I'll start off by saying, these are my first "real" set of speaker cables. and this will be the first review I've ever written about any of my own audio equipment, but after hearing the difference these made... I had to encourage others who are thinking about getting these cables, to just spend the money and get them...

Before these I was always using subpar 10gauge at $20 for 50'. I always thought it sounded good, and when I first came across these several weeks ago on an online forum in the for sale adds, I thought "Give me a break... I'd never spend more than $40 bucks for some 'really nice' cables." I never believed any reviews about how cables could "bring your system to life" and make such a huge difference, and I thought this was just a big ripoff gimmick.. Well I have a friend of mine who owns the big 300lb Krell mono blocks and many other amps and systems in the multi thousand dollar range, and knows much much more about the audioworld than me. so I made a joking remark about these cables to him, and he jumped all over me, he said that he's spent several thousands of dollars on speaker cables more expensive than the Monster M2.2's, but after trying out a pair of M2.2's He said these are the best bang for your buck on speaker cables, and sound just as good if not better than many of the other more expensive brands/cables out there. Knowing I don't have a big cash-flow he encouraged me to buy them for the price I could get them at. and after several weeks going by I checked online for those cables, and since they were still there, I went out on a limb ($320 shipped) for the 15' FL & FR and a 10' Center.

When I recieved these cables, all I could do is laugh... These things are seriously like a garden hoses.. I wasn't sure if my family would even allow me to have the monstrosities running through our living room.. But I'll just have to think of a creative way of hiding them, otherwise, just assume I have a powerplant directly connected to my components.

The Sound... Seriously, I couldn't believe it... The midrange and bass are just incredible.. It is so crystal clear and smooth sounding I was just smiling throughout the first 5 songs I listened to. You should also know, the speakers they are first listened to was a pair of Klipsch Quartets, powered by two Dayton APA 150 monoblock's. This has been my second system, (which has gotten as much listening as my main system - Klipsch KLF-30's and KM-6's) and I know the sound very well from this combo.. I had to call in my cousin who was visiting at the time who also owns some Klipsch speakers, and he just sat in a chair in front of the speakers for a while and also couldn't help but smile.. It sounds so good! This brought me into a new level of sound quality and just from a cheap pair of Dayton monoblocks. I can't wait to hear these cables hooked up to my Yamaha MX-1000U coming next week.

Anyways, if you're in doubt about whether cables make a difference.. Just get these.. At least try them out and if you don't like them, send them back. But I highly doubt that will be the case.

very neutral, Deep soundstage, timbre and fascinating voice reproduction

May be difficult to connect! Dynamic.

INTRODUCTION
I just managed to get a used 8 ft M 2.2s two or three weeks ago. This was always kind of a dream to me, so perhaps I am in fact mildly biased. And audio reviews tend to be on the subjective side because of different taste.

OPENING THE PACKAGE
The cable comes in a cheap looking plastic case (like the ones drilling machines are stored in). Once it's unpacked it will be virtually impossible to put it back because of the things size. But who would put it back in there anyway?
I recomment burning in the thing for up to 48 hours to be on the safe side! Because I got a used one I can't tell if it is necessary of course. But when I got my Monster M 1500 I was at first shocked. It sounded just not right, in fact horrible. Just like some other reviews describe the M 2.2s. But after burning in the characteristics changed and the cable sounded like a Monster Cable: just great! See my review on the M1500 for details.

INSTALLATION
The M 2.2s is surprisingly flexible regarding it's thickness (the cable is surounded by some kind of fabric). But it is very heavy: big metal boxes are connected to the cable on both sides (labeled Amplifier or Speaker). These things are called "network terminators". See www.monstercable.com for details on the specs.
I got a version using cable shoes as connectors. They are not exactly small and certainly overkill for both loudspeaker and ampifier terminals an low, mid and even some high-end products. And even with the optional bananas (screwed on the shoes) the pull on the terminal is heavy, so be carefull!

THE SYSTEM
For this comparison I used:
Amplifiers: Yamaha DSP-A1 and AX 2000
CD-Player: Denon DCD-3000 and Marantz CD 6300 OSE
D/A: Denon DA 500
Cables: Different brands, see above
Speakers: Self made, using quality components (Dynaudio, Seas and Morel Chassis, Mundorf and copperband coils, MKP condensators, metal resistors etc.)

