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Three years ago I invested in a high-end stereo system--amp, pre-amp, CD player, speakers, electrostatic headphones with amp--and hooked my TV and DVD player up to it. Even though I have been satisfied with the sound from my audio components, I am now going to buy three more pair for connecting my CD player, speakers, and headphone amp to my preamp. Wondering whether upgrading my audio cables would improve the sound, I searched on Amazon for Monster RCA audio cables (I was already using Monster speaker cables), and came across these reviews of the Monster ULT 1800-4 cable.
I was quickly disappointed to find that the sound on most classical music DVDs sounded congested, dull, with a very narrow range. It is as if a veil has been lifted from the sound of my DVDs. I was particularly excited about watching opera DVDs and experiencing them in good sound.
The price seemed very high for a pair of cables (more than I paid for my DVD player)., but I decided to take the risk, and bought two pairs--one for connecting my DVD player to the TV, and the other to connect the TV to the preamplifier. Needless to say this greatly diminished my pleasure. Recently I upgraded my TV to a 32 inch Sony XBR9, which dramatically improved the visual aspect, but the high-definition image made the limited audio quality even more conspicuous and frustrating.
Many of them sound as good as CDs--there is a rich bass response, clean highs, and a wonderfully transparent, spacious, full-bodied sound in the best of them. I can't recommend these highly enough.
Very happy with these cables. Sound is as crisp as I expected. A worthwhile purchase. Only downside was that the ends were a bit thick and it required me to squeeze the two ends in on my TiVO HD.
I used these cable as the interconnects from my phono pre-amp to my reciever and the sound quality is great. As an audiophile i want the best for my home audio setup. Now it's true you can buy better cables, there are 2 UK cable company's i would rather buy all my A/V cables from but, monster makes affordable audio and video phile cables. The phono amp i bought came with interconnect and lets just say theres a big difference in sound between the supplied interconnects and the monster interconnects. These interconnects are a good build with Clear, clean sound and good bass response not to mention that there fun to look at.
I was looking for interconnects to hook up my CD player and SACD player to my Pioneer receiver and didn't want to spend a bunch of money. The Monsters on the other hand seemed to be smoother and a little rolled off at the top with incredible bass response. I don't feel that I have lost anything by replacing the PBJs, which I have now hooked up to my SACD player. I felt there was a difference in sound especially in the bass region. Overall I was very pleased with the performance. I also have noted a slight harshness occasionally while using the PBJs (which I was using as interconnects between my receiver and Rotel amp).These interconnects were a good price, at less than 30 dollars an interconnect I could buy 4 pairs compared to just one pair of Kimber Kables.
I know that these Monsters used to be much more expensive, I sure am glad they went on sale. For stereo CD listening, I used a pair and then used another 3 pairs for my SACD player. I am always hesitant to make a purchase of Monster products simply because so many people hate on the company. Makes me half tempted to pick up a pair of the 1000s just to see if there is a difference.I have a pair of the 600s also and to me the only difference between the 600s and 800s is the bass response. This can be good on some systems but for mine that increased clarity and detail led to listening fatigue due to a slight harshness in the top end. Don't get me wrong they are still detailed, but I get none of the harshness I experienced from other interconnects.In fact I liked the Monsters so much I swapped out the PBJs that were connecting my receiver to amp and put the Monsters in place instead. The 800s seem to have greater bass control and accuracy.
The differences between the Kimber PBJ and the Monster 800 are not that great, considering the price point of the PBJ compared to the Monster. I had used Kimber PBJs in the past and was pleased with their upper end detail and clarity but slightly disappointed in their bass production. Instead I have gained a greater bass response and a smoother overall sound. The bass is very tight and accurate, not muddled at all. I feel that the PBJs are a little more detailed and clarity is a little greater. I am tempted to purchase another 3 pairs of the 800 interconnects and toss the PBJs out completely. Overall I am pleased with these cables especially for the price.
I bought these for a new plasma in a side room. I use them with a Pioneer Tivo series 2 and they serve my purpose. I don't know if a lesser cable would have sufficed.
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