20th April 2012
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#1 | | Gear maniac
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 211
Thread Starter | Monitor Cable Quality?
I'll soon be upgrading from my Bx5a monitors to some Focal CMS-50's, I'm using an apogee duet with 1/4" outs for my interface, and have 2 cheap TRS cables connecting the monitors currently. I was wondering how much TRS cable quality could potentially affect the sound, and if I ought to be looking into some nicer cables (and if so, which ones) now that I'll be using much better monitors. Can cable quality vary and/or affect the sound?
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20th April 2012
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#2 | | Lives for gear
Joined: Jul 2010 Location: Dolno Sonje, Sopiste, Macedonia
Posts: 996
| Potentially it could affect the sound, absolutely. Effect = lower volume and perhaps other frequency/energy dependent defects.
But most probably your cables are fine, since it takes really shit cable to affect the sound. Most of them are fine.
Maybe borrow good cables and ask a friend to help you blind test?
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20th April 2012
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#3 | | Lives for gear
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,674
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Original silver Duet has unbalanced outputs. New Duet (black) has balanced outputs.
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20th April 2012
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#4 | | Gear maniac
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 211
Thread Starter | Quote:
Originally Posted by Manfrensengensen  Original silver Duet has unbalanced outputs. New Duet (black) has balanced outputs. | Yeah, I have the original duet. What does unbalanced vs balanced change?
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20th April 2012
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#5 | | Jai guru deva om
Joined: Feb 2003 Location: South Carolina
Posts: 12,996
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We can only speak to potential, overall yes Monster is a good quality cable.
However, I've heard differences within same brands of cables, but different designs (quad vs standard 2 conductor) with huge differences. Distance / length can also matter, as well as the quality of the shield in certain environments.
It likely won't be a life changing experience, overall I'd say a decent 2 conductor design will go great.
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20th April 2012
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#7 | | Lives for gear
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,674
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You don't need TRS. Your interface is unbalanced. Guitar/instrument tip sleeve cable is all you need.
Only thing TRS will do for you is
Empty your wallet faster.
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20th April 2012
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#8 | | Gear maniac
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 211
Thread Starter |
cool, good to know, thanks. any recommendations on a good brand/type?
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21st April 2012
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#9 | | Lives for gear
Joined: Aug 2008 Location: bk
Posts: 764
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Manfrensengensen is correct, the original duet 1/4" out is unbalanced
However a quick look shows the Focal CMS-50 to have RCA unbalanced input
you need a 1/4 TS unbalnced to RCA cable (Male/Male)
best not to use the balanced input on the focals - - use RCA. whenever you go from unbalanced to balanced you need to do your homework, and in this case its not necessary just stay unbalanced.
length - shorter better, within reason. no need to go crazy on expensive cable, i certainly wouldn't spend over $50
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21st April 2012
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#10 | | Gear maniac
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 211
Thread Starter | Quote:
Originally Posted by latestflavor Manfrensengensen is correct, the original duet 1/4" out is unbalanced
However a quick look shows the Focal CMS-50 to have RCA unbalanced input
you need a 1/4 TS unbalnced to RCA cable (Male/Male)
best not to use the balanced input on the focals - - use RCA. whenever you go from unbalanced to balanced you need to do your homework, and in this case its not necessary just stay unbalanced.
length - shorter better, within reason. no need to go crazy on expensive cable, i certainly wouldn't spend over $50 | great, thanks for the info, in the pics and diagrams of the monitors it doesn't get under the input to show you exactly what size the jack is. I'll probably end up getting these cables, unless someone else has a better brand recommendation: Monster Studiolink 1/4" TS to RCA Cable at zZounds | |
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21st April 2012
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#11 | | Lives for gear
Joined: Aug 2004 Location: Boulder, CO
Posts: 1,315
| Quote:
Originally Posted by NBarnes21 great, thanks for the info, in the pics and diagrams of the monitors it doesn't get under the input to show you exactly what size the jack is. I'll probably end up getting these cables, unless someone else has a better brand recommendation: Monster Studiolink 1/4" TS to RCA Cable at zZounds | I really don't think Monster is worth the money. I make my own cables with Mogami cable and Neutrik connectors from Redco.com. They also sell pre-built cables. I've been using my mic cables in clubs for 10 years or more and my instrument cables for much longer than that and I don't think I've had a cable go bad on me that wasn't violently abused (like a cymbal dropping on it edgewise) since the very early 90s. How long do your cables have to be? I might even have some lying around I could sell you for less than the Monsters that will sound as good if not better and probably last longer. However, I urge you to get a soldering iron, some cable and connectors, and make your own. Every audio person should know how to solder at this basic level.
