Victimized at Circuit City With Monster Cable Purchase?

[JEidt]

Hi All,

Have I been victimized with my recent $ 350 purchase of 6 cables at Circuit City for my HT System?

HT System Components

Comcast Set Top Box For HDTV
SONY 30" Wega TV (KV-30HS420)
Pioneer Elite 52TX Receiver
Panasonic DVD-F86K Progressive Scan DVD Player
RTi8 Polk Front Speakers
CSi5 Polk Center Speaker
RTi4 Polk Surround Speakers
HSU VTF-2 MK2 Subwoofer

The salesman selected the following interconnect cables for my system.

3 - Monster Cable Component Video Cable(MV2CV2M) - 2 Meter Length- Paid $ 69.99 each

1 - Monster Cable Interlink 400 MkII Advanced(I400MK112M) - 2 Meter Length - Paid $ 44.99 each

1 - Monster Cable Interlink Datalink 100 Low-Loss S/PDIF Digital Coaxial
Cable(IDL1002M) - 2 Meter Length - Paid $ 44.99 each

1 - Monster Cable Interlink Lightspeed 100 High Performance Digital Fiber Optic Cable(ILS 1002M) - 2 Meter Length - Paid $ 44.99 each


I need recommendations for comparable cables at a lower price. I'm aware of Blue Jeans & Impact vendors - but I have no clue on these websites which of their cables are comparable to the ones I purchased above. I guess I need a
specific product #.

Anyhow - Clueless in Connecticut Needs Help - By the way at 11:30 am in Danbury, CT there is 20 inches of snow. Hopefully when I return from shoveling this freaking snow, there will be some recommendations.

Thanks all,

John

 

[nm2285]

Any cable from either of the companies you listed that is designed to do the same thing will perform equally well to the monsters - ie component cables from blue jeans or impact will be equal (or maybe better) to the component cables from monster. there really is negligible differences in the performance of cables.

 

[j_garcia]

Return them!!

I would definitely go with Bluejeans for the component video, and probably the coaxial digital and the analog audio. They don't carry optical, so you may want to check Impact for that. Monster's stuff isn't bad, it is just WAY overpriced for what you get.

Going with their "favorite" selections from Blue Jeans:

6ft Component (much higher quality cable, I switched to Blue Jeans from Monster) - $45 ea = $135

6ft coaxial digital - $13 ea

6ft stereo analog - $28 ea (pair).

That's $176 (not including shipping). Plus about $20-30 for the optical and you are still at about $150 less than before, with cables that are better in every case.

 

[JEidt]

Need Blue Jeans Part# For Cables - Confussed To Many Choices

Thanks for your quick response - Your awesone dude!!!

I have another request - I checked out the Blue Jeans website and there were several choices on the 3 video component cables I need.

Which one should I choose?


Belden 7787A Component Video Cable
Belden 7710A Component Video Cable
Belden 1694A Component Video Cables
Belden 1505F Component Video Cables
Belden 1695A Component Video Cables

Thanks again,

John

 

[JEidt]

Cable Setup - HT Setup

Hi again,

Any suggestions on an optinum cable configuration discussed above?

Also do I need 6 A/V Cables discussed above- Where do they go?

Inputs/Outputs - I am confused. - Which components get connected with which cable?

I've heard the Receiver should be connected for audio only. Furthermore, video component cables shouldn't go through the Receiver.

Then how do I connect the 3 Video cables mentioned above? I mean which components get connected with the cables.

Thanks again,

John

 

[JEidt]

Thanks for the response

I plan to upgrade to the HD DVD player when available . As a result, I will purchase the component video cables -

Do you mean the optical Audio cable is for SACD?

How about digitial coxial? Will that work for AUDIO?

Which Audio components get connected with the digital coaxial

I tried to read those Articles about interconnects/cables on the audioholics.com website. I got a headache. Very technical - Man-I'm getting some Advil.

Back to snow shoveling.

THANKS AGAIN,

jOHN

 

[Leprkon]

Hi All,

Have I been victimized with my recent $ 350 purchase of 6 cables at Circuit City for my HT System?

Thanks all,

John

Victimized ? buddy, you were spanked, beaten, and rubbed in lemon juice !!

 

[JEidt]

LOL - Now offer a solution Jerky!!!

I'm glad I amused you - Funny thing - Last week, I purchased my new 52 TX elite receiver with a 2 year warranty from Intrastate Electronics located off Exit 117 of the Garden State Parkway for $ 350.

My point is sometimes you lose some & win some - Jerky

Thanks again for your input.

 

[Sheep]

You know whats the best part? They HAVE to treat you like that (work at BB).

If I don't do monster demo's, I get in trouble.

SheepStar

 

[Buckeyefan 1]

You know whats the best part? They HAVE to treat you like that (work at BB).

If I don't do monster demo's, I get in trouble.

SheepStar

What happens when you push Acoustic Research cables? BB sells those, and since you don't make commission, you most likely sleep better at night.

 

[j_garcia]

Comcast Set Top Box For HDTV - from this guy, you will want component video and either coaxial or optical digital, whichever it has.

SONY 30" Wega TV (KV-30HS420)

Pioneer Elite 52TX Receiver - No need to connect the video outs from the devices to this guy unless you plan to use it for switching. You should have one connection from the "monitor out" to the TV for OSD programming of the unit though (s-vid or even composite should be fine).

Panasonic DVD-F86K Progressive Scan DVD Player - component video and either coaxial or optical digital, whichever is available.

