Monster or Coat Hanger, which is better?

tsk1979 · 4th March 2008, 10:53

A foolish question, right. How can you even compare monster cable with a coat hanger.
Well an engineer did not think it to be absurd.
They tried to find out of "audiophiles" could make out the difference when the cabling used was monster, as compared to using coat hangers as the cabling.
The summary
Audiophiles can't tell the difference between Monster Cable and coat hangers - Engadget
The article at boing boing
Do coat hangers sound as good as Monster cables? - Boing Boing
The original consumerist article
Experiments: Do Coat Hangers Sound As Good Monster Cables?

But its not that coat hangers do not have drawbacks
From the article

Quote:

Of course, a coat hanger doesn't have a Monster Cable lifetime warranty, so if your coat hanger breaks, you'll have to go out and buy another coat hanger.

gunbir · 4th March 2008, 11:04

before checking the theory or their experiment, I would like to check their sample "audiophiles"

One doesn't become an audiophile by self proclamation or by the ability to buy high end equipment or so called audiophile CDs.

No wonder audiophile has become a four letter word.

navin · 4th March 2008, 11:31

1. No one is stopping anyone from using coat hangers or for that matter lamp cord
2. my sister (yes my sister) will tell you she can her the differences between Belden Silver and Belden copper so coat hangers are a long way off.
3.the writer does not say how long these sessions were but he does mention in a later post that his hearing drops down 3db at 8K and he cant hear anything above 11K (his wife however can hear up to 18K) so it is advisable to take this with a table spoon of salt.

tsk1979 · 4th March 2008, 11:52

Hmm I also read that many HD displays are rigged by these companies in stores.
If these are really that much better whats the need to do rigging?
HDMI cable scam used to fool in-store customers? - Engadget HD

Fillmore · 4th March 2008, 12:41

he he .. funny reading that. I do agree you have to take this with a bit of salt.

Had the following experience
When I got my AVR the shop guy threw in a cheap no-brand Co-axial cable free of cost.

However observed that whenever I would switch on a Tube Light there would be some static disturbance in the music during that 1 second when the tube light was blinking.

Changed over to a better quality Digital Co-axial cable and this problem vanished. (Not Monster but an alternate one with much better shielding)

So I guess if your run-up cable length is 5ft or less then may be you don't need that pricy Monster cable. At the same time don't settle for some ultra cheap cable.

A silly doubt of mine

Say you have purchased a high quality Triple shield Double Helix whatever.. Monster cable. Now what about the internal cable inside your DVD player that runs upto the connector on the DVD player. Irrespective of your Monster cable won't he Net result in quality be as good as what this internal cable can deliver ?

low_bass_makker · 4th March 2008, 12:42

Tanveer we have lots of members who have golden ear, so no point discussing it.

tsk1979 · 4th March 2008, 14:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by low_bass_makker

Tanveer we have lots of members who have golden ear, so no point discussing it.

There are some who don't so I guess for them its better not to waste money on something which will not show any appreciable benefit.

Autophile · 4th March 2008, 14:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by low_bass_makker

Tanveer we have lots of members who have golden ear, so no point discussing it.

LBM I happen to be one of them with Golden ears that actually work.

We recently did A/B between Kimber Tonik and Nordost Red Dawn unbalanced cable. Same CD Player / Amplifier and Speakers. Nordost killed Kimber by offering more detail, better imaging and wider soundstage.

navin · 4th March 2008, 15:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fillmore

Say you have purchased a high quality Triple shield Double Helix whatever.. Monster cable. Now what about the internal cable inside your DVD player that runs upto the connector on the DVD player. Irrespective of your Monster cable won't he Net result in quality be as good as what this internal cable can deliver ?

