Monster Cable XP - DVDfile.com forum for DVD, Blu-Ray, and HD-DVD

08-06-1999, 04:43 AM

I'll be moving and want to get all new speaker wire for my speakers. Of course, my front three are bi-wirable (say that five times fast...) anyway, I was at my local "Target" store and they had Monster Cable XP style (16 gague), 50 ft. of it for $20. Now I know this is a good deal, but are there different types of Monster cable? I know there is an "M" series...so on and so forth, but is this a "lesser" grade because it's on sale at Target?

This is one area in which I have no clue. And if this doesn't work out. I have all Polk audio speakers, so what would be the best wire for them and how much should I pay?

Thanks in advance...

------------------
Matt Brighton--Moderator
DVD Authority

Taxi · 08-08-1999, 03:12 AM

...Must resist....
Musn't....recommend....Radio Shack.....Cheap....Wire
....Not politically.....correct....

...Must resist...

Taxi

DDS#42

[This message has been edited by Taxi (edited 07-17-2001).]

Rick Lowery · 08-09-1999, 04:12 PM

Something to avoid.

Radio Shack's cheap wires are acceptable, but avoid the gold plated interconnects. I used to use them, and noticed that 50% of them go bad after a few years due to . . .you guessed it . . .corrosion. How gold plated interconnects got corroded is beyond me, but the corrosion was visible. Probably a poor plating process.

Telltale signs were red color bleeds if you were running an analog video signal, LFE hum that was almost unbearable in audio.

------------------
Rick Lowery
DVDFile Forum Administrator
ForumAdmin@DVDFile.com

08-09-1999, 04:22 PM

Yeah, I guess if something looks too good to be true, it is...

Looks like I'll be going to that Home Theater Store and paying what I should for good cable...

Dominik Pfleghaar · 08-09-1999, 06:02 PM

Here's an alternative:

Why not solder your own cable? You'll get much more quality for less money that way.
Beats every monster to pieces!

------------------
Unca Dom, DDS-088
dvdfile.com moderator
dominikpfleghaar@netscape.net

08-10-1999, 08:56 PM

How would I do that, I don't want to take a chance at ruining any of my speakers or receiver...

Taxi · 08-10-1999, 09:25 PM

I would think it would be very difficult to damage your equipment by using homemade speaker wire. You'd have to short the two wires together or somesuch... Pretty hard to do if you take even a little caution.

Some folks are better than others when it comes to soldering and such. If that's not your thing, I'd say buy pre-made speaker wire/interconnects. Personally, I'm making my own out of Radio Shake wire and Banana ends.

------------------
Taxi
DDS#42
DVDFile.Com Moderator

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08-06-1999, 04:43 AM	#1 (permalink)
Matt Brighton	Monster Cable XP I'll be moving and want to get all new speaker wire for my speakers. Of course, my front three are bi-wirable (say that five times fast...) anyway, I was at my local "Target" store and they had Monster Cable XP style (16 gague), 50 ft. of it for $20. Now I know this is a good deal, but are there different types of Monster cable? I know there is an "M" series...so on and so forth, but is this a "lesser" grade because it's on sale at Target? This is one area in which I have no clue. And if this doesn't work out. I have all Polk audio speakers, so what would be the best wire for them and how much should I pay? Thanks in advance... ------------------ Matt Brighton--Moderator DVD Authority

08-08-1999, 03:12 AM	#2 (permalink)
Taxi Admin Emeritus Join Date: Aug 1999 Location: Orygun	...Must resist.... Musn't....recommend....Radio Shack.....Cheap....Wire ....Not politically.....correct.... ...Must resist... Taxi DDS#42 [This message has been edited by Taxi (edited 07-17-2001).]

08-09-1999, 04:12 PM	#3 (permalink)
Rick Lowery Moderator Emeritus Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Atlanta, GA	Something to avoid. Radio Shack's cheap wires are acceptable, but avoid the gold plated interconnects. I used to use them, and noticed that 50% of them go bad after a few years due to . . .you guessed it . . .corrosion. How gold plated interconnects got corroded is beyond me, but the corrosion was visible. Probably a poor plating process. Telltale signs were red color bleeds if you were running an analog video signal, LFE hum that was almost unbearable in audio. ------------------ Rick Lowery DVDFile Forum Administrator ForumAdmin@DVDFile.com

08-09-1999, 04:22 PM	#4 (permalink)
Matt Brighton	Yeah, I guess if something looks too good to be true, it is... Looks like I'll be going to that Home Theater Store and paying what I should for good cable...

08-09-1999, 06:02 PM	#5 (permalink)
Dominik Pfleghaar Moderator Emeritus Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Elm Street 123	Here's an alternative: Why not solder your own cable? You'll get much more quality for less money that way. Beats every monster to pieces! ------------------ Unca Dom, DDS-088 dvdfile.com moderator dominikpfleghaar@netscape.net

08-10-1999, 08:56 PM	#6 (permalink)
Matt Brighton	How would I do that, I don't want to take a chance at ruining any of my speakers or receiver...

08-10-1999, 09:25 PM	#7 (permalink)
Taxi Admin Emeritus Join Date: Aug 1999 Location: Orygun	I would think it would be very difficult to damage your equipment by using homemade speaker wire. You'd have to short the two wires together or somesuch... Pretty hard to do if you take even a little caution. Some folks are better than others when it comes to soldering and such. If that's not your thing, I'd say buy pre-made speaker wire/interconnects. Personally, I'm making my own out of Radio Shake wire and Banana ends. ------------------ Taxi DDS#42 DVDFile.Com Moderator