MONSTER Rant

[Gaius Caligula]

Yes, but a "Sub" cable is the same as a standard RCA patch cable and the 12 foot Rat Shack Gold audio patch cable is $9.99. So by getting the "Sub" cable you are throwing away $10.00 for the words "sub cable" printed on the package.

Shinerman.

So now Radio Shack is running dirty, evil, deceptive practices like unto Monster Cable?!

 

[Shinerman]

So now Radio Shack is running dirty, evil, deceptive practices like unto Monster Cable?!

I don't know of a cable company that does not, including Blue Jeans.

I think I am going to start a cable company. I will tell it like it is. I will tell people there is no difference between a sub cable and an audio patch cable and no difference between a digital coax audio cable and a sub cable and audio patch cable. Same for 3 standard shielded video cables and component cable, etc. etc. etc. The only difference will be the color of the connector so people can keep track of which cable is which bundled up behind the audio equipment.

My company will be called "True Cable". Who's with me? I just need someone to put up about $25k to get things started. I will accept money orders for the initial investment.

Shinerman.

 

[warpdrive]

Yes, but a "Sub" cable is the same as a standard RCA patch cable and the 12 foot Rat Shack Gold audio patch cable is $9.99. So by getting the "Sub" cable you are throwing away $10.00 for the words "sub cable" printed on the package.

Methinks you are getting some better quality connectors for that extra $10.

Pretty important if you are running the sub at the volumes I do....don't want the connectors flying off with every bass note

 

[warpdrive]

I don't know of a cable company that does not, including Blue Jeans.

BJ is not really being deceptive about anything. They tell you the exact coax model they are using as a "sub cable", and then tell you the benefits of using that coax.

Our recommended subwoofer interconnect cables have not one, but two, dense braid shields, and in our testing we've found these coaxes to outperform conventional single-braid, braid-and-foil, and unbalanced twisted-pair cables when it comes to hum rejection.

Canare LV-77S is a flexible, but thick coax with a stranded copper center conductor and two bare copper braid shields, one right on top of the other. This shielding provides an extremely conductive path to ground--just 1.8 ohms per thousand feet, lower than any other coax of comparable size. We put this cable up against a whole slate of other coaxes in a side-by-side hum rejection test, and it performed best of all. It is thick--.303 inch in diameter--but is more flexible than other comparably-sized coaxes, and therefore easy to route around obstacles if you're doing in-wall or in-conduit cabling.

I don't know about you, but that qualifies as a pretty honest product description in my opinion.

I don't know what Radio Shack Gold says about their cable, but I'll take the Canare over the Radio Shack. Avoiding potential hum problems is something that, if I spent an extra $10 for, I don't mind.

And as I said, nothing is preventing you from buying Canare yourself and doing it for cheaper than BJ sells it to you for if you think they are making too much profit.

 

[Shinerman]

Methinks you are getting some better quality connectors for that extra $10.

Pretty important if you are running the sub at the volumes I do....don't want the connectors flying off with every bass note

In terms of the Radio Shack cables, they are the exact same cables. No differences at all. The Radio Shack cables I do have all provide a very snug fit on each of my subs. I have never had any quality issues at all and I have never heard any Hums. But, samples will vary with any company.

Shinerman

 

[warpdrive]

In terms of the Radio Shack cables, they are the exact same cables. No differences at all. The Radio Shack cables I do have all provide a very snug fit on each of my subs. I have never had any quality issues at all and I have never heard any Hums. But, samples will vary with any company.

Shinerman

So they are Canare cables with Canare plugs? If not, then they are not the exact same cables.

Well, I won't buy any more Radio Shack Cables.....they are hit and miss with me. Luckily, they have a return policy, but I'd rather not waste my time buying them in the first place.

 

[Shinerman]

So they are Canare cables with Canare plugs? If not, then they are not the exact same cables.

Well, I won't buy any more Radio Shack Cables.....they are hit and miss with me. Luckily, they have a return policy, but I'd rather not waste my time buying them in the first place.

I was referring to the lack of differences between the Radio Shack cables, not Radio Shack vs. Canare.

