Home Theatre Cables: Expensive Ones vs. Inexpensive Ones ?

Question

It is my understanding that Monster or Belkin or other 'name brands' charge wayyyyy more for cables that perform no better than ones that are much less expensive. I don't necessarily mean the 99 cent ones, but maybe a notch or two above that. With HDMI cables, it's obvious - a cable that works is as good as any other cable that works (as it is a digital signal). I am looking for some websites that 'debunk' claims by expensive cable / connector manufacturers that their products are actually better. It's not HDMI cables that I am interested in - more like Component Video, Optical, and just plain old Red and White Cables.

Sites with actual test data would be a real bonus.

I forgot to add this part and look what happened:

If you are going to give me an answer, please answer the question that I asked.

Please do not just throw in an editorial or anything else that may be related to the topic if it does not answer my question.

Please let me know if I am asking too much or being unclear.

Thanks.

Answer 1

Check out some home theater forums like AVSforum and others. Members have done blind and equipment tested...tests.

I personally buy from monoprice . com. So do TONS of people from real home theater forums. The best prices for great cables and customer service. Why pay $60 for a 6-ft Monster HDMI cable when you can buy one for $5?

I wonder what the first poster considers high-end? If you purchased it from Best Buy, Circuit City or the likes, you have no idea what high-end is.

Answer 2

Virtually any good quality cable will do a good job of transferring the signal between components, and this is satisfactory for most people. I notice differences between different cable brands and designs and I prefer -not the most expensive, but the best performance value I can find.

If you want a good, inexpensive cable, just get one that has gold plated connectors and good dielectric insulation. If you want a pristine connection, then my suggestion is DH Labs Silver Sonic.

If you are really looking to save money on Component Video cables, sometimes you can save by not getting the designated RED, BLUE, GREEN cables. Rather, by going with 3 audio cables or by getting the audio left and right/composite video cable set of 3 cables -whichever combination is least expensive. Virtually all RCA cables will do a good job with audio or video -even digital coaxial with RCA connectors.

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Answer 3

I don't think people are understanding your question..

Here's a great article entitled "Common Cable Myths Explained"

http://www.cobaltcable.com/pdfs/Common%20Cable%20Myths%20Explained.pdf

It explains myths about both analog and digital cable in audio and video connections.

And your understanding is absolutely correct. Digital cables will make no difference (except life span), and analog cables make such a slight difference with the higher-end cables that the increase in price isn't justified.

EDIT: I just saw that the article I linked to was written by a cable manufacturer, and has a little bit of bias towards the end....but for the most part, what they say is true....

Answer 4

There can be quality difference in cables, but unfortunately you can't use price as a guide. For reasonable cable lengths, (<10ft), nearly all cables (except the cheapest) will exhibit the same performance. However, durability is another issue, and poorly-built cables will fail if they are subject to any flexing. I'm sure you can get good quality cables from http://www.monoprice.com/home/index.asp or another on-line seller. My solution for long-run component cable is to make my own using Belden RG-59U coax, twist-on BNC connectors, and BNC to RCA adapters. I have 35' component cables made this way, which I compared directly to 6' cables and could see no difference (using a test pattern from HDnet).

Answer 5

for me the difference between expensive and the inexpensive ones are not quite to far. because a changed a lot of cables,RCA and last week i bought an HDMI cable for my projection tv and to my Blu ray disc player. yeah it has a little changes in picture,a little...and for the other one which has three color cables the problem was a small,it is only the connections at the back. For HDMI cables you use one cable only which is a streamedline connection with no messy.but the price was too expensive. still now im still using the RCA that has a three color from sony color green yellow and red.

Answer 6

Here's what you need for "component or just plain old Red and White Cables"...These are 10 TIMES better than the "Monster Cable" brand (and way less expensive)...This link has everything you'll need: http://www.whydoesmyhometheatersuck.com/budgetcables.html

And here's why (for everyone else out there): Most cable manufacturers use MULTI-STRANDED, BRAIDED COPPER for their interconnects...I know that MORE SURFACE AREA is supposed to be a GOOD thing.

But if EACH wire isn't individually INSULATED then the the signal has to JUMP from strand to strand as it moves down the line...Electricity WON'T spiral down the braids to get where it's going...ALWAYS use solid conductor! Even for your SPEAKER WIRE!

Answer 7

I have the expensive ones and the cheap ones. I use the expensive ones for my high end system. There is only a difference in sound quality if you are using high end equipment from the receiver, amplifier, and pre amp, to the speakers. There is not need to buy a 40 dollar cable to hook up to a 75 dollar receiver. Hope that makes sense and helps you out.

Answer 8

I got my HDMI cables from mycablemart.com
They work great.