# How does Monster Cable manage to scam people into buying their cables? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [January 4, 2010, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-monster-cable-manage-to-scam-people-into-buying-their-cables/523632 "2010-01-04T16:57:02Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 18\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![thirdname](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/d07c76/32.png) [@thirdname](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thirdname)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2010, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-monster-cable-manage-to-scam-people-into-buying-their-cables/523632/81 "2010-01-05T23:38:29Z")
Besides the cables being overpriced, the other problem with them is that they have been suing just about everyone who uses the word “Monster” in any business, even if it has nothing to do with electronics at all. According to Wikipedia they have sued: Snow Monsters (a kid’s skiing group) MonsterVintage, small used clothing store Monsters, Inc., an animated feature film Monster Garage, a television series Monsters of the Midway, a nickname of the Chicago Bears football team Fenway Park’s Monster seats [Monster.com](http://Monster.com) employment website Monster Mini Golf Monster Balls Paintballs manufactured by JT Sports Monster Transmission I think that’s reason enough to boycott them. There’s a company called Blue Jeans Cable that designs their cables and markets them according to straightforward engineering principles: [http://www.bluejeanscable.com/](http://www.bluejeanscable.com/) They probably aren’t any cheaper than Monster, but they’re a more reputable company and they’re cheap compared to the “audiophile” cable industry. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2010, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-monster-cable-manage-to-scam-people-into-buying-their-cables/523632/82 "2010-01-05T23:40:08Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > Sadly, the Denon cable thing’s a spoof. Are you sure? It’s available from other outlets at outrageous prices too. [http://www.google.co.uk/products?q=denon+ak+dl1&hl=en](http://www.google.co.uk/products?q=denon+ak+dl1&hl=en) ---
**Author:** ![Shagnasty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9dc877/32.png) [@Shagnasty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shagnasty)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2010, 2:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-monster-cable-manage-to-scam-people-into-buying-their-cables/523632/83 "2010-01-06T02:29:55Z")
> [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](#): > > I put Bose right up there with Monster. Hang around and serious audio folks and most with laugh and/or snort when you say the word ‘Bose’. There are a number of Dopers, myself included, who have worked in the Bose corporate headquarters. Their products are very expensive but completely legit as well and the development sections of the massive campus, “The Mountain”, are like something out of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory except for sound with thousands of researchers and technicians and support personnel. Dr. Bose himself is a really accomplished MIT scientist and professor (retired from that now) is a billionaire and the company is one of the largest privately held in the U.S. Their products aren’t designed to produce sound in the same way that most audiophiles are used to measuring it. The are based on psychoacoustics rather than simple acoustics because the brain and not the ears is always the primary sensory organ for hearing. There are a whole bunch of things you can make fun of Bose for like really aggressive marketing and pricing but the products and innovations are real unlike some other some sound equipment like Monster cables. ---
**Author:** ![Princhester](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3e96dc/32.png) [@Princhester](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Princhester)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2010, 3:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-monster-cable-manage-to-scam-people-into-buying-their-cables/523632/84 "2010-01-06T03:25:58Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > Can you provide an example or someone actually being accepted for a claim that isn’t paranormal? The Challenge is specifically limited to paranormal claims. No but only because none apply. > **[A Direct, Specific, Challenge From James Randi and the JREF](http://archive.randi.org/site/index.php/swift-blog/231-a-direct-specific-challenge-from-james-randi-and-the-jref.html)** > > James Randi Educational Foundation > **[Get Real!](http://archive.randi.org/site/index.php/swift-blog/752-get-real.html)** > > James Randi Educational Foundation These are examples of the Challenge being _offered_ for things that their purveyors say are scientific and not paranormal. The Pear thing is another example. > [@](#): > > I’m simply pointing out that it