Don’t pay a lot for cables
Posted on June 25th, 2009 – 8:46 AMBy Randy A. Salas
The latest come-on from a new line of HDMI cables prompts this reminder not to waste money on overpriced options backed by techno-mumbo-jumbo. Consider these 
touted features of Radio Shack’s new Auvio HDMI cables (pictured right), as listed in a press release:
* “24k gold-plated hybrid HDMI connectors for a secure, high-speed connection”
* “Triple shielding to prevent outside electrical interference and ensure a strong signal”
* “Optiflex™ cover, low-loss conductor and dual twisted-pair construction for durability”
* “Deep color and xvYCC support for a great picture”
* “Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio support for great sound”
* “RoHS and Prop. 65 compliance for environmental friendliness”
* “Limited lifetime warranty for peace of mind”
The release goes on to say the cables are being offered at a “superior value.” That price: $35 for a 3-foot cable to $80 for a 12-foot cable. What? Such pricing makes it hard to believe the claim that Auvio researchers created the cables after they “found that consumers paid more than they should for features that simply are unnecessary or 
excessive given their needs.” Uh, that would include Auvio cables now, too. They might be cheaper than Monster HDMI cables — the whole reason they were created, to have a “lower-priced” option when showing Monster cables to customers at Radio Shack – but they are still way overpriced. And the “features” of an HDMI cable are fairly limited. It either is or isn’t an HDMI cable; build quality is probably the biggest concern.
To put it in perspective, Monoprice’s premium HDMI cables (pictured above) have virtually the same “features” as Auvio, including gold-plated connectors and a hefty build, yet sell for less than $5 for a 12-foot length. If you can prove to me that the sound and video of a home theater is any better — or even different — as a result of the Auvio cable vs. the Monoprice equivalent, I have an MP3 Challenge you should be able to ace.
(Which reminds me:)
TAKE THE TECHNOBABBLE MP3 CHALLENGE!
Can you tell the difference between MP3s and the original CD?
7 Responses to "Don’t pay a lot for cables"
P.T. Barnum reigns again!
Seriously, it’s a digital signal, not an analog one. The cable doesn’t matter, as along as it spits out ones and zeroes.
You got that right, Tyler.
Randy and Tyler - you are spot on. Monster and others are out not only to make money - but to pick your bank account as well… I have always had luck with Blue Jeans cable - but I haven’t looked to see what their HDMI prices are yet.
Nord, Blue Jean Cable is clearancing out some 12-foot HDMI cable for about $20 — not as good a deal as Monoprice but still waaay cheaper than Auvio or Monster.
http://www.bluejeanscable.com/store/hdmi-cables/hdmi-cable-clearance-sale.htm
If you are a member of Facebook, there is a group called “Friends Don’t Let Friends Buy Monster Cables” that you can join! 
Recently, our family purchased a home theater system. I was replacing a twenty year old television and was just learning about all the new technology. Ultimate Electronics set me us with a nice system (Sony HDTV, Denon receiver, surround speaker system, and Monster cables).
After talking to a friend who advised me to use Monoprice for my cables, I returned all the Monster brand cables and replaced them with like cables from Monoprice. Ultimate returned $300 to my credit card; the cost from Monoprice was $23 which included shipping.
I don’t notice any difference in sound or picture quality.
I wrote a comment on your blog the last time you wrote about cheaper cables and I thought I’d give a follow up. I, at the time had turned down the Monster cables although the Best Buy salesman was persistant and went with a cheaper cable much to his dismay (he seemed heartbroken). To this day I have never had a single problem with quality of picture or sound. In fact, I still get the occasional “wow” from visiting friends when FSN actually broadcasts in HD. I’d recommend that anyone and everyone avoid paying those absurd prices just for a name.
