Monster Interlink Cables directional?

[Bey]

I purchased a set of Monster Cables online and when I received them, they had a sticker with an arrow pointing towards one direction. I've read somewhere here before that certain cable brands are directional and only work if you install them correctly. Are these one of them? and if so which way should they go.

Wire brand:
Monster Cable Interlink 201 XLN
Monster Cable Interlink 401 XLN

Picture of one of them. You can see the sticker with the arrows.

[Eric Giles]

Without going into a discussion on how Monster Cable is the 'Bose' of audio/video cabling, the arrow is more of a marketing thing to make you 'think' that everything will sound better if the cables are connected in the direction of the audio signal-meaning the arrow would be pointing to the direction of the amplifier.

It will make absolutely NO difference which way you connect them in your installation-they will work regardless.

[StereoInstaller1]

Without going into a discussion on how Monster Cable is the 'Bose' of audio/video cabling, the arrow is more of a marketing thing to make you 'think' that everything will sound better if the cables are connected in the direction of the audio signal-meaning the arrow would be pointing to the direction of the amplifier.

It will make absolutely NO difference which way you connect them in your installation-they will work regardless.

NONONONO!!!! Oh shit, Eric, there is a difference, and it is HUGE! (Gotta love Noel Lee and his bullshit, ruins any credibility there is about anything his company says or does).

The arrows MUST be followed or you will have MASSIVE engine noise issues

The sound is exactly the same either way, but the signal are grounded only at one end...so yeah, that directional arrow is seriously important.

BTW, these are about the best cables in car audio. Excellent clarity, great definition, quiet (if installed correctly) and just terrific performance. One of the few that actually sound better...like old Stinger "Dream" series (same cable, same factory, different color and price) which are in my car...fucking great cable in every way.

Luke

[Eric Giles]

Thanks for setting me straight on these, Luke-I didn't do any research on them before I commented. I blame my Memorial Day weekend extended hangover for that....

[Bey]

Thanks for the help Eric and Luke!

The arrows MUST be followed or you will have MASSIVE engine noise issues

The sound is exactly the same either way, but the signal are grounded only at one end...so yeah, that directional arrow is seriously important.

Luke

Just to double check, the arrows should point towards the amp then right? You mentioned that the cables are directional but didn't say which way the arrow should point. :D

Thanks again fellas!

[StereoInstaller1]

Thanks for the help Eric and Luke!



Just to double check, the arrows should point towards the amp then right? You mentioned that the cables are directional but didn't say which way the arrow should point. :D

Thanks again fellas!

Yeah, along the signal path. You gots it!

[oekundar]

So help me here Luke...not that I don't trust you, but why would it matter the direction you run the wires...as I don't see a ground wire on either end. Assuming its integrated into the RCA connectors wouldn't the chassis ground on the HU or the AMP suffice? Technically they should be the same.

[robspeed325i]

personally i think monster cables are the biggest waste of money in car or home audio, but that having been said, the signal wire is grounded at the source, not at the amp. why exactly? because that is where the signal originates, so thats where the signal should be grounded to avoid loops. theorhetically, anyway. What do you do with a cable setup that goes from head unit, to a sub amp crossover, then up to a system crossover to two more + amps (or any variation thereof). insert time delay unit/EQ/Etc., and now what do you do?

IMO, the answer is spend your money on speakers, not wires with BS markings on them.

[lylefk]

As someone who has been involved with both home and car audio, I can tell you this...most of the time, cables make a difference.

I won't get into that really, just wanted to comment on the times it DOESN'T matter, which would be with cables that are either on or off, like USB or HDMI. Buy them cheap, in that instance it doesn't make any difference. Don't buy the $130 Monster HDMI cables...

As for Monster, I like their stuff. I'm really only familiar with their home theater lines, but I use a Monster power conditioner and all Monster component cables. Of course, I also got it 50% off, so who knows if I'd splurge for it now.

[robspeed325i]

As someone who has been involved with both home and car audio, I can tell you this...most of the time, cables make a difference.

I won't get into that really, just wanted to comment on the times it DOESN'T matter, which would be with cables that are either on or off, like USB or HDMI. Buy them cheap, in that instance it doesn't make any difference. Don't buy the $130 Monster HDMI cables...

As for Monster, I like their stuff. I'm really only familiar with their home theater lines, but I use a Monster power conditioner and all Monster component cables. Of course, I also got it 50% off, so who knows if I'd splurge for it now.

There is definitely a difference between cables, but is different necessarily better? My point is they are a complete and total waste of money, not that there was no difference. With a myriad of eq options and variations available from the head unit, equalizers, speaker positioning and aiming, materials differences inside different cars, that whatever miniscule difference between one $150 cable and another $10 one (or even a $1 one) there might be, it is ridiculously not worth the money. imo, that stuff is 99% snake oil BS and you are MUCH better off spending the money elsewhere such as speakers themselves. A few years ago we were at my brother in law's house and we did some a/b testing of his in-wall Monster cables and some $1 ones i got online. There was definitely a very slight difference in the sound, but after getting home from work one day, kicking off your shoes, grabbing a beer and turning on the stereo (maybe even tweaking the treble knob), are you really going to give a shit?

[Farbin Kaiber]

Yep. Big shit to be given. I wouldn't want the chance that I'd be annoyed by signal loss, or sound quality degradation after working all day and wanting to enjoy clean crisp sound.

[robspeed325i]

Yep. Big shit to be given. I wouldn't want the chance that I'd be annoyed by signal loss, or sound quality degradation after working all day and wanting to enjoy clean crisp sound.

ok well enjoy your snake oil... the more you think you'll like it, the more you'll like it. meanwhile us non believers will have hundreds more to spend on speakers...

[Farbin Kaiber]

I'm talking about my home, for the record. I don't install systems in my automobiles.

[dashboardmonkey]

Farb, you have functioning automobiles now?

[Farbin Kaiber]

Yes, I have a few. Always have. None of them are e30's though.