isn’t clear if Randi is directing them towards the JREF, and him saying “I think it’s paranormal” would not technically qualify them for the test, according to a plain text interpretation of the JREF Challenge, which is not Randi’s to unilaterally change (it is not his money.) We’re just quibbling over a technicality. I’m not sure you understand the setup. The JREF is basically Randi. He is the CEO. He is the only paid member of staff (or at least the only senior one, last I checked, there may be a PA). His pronouncement that Pear’s claim was paranormal was made in that capacity, the official journal of the JREF. The prize money may not belong to the JREF as such but it is the prize for the challenge and the challenge rules are set by the JREF, which basically means Randi. There is no realistic prospect of the JREF being able to deny a claim for acceptance for the Challenge on the basis that the claim is not paranormal when the CEO of the JREF has confirmed in writing, in public, in the official journal of the organisation, that the claim is paranormal. > [@](#): > > I mean, if they don’t qualify for the $1,000,000 prize on a technicality then the obvious thing to do would be to DO THE TEST THEMSELVES. You missed a step. The obvious thing to do if they have any doubts about qualification is to ask if they qualify for the challenge. Pear didn’t do so. They preferred to duck the challenge on the basis of a faux doubt rather than ask the question that would have clarified their supposed doubt. > [@](#): > > The difference with the JREF Challenge is you can’t simply “do it” - to win the million bucks you have to go through a process of filling out an application, proving you’re already known to the media, getting letters from an academic stating you can do it and that it is paranormal, agreeing to test criteria, passing one test, then passing another test. You and I both know nobody will get past the first test, because all paranormal claims are garbage. But the system is designed to prevent people from getting to the first test (which is understandable; if they just jumped straight to the test they’d be besieged with lunatics.) You have to do this when you are a random lunatic. It is not going to be any effort when the CEO of JREF has sought you out and personally invited you to apply. > [@](#): > > If Pear wanted to prove their cables were better why even worry about engaging with JREF at all? Because companies claiming to have scientific validation of their stuff are common as dirt and few believe them. The JREF is well known as being independent, tough and skeptical and validation from JREF would reap positive publicity beyond Pear’s wildest dreams. Pear would have to pay media to publicise their own testing. Media would publish a story that Pear had taken the JREF prize for nothing. It would be the headline on every stereophile mag the world over. ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2010, 3:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-monster-cable-manage-to-scam-people-into-buying-their-cables/523632/85 "2010-01-06T03:37:22Z")
> [@](#): > > There are a whole bunch of things you can make fun of Bose for like really aggressive marketing and pricing Well, this is exactly what is snorted and snickered at, and it is what I was referring to in my post. ---
**Author:** ![Shagnasty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9dc877/32.png) [@Shagnasty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shagnasty)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2010, 4:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-monster-cable-manage-to-scam-people-into-buying-their-cables/523632/86 "2010-01-06T04:05:47Z")
> [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](#): > > Well, this is exactly what is snorted and snickered at, and it is what I was referring to in my post. That is not exactly the same thing though. I hate Bose for personal and professional reasons but it is pretty impressive what you get to see when you get one of their internal security clearances. It isn’t some fly-by-night company that just places ads in every magazine in the world although they seem to do that too. The Research and Development costs are exorbitant and military contracts for things like fighter-plane headsets are a big part of their business. They have the absolute best and brightest brainpower available combined with incredibly impressive labs and test chambers to make things happen. The products are cutting edge and of very high quality but they charge a lot because they sink that back into R&D again for the next cycle. Bose is basically the Apple of the sound world except Bose is older so I guess that relationship should be reversed. Their products aren’t for people that like to tinker around with their sound systems or want bulky equipment and lots of wires. I don’t want to take up for them too much but Bose serves its place in the consumer world and self-described audiophiles tend to make conspiracy theorists look completely sane in comparison. There are a ton of bullshit sound products out there and Bose doesn’t produce those. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2010, 4:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-monster-cable-manage-to-scam-people-into-buying-their-cables/523632/87 "2010-01-06T04:31:48Z")
