Home audio & video: Any suggestions for brands/types of HDMI and speaker cables?

Monoprice

for HDMI. speaker wire too, but I find the insulation to be a bit too thick (a forgivable trait, but for all their cables, whether HDMI, optical, speaker, etc). If its all in the walls anyways, then better for you. That's it, done deal. Oh ya, regarding gauge, it depends on the length of runs. Im guessing 12 or 14 gauge will be just fine. Heck, Im using all 16 gauge in my 7.1, though maybe I should be using thicker...

i agree with monoprice

i also agree that the "netting" or insulation surrounding their cable (at least that i ordered) is a bit thick, in that if it's just behind your tv it kind of has a mind of its own and you have to force it where you want it to go.

but for what you need-- sounds like in-wall and lots of it, monoprice should be perfect.

i believe what they sent me is actually hdmi 1.3a as advertised and it works fine.

i had previously ordered "hdmi" cable from eforcity on amazon, but what i got did not look like the picture and did not say "hdmi" on the actual cable, so i'd avoid that route.

in any event, i agree with the original poster that you shouldn't have to spend alot on hdmi cable.

(NT) The HDMI 1.3 spec if for the electronics, not the cable.

Speaker Cable

Ad,
These days, copper simply "aint cheap". You don't have to spend a fortune on a good HDMI cable. BB sels an in-house brand "Rocketfish" that is made by Monster, and offers an exceptional value for a good quality cable.
Don't sell yourself short on that speaker wire. Go to your nearest HD or Lowes and get some 12 gauge, 2 conducter wire. It's not cheap, but it's cheaper than the "spools" most retailers sell, and you don't have to buy more than you need. Feed your speaks the good stuff. You'll be glad you did!
Gavin

Cabling

I would not recommend buying something cheaper from Lowes or Home Depot for cabling. Sure they have may have the same gauge for half the price but you're getting a cheaper quality cable. Most times they sell a 14 gauge speaker cable but it's the shielding and strand count that matters too. They may have 30 to 40 strands of individual wire whereas a higher end cable from MIT for example has over 100 strands which gives you better highs and lows and lets you run the signal a lot further.

TOTALLY AGREE WITH BILL. CABLES SHOULD NOT BE AS EXPENSIVE

AS ANY OF YOUR COMPONENTS.

MONOPRICE PROVIDES EXCLLENT CABLES FOR MOST APPLICATIONS.

AS MENTIONED, I'M ALSO A BIG ADVOCATE FOR 14 GAUGE RUNS FOR SPEAKERS.

JUST AVOID MONSTER CABLES; YOUR WALLET WILL LOVE YOU FOR IT!!!


Riverledge.

with all due respect

I do believe that people hear differences in cabling. I haven't cared to test. Ive read by hardcores that certain types of stranding etc are more suited to certain technologies in speakers. Sometimes I think these folks are following their hardcore physics training more than their ears at times, but who really knows.

What I will say is that some people get goaded to spend a lot on this stuff, but never buy treatments. Its also interesting how rarely a dealer encourages treatments. They often don't sell any. I remember one of the local BW dealers here trying to sell me on $1,000 worth of Audioquest cabling. Sheesh. Nice guy too. Never ever heard a word about treatments.

Acoustic treatments will do more for your experience than many other things including choice of cabling, power conditioning, speaker wire, UPS, etc, combined.

BTW, my 35 ft Monoprice HDMI cable works beautifully. 1080p 24fps from both BD and HD, looks amazing.