Customer Reviews

Monster Cable ILS200 Interlink LightSpeed 200 Highest Performance Digital Fiber-Optic Cable

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Here's a little lesson in understanding optical digital cables from "The complete guide to high end audio" (p. 244-5) "Toslink is the low-cost optical interface promoted by mass-market audio manufacturers as an alternative to coaxial connection...the major electronics companies had two good reasons for trying to convert the world to toslink. First, toslink jacks and cables are cheaper than coaxial jacks and cables. Second, toslink conncetion makes it easier for the compoonents to meet FCC requirements for radiated noise. An electrical signal traveling down copper (such as a coax connection) throws off RF (radio frequency) noise that could interfere with radio and television transmission. The FCC will simply ban products that don't meet its criteria for radiated noise. Because toslink sends the signal as light down a plastic fiber, it produces no radiated noise. toslink (opical) is by far the worst interface, both mechanically (the physical connection between cable and jack), electrically (it has the lowest bandwidth), and sonically. Toslink conncetion tends to blur the separation between individual instrument images, adds a layer of grunge over instrumental textures, softens the bass, and doesn't have the same sense of black silence between notes."

Now, the only reason why you would want to get these cables is because you know that factory provided toslink cable is low-quality that is prone to damage (bending and wearing out)and eventualy you will have to replace the cable. You may want these monster cables because they will last a while, and not because they sound better. I gave three stars because I think they are costly and I am not sure they'll actually last 4 times longer than regular cables.

Despite the carefully worded description of the physics of light transmission, I found the TOS to TOS ILS200-1M made a significant difference in the sound quality compared with that of the OEM cable supplied by SONY. While the explanation of the physics is correct, the writer doesn't allow for variances due to execution. For example, very minor impurities in the materials that make up the body of the signal distribution unit can cause enough back flash to degrade/contaminate the signal even at the speed of light before it arrives at its destination. The wavelength of light and the frequency of this noise are not related. Granted, in most consumer quality FO cables, this is a very minor component of the delivered signal; does that justify spending $40-60 more for a HQ cable? That's a matter of personal preference and the capability of your biological sensors. In my case I think it was worth it as a luxury.

purchased it about a month or two ago got here in like 4 days i think works great though and it was priced very fair

Great product, super price and fast delivery. I wish we had more product like this for resonable price!

Nothing special...good high-quality cable, works great. Ends even come protected with little condom caps to prevent scratching the end fiber.

Like the vast majority of Monster cables, this is just over priced. There is not difference between the quality of signal of this cable and a 5 dollar cable.

I used the Lightspeed 100 for about a year. Today I got the lightspeed 200 and what a great improvement it has made. The DTS sound on my DVD has improved alot and that is just by my ear. I also added a HT700 clean power outlet to my whole system. My entertainment center is about 11 grand and all I can say is it is now better than ever. Thanks to Monster cable . all my hook ups are also monstercable.