> [@Princhester](#): > > No but only because none apply. > > [A Direct, Specific, Challenge From James Randi and the JREF](http://www.randi.org/site/index.php/swift-blog/231-a-direct-specific-challenge-from-james-randi-and-the-jref.html) > > [Get Real!](http://www.randi.org/site/index.php/swift-blog/752-get-real.html) > > These are examples of the Challenge being _offered_ for things that their purveyors say are scientific and not paranormal. The Pear thing is another example. Fair enough, I stand corrected on that point. > [@](#): > > I’m not sure you understand the setup. The JREF is basically Randi. He is the CEO. He is the only paid member of staff (or at least the only senior one, last I checked, there may be a PA). Randi doesn’t do the Challenge screening, I don’t believe. Indeed, I don’t think he’s done it for quite some time. > [@](#): > > Media would publish a story that Pear had taken the JREF prize for nothing. It would be the headline on every stereophile mag the world over. It might, but you might be overstating the fame of the JREF Challenge. It’s well known among hard core skeptics, especially on the Internet, but I don’t believe its existence is common knowledge; truth be told I have never in my life met a person in the flesh who was aware that there was a standing $1 million prize for someone who could demonstrate a paranormal ability. (Anytime someone brings this stuff up I always ask “So why haven’t they taken Randi’s challenge?” I always have to explain what it is.) ---
**Author:** ![Mindfield](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mindfield/32/19759_2.png) [@Mindfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mindfield)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2010, 4:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-monster-cable-manage-to-scam-people-into-buying-their-cables/523632/88 "2010-01-06T04:40:09Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > It might, but you might be overstating the fame of the JREF Challenge. It’s well known among hard core skeptics, especially on the Internet, but I don’t believe its existence is common knowledge; truth be told I have never in my life met a person in the flesh who was aware that there was a standing $1 million prize for someone who could demonstrate a paranormal ability. (Anytime someone brings this stuff up I always ask “So why haven’t they taken Randi’s challenge?” I always have to explain what it is.) Engadget, Gizmodo, Head-Fi and the other technophile sites would all pick it up if Pear passed the challenge, not to mention audiophile consumer and trade mags, and they’re all that really matter to the sort of demographic Pear is squarely aimed at. The average consumer may not know JREF from JIF, but they aren’t the ones likely to drop seven large on a pair of 12’ cables. ---
**Author:** ![Mikemike2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mikemike2/32/305_2.png) [@Mikemike2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mikemike2)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2010, 4:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-monster-cable-manage-to-scam-people-into-buying-their-cables/523632/89 "2010-01-06T04:50:47Z")
> [@robardin](#): > > The scientist in me compels me to admit that I can’t rule out simply having had a flaky or not-to-spec long run 35-foot cable in the first place. All I know is, when I asked the CablesForLess folks why the “Ultra HDMI” cable was the only one they sold as long as 25 feet, they explained it was because “for runs that long, a lower gauge may cause your digital display to drop signal depending on how sensitive it is”. That explanation which rang true to my earlier experience, and their 25-foot long Ultra HDMI cable works, so in the end I was happy. Fair Enough. I do know that cable quality makes a huge difference when trying to do a run with VGA cables. Almost impossible to get a clear VGA signal after 40 or so feet. ---
**Author:** ![toofs](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/4491bb/32.png) [@toofs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/toofs)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2010, 4:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-monster-cable-manage-to-scam-people-into-buying-their-cables/523632/90 "2010-01-06T04:59:37Z")
> [@thirdname](#): > > Besides the cables being overpriced, the other problem with them is that they have been suing just about everyone who uses the word “Monster” in any business, even if it has nothing to do with electronics at all. According to Wikipedia they have sued: > > Snow Monsters (a kid’s skiing group) > MonsterVintage, small used clothing store > Monsters, Inc., an animated feature film > Monster Garage, a television series > Monsters of the Midway, a nickname of the Chicago Bears