Overpriced HDMI cables

emoxley
emoxley Posts: 205
edited April 2010 in Basic Hookup/Wiring Questions
Here's an interesting article about A/V cables:
http://gizmodo.com/5506527/the-great-cable-rip+off-for-visual-learners
Samsung HL61A750 LED DLP
Onkyo TX-SR805 receiver
Oppo BDP-83 blu ray player
Polk Audio LSi9 front speakers
Polk Audio LSiC center speaker
Sony SS-MB100H rear speakers
SVS PC12-NSD powered subwoofer
Pioneer PL-514 turntable
Logitech Harmony 628 Universal Remote
Post edited by emoxley on
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  • OKstate
    OKstate Posts: 4
    edited April 2010
    I am sick of hearing about monster speaker wire. When I was 16 I bought 'monster' because it was awesome??? Monoprice.com hdmi/speaker wire/anything a/v will be same EXACT as any monster. + They have a net jacket which I like :)
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  • packetjones
    packetjones Posts: 1,059
    edited April 2010
    I have never been a fan of Monster products. They are way over priced and are only that way for the reason of making profits. I dont even think that they are put together very well to justify the price.

    Monoprice for me as well.
    Front - RTiA5's
    Rear - RTiA3's
    Center - CSiA4
    Sub - PSW110
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  • emoxley
    emoxley Posts: 205
    edited April 2010
    I also like monoprice and buejeans cables. I will not buy anything with the Monster name on it. I just know there's a bunch of people here that believe the expensive wires and cables are better than the cheap ones. I'm not one of them. My speaker wire came from Lowes, and has been very good for years. :)
    Samsung HL61A750 LED DLP
    Onkyo TX-SR805 receiver
    Oppo BDP-83 blu ray player
    Polk Audio LSi9 front speakers
    Polk Audio LSiC center speaker
    Sony SS-MB100H rear speakers
    SVS PC12-NSD powered subwoofer
    Pioneer PL-514 turntable
    Logitech Harmony 628 Universal Remote
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  • ikolbyi
    ikolbyi Posts: 77
    edited April 2010
    emoxley wrote: »
    I also like monoprice and buejeans cables. I will not buy anything with the Monster name on it. I just know there's a bunch of people here that believe the expensive wires and cables are better than the cheap ones. I'm not one of them. My speaker wire came from Lowes, and has been very good for years. :)

    Thank you. I've been berated on these forums for suggesting to people to use 14 gauge solid copper in-wall/plenum rated speaker wire from Home Depot (or Lowes) for average equipment and speakers. Audio equipment and speakers purchased at Best Buy (or equivalent retailer) is not high-end, therefore not sensitive enough to recognize the higher quality signal that those more expensive cables from MIT (for example) sell.

    Obviously distance, and environmental factors such as high heat and electrical fields affects speaker wire signal quality that the better cable addresses, but for the average consumer with average gear (speakers that cost less than $1,000 each as an example), the expensive cable will not buy you much of an advantage in that configuration.

    Now if I owned Polk's LSi9 or better speakers, then the better quality cables from manufactures such as MIT will have a impact since those types of speakers can deliver sound to those frequencies that are typically lost during transit. However, the average consumer can not hear those frequencies so we are really only talking about people who's ears' are more finely tuned.
    Zone 1
    (5.1 Setup)
    -- VM 20 (L/R)
    -- RM 8 Center (center)
    -- VM 10 (S.L/R)
    -- DSW microPRO 1000 (LFE)
    Zone 2
    -- Atrium 45
    Denon AVR-2809
    (7.1 Setup)
    -- RM 6600 (L/R + center + S.L/R)
    -- RM 7 (SB.L/R)
    -- PSW 350 (LFE)
    Denon AVR-1909
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  • shack
    shack Posts: 11,154
    edited April 2010
    Another one for the IL...
    "Just because you’re offended doesn’t mean you’re right." - Ricky Gervais

    "For those who believe, no proof is necessary. For those who don't believe, no proof is possible." - Stuart Chase

    "Consistency requires you to be as ignorant today as you were a year ago." - Bernard Berenson
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  • wutadumsn23
    wutadumsn23 Posts: 3,702
    edited April 2010
    ^^ LOL, nothing like the M word to wake everybody up.

    -Jeff
    HT Rig
    Receiver- Onkyo TX-SR806
    Mains- Polk Audio Monitor 70
    Center- Polk Audio CS2
    Surrounds- Polk Audio TSi 500's :D
    Sub- Polk Audio PSW125
    Retired- Polk Audio Monitor 40's
    T.V.- 60" Sony SXRD KDS-60A2000 LCoS
    Blu-Ray- 80 GB PS3


    2 CH rig (in progress)
    Polk Audio Monitor 10A's :cool:

    It's not that I'm insensitive, I just don't care.. :D
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  • camp21178
    camp21178 Posts: 273
    edited April 2010
    What a great article. I used Monster Cable in the past, not because of any perceived sound difference, but because the build quality was so good. I'll have to rethink this because I could buy lots of other accessories for the price of one Monster Cable.
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  • concealer404
    concealer404 Posts: 7,440
    edited April 2010
    This thread smells like updog.
    I don't read the newsssspaperssss because dey aaaallllllllll...... have ugly print.

