Monster M2.4s vs. Signal Ultra Double Shotgun Biwire cables

malikarshad
malikarshad Posts: 527
edited March 2005 in Basic Hookup/Wiring Questions
I have my front stage connected with Monster M2.4s and M2.2s biwire speaker cables. I have paid a good chunk of money for these cables. When I upgraded from 14guage cables to Monster M2.4s there was a very noticeable difference in sound quality.
I have these cables for almost 1.5 years now.
I'm thinking of selling these cables and go with Signal Ultra cables.


My listening preferences are 50% movies and 50% music. Music is mainly online audio streaming and MP3s. I have a computer in my living room connected to my HT system and my PC has E-MU 0404 professional sound card.
Also I'm in the process of upgrading to LSi15.
I can sell the monster cables of eBay for a good money and use that money to buy the Signal Speaker cables and I'm sure the left overs can be used towards the purchase of LSi speakers.

My HT consists for Lsi7 stacked over Rti70's, CSi40 and FXi50 with Denon Avr-3803 receiver and Outlaw 770 amp. Please see my signature for other components.
The LSi7 is connected in biwire configuration with M2.4s and the Rti70 has only its mid-range woofers connected with M2.2s.

Do you think swap to Signal speaker cable would be a downgrade, upgrade or no change?

Please guys don't bash me with the Monster cable stuff. I just need your expert advice in whether is worth the effort or not. As such I'm very happy with cable performance. The main reason for selling is that I can buy Signal Cable for almost half its price and use the money to upgrade to LSi15's.

Please advice.
Thanks,
Arshad

Speakers=>Salk Soundscape 8, Soundscape Center,Surrounds-Dali Rubicon LCR, Lsi7
PreAmp, Amp => Marantz AV8801, ATI 6007 amp, Oppo HA-1 DAC
Source => Sonore MicroRendu, Oppo BDP-103, Mede8er 600XD, Dune HD Smart D1, Synology DS1813+(16TB)
Sub - JTR Captivator S2 (Dual 18")
Power - Furman IT-Ref20i on dedicated 30Amp circuit with Furutech GTX-R outlet
Screen=> JVC RS-45 projector Da-Lite HP 133" 2.35
Post edited by malikarshad on
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Comments

  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,538
    edited March 2005
    I don't know comparison wise, as I've never compared the 2. I think you'll be more than satisfied with the Signal Cable speaker wires, regardless.

    Go for it....
    Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Shop Spkrs: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
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  • dorokusai
    dorokusai Posts: 25,577
    edited March 2005
    I owned a couple different series of MC prior to upgrading to Signal, and there was nothing lost in the transition, actually it was an improvement for my system.

    I preferred the SC over the MC easily....and that was when I liked Monster so there was no bias at that time.
    CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint.
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  • malikarshad
    malikarshad Posts: 527
    edited March 2005
    I do like Signal Cable and I'm using SC Analog2 interconnects with the amp and I'm more than happy with it.
    Its just the upgrade bug has bit me and I'm looking for ways to raise money to buy Lsi15.
    So I thought if I sell pair of Monster M2.2s and Monster 2.4s and center channel cable i could use half of the proceeds of the sale to buy LSi15. But I am worried about the fact the Upgrade to Lsi15 should not deteriorated by speaker cables
    I also won't mind if swapping to Signal Cables won't give me an improvement but it should not degrade the SQ at all.
    The construction of Monster M2.4s is awesome they are thick as a water hose. Well I should not judge the cable by it looks. I'm not a type of person how can sit for hours doing a test on cables.
    So I want to make sure that I make a good decision.

    Speakers=>Salk Soundscape 8, Soundscape Center,Surrounds-Dali Rubicon LCR, Lsi7
    PreAmp, Amp => Marantz AV8801, ATI 6007 amp, Oppo HA-1 DAC
    Source => Sonore MicroRendu, Oppo BDP-103, Mede8er 600XD, Dune HD Smart D1, Synology DS1813+(16TB)
    Sub - JTR Captivator S2 (Dual 18")
    Power - Furman IT-Ref20i on dedicated 30Amp circuit with Furutech GTX-R outlet
    Screen=> JVC RS-45 projector Da-Lite HP 133" 2.35
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  • lomic
    lomic Posts: 407
    edited March 2005
    Music is mainly online audio streaming and MP3s. I have a computer in my living room connected to my HT system and my PC has E-MU 0404 professional sound card.

    Dunno how you can stand listening to MP3's with any of the LSi line unless you have something in your system that is really degrading the overall sound quality. Even a 320k MP3 sounds like it has huge holes in it on my system - I can't even stand to listen to them, been nothing but lossless audio downloads recently.

