Customer Reviews

Monster HTS 3600 MKII 10-Outlet Power Center with Stage 3 Clean Power

5 star:		(45)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

Got it today from Amazon at a great price. Setting up is easy with the included cables. The manual can be further improved with more technical explanations on what the protection circuitry actually does. My TV (50" Panasonic 1080p plasma) doesn't seem to have improved over a direct connection to the wall outlet; but the sound stage (via digital optical) of my Yamaha YSP900B (surround sound projector) does. The unit is well built and well integrated with other AV components. The only flaw is the low frequency buzz - audible within 5 ft from the unit. One would think Monster, being a reputable AV (primarily in AV interconnect cables) manufacturer, would not have allowed such a quality issue in the circuitry design. When the unit is enclosed in my AV cabinet, the buzz is not noticeable. But audiophiles beware! I would not have lived with the buzz if the unit is housed on an open AV rack.

The included gold plated coax cable is only 3 ft long, obviously not enough for any serious setup. Again, Monster is a cable company after all; it should have included a longer cable.

Overall, the unit is a good performer with a flaw (the buzz).

I have read some luke warm reviews of this system. My review ONLY focuses on the sound. In fact for me, Two Chanel Stero is more important then all other things like Home Theater DD 5.1 DTS etc. The improvement on my system was immediate and unmistakable. The sound stage became wide and deep.
But wait, as an audiophile i knew that i was capable of self delusion. Maybe I was talking myself into thinking the sound was better. Soon, my NON audiophile wife came home. She took two steps in the door and and asked me, ok what I you bought now? Nothing I said. I really did not count the Power Center as a audio purchases, but in retrospect it was one of the biggest improvements to my system. How well it will do on video I have no idea. Now for an interesting side note. Since reduction of electrical line noise made such a difference I saw a Belken unit that claimed Level 6 Line noise reduction. While in my mind I knew that it was not fair to assume that the levels of noise reduction were the same measurements I was lured with the prospect of getting even better sound. After all I reasoned, if the Belkin Listed for 700.00 Suggested and I could get one for 250.00 I might get even better sound... NOT!! The lack of dynamics and everything else was imediete. I deluded myself into thinking that it needed time to settle in. Yea that's the ticket. After a month I removed the Belkin and regulated to Video duty on our Home theater system. The Music had returned. Again, as for video I have no informed view. For audio, this unit is a dream. Note: This review is for the 3500 Mkii which I think is disconnected. I think the only diffrence is the Analog Metter(3500) vs the Digital one.

I had an older version of this model. Plugged into it were the following components: Pioneer Kuro 60 plasma, Sony PS3, Pioneer Elite A/V receiver, Pioneer Elite DVD player, Denon CD player. Windstorm knocked out power. When electric company re-connected power, big power surge came into the house. The Monster Power unit stepped in front of it and took the hit. Destroyed the unit. But all components were undamaged. Called Monster Power to see if I could send it in to be fixed. Instead, they simply asked if the unit was less than five years old (it was 18 months old). They gave me a return authorization. Sent it in. One week later, received new HTS3600MKS II. Newer model and more expensive than the original. Would a less expensive "surge protector" have done the same thing? Maybe. Do I fully understand all the benefits of "clean power" that is promised from Monster? Not really. But they stood behind their product, replaced it without complaint or hassle. All I know is that it saved thousand of dollars of A/V equipment. Based on my experience, if you spend the extra $$$ on Monster Power, you will get a peace of mind that your expensive A/V equipment is protected by a company that understands customer service.

Monster makes some nice gadgets that are light on your wallet.... Pfshh, we all know that's a lie, the products are nice but they are super expensive. Luckily this was for a customer. The 3600 works fine, does what it is supposed to do, but on page 17 of the manual it specifically states "The Included Rack Ears..." but they were not in the box. After calling in the afternoon and holding for an hour for "sales", I had other things to do. So I decided to call the next morning. I waited about 20 minutes for Technical Support, the rep was very nice, and opened up a ticket for me, but at the end, says "but I can't help you with this, you need to speak with sales". So transferred, an hour later, sales still has not picked up. Finally hung up, emailed....

Q: Hi there. We recently ordered a HTS-3600 MKII Power conditioner for a customer. We opened it up and it did not have the rack ears included with the product, but on page 17 of the manual, it specifically states "This Monster PowerCenter includes two "Rack Ears" mounting plates for installation into a standard size equipment rack." After waiting for over an hour on hold for sales yesterday, I called this morning and after 20 minutes, spoke with a technical support person who gave me a case number which is *****. She then transferred me back to sales in which I waited another hour on hold before deciding to hang up. Hopefully we can figure out a way to get this rack ears situation figured out as soon as possible as it is holding up our job from being completed. And it seems like you guys are doing well, so maybe it's time to hire some more customer service people? Hour+ wait times for sales is pretty unacceptable. If someone could please call me today at..., I would appreciate it. I need to get this resolved ASAP. Thanks

Received an Email response 2 days later:

A: Per UL regulations the rack ears are not sold separately. The can be ordered from our site at: [...]

WHAT?? So I am in the same place that I started. Thanks Monster.

4 stars for product, delete one for not including the rack ears and another for wasting hours of my time with your seemingly wonderful customer service.

I love this overpriced surge protector for a couple of reasons.

