Monster Cable Glossary

Selected based on the depth of penetration of audio frequencies into the conductor material (in Monster's case this is high purity OFC copper), different sized conductors are optimized for certain frequencies, and the calculated combinations help determine the frequency balance, the sonic energy capabilities at those frequencies (ability to drive current in the case of speaker cables), and phase characteristics of the cable.

The parameters for this type of design vary with interconnect cables vs. speaker cables. In interconnect cables we want to accurately pass voltage, and in speaker cables we want to pass current. In interconnect cables we are driving high impedances, while in speaker cables we are driving complex low impedances, creating severe limitations in a speaker cable's ability to drive current at low frequencies. Since typical interconnect cables are low inductance and higher in capacitance, current leads the voltage by 90 degrees, causing time domain distortions. In speaker cables, the opposite is true: inductance is higher than the capacitance and speakers require current, not voltage, to drive the bass energy, especially where the impedance of some speakers is very low at bass frequencies, causing a loss of control and more time domain and amplitude distortions.

A good example of the validity of this approach is the popularity of solid core cables and the concept of bi-wiring: cables that are biased towards certain frequency ranges. However, a non-scientific, haphazard approach to Amplitude Balancing will produce mixed and unpredictable results, and focus typically on a limited frequency range. Monster's Amplitude Balanced constructions are calculated and modeled by computer, and then verified by careful listening tests.

Amplitude Balanced construction is used in Monster's highly acclaimed New Monster Cable (frequently referred to as Monster BiWire), which features separately insulated networks for the high and low frequencies. Monster's Custom Installation Series actually incorporates a solid core along with multi-strands, and the new M Series cables use multiple solid core construction along with time compensated conductors.

This technology combines Time Correct windings with the use of selected multiple-gauged constructions to pass the music in correct amplitude and phase. Monster's balanced design interconnect cables use equal conductors for the positive and negative conductors with a passive "ground" shield. The positive signal must be identical to the negative signal, electrically and magnetically, otherwise there will be an imbalance, causing a resultant signal that is a distortion of the original waveform. That is why coaxial cables, commonly used in low cost interconnects (and some high priced ones also), cannot be correctly time compensated and will always be inaccurate.

The results of distortions in wire are audible because in the analog world, we directly hear the electrical signals transferred to vibrations in the air. These vibrations reach our ear drums, which send the signals to our brain, where we interpret them as music. Any distortions in this chain are correctly and accurately detected in our ability to hear variations in frequency and time, which relates to our perceptions of music, harmonic overtones, directionality, dimensionality and space. Monster's Bandwidth Balanced constructions overcome most of these distortions (no wire is perfect) in a way that no other cable can. It's obvious that regardless of the purity of the material used (we have evaluated all the various LCOFC, OCC, six 9's copper, etc.), one must still overcome amplitude and time domain distortions to achieve accurate sound reproduction.

One can hear the frequency extensions, phase characteristics and dimensionality of Monster's three-network Interlink Reference and M1000 Mk III vs. our less expensive two-network Interlink 400, or our network-less Interlink 300, or some other manufacturer's coaxial or balanced cable that has no amplitude or phase compensation at all. Be aware that the use of multiple gauged conductors themselves is no guarantee of sonic accuracy, and that correct winding constructions and accurate manufacturing are significant factors.

This technology is incorporated into our Powerline 2 Plus and Powerline 3 Plus cables, and will continue to be used in future designs. Monster's Bass Control Conductors incorporate the design of a carefully sized bass conductor that is calculated in consideration of the other gauges that are used to give proper reinforcement of certain low frequencies. This conductor is typically postitioned in the center of the conductor bundles and wrapped in a large dielectric to allow the break-up of internal magnetic fields. The combination of the correct sized cable bundles with the winding of the outside conductors gives us a highly refined, "balanced" sound that is smooth and controlled with a high degree of depth and image.

As discussed earlier, the dielectric is extremely important to the sound of a finished product. Linear Polyethylene Dielectric, or LPE, is used where that interface is critical: between the copper conductors and clear PVC (as in the case of XP). Monster's more expensive cables utilize even better dielectrics, but do not maintain the ability to be transparent, which explains the higher performance of Powerline 2 Plus, Powerline 3 Plus and the M Series.