HSU VTF-2 MK2 Subwoofer - A single long analog audio cable.

Potentially, you don't even need the stereo analog cable here, as it looks like that will cover all your primary connections.

 

[lbjazz]

What happens when you push Acoustic Research cables? BB sells those, and since you don't make commission, you most likely sleep better at night.

I used to work in HT at BB. It's interesting that when you look at margin percentages on cables (which is HUGE), percentage wise monster and AR are about the same. However, from a salesman point of view, if someone is willing to spend 60 bucks on a set of component cables (AR) then they're probably even more willing to spend 110 (monster) because of the name, THX, etc. In my experience, I only encountered one customer in my time there who was a "middle of the road" guy. Everybody is either stupidly cheap (not willing to spend anything on cables -- always got asked if what was in the box would make a picture), or stupidly willing to spend a crap load on cables. As I have said on here before, BB emplyees aren't trained to lie, they're just not told the truth in the first place. The whole cable/power conditioner thing was a factor in my decision to not go back to work at a BB when I recently moved. [spits on yellow BB tag]

 

[Bluesmoke]

You have a 30" tv, not going to notice a tremendous difference in picture quality with expensive cables. I've bought Monster Ultra Component and an Acoustic research Component (when I was an idiot last year) because the guy at Future Shop kept pushing the Ultra for my DVD player. Other was for my Rogers HD box. I tried both on my DVD player and couldn't tell a lick of difference. I think the skin tones on the Ultra was slightly more "real" but unless you do a picture in picture on your tv, it's not going to kill you.

That was a $179 vs $30 comparison.

It's all flash. Monster's presentation and packaging is top notch. Their Ultra line cables look outstanding, which convinces people to shell the extra bucks. I especially love the pink and black Fiber optic cable. If money wasn't an issue I'd fill my house with monster cables. They are quality stuff and do follow through with their waranty.

My advice is, if you really like Monster, find someone who works for CC, BB, etc, and have them buy it on Staff discount.

 

[Sheep]

When My discount kicks in, I will use all monster, and pay what its worth.

SheepStar

 

[CaliHwyPatrol]

When My discount kicks in, I will use all monster, and pay what its worth.

SheepStar

Everything I use is Monster. Why? Because I get it dirt cheap...

I'm sorry the CC guy sold you all that garbage, but most likely his manager (like mine) was riding his *** about not selling enough Monster stuff, so he had to get on the ball.

Right now, at my store, we are having a contest, whoever sells the most Monster stuff by the end of the month gets a $50 gift card. On top of that, every ticket that has $150 or more of Monster stuff gets you a $15 gift card. I'm up to $30 in gift cards now, after 2 days of the contest.

My justification for selling Monster is not selling Bose. The only people I sell Bose to are people who are so adament about it that I can't talk them out of it, and people who are rude to me. Other than those select few, every person I encounter in my department gets educated on the woes of Bose.

~Chuck

 

[Sheep]

Everything I use is Monster. Why? Because I get it dirt cheap...

I'm sorry the CC guy sold you all that garbage, but most likely his manager (like mine) was riding his *** about not selling enough Monster stuff, so he had to get on the ball.

Right now, at my store, we are having a contest, whoever sells the most Monster stuff by the end of the month gets a $50 gift card. On top of that, every ticket that has $150 or more of Monster stuff gets you a $15 gift card. I'm up to $30 in gift cards now, after 2 days of the contest.

My justification for selling Monster is not selling Bose. The only people I sell Bose to are people who are so adament about it that I can't talk them out of it, and people who are rude to me. Other than those select few, every person I encounter in my department gets educated on the woes of Bose.

~Chuck

Its funny you mentioned the Bose thing. During my interview, I made it painfully clear that I knew all the lies and facilies of the audio world, and he asked me "So would you have trouble selling a bose product?"

My answer "I wouldn't have to do it that often, due to the price"

SheepStar

 

[JEidt]

6 ft stereo Analog

Return them!!

I would definitely go with Bluejeans for the component video, and probably the coaxial digital and the analog audio. They don't carry optical, so you may want to check Impact for that. Monster's stuff isn't bad, it is just WAY overpriced for what you get.

6ft stereo analog - $28 ea (pair).

Hi all,

Can someone explain the purpose of the 6ft stereo analog cable to me.

What components does this cable connect to & from.

Thanks again,

John

 

[jonnythan]

Hi all,

Can someone explain the purpose of the 6ft stereo analog cable to me.

What components does this cable connect to & from.

Thanks again,

John

It's probably for connecting the set-top box to the receiver.

Audio from analog stations does not transfer over the digital audio connection on most cable boxes, so you still need to use the stereo analog cable to get the analog audio from analog stations to the receiver. The receiver should automatically switch between the analog and digital inputs depending on the feed.

 

[CaliHwyPatrol]

Its funny you mentioned the Bose thing. During my interview, I made it painfully clear that I knew all the lies and facilies of the audio world, and he asked me "So would you have trouble selling a bose product?"

My answer "I wouldn't have to do it that often, due to the price"

SheepStar

There isn't as much profit margin on Bose as there is on other speakers, because Bose marks their stuff up high before it even gets to the dealer. So, that is how I keep management of my back about it, because we make more money on other speakers.

~Chuck

 

[aircare1]

negligible cable differences?

...there really is negligible differences in the performance of cables.

So, what's the take on the "Speaker Cable FaceOff" and other reviews posted on this website? Am I wasting my time by reading these reviews and other articles?