Blue Jean does seem to use different cables for different purposes but is this really necesarry? I know they say it is to reject hum but they also don't publish any of their tests procedures and results. I have Rat Shack audio patch cable running to my subs and I have had zero problems. I am not saying Blue Jeans Cable is a bad company by any means. They seem to be a good company that has great prices. I would have no problem buying from them. Except I can get equal performance at better prices from other makers. Again, I am not anti Blue Jeans Cables at all.

So, what about that $25k?

Hey, I'll even give you a share of the company. We could even use your screen name Warpdrive. Sounds like a cool name for cables.

Shinerman

 

[warpdrive]

If I had $25K, I'd set up my own company! More likely more fun than my current job.

You can use my name if you really do go through with it.

 

[warpdrive]

Bluejeans caters to people wanting a premium cable with no nonsense. Certainly, not *everybody* needs or wants a premium cable, but they are offering the product should you think you *want* or actually *need* that level of quality. You can certainly buy a Radio Shack economy cable for less money and be fine with it. But that doesn't prove the BJ cables are not worth the extra money for somebody else. As I said, I bought an BJ's HDMI cable that outperformed the cheaper stuff. So you can say I am a happy customer that can notice the difference for my application.

The specs of Belden and Canare cable are published on their respective web sites, and there are lots of professional installers than insist on at least some model of their products.

If you want to know what their testing procedures are, I'm sure they would tell you if you asked them. I never got the impression they were trying to mislead me when I asked them what cable I needed.

 

[Shinerman]

If I had $25K, I'd set up my own company! More likely more fun than my current job.

You can use my name if you really do go through with it.

You know, I was just kidding at first about starting a cable company but the more I think about it, the more I like the idea. I doubt it would really take anything close to $25k to get it started. Someone could start in their own home at first and build from there. Hmmmm?

Ooo, I could call the company Monster Killers. Of course, then I would be sued by Monster and have to pay millions of dollars that I don't have in damages. Ok, maybe not Monster Killers.

I think I may need a few brews to think it over tonight.

Shineman

 

[xrayeyes]

RadioShack cables

RadioShack packages cables that are virtually identical but for different applications and priced differently. I ran into this with the A/V vs. Component cables. The price for the component video cables with the gold connectors are priced significantly higher than the A/V cables (both are sets of three) of the same legnth. I e-mailed tech support at RadioShack and they informed me they are the same specifications but are from different vendors. The only real difference is the price! You pay more just because there are different color rings on the ends!!! You will find that it is difficult to exactly compare them when looking at the packages side by side in the store. The specs aren't laid out and they emphasize different ponts on the packages. If they are the same than isn't this a deceptive practice???

 

[ducker]

Great idea Shinerman!!! It wouldn't be that difficult at all I figure... You just simply need to get enough hard data, as well as subjective data (listening) to prove your claims. Honestly, from a newbie perspective, the only time I think one might want more expensive cable is if you're going a long, long distance and/or past perhaps a lot of electrical cables... and even then I wonder if insulated cables are necessary.

 

[mtrycrafts]

OH, and it runs about 20 cents a foot, which is less or equivalent to most of the competition.

Is that when you buy a large roll or can you do that with 100ft purchases???
The price is very good indeed

 

[mtrycrafts]

Pretty important if you are running the sub at the volumes I do....don't want the connectors flying off with every bass note

HUH??? How is volume relevant to the issue with an interconnect???

 

[warpdrive]

HUH??? How is volume relevant to the issue with an interconnect???

Are you for real?

High input signal -> High output level -> Vibration -> loose connectors fall off.

 

[mtrycrafts]

The price for the component video cables with the gold connectors are priced significantly higher than the A/V cables (both are sets of three) of the same legnth. I e-mailed tech support at RadioShack and they informed me they are the same specifications but are from different vendors. The only real difference is the price! You pay more just because there are different color rings on the ends!!! You will find that it is difficult to exactly compare them when looking at the packages side by side in the store. The specs aren't laid out and they emphasize different ponts on the packages. If they are the same than isn't this a deceptive practice???

That audio/video cable may not be the same specs, regardless what they say. The audio cables don't need to be coax, 75 ohm cables. Hence it can be of cheaper cable, hence the price differences.
Component cables are all three video cables, 75 ohms

 

[mtrycrafts]

I would like to add that in the one blind test I have read the included them, blister packs (the cheap ones that come free with your VCR/TV/DVD player) showed no visible deterioration in image quality when compared to premium cables..

