Monster or Monoprice cables for your S3? [Text View]

BellevueTivoFan

09-22-2006, 02:54 PM

I recently bought a 5 port HDMI switch and needed to buy some more HDMI cables. I usually buy all my stuff from Monoprice but didn't want to wait so I thought I'd call my local BB to see how bad the prices are for instant gratification. They said the cheapest one they had was $60! Of course they were "monster" cables. For the fun of it I tried to get him to explain why I'd pay $60 for something I can get from monoprice for $5.80. "Better quality, better shielding... blah blah"
So it got me thinking, what are you guys using for your new S3 for HDMI? Is there really a difference between $60 and $5.80 for the same HDMI cable? Is there a noticeable difference in HD quality?

Darthnice

09-22-2006, 03:00 PM

I bought a HDMI->DVI and an optical cable from Monoprice. There is nothing different.

The monoprice cables even have the stupid gold connectors on the optical cable that monster charges $$$ for, as if that will make a difference.

Both are working perfectly.

JakiChan

09-22-2006, 03:01 PM

fergiej

09-22-2006, 03:03 PM

Monoprice,Monoprice,Monoprice,Monoprice,Monoprice,Monoprice, Monoprice,Monoprice.

Sorry, Got carried away. There's no comparison whatsoever. Unless you have to have it RIGHT this minute, well, Monoprice...;)

jfh3

09-22-2006, 03:06 PM

Monoprice. No question.

NOD

09-22-2006, 03:07 PM

MONOPRICE

Besides, Monoprice's delivery times are outstanding in my experience (I ordered a bunch of new cables the day I ordered my s3 on Tuesday. They were shipped out that night, and arrived here in New Orleans 2 days later).

Bodshal

09-22-2006, 03:07 PM

Buying super-fancy DVI cables is dumb. It's like buying a super-fancy Ethernet cable to improve your gaming. As long as the data is getting there that's all that matters. This isn't analog world anymore. :D

I don't condone wasting money on overpriced cables, but you can still lose data with digital signals. It's just intrinsicly more tolerant of interference for a given data rate. With the higher pixel clocks of HD, you do need a decent cable to carry your signal; especially if it's over any substantial distance. Monoprice fit the bill for quality, though. :)

I have used bestbuycables (no relation to the store), since they frequently do AVS Forum member specials and I have a couple of long HDMI runs that seemed to benefit from a heavier gauge cable.

Chris.

classicX

09-22-2006, 03:12 PM

While cables can make a difference, I believe monoprice cables were tested and are no worse than monster cables.

When building my house, my integrator wanted to charge me nearly $400 for a 12' HDMI cable. The problem was, my equipment is in a closet behind my TV. Directly behind it. I said "forget the cable, I'll just get my own."

Go for the monoprice. With the S3, you can use the included cable (though I don't know how good it is).

OTOH, you can join rewardzone and buy a bunch of monster cables, and get certificates for a discount on another S3 in about 2 months. :D

NOD

09-22-2006, 03:17 PM

OTOH, you can join rewardzone and buy a bunch of monster cables, and get certificates for a discount on another S3 in about 2 months. :D

roffles

gthassell

09-22-2006, 03:27 PM

M O N O P R I C E

Blackforge

09-22-2006, 03:55 PM

I've found that of all places, my local Wal-Mart has some resonably priced (reasonable for instant gratification). They had a Phillips HDMI->DVI 6ft cable for about $25. Gold plated, etc.

rainwater

09-22-2006, 03:59 PM

I don't condone wasting money on overpriced cables, but you can still lose data with digital signals. It's just intrinsicly more tolerant of interference for a given data rate. With the higher pixel clocks of HD, you do need a decent cable to carry your signal; especially if it's over any substantial distance. Monoprice fit the bill for quality, though. :)

With HDMI as long as your are talking about a cable less than 10 or 5 feet, then the chances of interference is very small. Only when talking about long cables is it worth spending the extra money.