Ageed that the audio chain is only as strong as the weakest link but it is also the length of the link that has to be considered. The internal cables are not really very long (besides they can be changed too).

low_bass_makker · 4th March 2008, 15:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by Autophile

We recently did A/B between Kimber Tonik and Nordost Red Dawn unbalanced cable. Same CD Player / Amplifier and Speakers. Nordost killed Kimber by offering more detail, better imaging and wider soundstage.

There might be such big difference but I will not believe till I have heard the same. Simple. Enjoy !!!

Autophile · 4th March 2008, 17:01

I agree with you. Even I am strong follower of "Hearing is believing".

rocksterraghu · 4th March 2008, 17:10

If the intention of someone is to defy a logic, he can go up to any extent to achieve that. If we really wanted to prove something wrong, won't there be ways to do it? Can't we find loopholes in theories we see and use everyday?

Personally, I think this is a job of someone who desperately wants to prove something wrong. He probably hates audiophiles. Or Monster.

4th March 2008, 11:04	#2
gunbir Senior - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: New Delhi Posts: 2,465 Thanked: 32 Times	before checking the theory or their experiment, I would like to check their sample "audiophiles" One doesn't become an audiophile by self proclamation or by the ability to buy high end equipment or so called audiophile CDs. No wonder audiophile has become a four letter word.
	() Thanks

4th March 2008, 11:31	#3
navin Team-BHP Support Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Mumbai Posts: 25,187 Thanked: 9,277 Times	1. No one is stopping anyone from using coat hangers or for that matter lamp cord 2. my sister (yes my sister) will tell you she can her the differences between Belden Silver and Belden copper so coat hangers are a long way off. 3.the writer does not say how long these sessions were but he does mention in a later post that his hearing drops down 3db at 8K and he cant hear anything above 11K (his wife however can hear up to 18K) so it is advisable to take this with a table spoon of salt.
	() Thanks

4th March 2008, 11:52	#4
tsk1979 Team-BHP Support Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 23,717 Thanked: 22,825 Times View My Garage	Hmm I also read that many HD displays are rigged by these companies in stores. If these are really that much better whats the need to do rigging? HDMI cable scam used to fool in-store customers? - Engadget HD
	() Thanks

4th March 2008, 12:41	#5
Fillmore BHPian Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Bangalore Posts: 492 Thanked: 581 Times	Monster vs coat hangers he he .. funny reading that. I do agree you have to take this with a bit of salt. Had the following experience When I got my AVR the shop guy threw in a cheap no-brand Co-axial cable free of cost. However observed that whenever I would switch on a Tube Light there would be some static disturbance in the music during that 1 second when the tube light was blinking. Changed over to a better quality Digital Co-axial cable and this problem vanished. (Not Monster but an alternate one with much better shielding) So I guess if your run-up cable length is 5ft or less then may be you don't need that pricy Monster cable. At the same time don't settle for some ultra cheap cable. A silly doubt of mine Say you have purchased a high quality Triple shield Double Helix whatever.. Monster cable. Now what about the internal cable inside your DVD player that runs upto the connector on the DVD player. Irrespective of your Monster cable won't he Net result in quality be as good as what this internal cable can deliver ?
	() Thanks

4th March 2008, 12:42	#6
low_bass_makker Senior - BHPian Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Faridabad Posts: 6,815 Thanked: 305 Times View My Garage	Tanveer we have lots of members who have golden ear, so no point discussing it.
	() Thanks

4th March 2008, 17:01	#11
Autophile BHPian Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: New Delhi Posts: 931 Thanked: 4 Times	I agree with you. Even I am strong follower of "Hearing is believing".
	() Thanks

4th March 2008, 17:10	#12
rocksterraghu Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Bangalore Posts: 1,240 Thanked: 236 Times View My Garage	If the intention of someone is to defy a logic, he can go up to any extent to achieve that. If we really wanted to prove something wrong, won't there be ways to do it? Can't we find loopholes in theories we see and use everyday? Personally, I think this is a job of someone who desperately wants to prove something wrong. He probably hates audiophiles. Or Monster.
	() Thanks