Here is one DBT comparison with 120V power extension cables

http://www.pcavtech.com/abx/abx_vid.htm

Check the length of the power cables used, 50ft to 150 ft

 

[Privateer]

Really, I have yet to understand why Blue Jeans cables cost so much, let alone Monster's prefab stuff.

Cost so much? Price it out and add in the cost for someone to construct the cable.

The Radio Shack Gold is probably half the price of Blue Jeans. I am not putting down Blue Jeans, but there are less expensive cables of equal quality available. I think that is the what Shinerman was getting at.

So you know all the specs for the radio shack cable?

Yes, but a "Sub" cable is the same as a standard RCA patch cable and the 12 foot Rat Shack Gold audio patch cable is $9.99. So by getting the "Sub" cable you are throwing away $10.00 for the words "sub cable" printed on the package.

Are you that cheap were you can not afford and extra $10 for a superior cable?

In terms of the Radio Shack cables, they are the exact same cables. No differences at all.

You have proof?

Blue Jean does seem to use different cables for different purposes but is this really necesarry? I know they say it is to reject hum but they also don't publish any of their tests procedures and results. I have Rat Shack audio patch cable running to my subs and I have had zero problems. I am not saying Blue Jeans Cable is a bad company by any means. They seem to be a good company that has great prices. I would have no problem buying from them. Except I can get equal performance at better prices from other makers. Again, I am not anti Blue Jeans Cables at all.

In some instances yes you have to use a different cable (industrial application) when you factor in were the cable will be placed. Not everyone can lay there cable on the floor. They publish all information on the cable, if you need more then go to the respected manufactures sites. No you may not be anti-blue jeans cable but you are cheap beyond respect and one who can not see quality.

 

[Shinerman]

OK, Privateer. I guess you are looking for an argument. The discussion has been very civil until now. Normally I would resist but what the hey, I'll bite.

Are you that cheap were you can not afford and extra $10 for a superior cable?

Um no. First what does being cheap, which I am not by any means, and not being able to afford something have to do with one another? 2nd, no I am not cheap. I simply don't see why I would want to spend money on a more expensive cable when the one I have is fine and why would I spend more money for the same thing at a higher price? 3rd, Are you that shallow, materialistic and insecure that you have to spend more money on fancier cables to show off to your friends, if you have any, that you have a better system than them? Oh, and since you require it of me below, do you have proof that the Blue Jean cable is a superior cable? Huh? What? None? Ok, let's move on.

You have proof?

Not at hand but why don't you run down to your local Radio Shack and take a look for yourself. Hell since money is not an issue for you, buy both of them and see for yourself. Cut them apart and see. Maybe you can even email Radio Shack. Although, I doubt they will admit to it since they are charging more for the same thing. That might be construed as deceptive.

No you may not be anti-blue jeans cable but you are cheap beyond respect and one who can not see quality

Again, how does paying less for something that for me offers the same performance mean I am cheep? Not quite following your faulty logic there skippy. And yes, I can see quality. However, I am also in the "camp" that believes cables do not have any audible effect on sound, barring defects. I have never heard a difference. Tell you what, show me where any of these cable companies including Radio Shack has proven and has supporting documentation that there is an "audible" difference between their cables and others. Go on, go find that information. May I suggest you put a pot of coffee on before you start your search. It will be a long night.

So now that you have shown your true colors run along. I can only assume you were looking for a confrontation by insulting me and now I have responded. End of confrontation. Tit for Tat and nothing more. Move one.

Oh, I will however be waiting for that documentation I challenged you to find.

Have a good night!

Shinerman

 

[Shinerman]

Great idea Shinerman!!! It wouldn't be that difficult at all I figure... You just simply need to get enough hard data, as well as subjective data (listening) to prove your claims. Honestly, from a newbie perspective, the only time I think one might want more expensive cable is if you're going a long, long distance and/or past perhaps a lot of electrical cables... and even then I wonder if insulated cables are necessary.

Ok, you and Warpdrive will get lifetime discounts. Let's say 5% above cost?

Shinerman