Bodshal

09-22-2006, 04:01 PM

With HDMI as long as your are talking about a cable less than 10 or 5 feet, then the chances of interference is very small. Only when talking about long cables is it worth spending the extra money.

I think that's what I said. Though possibly less clearly. :)

(I have a 30ft and a 50ft run of HDMI that had sparklies on the "regular" cable. A heftier gauge did the job.)

Chris.

ebockelman

09-22-2006, 04:02 PM

I try to get all of my cables from BlueJeans or Monoprice.

But if you need instant gratification, try looking at Wal-Mart for HDMI cables. Our local one had some Philips brand 6 foot HDMI cables for about $20. It's not a good as the Monoprice deal, but it will get you going right away.

JakiChan

09-22-2006, 04:47 PM

I don't condone wasting money on overpriced cables, but you can still lose data with digital signals. It's just intrinsicly more tolerant of interference for a given data rate. With the higher pixel clocks of HD, you do need a decent cable to carry your signal; especially if it's over any substantial distance. Monoprice fit the bill for quality, though. :)

My point is that while analog folks may be able to argue about the insane esoteric nature of the Monster cables for analog (and I have some), for digital all that matters is if all your ones and zeroes get there. :D

TiVotion

09-22-2006, 05:07 PM

I bought 3 cables from Monoprice based on someone's recommendation on TCF.

The cables were shipped express mail, and they arrived fast. Prices were unbelievably low, and they appear to be good quality cables.

I firmly believe that anyone who pays insane premiums for Monster cables is just a victim of their ridiculous marketing. Never believe the crap the Best Buy guys try to feed you - BB makes a killing off these things.

skanter

09-22-2006, 05:09 PM

monoprice!

Just got a bunch of cables from them -- HDMI, S-Video, DVI -- good quality, cheap prices, fast service.

Dssturbo1

09-22-2006, 05:53 PM

Monoprice if you need the longer runs they cover that with guage options too and still at a great price. good solid well built cables great price and fast shipping. like eveyone else said.

the gratification would taking the monster cables back to bb and getting the wasted dollars back in your pocket.

ChuckyBox

09-22-2006, 06:12 PM

One often-overlooked advantage of more expensive cables is that they frequently have better connectors and are better constructed. While I am not willing to pay the insane prices that many audiophiles and HT folks pay to top-of-the-line cables, I will often hunt around for good quality cables on sale. You can frequently get Monster, Acoustic Research, or other branded cables at a big discount online, in the sale bins at Best Buy and other stores, or on eBay.

I haven't used the monoprice HDMI, so I can't comment on its build quality, but the photos make it look pretty solid, and I'd certainly give it a try -- especially at that price. Though I would probably go for the 24-guage one with the techflex sleeving for pure sex appeal. There is something very satisfying about beefy, well made cables. Besides, chicks dig guys with fat cables, and it would make your friends feel inadequate.

gwsat

09-22-2006, 06:35 PM

That anyone would buy a high-dollar six to ten foot cable for a digital connection satisfies me that P.T. Barnum was right. :)

Welshdog

09-22-2006, 08:40 PM

The folks at Secrets of Home Theater and High Fidelity (http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/main.html) have started a new HDMI cable Benchmark. They only list the cables that pass their tests, the losers are left out for now. They do test some expensive cable, but they also test cable from reasonably priced suppliers. Check it out:http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/other/cable-benchmark/hdmi-cable-benchmark.html
They only test 12 or 15 meter cables on the assumption that if a cable can pass at that length then a shorter one would be just fine.

Monoprice cable has not yet been included in their test.

mikebridge

09-22-2006, 09:09 PM

swung by the local fry's, back by the majority of their cables, they had the super expensive hdmi->dvi cables ($60+ for 2 meters), asked about some part numbers from their website for some cheaper ones, turns out they hide those up by the front of the store with the loose electronic components (resistors, capacitors, etc) and antenna's.

