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http://www.ebgames.com/ebx/categorie...p?pf_id=211472Quote:
Originally posted by 88mph
Is that Interact 5.1 gaming sound system that EB and Gamestop sells worthwhile?
I know that 90% of Interact's stuff is horrible, I was just wondering if any of you have heard it.
If it is that one I linked to, then it looks horrible. A 15 watt subwoofer and 5 watt satellites? Haha what a joke.
Really? I recently paid $20 for a 6' Acoustic Research optical cable for my Xbox. I've never used any of their products before, but the quality seems good.Quote:
Originally posted by GameCynic
If your going to buy optical cables, get them off ebay...othwise your going to be paying outrages prices for them. 20$ for a 3 foot cable?:confused:
Halo and Splinter Cell in 5.1 surround = amazing
Buy longer speaker wire?Quote:
Originally posted by GohanX Now if only I can find some way of wirelessly hooking up my rear speakers so that they can actually be behind me instead of to the side, I'd be all set.
5.1 Audio (as well as HDD saves) is the main reason I go with XB versions of games. Especially since so few developers seem to be making use of the hardware on multi-platform ports. There are definately some games that don't use 5.1 proper. I think Robotech was one of them. There are some others, but I can't think of them off hand.
I have my XB and PS2 running through optical cable, but in retrospect, I don't know why I bothered going optical with the PS2, it was just a waste of money.
That having been said, the audio experience on some XB games is simply ungodly. Max Payne, Halo, Steel Battalion all come instantly to mind. The first time I emptied a machine gun clip in Max Payne and heard the empty casings falling all around the couch, I was beside myself.
It really makes a big difference, and it's sometimes disappointing to go from an experience like that back to playing a more flat-sounding PS2 or Dreamcast game.
Yeah, PS2 only supports Dolby Digital for FMV's, as it lacks the hardware to decode the stuff while rendering its 70 million untextured polygons.Quote:
Originally posted by DacaZ
I have my XB and PS2 running through optical cable, but in retrospect, I don't know why I bothered going optical with the PS2, it was just a waste of money.
If you're only talking optical, you're probably ok with AR, I'm talking more along the lines of video cables, speaker cable, etc.Quote:
Originally posted by Werewolf
Explain yourself, Acoustic Research seems to be a very good quality cable... what would you recommend then...
Well, my friend told me "Hey Masters, you sell this shit for a living, so you damn well better know what the best cables are."Quote:
Originally posted by Kidnemo
Yes.
I'd be curious for a FACTUAL explanation.
None of this "my friend said this.." or "I used AR cables, but when I switched to cable "X" blah blah blah...".
Facts, plus links would be very nice.
Thicker cable + better insulation = better cable
It's really not a difficult concept. I use AR in my system, but only for shit like my DC and SNES that I really don't desire the best quality out of, but everything else is Monster. I've seen and heard AR and Monster side by side to have seen the difference, and unless you can see through my eyes, that's all the proof I'm going to bother to offer.
Sorry, that hardly qualifies as proof.Quote:
Originally posted by Masters
If you're only talking optical, you're probably ok with AR, I'm talking more along the lines of video cables, speaker cable, etc.
Well, my friend told me "Hey Masters, you sell this shit for a living, so you damn well better know what the best cables are."
Thicker cable + better insulation = better cable
It's really not a difficult concept. I use AR in my system, but only for shit like my DC and SNES that I really don't desire the best quality out of, but everything else is Monster. I've seen and heard AR and Monster side by side to have seen the difference, and unless you can see through my eyes, that's all the proof I'm going to bother to offer.
I've been "into" home audio and video for around 10 years.
I used to exclusively use monster cable until I picked up some of the "Master Grade" (I believe it was that, or the "Pro" series. I'm not sure off the top of my head) AR stuff.
Want warranted me giving the AR stuff a try was all info I read over at http://www.hometheaterforum.com
You can go over there and find tons, and tons , and tons of people having the exact same disscusion that we are, but none of them will have any proof either way that "Monster cables are the best".
Thats great that you've "seen the difference" but that hardly quantifies you coming in here and saying:
"Anyone who pays for surround sound equpment and buys Acoustic Research crap cables for it is an idiot."
