This is a comparison review of the Acoustic Research component cables and Monster Cable component cables to see what the differences are besides the huge price gap. Since I could not find any reviews written for real life situations using video cables, I decided to do my own personal research and contribute to epinions, since I benefit from the reviews. The brick and mortar store nearby has a great return policy. If you return it in reusable packaging, they will give you a full refund. So I bought two sets of component video cables.

Now, the only reason I went with component video is that my digital components were requiring it. My Samsung HT-DM150 DVD player will not push out progressive scan quality over the sleek one cord of the S video cable. So, I bought the bulky three corded component cables and I was very happy I did. Progressive scan is much better than interlaced, but back to the topic :o) . Anyway, I needed to know just how much better the Monster Cable version was over the Acoustic Research ones priced at less than half.

Carefully opening up the packaging of the Monster Cable MV2CV-2M component cables and the Acoustic Research AP091 component cables, I noticed obvious differences and similarities. One was white and slightly longer, the other one was navy blue and a full 6 feet, but they both had gold plated ends. My test included the continuous playing of Walt Disney previews on a DVD in progressive scan mode. I looked and looked and looked and even consulted my wife. I hid behind the TV and randomly interchanged the two connections reciting “a or b”, “one or two” even pretending to replacing the cables. Neither my desire to prove that $70.00 cables are better than cables half their price, nor could my wife’s unbiased opinion find a difference.

So being a man of practice over theory, I decided to resort to theory to prove what practice was showing. I mean, the Monster Cables are double-shielded and gold plated and are well, more expensive. What gives? I am not an electrical engineer, but for us laymen out there, this is what I know. Gold plated connections are a must. Dissimilar metals will interact with each other and may leave insulating deposits between them. You don’t want to insulate your signal. Gold just shines and passes electrical current with ease and will not adversely interact with other metals, will not rust, and will not corrode. Gold plated is not only good, it is necessary and only one connector needs to be plated. They both have gold plating.

Next, shielding. Shielding is important so that the signal (now unimpeded by metals not getting along) does not get mixed in with stray signals coming through the air and into the wire. Manufacturers limit stray signals from running along the wire by twisting opposing wires and grounding and a bunch of other stuff that engineers deal with. All we need to know is, if the picture looks good, suffice it say that you are not getting interference. If you hook up cheap wires with gold plated connectors and you see a nice picture, you are good. If you notice picture degradation, try cables that are better shielded. Another point to note is that you should use the shortest length of cable possible. It might sound like a good idea to pay a few dollars more for twice the length (the coupon theory of buying what you don’t need because it is cheap), but you are just opening up the possibility of more interference. They both have double shielding.

Lastly, oxygen-free copper. I have no idea what this is all about. They both have it and the picture is the same.

Components used for testing the cables: Samsung HT-DM150 (Digital Home Theater System), and Panasonic PT-47WX49E (47” High Definition Digital Ready Rear Projection TV).


Recommended: Yes