    Living Room: B&K Reference 5 S2 / Parasound HCA-1000A / Emotiva XDA-2 / Pioneer BDP-51FD / Paradigm 11se MKiii

    Desk: Schiit Magni 2 Uber / Schiit Modi 2 Uber / ISK HD9999

    Office: Schiit Magni 2 Uber / Schiit Modi 2 Uber / Dynaco SCA-80Q / Paradigm Legend V.3

    HT: Denon AVR-X3400H / Sony UBP-X700 / RT16 / CS350LS / RT7 / SVS PB1000
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  • coolsax
    coolsax Posts: 1,824
    edited April 2010
    ok.. i'll bite..

    what's updog?
    Main 2ch -
    BlueSound Node->Ethereal optical cable->Peachtree Audio Nova 150->GoldenEar Triton 2+
    TT - Pro-ject Classic SB with Sumiko Bluepoint.

    TV 3.1 system -
    Denon 3500 -> Dynaudio Excite 32/22
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  • concealer404
    concealer404 Posts: 7,440
    edited April 2010
    coolsax wrote: »
    ok.. i'll bite..

    what's updog?

    Nothin' man, just chillin'. You?
    I don't read the newsssspaperssss because dey aaaallllllllll...... have ugly print.

    Living Room: B&K Reference 5 S2 / Parasound HCA-1000A / Emotiva XDA-2 / Pioneer BDP-51FD / Paradigm 11se MKiii

    Desk: Schiit Magni 2 Uber / Schiit Modi 2 Uber / ISK HD9999

    Office: Schiit Magni 2 Uber / Schiit Modi 2 Uber / Dynaco SCA-80Q / Paradigm Legend V.3

    HT: Denon AVR-X3400H / Sony UBP-X700 / RT16 / CS350LS / RT7 / SVS PB1000
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  • The Raven
    The Raven Posts: 6
    edited April 2010
    I buy all my pre-made audio, video and computer cables online where you can frequently buy 3, 4 or more even as many as 10 for the price of one in a store. I buy multiples and just keep them on hand so when I need one right away I am not forced to pay full retail. In the long run it works out cheaper.

    Speaker wire I buy at Home Depot off the wire rack. Same with car amp power and ground cables. Much cheaper that way.
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  • comfortablycurt
    comfortablycurt Posts: 6,745
    edited April 2010
    When will people understand?...An HDMI cable, which sends a 100% digital signal...has absolutely nothing in common with IC's or speaker cable...which carries a 100% analog signal. They're completely different cables, carrying completely different signals, with entirely different purposes.


    Over priced HDMI cables are a rip off. This doesn't apply to analog cables though IMO.
    The nirvana inducer-
    APC H10 Power Conditioner
    Marantz UD5005 universal player
    Parasound Halo P5 preamp
    Parasound HCA-1200II power amp
    PolkAudio LSi9's/PolkAudio SDA 2A's/PolkAudio Monitor 7A's
    Audioquest Speaker Cables and IC's
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  • phuz
    phuz Posts: 2,372
    edited April 2010
    comfortablycurt wrote: »
    When will people understand?...An HDMI cable, which sends a 100% digital signal...has absolutely nothing in common with IC's or speaker cable...which carries a 100% analog signal. They're completely different cables, carrying completely different signals, with entirely different purposes.


    Over priced HDMI cables are a rip off. This doesn't apply to analog cables though IMO.

    So then there's no difference in a digital coax cable right? I mean, it's a 100% digital signal. So is fiber. So is wireless.
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  • comfortablycurt
    comfortablycurt Posts: 6,745
    edited April 2010
    phuz wrote: »
    So then there's no difference in a digital coax cable right? I mean, it's a 100% digital signal. So is fiber. So is wireless.

    In my personal experience...no, there isn't a difference with digital coax cables. I've tried a few, plus a couple optical cables, and have never heard a difference. The one exception to this is the **** coax cable that came with an old HTIB...it was one of the spaghetti noodle cables though, with no shielding..etc... I heard an improvement when upgrading from that. Other than that...I've never heard a difference in digital cables.