- If you have a Sony, check your factory warranty. The only way they will replace your TV in case of an electrical surge or spike is if you have an "approved" surge protector. No worries here.

- I am always surprised the folks will pay $4K or more for a TV, another $1K to have it installed and mounted on the wall and then just plug it into the wall without any surge protection.

- Everything that plugs into my TV goes through the 3600, including the coax from my DirecTV dish. The only item that is plugged into the wall directly is this. It is great to know that everything has some sort of protection including what comes from my satellite dish.

- For the ultimate protection, try running this through a power stabilizer (ASV 2000) that ensures all components get fed a near perfect 120w instead of the fluctuating power you usually get. Consider it like running your car on high octane at all times, never slipping a gallon or two of 89 oct. in the tank.

- I also like the amp display instead of the wattage display. The voltage display just tells you what you are feeding your components, not how much power you are using. The amp display helps you keep an eye out if you might have left a component on and didn't mean to. My kids are always leaving the DVD player or stereo on. If you notice a high amp readout, you know something was left on. My components are behind dark glass, it is hard to see if items are left on.

This might be expensive, but you won't have any regrets. You'll know you took the right steps to protect your investment.

This really is an excellent product and worth the money. (Unlike Monster Cables which are a sham.) I live in Florida and have lost several appliances to power spikes over the years, some of which were protected by comparably priced surge protectors. The response time of the HTS 3600 is remarkable. On several occasions it has gone off before a close lightning strike. I have been using mine for approx. 14 months and have had no issues with noise or anything unusual whatsoever.

The Monster HTS 3600 MKII Power Conditioner arrived just in time for the
start of the Bejing Olympics. The first thing I noticed was effect the unit had on the picture. It took it to a whole new level. I have a 50inch Panasonic plasma with a PS3 for blu-rays. Bestbuy never
could sell me on their calibration service due to the fact my picture
looked so good right out of the box. I was afraid they would mess something up and my plasma would never look the same again. I did'nt think
it was possible for my picture to get any better...that is until I hooked
up the Monster Power conditioner. The picture became sharper, the colors
more vibrant and saturated and there seems to be more of a 3D sensation to the picture. The box is quiet with no noise whatsoever. It stays
cool, no heat whatsoever even though I never turn it off. I got mine for
less than half of the list price through Amazon so I'm real happy with
the deal. As I always say, If Amazon don't sell it, I don't buy it. Amazon is the greatest.

Don't believe the hype on these units improving sound and video. I noticed no difference. This is nothing more than a rack mounted surge protector. For the price, I thought I could use it as a line conditioner when running a generator. Support said this is in no way a line conditioner. I guess you pay the high price for the good looks. I actually purchased the 3500 which has a voltage meter instead of a digital readout. Luckily, with the $50 rebate (which I have not received yet), I paid $137. If you can get it for cheap, then this unit is fine.

I have been researching Monster HTS Power Centers and wanting this unit for a long time, but i have been skeptical, a lot of reviews from multiple websites states that this unit is just a over price surge protector and saw no difference in picture or sound. Of course, there was a lot of reviews praising this unit, but there was enough review that talk down on it that made me thinking twice before getting it. The Monster HTS 3600 is a $500 unit, but after looking on Amazon, i saw it for under $300. After looking for so long, i said, now is the time.
When it arrived, i cracked open the box and plug all my electronics devices into the power center. Very easy installation, as i was cleaning up, i turned on the radio. I was amazed how much clearer the sound was. The sound was a lot deeper and crispier (I use my system everyday, so it is not in my head). I dropped everything i was doing and put in a blu-ray dvd into my ps3. The picture was significantly sharper and clearer. All the back round snow has been reduced, the people faces look so much more vibrant. Especially when i watch hdtv on my cable box. (Regular channel is hard to tell since the resolution is so low). Video games on my Ps3 and Xbox 360 look a little smoother, but it is the sound that has greatly improved. There is so much i want to say, but you are going to have to find out for yourself.
The bottom line is it does everything they advertised with the peace of mind of protecting your investment. I don't understand how some people said this unit is just for show. It probably depends on what you have. This is a must buy!!

I added this Monster Power Center to my home theater system over a year ago. And it has worked perfectly. I live at a lake in a very rural area and we are prone to having many electrical surges from the rural electric company or from bad weather! On many occasions, while watching the big 52" flat screen, listening to the surround sound system and the Blue Ray player puting out high definition... then a power surge from the electric company or a lightning strike in the area has caused the Monster HTS 3600 MKII Power Center to instantly stop the electricity going to all electronics plugged in to it. The Monster HTS 3600 counts "up" for several seconds and then turns on the systems I was useing. As another reviewer indicated... most flat screens are not covered under warrantee unless you have an approved surge suppressor "connected properly" to your system! Monster adds 10's of thousands of dollars of insurance coverage to your system "IF" you properly hook up the Monster system according to instructions that come with the system. It was very easy to install the Monster at the intertainment center. Outside... you will be required to ground the incoming signal cable with a copper rod that is put in the ground at least 4 feet. Very easy to do. At the price this product is being offered on Amazon... you must buy the best protection for your electronics investment. Much smaller surge protection products will cost you nearly as much as this Monster system at this current price!

UPDATE: 12/24/2011 This Monster is still performing like new!