Cables, your best friend or your worst enemy...!!

[cloudsplitter]

As we all well know, Cables in your studio are potentially the weakest link in the chain..and since your signal is only as good as it's weakest link..cables are extremely important. Having said that, I have always been a big supporter of Monster Cable...but, do to some new research, I have discovered that I have been taken to the cleaners so to speak...therefore I will no longer be purchasing anything from Monster. I will, however, be buying my Cables from a company called Blue Jeans Cable..I know, the name sounds silly...but quality seems to be their number one priority...the use the highest quality cable (Belden) and the highest quality connectors. They are out of Seattle wash and are mail order only to keep costs down. Their prices are extremely fair. I have ordered several cables from them and will be updating this post as I review them. I ordered 1 mic cable, 1 S/PDIF cable and 2 TRS/TRS cables for my powered monitors. The mic cables is XLR EAS/EBU certified as these make the best analog cables as well as being used for digital.

[HCMarkus]

I have discovered that I have been taken to the cleaners

I won't rub it in too much, but before you spend a lot of money on cables, Monster, Blue Jean, or otherwise, do a little basic electronics research, taking into consideration the bandwidth required for audio (analog or digital) and the length of the cables in question.

This area of the audio industry is infested with shysters. Misinformation predominates.

[cloudsplitter]

I have discovered that I have been taken to the cleaners

I won't rub it in too much, but before you spend a lot of money on cables, Monster, Blue Jean, or otherwise, do a little basic electronics research, taking into consideration the bandwidth required for audio (analog or digital) and the length of the cables in question.

This area of the audio industry is infested with shysters. Misinformation predominates.

I did my research.....And had i done my research sooner rather than later I could have saved myself alot of money...!! And had a better product

[HCMarkus]

Good!

[Phil O]

As we all well know, Cables in your studio are the usually the weakest link in the chain...

I'm not sure I agree with that completely. I'd say it's the weak link in SOME studios.

With that said, I'd say that Blue Jean Cable prices are still slightly on the high side, but all I saw was their custom cable prices. A 20 foot XLR with Neutrik connectors and Canare star quad was $49. Not a terrible price, but I think you might do better if you shop around. Do they have "standard length" cables at lower prices? Or do they do custom only?

In any case, I agree with your assessment of Monster. Definitely a rip off. (Oh, I'm gonna get flamed for that statement. )

Phil

[cloudsplitter]

As we all well know, Cables in your studio are the usually the weakest link in the chain...

I'm not sure I agree with that completely. I'd say it's the weak link in SOME studios.

With that said, I'd say that Blue Jean Cable prices are still slightly on the high side, but all I saw was their custom cable prices. A 20 foot XLR with Neutrik connectors and Canare star quad was $49. Not a terrible price, but I think you might do better if you shop around. Do they have "standard length" cables at lower prices? Or do they do custom only?

In any case, I agree with your assessment of Monster. Definitely a rip off. (Oh, I'm gonna get flamed for that statement. )

Phil

Phil, from what I can tell Blue Jeans makes all thier cables to order...they are not like other companies that just shove crap out into the market place. If you go to thier website down at the bottom there is a tab called "cable articles" that explains a lot of things..it is well worth the read. Also, if you google Blue Jeans Cables you will find an article where Monster tried to sue BJC for patent infringement...what Monster didn't know is the owner of BJc use to be a patent attorney and he opened a can of whoop-ass on Monster..his letter to monster is a must read. I did research other competitors prices verse quality and I don't really see anyone who can beat BJCs'

[WSVP]

Monster tried to sue BJC for patent infringement...what Monster didn't know is the owner of BJc use to be a patent attorney and he opened a can of whoop-ass on Monster..his letter to monster is a must read.

Is there anyone Monster Cable has not tried to sue?...

[Tonio]

You should check out Redco. Custom made, but turn around is quick.

Canare, Mogami. Neutrik etc .
http://www.redco.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

T

[cloudsplitter]

OK...Got my Blue Jeans cables today. Replaced the cables going to my main studio monitors (Yamaha HS80M's) Old cables were Monster Pro-link Studio Pro cables(Not cheap, at least from a monetary point of view). The Blue Jeans cables were more accurate..cleaner sounding i.e it was easier to distinguish different elements of the mix....The stereo field was more pronounced..There seemed to be more "air" to the sound, which gave it a more pristine quality. I didn't think I would be able to hear much difference...I was way wrong....!! My Axe FX Ultra will be here Friday I'm guessing so I will be able to see how the S/PDIF cables size up. I did notice upon cutting away some of the coating off the Monsters they are using twisted copper wiring where Blue Jeans is solid core as far as their S/PDIF cables go.