I probably have around $500 worth of Monster cable laying around or hooked up in my house, which I've switched in and out with all my components, hell I've taken the cable over to other home theatre enthuisasts homes to compare and I haven't seen any noticeable difference with the Monster.
So just like you, I don't have any facts that Monster is any better or worse than AR, just what I've personally experienced.
But you also don't see my spouting off that "Anyone that buys Monster Cables is an idioit" either.
Great post Rooster.Quote:
Originally posted by Rooster
I love this kind of discussion. First things first, the need for a slightly more expensive cable for your setup is going to depend on you using equipment (ie AMP and speakers) that is going to produce an audible differance in the first place. All surround sound recievers are not created equal- there is a huge differance in what a Denon and your average Sony are going to have under the hood and how the two are going to perform side by side. The same goes for cables (many other factors can affect sound quality as well, such as carpeting, location of equipment, acoustics of the room etc.) some use more shielding to prevent interferance, have a heavy jacket to promote longer life and use ends made of glass as opposed to plastic for cleaner signal transfer. The most important thing is weather or not you happen to have a discriminating ear for any of that to even matter. My recommendation is that once you get your equipment and have everything laid out the way you like it, try picking up a nicer cable from a place that won’t hassle you about taking a return if necessary. If you think it sounds better then you can decide if it’s worth the cost. I happen to use a lot of AR HT series stuff myself and have no complaints with them whatsoever. I’ve used generic stuff that I liked quite a bit less and I got the ARs for pennies on the dollar, so for me it was worth it to get the warmer, truer sound that I noticed from cables that I’ve used longer and have yet to fail on me.
Here are a couple places to check out for reviews and general discussion on audio equipment (even cables specifically)
http://www.audioreview.com/
(go to the cable section and be sure to sort by product- AR stuff will then be at the top)
http://www.hometheaterforum.com/htforum/index.php
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/
And if you're ready to take the plunge, this place has decent prices-
http://accessories4less.com/aless4/C...WARE-6OSURN829
Hope this helps...
The best thing anybody can do when buying stuff is to spend as much time reading on those forums as possible.
Much better than listening to myself and Master bitch about cables. :lol:
Monster Cable is GREAT for CAR AUDIO
because you have all kinds of interference in a car and the thicker cables and more shielding prevent that interference from screweing up your signal
when it comes to HOME audio and video they dont do that
compared to inside a car you have virtually no interference in most homes (maybe in apartment complex's but not some ones house)
why you wont see a difference when using monster cables in the home
besides has anyone ever taken monster cable stuff apart
i can tell you monster cables Componet wires for the Xbox are EXACTLY the same as Microsofts componet wires for the Xbox ive taken both apart and the wires inside both are the exact same size and thickness and are put together exactly the same way
except one will cost you 60 bucks and the other will cost you 20
for home audio and video monster cables are a rip off
and even when it comes to car audio you can get cables just as good from companies like Rockfard Phosgate (spelling) for much less than monster cables will run you, but the basic idea behind monster cables, the thicker cables and wires, more insulation, is at its best and works its best in car audio and does virtually nothing in home set ups
You pretty much solved that whole problem in one sentence, and yet you had to add so much before and after that.Quote:
Originally posted by Kidnemo
So just like you, I don't have any facts that Monster is any better or worse than AR, just what I've personally experienced.
Now Recon (something like that...) and Radio Shack cable are shit, I have a AR pro series A/V cable and to be honest I think it is better then my set of Monster Cables A/V cable at least construction wise, I can't tell any difference picture wise but both are nice quality :)
I just won 2 6ft AR optical cables for $17.00 off eBay, not to bad :)
For you guys who can't shut up about interference with interconnects:
Make your own. They're real cheap, and I've heard that they are twenty times better than anything in their price range.
For those who are close minded enough to not try anything other than Monster, try some of these internet-only dealers:
http://www.bettercables.com/
http://www.vampirewire.com/
Digital coaxial cables are the cheapest of the digital cables. I've been happy with mine, and since it's being transferred through a wire and not light, seems more durable.