Cables better than monster?

[waytoodeep03]

I never been a believer in cables. I used to think that all cables were made the same...until today. A friend of mine had a pair of monsters he wanted me to try. I never knew my bass could sound so full and deep. It's like the output rose a few decibels.

before I buy a pair I wanted to know if any of you played a brand you thought was even better than monsters?

[James Hart]

I will never buy anything from Monster personally.

I do buy all of my cables from http://www.greatcables.us
They use quality cable and ends... expertly constructed.

[bongomania]

Your bass sounded fuller and deeper because those cables reduce the high end, making the lows seem louder when you turn up the amp. Don't get suckered by Monster.

[Stinsok]

I have a Monster Bass cable and several instrument cables. They are stiff and annoying to use on stage. If you move around a lot you will have a twisted mess.

[JustDavid]

Originally Posted by waytoodeep03

before I buy a pair I wanted to know if any of you played a brand you thought was even better than monsters?

Yes. Nearly all.

[quigg]

I'm not a fan of how stiff monster cables are, they also try to coil back up on themselves. All cables are pretty much created equally IME. Find a thickness and flexibility that you like. I personally prefer canare cable and switchcraft or neutrik gold ends.

[pasta4lnch]

I've been using pro-co cables for years both in my studio and live. . . I'm not convinced on cable hype as your chain is only as good as the weakest link - look in your amp, the crap lead from the jack to the board completely negates your expensive cable. . . save your money!

[MirageBass]

I use Mogami. Great quality and lifetime warranties.

[waytoodeep03]

Originally Posted by Stinsok

I have a Monster Bass cable and several instrument cables. They are stiff and annoying to use on stage. If you move around a lot you will have a twisted mess.

but what about the sound?

[mad_hungarian]

Well I've been using Elixir cables for about a year and they do sound more balanced than other cheap cables. To get an independent opinion I asked the percussion player in one of my main bands to tell which one he liked better (the guy is a sound engineer in a studio as a part time job). I did not tell him which one was which (to avoid any preconceptions) and he said the exact same thing (the cheapo Klotz cable sounded muffled compared to the Elixir).

Oh, one thing against them: if you run and move around the stage a lot (like I do), these cables might not be for you. Great sound but not rock'n'roll durability. They are also a bit stiffer than other cables.

[Bassamatic]

There is nothing special about Monster cables of ANY kind. All marketing hype, like Bose audio products.

You can get excellent products for 1/2 the price.

BTW - My engineer says that the Elixir cables have the lowest capacitance of ANY audio cables he has seen. Low capacitance = minimum high end roll-off.

[bigfatbass]

a paper clip wrapped in duct tape is better than a monster cable.

[dose]

Originally Posted by Gio S

. All marketing hype, like Bose audio products.

You must not own any Bose products then

[mad_hungarian]

Originally Posted by Gio S

BTW - My engineer says that the Elixir cables have the lowest capacitance of ANY audio cables he has seen. Low capacitance = minimum high end roll-off.

I'm not very good at the physics behind cable sounds, but - as I wrote in my post above - I can testify that this is true.
One other thing, they aren't very cheap but if you take care of them (unlike I did with my previous pair of Elixir cables) it is a good investment.

[ggunn]

Originally Posted by Gio S

There is nothing special about Monster cables of ANY kind. All marketing hype, like Bose audio products.

Not to start a hijack, but we have a Bose linear array "stick", and it works well for us. I wouldn't use it for an audio playback system, but the way it provides a more homogeneous sound field over a room is very cool. In our rehearsal space we replaced 5 monitor wedges scattered around on the floor with just the Bose in a corner. It sounds better than the wedges and the volume from the Bose is pretty much the same from any point in the room. YMMV, of course.

[fretlessguy]

I bought three Monster cables in 1999. I still use all three, along with a Planetwaves cable. I haven't even bought a cable since 2005. I cannot vouch for what they make now, but the stuff I bought was great.

[capnsandwich]

I like my Bayou cables. They're small, very easily rolled up, and are very well constructed. I have a monster cable as well but IMO, they're not worth the extra bucks they cost. I got it because it was on sale and I had a $50 credit from GC. I wish I would have got a couple stands instead.

[Mr_Sore_Fingerz]

Originally Posted by dose

You must not own any Bose products then

Which Bose products do you refer to? Headphones/Noise-Canceling Headphones? PA systems? Home Theater Systems? iPod Sound Docks?

There are many companies with strongly competitive products at better prices because they don't spend as much money on marketing. I will give it to Bose on their marketing, they have mastered the infomercial as much as you can without Billy Mays doing the pitch.

[onlyclave]

Originally Posted by bongomania

Your bass sounded fuller and deeper because those cables reduce the high end, making the lows seem louder when you turn up the amp. Don't get suckered by Monster.

[citation needed]

[ggunn]

Originally Posted by fretlessguy

I bought three Monster cables in 1999. I still use all three, along with a Planetwaves cable. I haven't even bought a cable since 2005. I cannot vouch for what they make now, but the stuff I bought was great.

I still have and use cables I made myself in 1978. If you take reasonably good care of your cables, whoever made them, there is no reason why they shouldn't last decades. Well, except for those coiled POS's we used to use in the 60's, and good riddance to them!