    Other people have...but I can't say that I have. Maybe I will someday.
    The nirvana inducer-
    APC H10 Power Conditioner
    Marantz UD5005 universal player
    Parasound Halo P5 preamp
    Parasound HCA-1200II power amp
    PolkAudio LSi9's/PolkAudio SDA 2A's/PolkAudio Monitor 7A's
    Audioquest Speaker Cables and IC's
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  • camp21178
    camp21178 Posts: 273
    edited April 2010
    concealer404 wrote: »
    Nothin' man, just chillin'. You?

    Awesome!
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  • cstmar01
    cstmar01 Posts: 4,424
    edited April 2010
    can't we all just use coat hangers and get along?
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  • superjunior
    superjunior Posts: 1,632
    edited April 2010
    cstmar01 wrote: »
    can't we all just use coat hangers and get along?

    I use coat hangers, duct tape and tinfoil in my rig. Lightman showed me how
    panasonic th-50pz85u
    pioneer elite vsx-92txh
    pioneer elite bdp-05fd
    emotiva xpa-3
    monster power hdp 2550
    sa 8300 hd dvr
    sda 2b's
    fronts - rti a9's
    center - csi a6
    surrounds - fxi a6's
    sub - polk dsw pro 600
    harmony one
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  • comfortablycurt
    comfortablycurt Posts: 6,745
    edited April 2010
    cstmar01 wrote: »
    can't we all just use coat hangers and get along?

    I use coat hangers on a daily basis in my second job as a professional car thief, and I get along with everybody...so I don't know what you're talking about!:p;)
    The nirvana inducer-
    APC H10 Power Conditioner
    Marantz UD5005 universal player
    Parasound Halo P5 preamp
    Parasound HCA-1200II power amp
    PolkAudio LSi9's/PolkAudio SDA 2A's/PolkAudio Monitor 7A's
    Audioquest Speaker Cables and IC's
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  • Hillbilly61
    Hillbilly61 Posts: 702
    edited April 2010
    I'm not into brand bashing and, BTW, it is against forum rules ;). HDMI is a modified USB communications interface intended to deliver video and sound. Some cables are better than others once the runs starts to get long ... like what happens to the USB standard.

    All the same, there are many companies out there that will prey on ignorant buyers and massively up price an HDMI cable cause it is "Ooh, to deliver my best TV picture quality" for rather short cable lengths. This can be most often seen in retail stores parlaying in consumer electronics.
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  • Hillbilly61
    Hillbilly61 Posts: 702
    edited April 2010
    superjunior wrote: »
    I use coat hangers, duct tape and tinfoil in my rig. Lightman showed me how

    Hey, don't let parallel runs of coat hangers touch. Lightman never mentioned that to me when setting me up. Very unexpected things happen :eek: The tin foil touching can do some very interesting things though! :D
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  • PerfectCreature
    PerfectCreature Posts: 1,456
    edited April 2010
    You know...I never knew what I was missing when I started to wear my chain around my neck...I didn't know it belonged on my Tv :eek:
    Would you rather feed 500 starving children ( Think africa... come on people) Or spend 250 and be a "**** nozzle"
    wow. That cracks me up...
    Yeah I have a nyko cable cost me 25 i get 9 feet of video sheilded stroly built HDMI cable to power my ps3 visuals. I also bought a 6 foot dream works hdmi cable that gives me the same quilty almost for about 4 at the dollar store...
    Receiver
    Harman Kardon HK 3490
    Speakers
    Polk Audio Monitor 50s
    Subwoofer
    Klipsch KSW-100
    Cables
    AudioQuest Rocket 33s 10ft
    AudioQuest Optilink1 2m
    AudioQuest Alpha-Snake 25ft Interconnect
    AudioQuest HDMI-1 2m

    Alienware X51 R2
    PS4
    Samsung Smart TV 40" 1080p 3D
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  • concealer404
    concealer404 Posts: 7,440
    edited April 2010
    This thread is super. I think we should keep bumping it once a week to spread the glory.
    I don't read the newsssspaperssss because dey aaaallllllllll...... have ugly print.

    Living Room: B&K Reference 5 S2 / Parasound HCA-1000A / Emotiva XDA-2 / Pioneer BDP-51FD / Paradigm 11se MKiii

    Desk: Schiit Magni 2 Uber / Schiit Modi 2 Uber / ISK HD9999

    Office: Schiit Magni 2 Uber / Schiit Modi 2 Uber / Dynaco SCA-80Q / Paradigm Legend V.3

    HT: Denon AVR-X3400H / Sony UBP-X700 / RT16 / CS350LS / RT7 / SVS PB1000
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  • wutadumsn23
    wutadumsn23 Posts: 3,702
    edited April 2010
    LOL, ok I got next week then.....

