Monster Cables, Monster Ripoff: 80% Markups

[krzywica]

80%??? wow... that doesn't surprise me.
I should make some cables that will be blingy AND massive... and call them


MEGA-LEVIATHAN INTERCONNECTS

With shielding the size of a garden hose, NOTHING will get between your audio or video's maximum performance and the bling will be TWICE AS BIGGORS!!!!

You don't believe my claims? Look at the results of our sub-ion cryrogenic multi-gramnification reverse osmosis laboratory test:

As you can see from 0.8 to 1.4 volts (nominal operating range for EVERY ELECTRONIC DEVICE in the WORLD), the level is dramatically increased in clarity and power. Notice that the other voltages are eliminated from the cables ionisphere. This is the MEGA-LEVIATHAN advantage.

Try my Oreck XL MEGA-LEVIATHAN for 60 days

WOW. Flawless! You should put those on the market ASAP!!!

 

[Seth=L]

80%??? wow... that doesn't surprise me.
I should make some cables that will be blingy AND massive... and call them


MEGA-LEVIATHAN INTERCONNECTS

With shielding the size of a garden hose, NOTHING will get between your audio or video's maximum performance and the bling will be TWICE AS BIGGORS!!!!

You don't believe my claims? Look at the results of our sub-ion cryrogenic multi-gramnification reverse osmosis laboratory test:

As you can see from 0.8 to 1.4 volts (nominal operating range for EVERY ELECTRONIC DEVICE in the WORLD), the level is dramatically increased in clarity and power. Notice that the other voltages are eliminated from the cables ionisphere. This is the MEGA-LEVIATHAN advantage.

Try my Oreck XL MEGA-LEVIATHAN for 60 days

LMAO.

 

[Hi Ho]

Um, maybe this isn't clear: the retailers are the ones doing the marking up, not Monster... Which simply means they know they can charge more for the name, but it is still not handed down to them by Monster to charge what they charge, so the real issue should be with them.

I'm sure Monster has an MSRP just like Audioquest does. I have an Audioquest pricebook complete with dealer cost and MSRP from work and while I won't post it here but I can say the profit margins are just as large, if not larger.

With that said, there's nothing wrong with a company making a profit. Many everyday food items have a higher markup than any Monster Cable (percentage wise). That $4 latte probably cost close to a dollar to make. Most electronics are sold at a large markup. The APC S-15 battery backup power center has a markup that most would find totally unbelievable. My Yamaha RX-V2700, which had an MSRP of $1,700, cost me just over $800 directly from Yamaha. That's over a 100% markup (though the dealer cost is a bit higher than $800).

The problem with Monster (and other high end cables) is that one really doesn't gain any performance for paying a premium over other cables. It's not that the profit margin is too high, it's that there are much better values available.

 

[Haoleb]

As someone who has access to the price list with cost and MSRP on many of the most popular brands out I can tell you that its not like monster has ridiculous MSRP's. There are other popular products that have 100% markup. Of course, knowing this I always feel like im getting royally screwed when I buy something just so some the middleman can have his cut but thats the way it works i guess.

There is nothing different about monster, the article is based on alot of nothing as the author obviously hasnt seen what other products cost and sell for.

Doesnt mean they still arent overpriced.

 

[Sheep]

I would like to hear what Chadnliz has to say.

And yes this is a loaded post.

SheepStar

 

[MDS]

Markup on everything is ridiculously high but let's not judge them all with a broad brush. Monster cables perform as advertised. There have been many tests of them (even at Audioholics) and for the most part they perfrom in line with the competition. Now will the cheap THX standard versions (the ones I buy) fare worse than their mega buck alternatives? No. They work just fine.

I bought subwoofer cables from Blue Jeans and I have to admit that I don't care for the overly long Canare connectors on the end. The Monster cables fit better in the RCA jack and aren't quite as long.

Just pick a decent cable that doesn't cost a fortune and you will be fine, regardless of whether that is the low end of the Monster line up, the uber cheap cables from Monoprice, or the middle of the cost spectrum from Blue Jeans.

 

[Phil Taylor]

I usually refer clients to monoprice unless they don't really care what they're paying and I refer them to modestly priced cables from Amazon. I wouldn't recommend Monster even if the client was a monster

 

[Johnd]

I would like to hear what Chadnliz has to say.

And yes this is a loaded post.

SheepStar

About what Sheep?

His mystical wires, (all of which are "investments" by the way), that make the worst speakers sound twice as good? Just for the record, folks, very few of us here advocate the purchase of home theater equipment as the investment vehicle for your children's college fund. Although some equipment holds its' value (msrp), or even increases over time (a very, very long time in the AV world), these instances are few and far between. Imho, my av equipment's sole purpose is to perform a function...and that is not to increase in value!

His "aptitude" at grammar, spelling and composition??

Or that little red box next to his name???

Personally, Sheep, I think you're instigating here...kicking it up a little.

 

[Sheep]

About what Sheep? Personally, Sheep, I think you're instigating here...kicking it up a little.

How'd you figure that? Was it the part where I said it was a loaded post? Well, there isn't getting anything past you!

