Monster M series 1.4 Biwire necessary?

MaC03

Hi all, first off I want to say that this forum is awesome and that I've learned a ton through reading current and previous posts here. So thank you all for your knowledge and willingness to post it. Hopefully I'll be able to add my share through my experiences in the future.

Well I'm the proud new owner of a pair of Rti8's, the first piece in replacing my random mix of home audio stuff. My Cerwin re30's have served me well, but it's time to match it all. I picked up the Rti8's at a local CC for $175 ea.:) On the way are a Csi5, Fxi3's, and Rti4's to round out the 7.1 with a 20-39 Pci SVS. (thanks to malikarshad on the SVS) They'll be powered by a Denon 3805 which will be filtered by my Monster HTS2600. I also have a Sony 57" widescreen.

So there's the gear, here's the room. We're remodeling a basement room for home theater and it's 22'x11' with 7' foot ceilings. The main seating will be at about 12-15' with the Fxi3's mounted there on the side walls and the Rti4's mouted in the back corners facing each other.

So now onto the question. I have a pair of bi-wire Monster cables, the M series 1.4. Biwiring aside(I've seen that debate;) ) are these wires necessary, or can I do just as good with AR or another product for cheaper. I've seen a lot of Monster bashing around here and I'm not sure if it's because you all think they're overpriced or if you really feel they're not as good of a product.

My second question is, how important is it for me to match the wiring for my front stage? Meaning, if I do stick with these cables, do I need to also buy the 1.4 biwire center channel cable as well? My original plan was to do just that, and then run 14g in-wall monster wire for the surrounds and rears.

I would love any input or experience that you have on this matter, as I am going to pre-wire the room before we finish the remodel. Sorry for the long post, I just wanted to give you all the information I could so you could better answer my question without wasting your time asking me basic questions.

Thank you all for your time.

Mark

PolkWannabie

I would put the 4's on the back wall but given your listening area distance from the back wall I would mount them facing forward and not in the corners. Try different positions and orientations on stands or ladders or whatever BEFORE you mount them.

I'll leave the cable related questions to others except to say 14g or better should be sufficient for in walls to sides and rears but I wouldn't use Monster.

Dr. Spec

The M1.4 is a noticeable improvement over home made 14 ga bi-wire.

Ideally, if you have the 8's, you should run the center with 1.4, but it's not critical. I think you will see the most improvement with the 1.4 for 2 channel use.

Early B.

Save your money and don't worry about bi-wiring. I think for your setup you'll do just as good with AR wire. Maybe some 12 guage for the front soundstage. You should also consider Acoustic Research Master Series 10 ga. cable at www.accessories4less.com. Awesome stuff. Cheaper than Monster. Higher quality. I use 'em.

MaC03

Originally posted by PolkWannabie
I would put the 4's on the back wall but given your listening area distance from the back wall I would mount them facing forward and not in the corners. Try different positions and orientations on stands or ladders or whatever BEFORE you mount them.

Thanks for the input, I'm going to do just that. Because of a hall opening in my back wall, I can't place the rear speakers in the 1/3rd position facing forwards, so they have to be in the corners. Polk suggested that I then have them facing each other, to fill out the back part of the room. But I want to try having them at a 45 degree angle in the corners as well and will try both posions before I mount them.

ezc

Id say try the bi wire! I have used single wire & bi wire & so far have liked the biwire sound better. I use Monster Z2 bi wire for our main system for about a year before that I tried all types of wire. Im crrently using 2 sets of 10' sigma retero speaker cable connected bi wire. Both cables are connected at the receiver & on the LSi15 one set to the high & one set to the low. With the sigma cables connected as bi wire our system is much more detailed & open. I also tried single sigma w/better jumpers which sounded good too, than added 2 sets run as single & the sound improved again. But I still like the bi wire config. Ill probably reconnect the Z2 bi's & keep them on & move the sigmas to a 2 ch rig once I put it together. Our small system in our shop we use 3 Z1 speake cables for each main speaker total of 3 pairs. I kept adding unitl there was no change in the sound. The shop system consists of a old onkyo txds595, tosh 3950 moded cdp, NHT SB3 speakers on NHT last stands. Very simple & sounds like the system cost's much more. Id say try the cables connect them in different ways & let your ears be the judge. Monster's better speaker cable has multipul size strands in each cable, thick strands for the lows & fine strands for the highs & mids. I prefer cables with multipul gauge wire for my systems.