    -Jeff
    HT Rig
    Receiver- Onkyo TX-SR806
    Mains- Polk Audio Monitor 70
    Center- Polk Audio CS2
    Surrounds- Polk Audio TSi 500's :D
    Sub- Polk Audio PSW125
    Retired- Polk Audio Monitor 40's
    T.V.- 60" Sony SXRD KDS-60A2000 LCoS
    Blu-Ray- 80 GB PS3


    2 CH rig (in progress)
    Polk Audio Monitor 10A's :cool:

    It's not that I'm insensitive, I just don't care.. :D
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  • comfortablycurt
    comfortablycurt Posts: 6,745
    edited April 2010
    I'll bump it in a couple weeks.


    Now I've gotta go and buy some new HDMI cables.

    I'm looking at some in the $1000 range. Anyone have any suggestions? I figured this would be the best thread to ask in.

    My cheapo $75 HDMI cables just aren't making the cut anymore. I guess I need better ones.
    The nirvana inducer-
    APC H10 Power Conditioner
    Marantz UD5005 universal player
    Parasound Halo P5 preamp
    Parasound HCA-1200II power amp
    PolkAudio LSi9's/PolkAudio SDA 2A's/PolkAudio Monitor 7A's
    Audioquest Speaker Cables and IC's
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  • Willow
    Willow Posts: 11,055
    edited April 2010
    comfortablycurt wrote: »
    I'll bump it in a couple weeks.


    Now I've gotta go and buy some new HDMI cables.

    I'm looking at some in the $1000 range. Anyone have any suggestions? I figured this would be the best thread to ask in.

    My cheapo $75 HDMI cables just aren't making the cut anymore. I guess I need better ones.

    I'm in the process of making my own with used tattoo needles. I'll sell you a 1/2 foot for 999$ plus 75$ shipping. PM me for how many you'd like.
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  • comfortablycurt
    comfortablycurt Posts: 6,745
    edited April 2010
    Willow wrote: »
    I'm in the process of making my own with used tattoo needles. I'll sell you a 1/2 foot for 999$ plus 75$ shipping. PM me for how many you'd like.


    I'll take 6, just in case I need more in the future.

    Will that be $75 shipping each, or can we combine shipping?
    The nirvana inducer-
    APC H10 Power Conditioner
    Marantz UD5005 universal player
    Parasound Halo P5 preamp
    Parasound HCA-1200II power amp
    PolkAudio LSi9's/PolkAudio SDA 2A's/PolkAudio Monitor 7A's
    Audioquest Speaker Cables and IC's
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Willow
    Willow Posts: 11,055
    edited April 2010
    comfortablycurt wrote: »
    I'll take 6, just in case I need more in the future.

    Will that be $75 shipping each, or can we combine shipping?

    Seeing they will be shipped in a ziplock sandwich bag to waterproof them then in a paper lunch bag, for durability ( I know I'm not cheaping out on the shipping material) it would have to be for every 2 cables. I've just scored some women's nylons that I will wrap the cables in to give it that finished look.
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,729
    edited April 2010
    PerfectCreature wrote: »
    You know...I never knew what I was missing when I started to wear my chain around my neck...I didn't know it belonged on my Tv :eek:
    Would you rather feed 500 starving children ( Think africa... come on people) Or spend 250 and be a "**** nozzle"
    wow. That cracks me up...
    Yeah I have a nyko cable cost me 25 i get 9 feet of video sheilded stroly built HDMI cable to power my ps3 visuals. I also bought a 6 foot dream works hdmi cable that gives me the same quilty almost for about 4 at the dollar store...

    Ok, who has the decoder ring?
    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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  • cstmar01
    cstmar01 Posts: 4,424
    edited April 2010
    Curt your looking on the cheap side. I'm going for 10K plus.

    my coat hangers just aren't cutting it like they used to and if your going to upgrade gotta go big!
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  • comfortablycurt
    comfortablycurt Posts: 6,745
    edited April 2010
    Willow wrote: »
    Seeing they will be shipped in a ziplock sandwich bag to waterproof them then in a paper lunch bag, for durability ( I know I'm not cheaping out on the shipping material) it would have to be for every 2 cables. I've just scored some women's nylons that I will wrap the cables in to give it that finished look.


    Sounds great! Let me know when they're ready!!
    F1nut wrote: »
    Ok, who has the decoder ring?


    I'm pretty sure he's saying that starving African children want to eat our overpriced HDMI cables.
    cstmar01 wrote: »
    Curt your looking on the cheap side. I'm going for 10K plus.

    my coat hangers just aren't cutting it like they used to and if your going to upgrade gotta go big!


    Let me know what you want for those coat hangers after you upgrade! I hear they work very well...lol
    The nirvana inducer-
    APC H10 Power Conditioner
    Marantz UD5005 universal player
    Parasound Halo P5 preamp
    Parasound HCA-1200II power amp
    PolkAudio LSi9's/PolkAudio SDA 2A's/PolkAudio Monitor 7A's
    Audioquest Speaker Cables and IC's
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter