Speakers By Monster

[comeup]

I heard the speakers by Monster friday in a setup with an Anthem preamp and the Monster five channel power amp.I know a lot of you are not Monster fans but the stuff sounds pretty good. I was not expecting their speakers to sound that good I listened in stereo and surround and it was great sounding stuff. These speakers were about five or six feet tall and slim costing 4000 a pair. Nothing like the B/O these speakers sounded great. Has anyone else heard them what do you think are they worth the $$$$? I think so.

[Lex]

for 4k they ought to sound pretty good even if they only give you 2K worth of sound-

I mean Sonus faber Concertos were only 2K, grand pianos less than 5K.

Doug

[dyazdani]

I think they used those on the home theater show that came on (one time) Discovery HD. They are line arrays, I'm assuming they were like:

[wkhanna]

I was listening to the business report on NPR a few days ago and heard M* was in negotiation with Bose concerning a merger of the two companies. They are going to call it ‘Mo-Blose’

Sorry, I just could not resist.

Honestly, I have not heard their speakers, so it is unfair for me to level any opinion.

What I do know is that the products from either of these companies are made from components costing infinitesimal fractions of the retail price.

I willingly agree with Doug on this one.

[comeup]

up close it looked like quality stuff to me also I Have a Monster MPA 3250 3 channel power amp for my fronts on my HT system and it put my Rotel RMB 1075 to shame I'm now using that for my rears.

[gd]

Pass.

[comeup]

Frank Zappa I noticed your in San Francisco when you have time go to (World Of Sound) in Mill Valley and take a listen I think you would be some what surprised how good these speakers sound I have the Kef ref 201s at home and these sound better I think their worth every penny maybe even a deal they sound that good.

[gd]

I just might do that.

WOS is a good retailer, carries lotsa credible lines.

And I'm overdue for a visit.

Frank

.

[comeup]

Post back after you take a listen even if its a month from now i'm curious to what you think.

Have a good Easter

Peace

[Gothica]

B&W vs Monster Speakers

I'm going to get some hell for this, but here goes:

I jumped on the band wagon a few weeks ago and purchased a pair of 805S from a local dealer. I was blown away. I auditioned the Monster monitors in a 5.1 set up and my world turned 360. B&Ws build and quality are amazing - don't get me wrong, but the Monsters are more sensitive and brighter at lower volumes. I purchased a pair of bookshelf Monster SL200 and put them up against the B&W for almost two weeks trying to convince my ears that the B&Ws are far superior. They are not. I ended up purchasing a full set of Monster THX in 5.1. I wanted to stay part of the B&W cult, but at the same price point - I get a lot more sound from the Monsters. If anyone's interested, I've got the B&Ws on San Diego Craiglist.


I hope I don't get black balled from this community - I love the discussions.

[Audiophiliac]

Not at all Gothica. You are the only person who can decide what sounds better to you. And we fully expect you to pick the better sounding speaker for your system. Good job spending the time comparing the 2 in your home.

[Chris D]

Well, the bottom line is, Gothica, if you're happy with what you chose, then that's what matters! Don't let us try to convince you that you like something different than you do.

Me, given my perception of M______, I'm skeptical about their speakers. But, I've never heard them, so I can't judge until I do. I'll have to give them a listen in a showroom sometime.

(BTW, M______ gets a $1.50 royalty fee every time somebody uses their name, so we're probably up to about $18.00 so far in this thread)

[audioqueso]

I still think comeup works for Monster. lol :B
Thanks for the info anyways.

[Andrew M Ward]

This whole thread smells fishy... I keep waiting for somebidy to "wink"

[KeithM]

The local electronics store that pushes bose to the point of monopoly also pushes a monster subwoofer to go with it. I've heard it and I didn't think it was too impressive compared to an SVS or DIY in the price range.

[P-Dub]

I'm going to get some hell for this, but here goes:

I jumped on the band wagon a few weeks ago and purchased a pair of 805S from a local dealer. I was blown away. I auditioned the Monster monitors in a 5.1 set up and my world turned 360. B&Ws build and quality are amazing - don't get me wrong, but the Monsters are more sensitive and brighter at lower volumes. I purchased a pair of bookshelf Monster SL200 and put them up against the B&W for almost two weeks trying to convince my ears that the B&Ws are far superior. They are not. I ended up purchasing a full set of Monster THX in 5.1. I wanted to stay part of the B&W cult, but at the same price point - I get a lot more sound from the Monsters. If anyone's interested, I've got the B&Ws on San Diego Craiglist.


I hope I don't get black balled from this community - I love the discussions.

I just want to point out that the SL200, on the spec sheet, state a sensitivity of 92 db. That to me means that these speakers will be louder at lower volume settings, especially compared to the B&W's. Secondly, there is the break in factor, I don't know what is for B&W's, but generally all speakers sound better after this period.

As Chris has said, ultimately if you are happy, that is the best result.

[Andrew M Ward]

I just want to point out that the SL200, on the spec sheet, state a sensitivity of 92 db. That to me means that these speakers will be louder at lower volume settings, especially compared to the B&W's. Secondly, there is the break in factor, I don't know what is for B&W's, but generally all speakers sound better after this period.

As Chris has said, ultimately if you are happy, that is the best result.

I don't think sensitivity ratings are a good way to "decide" if one speaker is better or worse than another?

If you have a 15 watt tube amp maybe, but otherwise volume matching them side by side is essential (just my opinion)

That said there are lots of reasons to buy one speaker over another, sound quality is ranked fairly low as far as the average consumer is concerned... I’m not implying anything… But the world’s best selling speakers are rarely considered good sounding speakers… so people are making all kinds of buying decisions for all kinds of reasons.

B&W has been making speakers for 40 years, they have over thirty full time engineers employed simply working to improve sound quality and design, their speakers sound exactly like they want them to, due to research and testing with - laser interferometers, Three dimensional rapid prototyping machines and multiple anechoic chambers on site.

Making speakers is not a side venture for B&W

It’s all they’ve done for 40 years. Like them or not (that part is optional) they sound pretty much exactly like they want them to, based on years of practice and research.

Just more B&W Hype... No worries

[Lex]

damn Keith, that's a good looking burger. Making me hungry.

[comeup]

I still think comeup works for Monster. lol :B
Thanks for the info anyways.

Nope, I don't work for them I just tell it like I hear it and of course Monster usually starts up good discussions because they are hated so. I don't really know why it is is it because they have great marketing skills and make lots of money or is the dominance in the big stores with interconnects and speaker wires. They shouldn't get knocked because they know how to make money thats what its all about when your in business and their product is decent for the money in my humble opinion. I don't think its fair to compare them to Bose as far as selling quality products. Hummm I do sound like I work for them, but I don't. Please someone tell me why they are hated so and I might jump on the ban wagon if convinced. One thing I do know is their amps sound good and they are not cheap in quality and the speakers are good sounding. I was not that impressed with the sub though. Why are they hated?


Ps. audioqueso you got jokes :rofl: :rofl: peace

[ThomasW]

Please someone tell me why they are hated so and I might jump on the ban wagon if convinced

http://www.htguide.com/forum/showthread.php4?t=9833

[Alaric]

I'm not defending M*

U.S. law clearly spells out that if a company doesn't actively protect it's trademarks they lose the rights to said trademark. Caterpillar , Inc. changed their logo several years ago for that very reason. It's the same reason Ford sends out squads of semi-commandos with Federal Marshalls to go after counterfeit parts manufacturers who put Ford (or GM , Chrysler , etc.) on the boxes. If a company doesn't actively pursue infringement they lose the copyright. It can't be profitable to file hundreds of stupid lawsuits a year , but if M* doesn't make a verifiable effort another company can start using their name and logo without fear of reprisal. Stupid? Yes , but a fact of life.

[Alaric]

BTW , try using Harley, or any iteration thereof , and watch how fast an army of lawyers descends upon you!

[aud19]

The biggest problem I have with Monster (besides any questionable business practices/lawsuits etc) is that they're over priced. Is their stuff crap? Not most of it, most of their products are at least decent to good IMO. However they charge for "excellent" while only producing "good" products. I'd simply rather spend less (or equivelant) on equal and sometimes better product and not be funding their marketing department.

[ThomasW]

but if M* doesn't make a verifiable effort another company can start using their name and logo without fear of reprisal. Stupid? Yes , but a fact of life.

First the company name is not Monster, it's Monster Cable. Second they aren't suing people using their logo, they're suing anyone using the word monster in a business. Third they aren't simply protecting their name. They're strong-arming anyone using the word monster to get more $$$$$$. Whenever they find a company that uses the word monster, they threaten a suit but send a contract offering to settle for a given % of the companies annual profits. Can we say "cash-cow"?

It would be really interesting to see the settlement with Disney who counter-sued Monster Cable, after MC sued them for the movie title "Monsters Inc." Disney's big enough to eat Monster Cable for lunch, and kick Noel Lee's butt to the curb permanently.

[comeup]

I didn't know any of this thats pretty low down business practics I understand why they are hated now I thought it was more of a jealous thing. I'm glad I bought the Kef speakers instead of the Monsters a week ago thanks for the info (they say a closed mouth dosen't get fed) I'm glad I asked.

Thanks

[Alaric]

Oookay

Caterpillar lost the exclusive rights to the logo "CAT" , not Caterpillar , Inc. Settling the suits for cash shows a "good faith" belief that they were harmed by the alleged infringement. If they sued and didn't pursue monetary damages the case could be made they suffered no monetary damages-therefore no infringement , no "good faith" effort to protect , no demonsterable (sic) attempt to protect said intellectual property. The name and logos of a successful company are worth cold , hard , cash. The company has to prove they value these things highly or they lose MONEY. Not the best system-but way the hell ahead of whatever is in second place!
I don't care for M* products , and I don't shop at W* M* , for a variety of reasons . However , the puzzle of corporate law has many pieces.

[Chris D]

BTW , try using Harley, or any iteration thereof , and watch how fast an army of lawyers descends upon you!

So I can't start my own line of Indian bikes called "Harli" Motorcycles?

[Alaric]

Harley tried to sue a certain Japanese manufacturer for making bikes that sound like a Harley!

[David Meek]

The word "frivolous" comes quickly to mind.

[pikers]

Well, the bottom line is, Gothica, if you're happy with what you chose, then that's what matters! Don't let us try to convince you that you like something different than you do.

Me, given my perception of M______, I'm skeptical about their speakers. But, I've never heard them, so I can't judge until I do. I'll have to give them a listen in a showroom sometime.

(BTW, M______ gets a $1.50 royalty fee every time somebody uses their name, so we're probably up to about $18.00 so far in this thread)

Since most are skeptical of Monster for no empirical reason other than they cost more than RadioShack Gold Specials, and sue people that tread on their trademark, I recommend everyone listen to these speakers before passing judgment. The Godfather 15" subwoofer is a room-destruction device. :twisted: Plus, I do agree with the OP that these speakers are 1. Interesting conversation pieces, and 2. Great sounding.

[pikers]

However they charge for "excellent" while only producing "good" products.

I'll go ahead and insert the "IMHO" for you, since you don't know how. :T

[pikers]

First the company name is not Monster, it's Monster Cable.

And Monster Power, Monster Portable, etc. Suing someone for sticking another word after "Monster" is a legit gripe, since they did it first, and have it patented.

Second they aren't suing people using their logo, they're suing anyone using the word monster in a business. Third they aren't simply protecting their name. They're strong-arming anyone using the word monster to get more $$$$$$. Whenever they find a company that uses the word monster, they threaten a suit but send a contract offering to settle for a given % of the companies annual profits. Can we say "cash-cow"?

Explain to us all then Mr. Attorney General WHY these fledgling companies feel as though there's a benefit to using that word in their name? My suspicion is the same reason why everyone wants to put a lower-case "i" in front of their stuff, to associate it with a popular and well-marketed product. iFridge, anyone?

It would be really interesting to see the settlement with Disney who counter-sued Monster Cable, after MC sued them for the movie title "Monsters Inc." Disney's big enough to eat Monster Cable for lunch, and kick Noel Lee's butt to the curb permanently.

I'd put Eisner against Lee any day of the week. Eisner just had to milk the Disney name; Lee had to build his.

[Chris D]

:roll: Okay, let's keep this civil.

[Hdale85]

I'm a little curious why pikers is so defensive of the monster cable name? And adding monster to the name of anything would never make it better because of the name Monster Cable. Most people i know would have no idea what the hell Monster Cable is? so why would anyone benifiet from adding it to their name? And your starting to sound a lot like a spokes person or sales rep for Monster Cable.

[Race Car Driver]

Wow, this kinda got out of hand. Ive been watching it since day one.
Anyways, heres my view on the previous posts.

When you see a "Harley Davidson" what does one usually say? Hey, nice Harley, hey check out that Harley. etc etc.

When someone says, what kind of cable are you using, MOST who have Monster Cable will answer "Monster"

Other examples...
Hey what kind of amp and subs do you have, Ahh, thanks, they are "Rockford", or hey, that "Rockford" hits pretty hard.

Ohh, I like you speakers, those are "Bostons" correct??


Just other examples.

Do I agree with what "Monster" (see, there it is again, actually, thats the tread title... Monster, not Monster Cable, and yes I know thats the company name..) is doing?? Not really, Do I know all the details? Absolutly not.. Do I care? Dont know if I should. Do other companys do it? I dont know, the first I ever heard of Monster doing it was after coming to this forums and listening to everyone complain about it.

Ohh, im sure there speakers are decent, just like their amps, just like their surge products.

[aud19]

I'll go ahead and insert the "IMHO" for you, since you don't know how. :T

Well since I wrote it, I figured that was understood that it was my opinion Regardless, I don't think the attidude is needed or welcome so cool it Pikers :T

[Hdale85]

Yeah but still gernerally most people have no idea what monster cable is. All i was pointing out is that he seems to get real hurt everytime someone says somthing about monster cable, just seems odd. Do i care? Not really :B

[John Holmes]

I've listened to the Monster Cable speakers at a dealer near me. It was paired with Monster Cable Amps and a B&K Reference 50. I too was pretty shocked at how good they sound. Sad that it's Monster Cable that produced it.

[Hdale85]

Well i wouldnt doubt that they are actually made by another company. Looks kind of like some of the B&W speakers in fact.

[David Meek]

Okay pikers, cool it or get a week ban. You've been warned.

HTG Admin

[gd]

Of course they outsource the design and/or manufacture of products outside their traditional range... e.g., the amps and power cond's are done in conjunction with Marsh (I think), a small-but-reputable amp firm... this is not uncommon.

All Monster 'venom' aside, if there is a genuinely practical reason to be wary of Monster, it is exactly this corporate growth path... sure, grow big and prosper – but are they delivering good product in the process?... is their core business, cables, cutting corners in the interest of growth?

Like anything else, the only way to know for sure is to research and/or audition the products themselves.

But from my perspective, there are so many other dedicated amp mfrs, and so many other dedicated speaker mfrs. it's hard to become interested in a me-too product from Monster... with or without the image baggage.

Those speakers may be terrific (even if they are butt-ugly), but it would take some convincing to make me think I should pick those over similarly-priced Vandersteen, Totem, Dali etc... I may be jaded from the advertising industry I work in, but I see brand-building taking precedence over product development at Monster.

Returning briefly to the 'venom'... I met Noel Lee a long time ago, and interviewed for a job at the then-young Monster Cables... spent a good half-hour with him... I'll take the high road and simply say that I was glad I did not get the job.

[aud19]

... but I see brand-building taking precedence over product development at Monster.

*Ding, Ding, Ding* Give this man a gold star! :B

[comeup]

Being a union rep I understand where you guys are coming from, but my hate is not as strong as some of you. If I like something I usaully will buy it if can afford it, so many companies are shady you never know who you are really buying from. I tell you this I will be researching Monster and will seriously think about it before I buy something from them. I've bought from the following Lexicon, Polk, B&W, Hitachi, Kef, Rotel, Denon, Athena, B&K and of course Monster Cable and so many others and know nothing about any of the people that own these companies. Personally I don't feel Monster stuff is more over priced than any of the other companies out there especially compared to audioquest and some the other high priced wire and interconnect companies. I've bought from so many companies Monster, Tara Labs, Audioquest, Van dan Hul, to name a few and the differences are minimal. I don't know who made the speakers but they do sound good and I know R. Marsh has his hand and signiture in the making of their amps.



With respect to all opinions out there

peace

[Hdale85]

I believe the reason people say they are overpriced is because the quality of their cables does not meet the quality of other companies cables that are in the same price range.

[comeup]

I wonder how many of us are honestly qualified to know the difference between the price & quality I don't think too many, maybe LEX since he makes and sales cables. I think a lot of us are going by what others think or say.