[cloudsplitter]

You should check out Redco. Custom made, but turn around is quick.

Canare, Mogami. Neutrik etc .
http://www.redco.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

T

Blue Jeans is custom made to order also.....

[mrbillet]

I have discovered that I have been taken to the cleaners

I won't rub it in too much, but before you spend a lot of money on cables, Monster, Blue Jean, or otherwise, do a little basic electronics research, taking into consideration the bandwidth required for audio (analog or digital) and the length of the cables in question.

This area of the audio industry is infested with shysters. Misinformation predominates.

Not to say that you're supposed to do all the work for me, but everytime I see someone put down fancy cables, they say check the science, without providing their own sources of information. It leads back to sq.#1 with someone claiming a benefit and someone claiming no benefit.

I noticed a benefit when I switched from an average guitar cable to a Monster Bass cable for my bass playing. Well, I noticed at home, recording through my MOTU into DP. I didn't notice any difference at band practice.

The fact is, just because I noticed more low-end, accompanied by a thicker waveform in DP, my test wasn't remotely scientific. Unless I do a REALLY thorough comparison I hesitate to swear the sound quality was really any better. Even this slight, apparent improvement in sound quality doesn't really justify the extra $ it cost me, but that's not really the only criteria.

The ruggedness of the cable and it's solder points, and firmness of the connection when you plug it in counts as much as sound quality. My Monster Cable has beat any other cable I've ever had when it comes to construction and durability. That's not to say they're the only ones who make good cables, it just means they can't be knocked for slacking in quality.

They are also apparently delicious because my cat promptly sat down and began to dine them. She has specifically targeted my Monster cables to chew. She may mysteriously disappear soon but I think she voted with her teeth.

It's totally fair to say that Monster is overpriced compared to other high quality manufacturers, but to say there is no benefit going with Monster Cable doesn't make sense to me. I feel the benefits when I plug in and it doesn't feel wiggly like some other cables I've owned. I wish I had chosen an equivalent cable that was more reasonably priced though. Next time I'll check out these Blue Jeans cables.

-Ian

[cloudsplitter]

I have discovered that I have been taken to the cleaners

I won't rub it in too much, but before you spend a lot of money on cables, Monster, Blue Jean, or otherwise, do a little basic electronics research, taking into consideration the bandwidth required for audio (analog or digital) and the length of the cables in question.

This area of the audio industry is infested with shysters. Misinformation predominates.

Not to say that you're supposed to do all the work for me, but everytime I see someone put down fancy cables, they say check the science, without providing their own sources of information. It leads back to sq.#1 with someone claiming a benefit and someone claiming no benefit.

I noticed a benefit when I switched from an average guitar cable to a Monster Bass cable for my bass playing. Well, I noticed at home, recording through my MOTU into DP. I didn't notice any difference at band practice.

The fact is, just because I noticed more low-end, accompanied by a thicker waveform in DP, my test wasn't remotely scientific. Unless I do a REALLY thorough comparison I hesitate to swear the sound quality was really any better. Even this slight, apparent improvement in sound quality doesn't really justify the extra $ it cost me, but that's not really the only criteria.


Ian, I am not complaining about the construction of Monster cables...just the sound.....I have virtually every cable they makes as far as one designated for keyboards...Bass..guitar...mics...and they all sound like crap....now that I have actually purchased good cables and done A/B comparisons It is painfully obvious that although their construction is good....there cables are cheap. They are incredibly muddy..lacking in high end, brilliance and clarity. I was completely amazed at the difference last night when I tested the mic cable from blue jeans and A/B'd it with the monster studio 1000 I have been using. I always wondered why the AKG 414 I was using sounded so dull...so I sold the mic...when after-all it was the cheap(not inexpensive) cable. I will eventually replace all my monster cables as they are total junk...anyone who cares to disagree...fine, just buy one cable from Blue Jeans or Lava and then come back and tell me how good your monster really is.