One of my big problems with Monster, aside from the fact that their prices aren't justified by the product is their corporate behavior. Luckily, we have people like like Kurt Denke of Blue Jeans Cable who wrote them this missive after they threatened him with litigation for patent infringement: http://www.bluejeanscable.com/legal/...onse041408.pdf. I especially like the last two paragraphs.
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21st April 2012
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#12 | | Gear nut
Joined: Apr 2012 Location: Nashville, TN
Posts: 80
| Quote:
Originally Posted by NBarnes21 great, thanks for the info, in the pics and diagrams of the monitors it doesn't get under the input to show you exactly what size the jack is. I'll probably end up getting these cables, unless someone else has a better brand recommendation: Monster Studiolink 1/4" TS to RCA Cable at zZounds | It definitely wouldn't hurt to get Monster. You could take and exchange them for free if you ever have any problems.
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21st April 2012
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#13 | | Lives for gear
Joined: Aug 2008 Location: bk
Posts: 764
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either that or mogami is perfectly fine. the gold part is a waste of money imo.
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21st April 2012
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#14 | | Gear Head
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 33
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Monster cable is garbage, they are the worst cable I have ever "heard" bar none. DO NOT Buy. You have been warned . Order some cables from blue jeans cable out of Seattle just google them. They provide the highest quality at the best price. You can thank me later...!!
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21st April 2012
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#15 | | Lives for gear
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 1,364
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Monster cable is all marketing hype.
Just get Vann Damme / Sommer / Neutrik
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21st April 2012
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#17 | | Lives for gear
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,952
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Don't bother with Monster, especially for unbalanced. You're overpaying for a name.
Audiopile.net has good quality cables with neutrik connectors that are far better than Samson, Hosa or GC brands. Plus Mark and Liz are great people.
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21st April 2012
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#18 | | Gear nut
Joined: Apr 2012 Location: Nashville, TN
Posts: 80
| Quote:
Originally Posted by Cloudsplitter Monster cable is garbage, they are the worst cable I have ever "heard" bar none. DO NOT Buy. You have been warned . Order some cables from blue jeans cable out of Seattle just google them. They provide the highest quality at the best price. You can thank me later...!! | I recommended Monster for the warranty. You could cut them yourself and get new ones. Them being the "worst" sounding cable is just pure BS. I always get them for way under retail at the GC near the studio.
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23rd April 2012
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#19 | | Gear maniac
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 211
Thread Starter |
went with the 6' mogamis, thanks for the input all!
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23rd April 2012
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#20 | | Gear nut
Joined: Apr 2012 Location: Nashville, TN
Posts: 80
| Quote:
Originally Posted by NBarnes21 went with the 6' mogamis, thanks for the input all! | Good choice, also a good warranty on those
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25th April 2012
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#21 | | Lives for gear
Joined: Jul 2010 Location: Dolno Sonje, Sopiste, Macedonia
Posts: 996
| Quote:
Originally Posted by NBarnes21 went with the 6' mogamis, thanks for the input all! | just out of a curiosity: do you notice any difference in sound?
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6th May 2012
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#22 | | Gear maniac
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 211
Thread Starter | Quote:
Originally Posted by filipv just out of a curiosity: do you notice any difference in sound? | hard to say as my old cables were cheapie TRS cables used with my cheapie Bx5a monitors. The Focals have an RCA jack for unbalanced input, so I can't A/B them to the old cables. There is some hiss with my new monitors but I'm guessing that's mostly due to the unbalanced input. All in all really happy with how the monitors sound though, big step up from my old ones.
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