Is Monster morphing into Bose

Chet Wilson · 04-03-2003, 11:49 AM

or is it already there? Monster Cable seems to be the only cable choices at Best Buy, Ultimate Elec, and Circuit City now. Maybe its just me, but do Monster cables seem to be overpriced? I concede that Monster products look nice but do they perform to level equivalent to the price you pay? Opinions?

Clark F · 04-03-2003, 11:58 AM

Well, I am new to HT and recently bought a monster component cable to connect my progressive scan DVD player to my RPTV. The male plugs fit loosely on the DVD female plugs and slip off any time I mess around with wiring.
Picture is very good, but I expected more for a $40 cable.
So, based on one experience, I would vote yes.

Adam.Gonsman · 04-03-2003, 01:55 PM

To be fair, it may or may not be the fault of the cable. While I don't buy a lot of the hype Monster puts out about their products, I do think they are quality cables and own quite a few monster products. I have found that in general the cables are really snug, especially the various incarnation of cables with RCA type ends. There's always a possibility that it's the RCA jacks on your equipment that's somewhat out of tolerance. Have you tried another cable?

As for becoming Bose, I think Monster is very borderline right now. They have always sold relatively well made cables with quality components. Like Bose however, I think there has always been a markup for the supposed technology contained in the products too. The way for them to really become Bose I beleive is to continue to emphasize the supposed technology while consistently decreasing quality of materials and workmanship. This is precisely what Bose does. They sell you on the fatastic power of the video stage 5 and the waveguide system and acoustimass and all the other marketing crap while using paper cones and other low end materials.

Jed M · 04-03-2003, 02:19 PM

In the days before I used to make my own cables I just used AR. Monster was way overpriced especially when its quite obvious AR is the same cable, except blue. I don't make my own s video cables, so I just bought some from Better Cables. As far as being Bose, no, I don't think quite yet, but it looks as though they may head that direction.

JeremyFr · 04-03-2003, 03:00 PM

last I checked Best Buy sold AR not Monster cable but I haven't been there in a while since I dont frequent crap stores like that.

**HTF Ads**

Camp · 04-03-2003, 04:25 PM

They sell both Monster & AR at my local BB's.

Quote:

Maybe its just me, but do Monster cables seem to be overpriced?

I find that hysterical. The only cable that isn't overpriced (I guess) is the supposedly crappy stuff by Recoton or Radio Shack. The cable business has the most insane margin on the planet (great for them, bad for us).

I had the opportunity to buy anything Monster sold via their discount program. I wish I still had their price sheet. I was able to buy cables that retail at $90 for virtually nothing.

steven pm · 04-03-2003, 04:43 PM

I don't think Monster has to necessarily decrease quality to become another Bose. Granted, cables etc. do have pretty big markups in general. But many brands (AR, e.g.) have at least *reasonable* prices and very good quality. (Good enough such that additional improvements would be all but inaudible/invisible on fairly expensive systems.)

I agree with the premise, though. I live near a BB and a CC, and it is clear that Monster is pushing their products in these stores to the extent of almost eliminating competing products from being displayed/available. (Which only happens from extreme marketing pressure and/or strong retailer kickbacks, known collectively as 'dealer incentives.') In the general sense, Monster is using their hype and market domination to promote products that, while being very good in quality (unlike Bose), are still way overpriced for what you get (like Bose).

Camp · 04-03-2003, 07:47 PM

Quote:

But many brands (AR, e.g.) have at least *reasonable* prices and very good quality. (Good enough such that additional improvements would be all but inaudible/invisible on fairly expensive systems.)

Agreed.
However, the guys in the tweak forum would have our head for even thinking that.

Chu Gai · 04-04-2003, 06:54 AM

Monster has a substantial overhead in advertising and they use a variety of approaches making them a pretty fierce competitor.

However, every now and then, even fierce competitors overstep their bounds a bit. For example Monster got snagged by Energizer...someone with deeper pockets that Noel Lee's company.

Quote:

Energizer settles claims of false advertising with competitor

Monster Cable Products Inc. will have to remove some claims on its battery packaging in a lawsuit settlement with Energizer Holdings Inc.

Energizer said it filed suit on Jan. 3 against Monster for false advertising claims on its product, Monster PowerCells alkaline batteries. Monster's packaging and Web site claim that their batteries have "maximum power," and some other claims, which Energizer said were false based on independent testing.

Under the settlement, Monster Cable will remove all claims of superior performance from its packaging and its Web site by Feb. 1, and remove all point of purchase materials containing any references to such claims by Jan. 31.

"We are justifiably proud of the quality of our batteries and we won't permit competitors to get away with superiority claims that are patently misleading," said Pat Mulcahy, chief executive of Energizer, in a statement.

Monster also is very protective over the Monster name. For example:
If you go over to Monster.com, you'll see a little link at the bottom to Monster Cable.
MonsterBook.com is now owned by Monster Cable.
There was likely a settlement between Monster and Disney. Consider this link that talks about the buddy buddy arrangement wherebye "Monster and Disney • Pixar Announce a Monsterous Offer For the Release of Monsters, Inc. on DVD"

Monster's Complaint
Disney's Response to Monster
this link

Yes, you can be quite sure that anything with the Monster name in it, perhaps even matters related to the "Adult Entertainment Industry" has likely received a letter from Monster's legal department.

You don't get to be #1 in this business by carrying a little stick...you need a Monstrous one.

Oh, Camp, I post every now and then in Tweaks...you're pretty much right on.

Bob McElfresh · 04-04-2003, 12:25 PM

Guys,

Many of you feel Monster is over-priced.

But keep in mind:

There are companies that sell much-more expensive wires through mail-order. ($800 for a 1 meter coaxial-digital connection for example).
Unless you have studied cost-accounting or engineering economics, you really dont understand the issues/costs behind being able to waltz down to your local store and pick up nearly any cable you want. This totally swamps the material & manufacturing cost of any cable. Dont blame Monster for this.

My personal gripe with Monster is it's marketing: they assume the consumer is stupid, they wont give specifications for their cables, only marketing 'fluff'.

But I own and use several of their products because they are good quality, available, and in some cases (like my XBox cable) they are about the best cable available for the job.

PS: I'm going to move this thread to the "Tweeks/Connections" forum.