The guys is already labeled, but I didn't get to take part in that thread. I want my own thread to berate him.

Seriously though, Monster isn't the only thing marked up at those style stores. I remember one DLP TV was at 45%. The Cheap standard THX cables and wires are very reasonable and well made. All my interconnects between components are from that line.

SheepStar

 

[mouettus]

Could you point me to a company or web site that sells HDMI cables with nice connectors and black mesh around it? Yes I felt for this mesh thing. It is beautiful lol. But I can get a nice 6ft HDMI from Monster for 50$ shipped (eBay). Is that considered good? Or should I still look for something else?

I really need two as I bought a PS3 and my first HD cable box (finally). Don't forget that I live in Canada so blue jeans and such ID companies don't ship to igloos.

BTW, do you guys use 4ft or 6ft HDMI cables? 4ft is nicer for cable management but it stinks when you come to pull your receiver out of the rack.

 

[mouettus]

The Cheap standard THX cables and wires are very reasonable and well made. All my interconnects between components are from that line.

Where did you buy them?

 

[obscbyclouds]

Could you point me to a company or web site that sells HDMI cables with nice connectors and black mesh around it? Yes I felt for this mesh thing. It is beautiful lol. But I can get a nice 6ft HDMI from Monster for 50$ shipped (eBay). Is that considered good? Or should I still look for something else?

BTW, do you guys use 4ft or 6ft HDMI cables? 4ft is nicer for cable management but it stinks when you come to pull your receiver out of the rack.

Monoprice will ship to Canada. I brought these HDMI Cables. They have your black mesh, and look quite nice (though they are pretty thick). I have the 6ft version.

 

[mouettus]

Monoprice will ship to Canada. I brought these HDMI Cables. They have your black mesh, and look quite nice (though they are pretty thick). I have the 6ft version.

Oh you just made my day. 31$ shipped for 2 nice 6ft HDMI cables

How do you like the connectors?
Are they really that thick? I mean... I like it when you can bend/stuff them behind the rack

 

[obscbyclouds]

Oh you just made my day. 31$ shipped for 2 nice 6ft HDMI cables

How do you like the connectors?
Are they really that thick? I mean... I like it when you can bend/stuff them behind the rack

The connectors are fine with me, they fit, and seem to hold snugly. They are relatively flexible, you'll have no problem bending them, they do hold their shape when you bend them (think really thick toilet brush ). Either way, I've been very happy with them and I think you will also.

 

[mouettus]

2 cables on their way! Let's see how long it takes from US-Canada. I usually wait 2-3 weeks for my stuff from ebay.

 

[Thaedium]

Both Bluejeans and Monoprice ship to Canada. I ordered 52 feet of the 10-gauge 5T00UP and it arrived here in Petawawa Ontario within 3 or 4 days, can't remember, only that it was quick.

Also ordered 3 HDMI cables from Monoprice, the thick mesh ensorcelled kind that you need to bend with a crobar and table vice. Took a lot longer to arrive, I'd say nearly 3 weeks, but they're shipping from across the globe and I'm a cheap bastard. Interestingly, I bought these three, all with longer runs and thicker armor then the cost of even 1 shorter Monster HDMI cable. Including shipping costs...


I think I'm going to order some Insultherm® Fiberglass Sleeving from wirecare so I can run my fat cables through my oven safely. Hahaha... But seriously, at $0.95/ft you could have protection for your cables that will far excede even the best crapola from Monster or any other Cable company out there. The options for DIY cables out there, IMO, offer better looks, style, and performance then any high-performance cable out there. And the price and customization is unbeatable.

 

[Bluesmoke]

I buy all my cables from Bluejeans. Great service. Better value and price than Monoprice for HDMI cables. Shipping is also MUCH MUCH faster to Canada.

 

[Sheep]

Where did you buy them?

Mainly Futureshop. Its not as cheap as Monoprice, but it's convenient. I don't have to wait for it to arrive, and that's pretty much what I pay extra for.

SheepStar

 

[mustang_steve]

Hey it's not just Monster....I was at radioShack yesterday to get an HDMI cable....$50....I went online and found the exact same cable (but under a generic name) for $12. So this online shop is making a profit on them at $12, but RS is charging $50....that's insane.

I ended up buying a $9 HDMI cable from another site that had a DVD player and a calibration DVD I wanted to buy....but it goes to show, cables are insanely overpriced.

....I could buy a cheap DVD player for less than the RS cable, how do they justify this? That DVD player has more money in parts, more labor, and a higher shipping cost, takes more space up in the stockroom, in the showroom, on the shelves....but the cable costs more....that's just wack.

 

[mouettus]

Mainly Futureshop. Its not as cheap as Monoprice, but it's convenient. I don't have to wait for it to arrive, and that's pretty much what I pay extra for.

SheepStar

Yeah... 3 weeks seems like an eternity awaiting for a/v stuff but I'm living off component cables right now so no biggie. The tv box is a scientific atlanta anyways. That's not like it will make a difference in picture. It's just for the convenience of having less cables.

Cable is cable, but cable with mesh is nice haha