This is the technology of running a dielectric down the middle of a connector bundle or a large insulated wire. The dielectric "breaks up" internal magnetic fields that are strongest at the center, thereby reducing the time related distortions of conventional cable. This design is even incorporated in our lowest priced XP speaker cable, which, when compared to other cables of the equivalent gauge and "look", far outperforms them in the areas of neutrality, smoothness and lack of high-end grittiness. Dynamic range is also more noticeable since the apparent noise level is reduced. We invite you to listen to Monster's speaker cables that employ this unique design technology.

Since much of an audio signal passes through the magnetic field surrounding the conductor, the quality of dielectric plays an extremely important part in cable construction.

The dielectric affects a cable in two ways. One is the quality of insulation between the positive and negative conductor, and the other is the isolation of the groupings of multiple strands (and in our case multiple gauges) of wire in the same conductor. MicroFiber, which is Monster's patented design of wrapping a wire strand (or group of wire strands) with a dielectric comprised of 30% air (the best dielectric of all except for a vacuum), has superior characteristics in the area of low energy storage and energy loss. Energy in this case meaning all the components of an audio signal in terms of its electrical, magnetic, electrostatic and current transfer components.

MicroFiber is used in Monster's cables to isolate individual networks in the same conductor. The result is a music signal that is very fast in its transient and dynamics, which is important in today's music.

Listen to the difference between Interlink Reference 2 (with MicroFiber on the bass and mid bass networks, but not the high frequency networks) vs. the M1000 Mk III, which has MicroFiber on all three cable networks. The rest of the construction is virtually identical. The M1000 has all the detail and depth of the Interlink Reference 2, but with better control over the top end and less high frequency smear. Of course the cost of the M1000 is higher. Also audible is the difference between Monster's older Interlink 4 vs. Interlink 400. The only difference between the two is that Interlink 4 uses a varnish dielectric (as used in Litz wire) and the Interlink 400 uses MicroFiber.

A further test of MicroFiber is to listen to the increase in clarity and detail, as well as extended frequency response (because of the isolation between multiple-gauged conductors), between Interlink 400 and Interlink 401 (again, the only difference in the conductors is that Interlink 401 does not have Microfiber).

MultiTwist® is an advanced cable construction that brings out nuances by minimizing intertransient noise and improving dynamic range.

While effective in lower cost cables, Amplitude Balanced construction does not complete the whole picture. Time domain distortions can be improved, but cannot be accurately controlled to give us the sonic attributes that are related to phase as described earlier. In interconnect cables we correct these time domain distortions by creating a longer path and higher impedances for the higher frequencies. We cannot speed up the lows, so we must delay the highs. By winding the high frequency conductors to create inductance at those frequencies, we delay them in time to pass through the cable at the same time with the slower lower frequencies. This develops the ability to capture lost phase-related information such as dimensionality, soundstage, imaging and depth.

This technology places great demands on our manufacturing processes to precisely wind the wire, control the number of turns for the different conductors-which is especially difficult because the smaller high frequency wires need to be more precisely and tightly wound than the low frequencies, and to delicately handle varying gauges of conductors that are wound together without breakage or waste.

The complexity of the windings increases the cost proportionately since machine time is very expensive. The complexity of Monster's constructions in our higher priced cables is apparent to the eye, but it's the audible results of Time Correct construction that are well worth the cost and effort.

This is truly the highest quality RCA connector ever made. If you think about it, the connector is also a cable, and whatever attributes are important to cable design, also apply to connector design - and more.

That's why Monster's Turbine is made from a single slug of material that is machined out to maintain its mass (other connectors are simply folded over sheet metal), and then each cut is made on an indexing cutter to maintain a precision fit and maximize the mass of each "finger." There are four features important to the audibility of connectors:

• Contact Mass
• Contact Points
• Contact Area
• Contact Pressure

The Turbine excels in all of these parameters, especially contact pressure, which is important with heavy cables. This means that bass, dynamic range, smoothness and coherency are audible in an excellent connector design. Car stereo applications are also extremely important when it comes to contact pressure, since nearly all car stereo installation call-backs have to do with wiring-grounding, intermittent channels, noise, distortion. Remember, even though it sounds good today, will it sound good tomorrow?