Do I Need Luxury Cables?

[JamesK]

the cable is faulty...

Reliability issues tend to be with the connectors, not the cable. You can get junk connectors or decent quality. It is also possible to buy over priced "gold plated" connectors. BTW, the best connectors are silver plated, not gold. Gold looks better because it doesn't tarnish, but silver maintains a better connection even through a bit of oxidation.

[David Susilo]

No, I don't travel with any cable, actually. I'm not affiliated with any store, actually. Also of course I test any cable before it goes into an install.

However, I can't ask my client to buy (say) a Monoprice cable, I fly in, then the cable is not working, then what cable I should use? I only have 2 weeks at the most for any install project overseas (usually 1 week). I can't wait for the cable to be returned and the exchange sent back to Singapore or Indonesia within that one week. The express courier will cost more than a Monster Cable (again, I'm NOT endorsing Monster Cable, but that's the cheapest long-length HDMI cable available locally in Singapore and Indonesia).

And as far as evidence goes... it's funny that even after approx a month, NOBODY is willing to take up my offer in lending my expensive speaker wire to be tested against the cheap wire of the same gauge.

Is this the case of being afraid to be proven wrong?

[David Susilo]

Originally Posted by JamesK

But once you get to a certain size, there's no significant benefit in going larger. High frequency roll off is another issue that can be affected by the wire, but it's not likely to make any noticable effect at audio frequencies. Another issue may be noise picked up by the wire, but that's not a concern at the low impedances and significant power levels used in speakers. Now, please explain how your cables are able to perform better than ordinary lamp cord of appropriate size. What is it about them that causes them to perform so much better?

you said it yourself "no significant benefit": ie there is still a benefit
secondly, like I posted before... I'm willing to lend you the cable and test it yourself. Use your hearing. If you can't hear the difference, more power to you so that means you can buy more BD movies with the money you saved.

come on! no takers?

[57]

No, it's probably a case of not wanting to waste the time and effort.

This thread is really about the average person and installers have their own "rules" on how to make things work and what works best for them since they have other considerations, including extenuating circumstances. Some don't even use HDMI cables inside the walls.

The fact that you install in far away places should not affect what the "average individual" purchases.

[David Susilo]

PS: yes, silver is a far better conductor than gold. It's the case of "shiny = good marketing".

[JamesK]

Is this the case of being afraid to be proven wrong?

No, it's because we know the issues involved and what it takes to prove them. Again, as has been said before, if there is a significant difference, then one of the two is junk or grossly undersized. Perhaps you may want to do some reading on how transmission lines work and what factors affect them. Or perhaps you can explain what makes your cables so special.

[David Susilo]

yes, like we know that the earth was flat way back when right? so the person who tried to even think that the world is round is wrong without the flat-earth-believers even try to test the-earth-is-round idea at all.



peace - and out

[BGY11]

David,

There is a difference between believing something and proving it. There have been tests that prove many people don't notice a difference, and not a single reputable (and repeatable) one showing otherwise. Sure, there might be someone who can tell the difference, but I doubt the average person could.

Given the tactics companies like Monster have used to trick consumers as well, one can't help but side with the reports that say there's no perceivable difference.

[David Susilo]

unfortunately... so very true

[TommyBoyDK]

cables OMG :-)
well I took this to the test my self, but this time with HDMI cables,
my DB player is from LG type BD390 a nice cheap allrounder
my projector is panasonic AE4000 also a nice cheap allrounder.
the HDMI cable length is 10 meters for my need.
first I got the cheapest possible 12 $ !!
and found out I had noise dots in full HD, even at 24Hz
it simply gave black screen at 50Hz and 60Hz refresh.
so I gave it back, got my money back and tried the next step.
I continued all the way up and up, until I had perfect picture
no visible noise dots or artifacts in highest possible resolution full HD
and max refresh rate and deepest color settings, this way more and faster
data rates is used.
I tried 5 cables, before I ended with a perfect result.
I keept a type costing 100 $
"König 1.3 Cat 2 High End HDMI kabel - 10 m"
I am sure if your max length is alot shorter, you can use a lot cheaper cable,
and still use highest resolutions and all that.
it is your length that is the problem.
I did this test mainly for fun and education, but also I wanted to know
I did not spend alot of money for nothing, I could have started with a 200 $
cable and most likely got a perfect picture in the first try, but where was the fun then.. now I feel like I got 100 $ extra to spend on something else.

[David Susilo]

strangely enough you don't calculate your time lost in trying multiple cables until you get the cheapest cable that will do the job. You don't really save $100 because the time spent to try those cables must be worth more than $100.

Just get medium-priced cable and be done with it. Save time, hassles and frustration.

[nobsplease]

David, why are you belittling this fellow when he did exactly what you suggested and tested? He started at a certain level and kept upgrading until he got the result he needed. At $100 for a 10m cable he got good value and would have been foolish and spendthrifty (there ya go Colbert) to spend another penny. Are you upset that he stopped before $200, $300 or ?.

Are you saying that your customers will fly you across the ocean to do an install but won't trust your judgement on cable selection? Until recently, you were getting substantial discounts on high quality gear from Pioneer and that may have skewed your notion of value but most people are playing with retail pricing.

[David Susilo]

If I come across like belittling, I apologize, I really don't mean that.

I typed what I typed because I personally have experienced that (experimenting from the lowest end cable and moving up and up and up until I find the one that will do the job) and it consumes a lot of time and money (some vendors have "restocking fee").

That's all, no other intention behind my post.

Again, if my post offend anybody, I sincerely apologize.

[Khorn]

With this "luxury cable" thing:

IMHO Only you will know if you need "higher end" cables for your system. If you have to ask you don't need 'em.

[Old Canuck]

.
Warning – “OLD” Monster Cables = Permanent Damage.

My Case History:
The “old” version of Monster Cables, destroyed my (LG - LCD - TV), RCA jacks.

I found confirmation from a local electronics repair shop.
The “old” version of Monster Cables, are permanently destroying RCA - jacks on a lot of electronic equipment.
This includes:
- TV’s
- Stereo Amps
- DVD Players
- Sound Systems
- Audio
- Video
- RGB (HD-TV)
-
- Etc.
-
Some present day RCA jacks, are now only for very light duty connections and usage.
The outer shield of the RCA female jack, “may” only have one small copper pin, soldered to the PC board.

Monster Cables - Old version:
The “old” version had a real tight fit, because there were no slits, on the outer shield of the male plug.
Monster Cables - New version:
The “new” version now only has a snug fit, because there are now slits,
on the outer shield of the male plug. (Turbine® connectors).
Now have angled slits on outer shield of male plug.

Monster Cables - Instructions:
When removing a monster cable, slowly twist the connection,
while pulling out the cable.
Monster Cables - Result:
When removing my old version of monster cables,
it completely removed my outer shields of the RCA jacks.
All of the RCA jacks, were destroyed, on my TV.

Question (# 1):
Is it really worth the sacrifice to use the old version Monster Cables,
on your entertainment system ?
Question (# 2):
When you purchased your entertainment component,
did you get in writing, that Monster Cables, can be used ?
Question (# 3):
Does your entertainment component warranty,
cover damaged RCA jacks ?

Fact (# 1):
When using cables for entertainment components, “larger cables, gold plated” do work much better !
“Monster Cables” are excellent cables, but are also very expensive.

Question (# 4):
What TV video format support (HD-TV) are you using and receiving ?
(720p and or 1080p).
What TV video hardware input are you using ?
- Yellow RCA video male jack
- “S’ video - 4 plug connection.
- “RGB” (x3) RCA (Red Green Blue) male jacks.

Fact (# 2):
If you have a “high ended”, fully digital, component entertainment system, you can also afford to use “monster cables”.
For most of us, why should we pay premium high ($’) for cables, on an average home system ?

Question (# 5):
Could “Monster Cables” actually or maybe, be an extra sales gimmick.
(More $’s = Better Product).
(Actually An Over Priced Item).“Monster Cables” use extra thick shielded wire, with very “fancy” connectors.
I have found Heavy Duty Component RGB cables, gold platted, for 1/3 the cost.
I have found “no” actual “data” of their cables, from “monster cables”.
I wonder why ?

Recommendations (# 1):
The small supplied regular RCA cables, will do the job,
for low ended users.

Recommendations (# 2):
This applies to high ended TV viewers, that do “NOT” want to risk any damage to their entertainment components.
Only purchase or use RCA cables that have the outer shield, (male connector), having opened, expanding, slots.
The outer cut slots, on the outer shield,
will allow for any required expansion.

Recommendations (# 3):
It is up to the consumer to purchase “Monster Cables” or to purchase “Heavy Duty Cables”.
We all stack our entertainment components at one (x1) central location.
We only require short cables.
A cable with gold plated RCA jacks, is a cable, is a cable.
One can easily purchase:
- Thick Quality Cables
- Good to Excellent Quality
- Gold Plated Connectors
- Expandable Slotted RCA Male Fittings
- For only 1/3 of the cost.

Warning:
“Old” version of Monster Cables, do “not” have cut slots,
on the outer shield of the male connector, plug.
Is it worth the risk to use the “old” version of Monster Cables ? (NO).

Conclusion:
I have an average to an advanced entertainment TV system.
I will never see the justification to spend a lot of ($’s),
for high ended cables.

Besides, RE: Cable TV :
We are missing the most important subject. (TV Reception).
- Are you presently using “low” ended, cable splitter boxes ?
- Are you presently using an advanced / amplifier, “HD-TV” high ended, splitter box ?
- How powerful of a TV signal, are you presently receiving, for your HD-TV reception ?
- Do you occasionally see pixels, on your TV screen ?

.
P.S.

Higher ended users of "Digital TV", will require, new higher ended, digital TV cable splitters. (Fact).

.