    Anyway back on topic, I love my Signal Shotgun Biwires, but my jump was pretty profound, going from basic Monster 16awg to these was, obviously, a huge jump in sound quality and presence.
    Dodd Audio ELP [ Tubes ] // Harman Kardon AVR330 // Parasound HCA-1203A // Denon DVD-2900
    Polk Audio LSi9, LSiC, LSi 7 // HSU STF-2 // Signal Cable Interconnects (SG BW/A2/MP)
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  • mantis
    mantis Posts: 17,200
    edited March 2005
    I believe you would be making a Mistake. Signal cables are not a high quality wires. they are however good quality for what they ask for them. I build these kinds of wires everyday using the same exact wires and ends. Beldon , Liberity and Monster all make custom wires for Professional Install. Godd quality but can be beatin with high quality wire like the M2.4s bi wires. They are Reference for Monster M series. The only wires they make that are better are sigma Retro.

    If selling your wires to get money for your speakers is your goal , I say sell em I know what there worth. But going to signal cable is a downgrade.

    I suggest you look into a better higher quality speaker wire.

    Dan
    Dan
    My personal quest is to save to world of bad audio, one thread at a time.
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  • TroyD
    TroyD Posts: 13,077
    edited March 2005
    Originally posted by mantis
    Signal cables are not a high quality wires.

    Your opinion is in the vast minority

    BDT
    I plan for the future. - F1Nut
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  • mantis
    mantis Posts: 17,200
    edited March 2005
    Troy,

    That may read wrong as I wasn't knocking there products. I just got done testing there magic powercord and I was Impressed.

    But I know the materials that Frank uses to build his wires as I use the same stuff at work. I build Mantis cable wires. They are good quality and sound good, but in my opnion , I feel the Monster M2.4s bi wires smoke em. You should look on Monsters website at them. They are really good. These cables actually sound pretty damn good. They still have traces of the "HI FI" sound that is very common amoung Monsters Prebuilt cables but they do have a level of sweatness that can't be denied despite the Monster name.

    You know I don't use any Monstercables anymore but in this case here I would use the M2.4s bi wires over Franks.

    Dan
    Dan
    My personal quest is to save to world of bad audio, one thread at a time.
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  • mantis
    mantis Posts: 17,200
    edited March 2005
    That is a "Mantiscable". Here is another
    Dan
    My personal quest is to save to world of bad audio, one thread at a time.
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  • mantis
    mantis Posts: 17,200
    edited March 2005
    Just for the sheer hell of it one more
    Dan
    My personal quest is to save to world of bad audio, one thread at a time.
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  • mantis
    mantis Posts: 17,200
    edited March 2005
    I build these speaker wires out of the following

    Liberity 16 - 4 or 2 runs of 16-4 , 14 and 12 also for a double run bi wire

    Same with Monstercable Ci pro and Beldon.

    Dan
    Dan
    My personal quest is to save to world of bad audio, one thread at a time.
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  • malikarshad
    malikarshad Posts: 527
    edited March 2005
    Originally posted by mantis
    If selling your wires to get money for your speakers is your goal , I say sell em I know what there worth. But going to signal cable is a downgrade.
    Dan
    Yes that was my primary reason but not at the cost of degrading performance.
    Anyways I emailed Frank at SC for an quote on the Ultra Doublerun Bi-wires and I guess cost wise I won't be making enough money to justify the sale of Monster M2.4s.

    As I said earlier upgrading to Monster M2.4s made a quite noticeable difference in SQ and I'm happy about its performance.
    Since I'm in a process to upgrade to LSi15 I want to use the best speaker cable that gives justice to LSi15 in terms of cost and performance.

    Anybody has a different perspective on the subject

    Speakers=>Salk Soundscape 8, Soundscape Center,Surrounds-Dali Rubicon LCR, Lsi7
    PreAmp, Amp => Marantz AV8801, ATI 6007 amp, Oppo HA-1 DAC
    Source => Sonore MicroRendu, Oppo BDP-103, Mede8er 600XD, Dune HD Smart D1, Synology DS1813+(16TB)
    Sub - JTR Captivator S2 (Dual 18")
    Power - Furman IT-Ref20i on dedicated 30Amp circuit with Furutech GTX-R outlet
    Screen=> JVC RS-45 projector Da-Lite HP 133" 2.35
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,647
    edited March 2005
    Originally posted by malikarshad

    Anybody has a different perspective on the subject

    IMO, Buy MIT Shotgun S series cables and don't look back.
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

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  • TroyD
    TroyD Posts: 13,077
    edited March 2005
    ...what my audiophile snob friend said.

    You can easily beat the performance of the Monsters for less than thier cost.

    BDT
    I plan for the future. - F1Nut
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  • malikarshad
    malikarshad Posts: 527
    edited March 2005
    Originally posted by TroyD
    You can easily beat the performance of the Monsters for less than thier cost.
    BDT

    Well I have paid around $550 for the Monster M series speaker cable. And I'm not sure how much money I'm gonna get back from it. I want to make an informed decision so that I don't regret later. Because re-purchasing them as these price would be difficult.
    What's the best course of action considering LSi15 purchase very soon?

    Speakers=>Salk Soundscape 8, Soundscape Center,Surrounds-Dali Rubicon LCR, Lsi7
    PreAmp, Amp => Marantz AV8801, ATI 6007 amp, Oppo HA-1 DAC
    Source => Sonore MicroRendu, Oppo BDP-103, Mede8er 600XD, Dune HD Smart D1, Synology DS1813+(16TB)
    Sub - JTR Captivator S2 (Dual 18")
    Power - Furman IT-Ref20i on dedicated 30Amp circuit with Furutech GTX-R outlet
    Screen=> JVC RS-45 projector Da-Lite HP 133" 2.35
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  • TroyD
    TroyD Posts: 13,077
    edited March 2005
    Well, if you got 'em and like 'em. Keep 'em.

    Your probably not going to be able to sell the ones you have and buy new ones that blow those away and have enough money left over to really worry about.

    If I were thinking about new speaker cables, other than used, I'd look at the AQ Bedrock on closeout at audioadvisor or the PS Audio on closeout at AA.

    BDT
    I plan for the future. - F1Nut
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  • mantis
    mantis Posts: 17,200
    edited March 2005
    Troy offers some good choices as well as others did. Get your new speakers and worry about the wire down the road. I say just keep the 2.4s for now. Your Lsi15's deserve no less man.

    As far as what wires I like, I like Kimber Kable. I use a double run 8tc 8tc biwire on my Lsi15's. I had Monster 1.4s bi wires , and found the Kimbers sound much more detailed.

    Transparent is another company I hold special to my heart. They make some tof the very finest cables in the world in my opnion.

    I have also however heard many good things about Audioquest from a very respected person I know in the industry.

    Wire in my opnion is very personal. You need to own your system , then listen to it. Then you can try out different wires and see what works and what don't. There is a very good program on this forum for wire demos in 2 channel section. You should sign up and get your demo on.

    Dan
    Dan
    My personal quest is to save to world of bad audio, one thread at a time.
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  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,538
    edited March 2005
    I'll second Troy on the Bedrock recommendation.

    Dan, nice wires man.
    Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Shop Spkrs: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
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  • malikarshad
    malikarshad Posts: 527
    edited March 2005
    Originally posted by mantis
    Troy offers some good choices as well as others did. Get your new speakers and worry about the wire down the road. I say just keep the 2.4s for now. Your Lsi15's deserve no less man.
    There is a very good program on this forum for wire demos in 2 channel section. You should sign up and get your demo on.
    Dan
    I guess that's what I need to do. Get the LSi15 first & worry about the cable later. That way I would try them on different set of speakers and decide what to keep.
    I guess u are right Dan I have to sign up for the cable swap program. This seems to be a good opportunity for it.

    Speakers=>Salk Soundscape 8, Soundscape Center,Surrounds-Dali Rubicon LCR, Lsi7
    PreAmp, Amp => Marantz AV8801, ATI 6007 amp, Oppo HA-1 DAC
    Source => Sonore MicroRendu, Oppo BDP-103, Mede8er 600XD, Dune HD Smart D1, Synology DS1813+(16TB)
    Sub - JTR Captivator S2 (Dual 18")
    Power - Furman IT-Ref20i on dedicated 30Amp circuit with Furutech GTX-R outlet
    Screen=> JVC RS-45 projector Da-Lite HP 133" 2.35
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  • ezc
    ezc Posts: 426
    edited March 2005
    I agree with mantis, Keep the 2.4's & 2.2's get the speakers & if you dont like the cables sell & purchase somthing else. I have LSi15's & Im using M2.4's & Im using M2.4 even on my LSiC. Im happy with the M cables & I dont plan on upgrading anytime soon. Let your ears make the decision!
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  • malikarshad
    malikarshad Posts: 527
    edited March 2005
    Got my LSi15 today and hooked it up with M2.4s. They really are fantastic speakers. More Clarity and controlled Mid-bass than my Rti70 + Lsi7 stacked configuration.
    Waiting on single Lsi9 for my center. I'm glad i kept the M2.4's. Though someday I wish to audition the signal cable as well

    Speakers=>Salk Soundscape 8, Soundscape Center,Surrounds-Dali Rubicon LCR, Lsi7
    PreAmp, Amp => Marantz AV8801, ATI 6007 amp, Oppo HA-1 DAC
    Source => Sonore MicroRendu, Oppo BDP-103, Mede8er 600XD, Dune HD Smart D1, Synology DS1813+(16TB)
    Sub - JTR Captivator S2 (Dual 18")
    Power - Furman IT-Ref20i on dedicated 30Amp circuit with Furutech GTX-R outlet
    Screen=> JVC RS-45 projector Da-Lite HP 133" 2.35
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter