I am highly impressed by the prices of Monoprice. Are there products quality? How do they compare to Monster products performance wise(not money,I know they will blow them away for band to the buck).

I've made about 7 purchases from them and have been very pleased with the quality and performance.

I bought a 35 foot DVI cable, and was amazed at the quality. DVI is specified for much shorter distances, a maximum of 5 meters I believe. Their cable was constructed supurbly, and I tested it on 1080P, it worked flawlessly. And the price was only $37.00 !!! I remember spending $100 for a 6' Montster DVI about a year ago because it was the only one available at CC.

I think their products are great, and the prices are a steal.

Highly Recommended!

Bob Smith

A friend of mine purchased a 33' HDMI to HDMI, a 33' HDMI to DVI (maybe this one was 35', I do not recall exactly), and a 25' component cable from them at my recommendation. I recommended them after he came to me asking which Monster Cable model to get with a CC employee discount. He was looking at spending $180 or almost $400 for just a similarly sized HDMI to HDMI cable. The price difference was due to the difference between a "Low-end" vs "High-end" cable.

When I awoke from my shock induced comma upon hearing what Monster Cable was charging for a single digital cable, I googled HDMI and DVI cables, and I found Monoprice.com. At the price (about $100, shipped for all of the above cables), I figured he could not go wrong, really. In fact, he did not. The quality of all cables was excellent.

I've found their video cables to be pretty good, as others here report (DVI, VGA, and Component) and their prices are great. But their analog audio cables don't impress me much, and I wonder whether the Component cables are capable of the full frequency of the best HD content.

Looks like I should be impressed on the quality of their cables. At least I hope so I just ordered a HDMI,3 digital coaxial,a toslink and component cables.

Ok,the cables showed up. Quick review,GREAT QUALITY, took 3 business days(USPS Priority) to get here even though Iam in the same state as Monoprice. The audio cables(3 digitial coaxials,1 fiber optic) were dead on performance wise with some of the Monster cables I have but a fraction of the price. I couldnt notive a difference with the HDMI cables over my old component cables for my HDTV Direct TV receiver video wise,audio is another story,sound is alot more clear at higher volumes(compared to the right/left analog audio cables). I plan on using the HDMI input on the TV for my Samsung HD-755 I plan on buying this weekend anyways(I will bump the HDTV Direct TV to component and digital coaxial).Overall I am very pleased at my purchase and will defianetely order from Monoprice again.

They are hard to resist, glad you liked them.

Just received and connected a 50 foot hdmi (comcast dvr to panasonic 42); no pixels, no problems. There is a lot of chatter about long hdmi cables but this cable works well and it is heavily built. Monoprice is easy to deal with.
TW

Another strong recommendation for monoprice here as well. I have had absolutely no quality problems with any of the cables I have purchased from them before, and recommend them to all my friends.

I found out recently that several of the Monoprice cables are made in the same factory as Monster's cables. They look identical

I found out recently that several of the Monoprice cables are made in the same factory as Monster's cables. They look identical

You may be shocked to learn also that many of the "high End" cables are all the same inside as well. There just are not that many places producing cables. Or speaker drivers etc..

Its a high markup sale for most places.

Which cables? That's interesting, but not surprising. Heck, I though several of the monoprice cables I've bought were BETTER quality than the regular Monster cables one sees all over.

I found out recently that several of the Monoprice cables are made in the same factory as Monster's cables. They look identical

Hahaha, that is hilarious. :D

I've had some problems with their 3.5mm cables for headphones. The interior connector isn't designed well enough to provide both channels consistently. You really have to push the connector in and rub it around until the second channel picks up, and it'll still drop out now and then. I had them replace the cable three times, same problem. I had no problem getting it to work with 3.5mm cables from other companies. Seems to be a design flaw. I communicated the problem to them and didn't get the feeling they were going to improve the design at all. Other cables have worked fine, although the 3 RCA component cable doesn't provide a great connection - it can fall out too easily. Their 35 foot HDMI high-gauge cable was solid and works great, however - just a little difficult to work with a cable that thick. :D

Which cables? That's interesting, but not surprising. Heck, I though several of the monoprice cables I've bought were BETTER quality than the regular Monster cables one sees all over.


It was component video cables as I recall.

My entire system is comprised of monoprice cables,I replaced several monster component video cables, optical and interconnects that were superior to monster's overpriced junk...

I just had my first experience with their cables, and I would have to say I wish I found them years ago.

HDMI, Toslink and DVI cables have all been excellent, and I DARE say, better construction quality then a lot of Monster cables I've come across. My HT is not finished yet, but the testing I've done thus far has been fantastic.

I think their "low" price hints at poor quality, bad service or just cheap goods. Usually, that is the case. But Monoprice has done just the opposite. I am planning on sticking with them until the four horseman come. :D

made my 1st purchase with monoprice 2 weeks ago, got an HDMI cable along with a toslink and I am really happy with them, a friend of mine told me about them and I am happy that he did because I would not have used HDMI for the plain fact that a 4ft HDMI cable from CC was 120bucks!!! I can't bring myself to spend that kind of money on a cable, it's not that I don't have the $$ but that's ridicules.

Monoprice is amazing. They ship to Canada hassle free, and have great after sale support. I've recommended them to everyone I know.

I found out recently that several of the Monoprice cables are made in the same factory as Monster's cables. They look identical


It's interesting, I have a few Monster Z-Reference cables and I recently started purchasing Monoprice cables. They have the same jacket and basically look identicle.

I love Monoprice cables and especially their prices!

It's interesting, I have a few Monster Z-Reference cables and I recently started purchasing Monoprice cables. They have the same jacket and basically look identicle.

I love Monoprice cables and especially their prices!

They are either the same cable or they are not.
My money is on not the same cable.

Compare the 2 and see if you are able to notice a difference in sound or picture.
That's what matters.

Compare the 2 and see if you are able to notice a difference in sound or picture.
That's what matters.In a true test (i.e., double-blind), the only difference you'll feel is in your bank account.

I don't disagree that the HDMI cable is well built and work great, but has anyone done a side by side visual of something more expensive? Personally I am glad they exist because I wouldn't be watching TV on my 3 HD TV's without their HDMI cables because I would never pay $30 a foot no matter how much better it was. I'd connect things with a hanger before Id pay that for a cable...Hey and not to mention when component was the rage they were the same ridiculous price, now they are cheaper. Cables are always so expensive because its as critical as gas is to running your car.
I have a 3', 10' and 15' that all work great! The jackets on the jacketed cables are real nice for my LCD on a swing arm, it protects the cable from rubbing the conduit in the wall.

Watch out for the 4" built in extension on the HDMI wall plate though, The extension is on the room side, don't quite understand it, looks weird and is not needed I guess unless you want it to penetrate a media center cabinet.

In a true test (i.e., double-blind), the only difference you'll feel is in your bank account.

I am assuming that you are assuming this, right? ;)

I didn't disagree w/ you, but the guy has both there. Just b/c 2 sisters look alike does not mean they are the same. Bad analogy, but I am sure the point is there.

I have used several of their optical to coax converters, optical cables, and low end component cables. All worked perfectly fine. They also ship very fast. I sure wish the were around several years ago when I bought most of my cables.

Jay

I have their HDMI cables connecting my STB & DVD to my AVR... and then from AVR to Elite panel... excellent quality, excellent connection - no problems.

I use their TOSLink cable to connect my CD player to AVR. Ditto.

I use their RCA connector wire to connect my to my sub's LFE. Ditto.

I have their banana plugs on all my speaker connections. Ditto.

I sent back the speaker wire, however. I just didn't like the fact that is was dual copper (with line down one conductor denoting polarity). I prefer the look of the copper/silver wire. But, that's just me.

Outstanding all the way around. Quick shipping. Excellent customer service. No hassle return policy.

Highly Recommend.

-steve

I am setting up a new home theater , and would like some assistance [ please let me know if there is a better forum for posting this question].

I have the components purchased or ordered, but want to make sure I am buying the right cables. Everyone on these forums has convinced me to go with monoprice, I just want to make sure I choose the correct items.

My system will be:
* PS3/blu ray
* Comcast HD cable DVR
* Onkyo TXSR605 receiver
* Polk RM 6880 speaker set
* Sony XBR2 46 LCD

Here is my monoprice shopping cart:

620 Digital Coaxial Audio RCA Cable M/M RG59U 75ohm S/PDIF Subwoofer - 12ft [CT] $4.48

2219 HDMI to HDMI CL2 Rated Cable (24AWG) w/ net jacket- 6ft (Gold Plated) $17.93

2412 HDMI Cable male to male 28AWG - 6ft w/Ferrite Cores (Gold Plated) $4.77 x 2 = $9.54

2764 PREMIUM 6FT Optical Toslink 8.0mm Cable w/ Metal Fancy Connector $6.02 x 2 = $12.04

2769 PREMIUM 6FT 3-RCA Component Video RG-6 18AWG 75Ohm CL2 Rated Cable $12.54 $12.54


I plan HDMI from the PS3 and cable box to receiver, and then HDMI out from receiver to the display.

I also will be setting up an alternate set of connections of component video and toslink audio from cable directly to TV (bypassing the receiver) for when I just want to watch some quick garbage TV and don't care about 5.1 sound.

I am considering also buying an upconverting DVD player depending on how satisfied I am with the PS3's SD-DVD playback, so will get another set of component video cable and toslink for that purpose.

My questions are:
1) how does one choose between 24 and 28 gauge HDMI?
2) do I need ferrite cores?
3) Is 6 foot too long, or should I just get 3 footers (these components will all live in the same cabinet)?
4) am I buying the best toslink?

Also, I am going to use a standard RCA cable to come in from my wall cable jack. I will feed this into an RCA line splitter. One line will go out from this splitter straight to my TV (I know I will lose the HDTV signal, this is just for basic TV). The other line will go out from the splitter to my cable box to decode the HD info and send to the receiver.

My questions are:
1) Which cables suit this RCA purpose? Are there quality features to look for?
2) Does monoprice or someone similar sell RCA splitters?
3) Does this split change or ruin my HDTV signal?
4) Would you recommend a line conditioner as part of the surge protector as well (e.g. Panamax type box) as all the BestBuy/CircuitCity sales guys recommend?


Thanks in advance, and did I forget anything?

Jeff

I am setting up a new home theater , and would like some assistance [ please let me know if there is a better forum for posting this question].

I have the components purchased or ordered, but want to make sure I am buying the right cables. Everyone on these forums has convinced me to go with monoprice, I just want to make sure I choose the correct items.

My system will be:
* PS3/blu ray
* Comcast HD cable DVR
* Onkyo TXSR605 receiver
* Polk RM 6880 speaker set
* Sony XBR2 46 LCD

Here is my monoprice shopping cart:

620 Digital Coaxial Audio RCA Cable M/M RG59U 75ohm S/PDIF Subwoofer - 12ft [CT] $4.48

2219 HDMI to HDMI CL2 Rated Cable (24AWG) w/ net jacket- 6ft (Gold Plated) $17.93

2412 HDMI Cable male to male 28AWG - 6ft w/Ferrite Cores (Gold Plated) $4.77 x 2 = $9.54

2764 PREMIUM 6FT Optical Toslink 8.0mm Cable w/ Metal Fancy Connector $6.02 x 2 = $12.04

2769 PREMIUM 6FT 3-RCA Component Video RG-6 18AWG 75Ohm CL2 Rated Cable $12.54 $12.54


I plan HDMI from the PS3 and cable box to receiver, and then HDMI out from receiver to the display.

I also will be setting up an alternate set of connections of component video and toslink audio from cable directly to TV (bypassing the receiver) for when I just want to watch some quick garbage TV and don't care about 5.1 sound.

I am considering also buying an upconverting DVD player depending on how satisfied I am with the PS3's SD-DVD playback, so will get another set of component video cable and toslink for that purpose.

My questions are:
1) how does one choose between 24 and 28 gauge HDMI?
2) do I need ferrite cores?
3) Is 6 foot too long, or should I just get 3 footers (these components will all live in the same cabinet)?
4) am I buying the best toslink?

Also, I am going to use a standard RCA cable to come in from my wall cable jack. I will feed this into an RCA line splitter. One line will go out from this splitter straight to my TV (I know I will lose the HDTV signal, this is just for basic TV). The other line will go out from the splitter to my cable box to decode the HD info and send to the receiver.

My questions are:
1) Which cables suit this RCA purpose? Are there quality features to look for?
2) Does monoprice or someone similar sell RCA splitters?
3) Does this split change or ruin my HDTV signal?
4) Would you recommend a line conditioner as part of the surge protector as well (e.g. Panamax type box) as all the BestBuy/CircuitCity sales guys recommend?


Thanks in advance, and did I forget anything?

Jeff

A line conditioner is a complete waste of money. I know that there people on this forum that will tell you otherwise, but there are no gremlins and evil monsters in your power lines. Yes, you do need a surge protector. That is a legitimate concern because it can destroy your equipment. however, what little improvement, if any is not worth the money for a line conditioner. these items have huge margins and the BB and CC employees are pushed to sell them for that reason. your money is better spent elsewhere.

A line conditioner is a complete waste of money. I know that there people on this forum that will tell you otherwise, but there are no gremlins and evil monsters in your power lines. Yes, you do need a surge protector. That is a legitimate concern because it can destroy your equipment. however, what little improvement, if any is not worth the money for a line conditioner. these items have huge margins and the BB and CC employees are pushed to sell them for that reason. your money is better spent elsewhere.

There are SO MANY types out there. Do you recomend a certain manufacturer or model?

Also, any input on the cables?

Thanks again,

Jeff

For a surge protector, I would buy a decent one. I'm not sure who makes the best, but I have an acoustic research and it survived a surge that destroyed my neighbors townhome. Obviously, I had to buy a new one after that.

For a surge protector, I would buy a decent one. I'm not sure who makes the best, but I have an acoustic research and it survived a surge that destroyed my neighbors townhome. Obviously, I had to buy a new one after that.

Anyone have a reference that rates surge protector types or manufacturers? Either reviews or just personal recommendations?

Thanks
Jeff

IT guys use APC surge protectors to protect their computers. I have one and when BB or FS guys start yapping about getting clean power to your TV(of course it is a monster product that they shill) and I tell them I have an APC protector, they nod knowingly as if I had said something profound. They then do not mention anything more about stable line voltage and all that crap and all I have told them is I have a surge protector. These guys are only good for writing up an invoice if you buy from them. Anything they know about Monster crap is what their Sales manager has told them to flog.

Brick Wall makes great units.

Watch out for the 4" built in extension on the HDMI wall plate though, The extension is on the room side, don't quite understand it, looks weird and is not needed I guess unless you want it to penetrate a media center cabinet.

Are you sure? It looks to me like you can put them on the wall side, based on the pictures were the plate is installed.
http://images.monoprice.com/productlargeimages/27301.jpg


Another vote for monoprice. My whole system now uses monoprice cables, and it looks and sounds as good as it ever has, at a fraction of the cost.

Brick Wall makes great units.

I second that. I have a six outlet Brick Wall surge protector and I highly recommend it.

[QUOTE=MaynardJames]Are you sure? It looks to me like you can put them on the wall side, based on the pictures were the plate is installed.
http://images.monoprice.com/productlargeimages/27301.jpg




yes, but on the description it also says this

"Monoprice continually strives to improve its product line to bring our customers the best products available. Therefore, changes may be made to listed specifications without prior notice. Item recieved may not match photo or specs shown "

I am sure it has the extension on the room side. I am not sure what the 4" extension is even for? The one that I got looks more like the dual wall plate picture on the site.

yes, but on the description it also says this

"Monoprice continually strives to improve its product line to bring our customers the best products available. Therefore, changes may be made to listed specifications without prior notice. Item recieved may not match photo or specs shown "

I am sure it has the extension on the room side. I am not sure what the 4" extension is even for? The one that I got looks more like the dual wall plate picture on the site.

The extension is supposed to be there so that you can easily send your HDMI cable down the wall. If there was no extension, you would have to plug your HDMI cable directly into the back of the plate, therefore the cable would be bent at a 90 degree angle coming out of the plate and up/down/sideways the wall. Because the extension is flexible, you don't run into have a cable that is bent at such and angle. This is why you should be able to put it on the inside of the wall, because that is what the extension is for.

When you say that yours looks like the dual wall plate, do you mean this?
http://images.monoprice.com/productlargeimages/28131.jpg
Because this can be inserted both ways, having the extension on either side. All you have to do is flip it around, put the plate over top and screw it into the wall. Yours should do the same.

yep, you are exactly right. It can flip to be used both ways. At first I looked at the side that has the "frame" that inserts into the wall plate "cutout" and thought for sure it had to be the side that is flush facing outwards not the side that is cupped, or concave/indented. But now that I see the picture on monoprice of the single port, it can be installed that way. Glad you responded, thanks!

And now it makes sense that it goes in the wall so you don't have to bend the usually large diameter HDMI cable that terminates at the plug. I have a blank space under a staircase where mine is, so I did not have to bend the hdmi cable that is coming in because there is no wall on the other side...I bet if I had to bend it I would have been forced to figure it out. Thanks again, hope this helps other people now.

Hey, glad I could help.

Does anyone know of an alternative to Monoprice for well-priced good-quality3.5mm cables? I've now read a couple of places, including this thread, which have complained about their quality. Thanks for your help.

I have ordered several HDMI cables, optical toslinks, HDMI and optical switchers from Monoprice and couldn't be happier with their product and price. I always recommend Monoprice to anybody looking for cables.

We really like Monoprice as well.
However mini to mini cable we recently tried for an Ipod connection in a car did not fit well.
Minor glitch on an extremely cheap cable.

I like Monoprice for higher-end cables (long HDMI, TOSlink, etc). I also don't like them for 3.5mm -- the best price/performance I get on 3.5mm is going to the local music store and getting some Hosa cable.

A line conditioner is a complete waste of money. I know that there people on this forum that will tell you otherwise, but there are no gremlins and evil monsters in your power lines.

I have powered speakers. One of them has a problem somewhere in the power filtering. End result: When a dimmer light on another circuit is turned on, this speaker has a noticeable buzz from the tweeter. Putting a power conditioner between outlet and speaker reduces the problem significantly. However, as the outlet is right behind the speaker, on the wall (this is a rear unit), a large conditioner is not aesthetically practical, so I'm now looking for a small EMI filter. Looks like I'll have to build it myself from parts from digi-key.com...

Moral of the story: there are cases where power filtering helps. You can measure it helping. You can hear it helping, when the unit is just turned on, no program material. There's nothing subjective about it.

Moral of the story: there are cases where power filtering helps. You can measure it helping. You can hear it helping, when the unit is just turned on, no program material. There's nothing subjective about it.

OK I also read your other post about the issue. I trust you did a double check to make sure it is a different circuit. Do they also share ground? And you just said it reduced but it didnt go away so its just a band aid. Lets find the real problem. Shared ground, possible problem with the powered speaker. Did you try it in another outlet in the same area? Whenever I have had any sort of buzz it can always be traced back to a problem that can be fixed not band aided which is all you are doing.

Forgive me, cable dummy here. :)

I need 2 HDMI cables, one from my Dish DVR to TV and one from my PS3 to TV.

Are these the ones I should get from monoprice?

HDMI Cable male to male 28AWG - 6ft w/Ferrite Cores (Gold Plated) - under $5 a piece

Also, on the talk of surge protectors, maybe i'm just lucky, but i've never used one with any of my electronics in the past and never lost any equipment because of it. But, I think it is probably a good idea to have one.

Any 'budget' yet 'quality' surge protectors I should look at? $50 and under, I prefer much 'under'. :)

Thanks in advance for any help.

Yes, those cables will likely work fine. Try to get 3' cables if that's enough, because having lots of cables coiling behind your gear ends up looking messy.

For surge protection, Tripp Lite has a good $49 unit that also features 40-80 dB EMI filtering. The cool thing is that it filters between the pairs of outlets, so there is some filtering between, say, the switching power supply of your DVR, and the input of your amp.

If all you want is surge suppression, a $10 surge suppressor from ACE hardware and Radio Shack will likely do more than nothing -- most of the power strip type suppressors use the same kind of MOV devices to absorb surges.

Tripp Lite has a good $49 unit that also features 40-80 dB EMI filtering. The cool thing is that it filters between the pairs of outlets, so there is some filtering between, say, the switching power supply of your DVR, and the input of your amp.

Which model is that?

Thanks Jwatte, is this the $49 one you are talking about?

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00330270000P?vName=Computers+%26+Electronics&keyword=surge+protector

No, that one doesn't filter between the outlets. I think I got mine from newegg.com...

I believe it's this unit: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16842111041

(edit: updated link to the ISOTEL, which is the one that does votage clamping)

does anyone have any high end audio connected with analog monoprice cables. so far everything I've read has been about digital cables and digital will work flawlessly untill the SNR is so bad that you get nothing.

imo, their analog audio cables seem a little flimsy. I love their digital cables, esp HDMI, and their component video cables (don't get the fancy connectors) seem good, though this is based on video test patterns and eyes, and not any test sweeps with measuring tools. In a pinch I have used their component video cables (RG56) for audio and have no complaints. But there are value-oriented audio cables from places like Blue Jeans that conform to a specific spec, and I think for analog that is worth paying up for.

imo, their analog audio cables seem a little flimsy. I love their digital cables, esp HDMI, and their component video cables (don't get the fancy connectors) seem good, though this is based on video test patterns and eyes, and not any test sweeps with measuring tools. In a pinch I have used their component video cables (RG56) for audio and have no complaints. But there are value-oriented audio cables from places like Blue Jeans that conform to a specific spec, and I think for analog that is worth paying up for.


word!

Also, I am going to use a standard RCA cable to come in from my wall cable jack. I will feed this into an RCA line splitter. One line will go out from this splitter straight to my TV (I know I will lose the HDTV signal, this is just for basic TV). The other line will go out from the splitter to my cable box to decode the HD info and send to the receiver. You need regular "F type" TV cables and splitter -- the ones with the screw connectors. Any hardware store sells them or Monoprice has them too.

http://64.27.0.105/productlargeimages/28721.jpg