Monster cable Z series Z1R reference (1 Viewer)

[SAPSEC]

Hi folks,

While working on Monster Z series Z1R reference speaker cable I see there is a stick in the middle of twisted copper strands. What is the stick in the middle for ? I guess they put it there to make cable look "bigger" ? I can't find gauge information of this cable. Is it 14 or 12 gauge rated ? Thanks for your advice.

 

[Hemiram]

With Monster, I wouldn't be surprised if you're correct, it's probably just there to make the cable thicker. Years ago I decided to see what was inside one of their interconnect cables and when I opened it up, it looked very familiar. I had some cheap, really cheap, cables I bought at a Ham Radio show, and if they weren't made in the same factory with the same people soldering them, I would be shocked. The only difference I could see was the jacket on the cable was thicker and it was a prettier cable, but the guts appeared identical. Since then, the only time I've bought Monster was at stores going out of business at 50%+ off. It's Monoprice, Bjue Jeans, and a couple more for me these days.

 

[Scott Merryfield]

Yes, Monster Cables are generally one of the biggest ripoffs in home audio/video. You get nothing extra for their extremely high prices. I just use generic 12 gauge copper speaker wire for my main system, and it works fine at a fraction of the price. Same with interconnects, especially now with all digital connections.

 

[Hemiram]

I use 12 gauge for my surrounds with some 10 gauge for the fronts and centers. Overkill with them being as short as they are, but I have the set made already from years ago, so I use them over and over. I'm kind of sad to see a lot of the speaker cable sold now is that copper clad aluminum junk so you have to check it carefully to see what your ordering. I almost bought some of it at a store a while back. I didn't get it, and looked it up online and saw it was the garbage stuff. It wasn't really very cheap either. It looked good at first glance.

 

[Bob Bielski]

I'm in work on lunch but I'll send a link for some great 10guage very high strand count, highest i have found yet OFC. CHEAP price as well.

 

[DFurr]

I would never use the "Monster" brand of cable. Cable is NOT the only HT item that is overpriced. I can't believe the prices people pay for speakers!! My HT is a 7.2 version with all Pro Cinema JBL's including two 18 subs and I didn't pay as much for 11 speakers speakers as some folks pay for 2 "specialty" speakers. Granted all 11 are used but if the cones are in great shape there's nothing wrong with a used speaker IMO.

 

[Bob Bielski]

https://www.altex.com/Pro-Sound-102...P140342.aspx?gclid=CJqH0_fhpMUCFdcRgQodiFAAig
Ok first of all I have to say one thing. The first time I heard an improvement in my system with wire was with a monster cable interconnect between my compact disc player and integrated amplifier. I have always been skeptical but hearing is believing and I kept on digging for reasons it sounded better. First of all electrons travel on the outside of the wire not inside like water flows through a pipe. There is the goal. Multiple wires and wire count. I have a good system and I am using 10AWG not just for numbers, I am a crazy person that wants the resistance to be non existent. I want to help my amp to pass current and to increase the damping factor. I have a crazy amp that is stable down to a short circuit. It is an Anthem P5 Statement. I know it will tolerate a lot of different gauges and lengths but why not help with low resistance and capacitance and damping factor. This is why I use this wire. It is cheap and will definitely help any amp to get the signal to the speaker very purely.

 

[Hemiram]

The wire in the link looks identical to the wire I use for my fronts. It's very "limp" with a huge amount of individual strands. It's got to be 20 years old at least, as I bought it when I moved my set up from the basement to the living room. I thought I had some of the banana plugs that took up to 8 gauge wire that I used on them when I put them together, but it looks like the disappeared in my move, as did a bunch of small stuff. I run 14 gauge for my surrounds and I have a 150 roll of that wire ready to go as soon as I get ambitious enough to start soldering cables together (I trust crimped and soldered, I'm old enough to remember so many problems with the screw clamp type of any plugs). I need to just get my taxes together and get that to the accountant, and then I can play home theater!

 

[Bob Bielski]

I terminated mine with compression fittings from parts express. The fittings are swappale, the ends screw on and off to change from pin, bannana plug, or spades. You need a special tool to do it, but once its done it is strong and extremely secure.
Good luck with your search.