.
 
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Old 11-25-08, 05:12 AM
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It's not any better in my opinion. It may perform better on tests, but in the real world I doubt anyone can actually hear a difference.

The standard for installation wiring is West Penn 226 (14g) or 227 (12g) or its equivalent from other manufacturers. In bulk you can buy it for 40 cents a foot.

Lamp cord isn't rated for in-wall use, btw.
 

Last edited by Rick Johnston; 11-26-08 at 03:41 AM. Reason: Corrected first part number
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Old 11-25-08, 05:14 AM
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Just an afterthought, but take a peak at what Radio Shack is using to connect up their display model equipment.
 
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Old 11-25-08, 05:00 PM
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This site is specifically about speaker wire but you might find it interesting.

Speaker Wire
 
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Old 11-25-08, 06:15 PM
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Monster is a waste of money.

I get all my cables at monoprice.com
 
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Old 11-26-08, 07:37 AM
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Mark owns that website and we're going to ban him for advertising.

Think that's where I got my HDMI cable.
 
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Old 11-26-08, 02:59 PM
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John,

I have spent enough money there, I should own it by now.
 
 

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