football team > Fenway Park’s Monster seats > [Monster.com](http://Monster.com) employment website > Monster Mini Golf > Monster Balls Paintballs manufactured by JT Sports > Monster Transmission > > I think that’s reason enough to boycott them. > > There’s a company called Blue Jeans Cable that designs their cables and markets them according to straightforward engineering principles: [http://www.bluejeanscable.com/](http://www.bluejeanscable.com/) They probably aren’t any cheaper than Monster, but they’re a more reputable company and they’re cheap compared to the “audiophile” cable industry. Holy coincidental timing, Batman! I just posted [this link](http://www.audioholics.com/news/industry-news/blue-jeans-strikes-back)to a letter from Blue Jeans Cable in another thread. It is worth the read and it addresses Monster’s history of suing every entity that uses the name. I have purchased many HDMI (and other) cables from www.monoprice.com. I will not pay more than $10 for an HDMI cable. Read the reviews at www.avsform.com. No need to spend big money on these cables. ---
**Author:** ![Princhester](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3e96dc/32.png) [@Princhester](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Princhester)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2010, 5:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-monster-cable-manage-to-scam-people-into-buying-their-cables/523632/91 "2010-01-06T05:34:31Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > Randi doesn’t do the Challenge screening, I don’t believe. Indeed, I don’t think he’s done it for quite some time. So? JREF is a very small tight organisation run (except for Randi) by enthusiast skeptic volunteer Randi-ites. You think they don’t read Swift? You think they aren’t going to know that Randi, CEO, has already publically stated that he considers something paranormal? Why is there even any need for you to waste electrons on discussing the extreme hypothetical of whether the JREF screeners would refuse something on a basis that their boss has already said is not an issue? > [@Mindfield](#): > > Engadget, Gizmodo, Head-Fi and the other technophile sites would all pick it up if Pear passed the challenge, not to mention audiophile consumer and trade mags, and they’re all that really matter to the sort of demographic Pear is squarely aimed at. The average consumer may not know JREF from JIF, but they aren’t the ones likely to drop seven large on a pair of 12’ cables. This. Randi’s sem-regular challenges to stereophile woo woo have been the subject of a great deal of vitriolic discussion on stereophile enthusiast blogs and magazine websites. An extreme audio component called out by Randi but which beat the Challenge would result in the most triumphant news stories possible amongst extreme audiophiles. Pear would be heroes. ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2010, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-monster-cable-manage-to-scam-people-into-buying-their-cables/523632/92 "2010-01-06T14:45:51Z")
> [@](#): > > I don’t want to take up for them too much but Bose serves its place in the consumer world and self-described audiophiles tend to make conspiracy theorists look completely sane in comparison. There are a ton of bullshit sound products out there and Bose doesn’t produce those. Well, I honestly don’t know enough about it to make any sort of case, so I concede the argument (if that’s what this is). I was merely reporting what I have observed on some audio forums; that is, that many who profess to know audio take great pleasure in ridiculing anyone who suggests Bose is serious (and properly priced) gear. ---
**Author:** ![UncleRojelio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/unclerojelio/32/3160_2.png) [@UncleRojelio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UncleRojelio)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2010, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-monster-cable-manage-to-scam-people-into-buying-their-cables/523632/93 "2010-01-06T15:32:26Z")
When I finally decided to jump into the 21st century and get a new Hi-Def TV and Blu-Ray player for Xmas, I already had my $3 HDMI cables from Amazon waiting at home. Works great! ---
**Author:** ![Zeriel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/58956e/32.png) [@Zeriel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeriel)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2010, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-monster-cable-manage-to-scam-people-into-buying-their-cables/523632/94 "2010-01-06T16:11:55Z")
Gizmondo did some [actual tests](http://gizmodo.com/268788/the-truth-about-monster-cable-part-2-verdict-cheap-cables-keep-upusually) a few years back with Monster Cable. The verdict seemed to be that Monster was worth the price if you were doing extremely long runs (35’+) for 1080p, or were anticipating future HD standards such as 1080p-120hz or 1440p (like, for example, if you’re building a cable into the wall of your house and don’t want to have to change it in 2014 or so), but that at 3-6’ almost anything HDMI-certified will work fine. ---