Gregor

09-22-2006, 09:20 PM

I've been very happy with cables from bluejeanscable.com. I have several of their cables and the quality is always great. The 25 ft HMDI cable was $51.75 plus shipping.

SCSIRAID

09-22-2006, 09:42 PM

megazone

09-22-2006, 10:45 PM

I'm just using the HDMI cable that came with the S3. :-)

When I rewired my entertainment center a few weeks ago I ended up short a couple of cables, and I wanted to finish the job *now*, so I ran down the Best Buy. I wouldn't even think of buying the hideously overpriced Monster cables, but I ended up with the overpriced, but not so hideously, Accoustic Research cables. At least I didn't buy their high end line, I took their lowest cables - a couple of optical cables and component cables.

The ONLY reason I would do that is needing something 'now'.

Kaldaien

09-22-2006, 11:35 PM

Don't waste your money; DVI's pretty fault tollerant. Get a decent $30 generic quality shielded HDMI/DVI cable if you need the pinacle of cable quality, but anything more expensive than that is really just a waste of money. If you're using the analog component video connection, on the other hand, then you probably should get a decent pair of well insulated cables.

silentbob

09-24-2006, 03:19 PM

I have an Onkyo receiver that looks like this (http://www.crutchfield.com/S-RmAidFns1pD/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?g=10420&tab=morephotos&pi=2&i=580TXSR500&display=XL#Tab) from the back. Can someone please provide a link to the optical cable that I would need to buy from Monoprice to connect the S3?

Stephen Tu

09-24-2006, 03:46 PM

Toslink->Toslink cables (http://www.monoprice.com/products/subdepartment.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10229&style=)

Franco

09-24-2006, 04:10 PM

I think that's what I said. Though possibly less clearly. :)

(I have a 30ft and a 50ft run of HDMI that had sparklies on the "regular" cable. A heftier gauge did the job.)

Chris.

I will attest to the "sparklies" issue as well. When you have long runs (25' or greater) for HDMI or DVI cables you really do need a decently shielded cable to avoid noticeable data loss.

kersch

09-24-2006, 04:32 PM

I happen to have one of those overpriced Monster HDMI cables and I have compared it with the one that came with the S3. The monster cable is much thicker with heavy shielding.

My eyes and ears tell me that the Monster is clearly better!
I have no experience with Monoprice cables. Judging by the posts, the Monoprice is the way to go.

However, I would like to see a post comparing Monster to Monoprice.

shanew1289

09-24-2006, 04:35 PM

Just saw a bunch of $99 Monster cable items at Sears on the clearance shelf for $25. Surge Suppressors, etc.

So I wonder how much inflation is by the retailer and how much is by Monster Cables themsleves?

But if a $5.80 cable works, it works.... As stated, you may need a better quality cable in the instance you happen to be near something electrically noisy and better shielding/impedance is needed to get the signal there un-corrupted. (AC lines to you Air Conditioner, Or anything motorized. Motors can put out some RFI and EMI that "could" be worse on a cheaper cable.

Start cheap is always good. :)

Jayadub

09-24-2006, 05:36 PM

I will attest to the "sparklies" issue as well. When you have long runs (25' or greater) for HDMI or DVI cables you really do need a decently shielded cable to avoid noticeable data loss.

Originally Posted by Bodshal
(I have a 30ft and a 50ft run of HDMI that had sparklies on the "regular" cable. A heftier gauge did the job.)

Monoprice all the way. In the living room I have a 10 footer from the receiver to the 55HDS52 plasma and the S3 and a Denon DVD player hooked to the receiver with 3 footers. For about $75 plus shipping I have 4 cables for about the price of a low end 2 meter Monster cable.

I will attest that using the Monoprice 50 ft. Silver Plated Copper (22AWG) with Gold connectors from a Toshiba HD-A1 to a Panasonic AE900U I have had zero issues with sparklies, even at the higher HD-DVD data rate. It just works and it should, the thing is almost the same diameter as my little finger :) .