Accoustic Research or Monster Cables? (1 Viewer)

[Beau B]

Hello to all

I need a new S-Video and optical cable and wanted to know if AR cables are just as good as Monster or not.

Also, if I have option of Optical or Coax which to use, and is Componet video that much better than S-Video.

Thanks

Beau

 

[MarcVH]

Both AR and Monster make many different lines of cable, so a blanket comparison isn't really possible. It'd be like asking if a Chevy is faster than a Ford without specifying what model.

In general AR is perceived as offering better value than Monster though.

 

[Mike Matheson]

Beau,

How about some more info. Besides which actual wires/models, what you'll be connecting, etc.

Component and Svid won't be that different for a 20" TV. Could be a big difference (depending upon quality of cables, etc.) on a FPTV. Thus why posting some info would help us help you.

 

[Bob McElfresh]

One of our administrators had a spare component cable lying around and decided to play with his bedroom system. He replaced the SVideo cable with the component cable and noticed a visible improvement.

The big jump is from Composite to SVideo. But component is still a bit better because:

- SVideo still has to go through a filter to extract a signal

- The SVideo cable is really 2 30-gauge wires in a single sheath. Component is 3 18-gauge wires each in a separate sheath.

So while a few $$ more, component cables seem the way to go.

 

[steven pm]

As for differences, I don't think you'll notice any difference at all, outside of your wallet. The AR's are fine, and will transmit as good a picture as your equipment is capable of producing and displaying. I've even used cheaper cables than AR, but ones that are shielded and proper 75-ohm with good connectors.

Component will be a bit better than s-video, but the big jump, as noted above, is from composite to s-video.

As for coax v. optical, both should be fine. I have heard that a couple of people had some problems with very cheap no-name optical cables. Coax is a bit more forgiving at the low end. But with decent cables, they should both relay identically good signals, and again top-dollar cables are not necessary to get the best signal.

 

[steven pm]

[whoops, double post, didn't see a delete option!]

 

[Frank Carter]

Yuo can find AR Pro cables really cheap at www.ac4l.com