**Author:** ![ducati](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/cc9497/32.png) [@ducati](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ducati)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2010, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-monster-cable-manage-to-scam-people-into-buying-their-cables/523632/95 "2010-01-07T16:23:44Z")
I don’t know if I would ever drop 500 bucks on headphones, but I did spend 300. I asked my wife for Bose headphones for my b-day a few months ago. I know she was shaking her head in disbelief when she bought [these](http://www.bose.com/controller?url=/shop_online/headphones/audio_headphones/on_ear_headphones/index.jsp)for $160. I was tickled that she actually got them when I tore open my present, but was confused because I couldn’t find where the battery went. It took a moment for me to realize that they were the regular on-the-ear style instead of the noise-cancelling model that I wanted. Being the ungrateful bastard that I am, I loan them out to my kids on an as-needed basis, after going out an getting [these](http://www.bose.com/controller?url=/shop_online/headphones/noise_cancelling_headphones/quietcomfort_15/index.jsp)for myself. I can’t stand earbuds, but I have tried a few, and I can tell you there is certainly a difference. The 90 dollar [Bose](http://www.bose.com/controller?url=/shop_online/headphones/audio_headphones/in_ear_headphones/index.jsp)blow away anything you see for 5-50 bucks at Best Buy or wherever. I’ve also tried lesser noise-cancelling cans, and I stand by my Bose purchase. I can’t imagine anything sounding 100 or 200 dollars better than mine. YMMV ---
**Author:** ![Don\_t\_Call\_Me\_Shirley](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f4b2a3/32.png) [@Don\_t\_Call\_Me\_Shirley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Don_t_Call_Me_Shirley)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2010, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-monster-cable-manage-to-scam-people-into-buying-their-cables/523632/96 "2010-01-07T19:03:35Z")
> [@Shagnasty](#): > > They [Bose] have the absolute best and brightest brainpower available combined with incredibly impressive labs and test chambers to make things happen. Actually, I can get behind this. I’ve taken apart a few of their speakers and confess to being rather impressed with the engineering. The parts and components used were such utter and complete shit, that I was amazed the engineers were able to coax barely passable sound out of them. ---
**Author:** ![Hampshire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hampshire/32/4887_2.png) [@Hampshire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hampshire)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2010, 12:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-monster-cable-manage-to-scam-people-into-buying-their-cables/523632/97 "2010-01-09T00:28:33Z")
I worked at Best Buy over a decade ago. Worked in the appliances department for a while. Electric dryers and ranges don’t come with power cables since different homes have different outlets (4-prong vs. 3-prong). We sold basic power cables for $8. I remember the day [these arrived](http://www.monstercable.com/productdisplay.asp?pin=1727). $40 retail. We all laughed ourselves silly. We all balked and asked “are you serious? you want us to try to sell these?” Since no one forced us into offering them we never sold a one. ---
**Author:** ![sharding](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/90db22/32.png) [@sharding](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sharding)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2010, 5:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-monster-cable-manage-to-scam-people-into-buying-their-cables/523632/98 "2010-01-09T05:45:23Z")
I bought a Monster subwoofer cable once because I wanted instant gratification and it was the only cable in the store (I think it was a Circuit City – this was almost 10 years ago) long enough to go to where my sub needed to be. The build quality is decent – definitely better than the really cheap ones – but it’s not amazing. You can get the same or better quality cables from places like [Blue Jeans Cable](http://www.bluejeanscable.com/). I generally just go with something from [Monoprice](http://www.monoprice.com/), but sometimes I do buy from Blue Jeans if I want better quality. While the quality doesn’t make any [noticeable] difference in picture and sound, the cables are more durable, tend to stay on the terminal better, last longer, look nicer in the places where they’re visible, etc. Opinions may of course vary on whether or not it’s worth it the premium. But if you think it **is** , I’d recommend looking at BJC (or other similar companies) instead of Monster. You’ll save money and probably get a better product too. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-monster-cable-manage-to-scam-people-into-buying-their-cables/523632.md?page=4)