THE SOUND
But the sound compensates all your efforts:
The cable offers:
a) a clear and very DEEP soundstage
b) clear hights and very controlled bass
c) a fascinating midrange rendering
Like other Monster Cables I used before, the M 2.2s offered the same controlled bass (which may on some systems sound a little thin) and superb spatiality. The soundstage is very deep, instruments and voices keep their natural proportions (and just sound amazingly clear and natural).
And it doesn't share the weaknesses of the MXC 1.2s and the Powerline 2+. These cables surround the voices with some kind of harsh aura. And they lack the supiror clarity of the M 2.2s by this sounding a little dull.
It offers clear hights, but is by far not analytical. There is no harshness whatsoever. Just amazing. Like for the timbre and tempo (=musicality): Its drive somehow drags you in the musical flow and you tend to forget that your are listing to a stereo system. It just feels like listening to a live performance!
Here the positve aspects of many different cables are miraculously combinded: the clarity of a Kimber (without any harshness), the bass control of a Straight Wire (without lack of musicality), the reproduction of a really DEEP soundstage like other Monster Cables (without appearing somewhat dull) and it is neutral like Fadels Cables (but withiut lack of drive).
While testing the cable I realized, it makes small signal cables sound a lot better. It seemingly compensates some errors these cables pass through from CD to amplifier. The differences between those cables simply seemed not that great anymore. But there still where these fine differences. On my system it workes best with my Monster M1500.
The only weakness seems to be dynamics (it is sounding a little flat sometimes). My Groneberg Quattro Reference showed a little more "pepper". But the difference is small though.

IN A NUTSHELL
Like any audio component, a cable has its own characteristics which are very similar among one product family. So if you don't like the "monster sound" don't waste your time and money buying the Monster Cable M 2.2s!
And different cables can sound very different using various components. It allways is best to test the cable at home (not a store!) with the chance to bring it back if it didn't fit into your chain.
Ok, this cable certainly is not cheap. Also it's handling is challenging, but it's worth it, trust me! 5 ot of 5 Stars in both categories for outstanding musical reproduction go to this bargain.

Sorry if the review is a little long. Any comments are greatly appreciated! And pardon my english, my german is much better, I promise!

Similar Products Used:

Fadel Art, Straight Wire, MIT, Kimber, Groneberg other Monster Cable

If you talk to people in the technical side of the audio industry and ask them about the role of speaker cables, most will tell you that every cable, to varying degrees, will pass distortion through the wire. It is this distortion that influences the quality of the signal and its ability to create depth, soundstage and musical reproduction in the loudspeakers. Less distortion through the cables means better sound. Makes sense.

If you talk to loudspeaker manufacturers, their concern seems to be that cables must have the signal transfer capability to allow the amp to fully drive the loudspeakers at every frequency range and not limit the speakers ability to perform as designed. I would assume that there is also a power issue here as well.

Then, of course, there are the cable manufacturers. Some will have you believe that their product will actually compensate for component performance. All of their sales brochures claim that their products are superior to their competitors.

We all know the dramatic difference between the standard issue stuff and the leap to a good cable, but is the difference as dramatic when you leap from $500 for a
3m pair to $3,000 for a 3m pair?

Well, with all of this editorial philosophy in mind, I bought the Monster Cable M2.2's. The flexibility of the various interchangeable termination options is an advantage and I like the fact that they're heavy and solid.

I get deep, clear bass from the subwoofer, beautiful midrange and exceptional high frequency reproduction from the mains. The soundstage is wide and deep with well placed vocals and instruments. It's my audio perception that the M2.2's do the job quite well of delivering the signal from the amp to the speakers without limiting the sound quality.

I am really very pleased with them, and actually a bit surprised that I would get such superior performance from a $500 set of cables, given all the hype that the industry gives to the value of $100 per foot for "exotic" products.

Build Qulity, ability to reproduce music!

None in terms of performance. As with all good cables, price is certainly ans issue.

People who are interested in upgrading their cables and really want a top notch product must demo this cable. Compared to the other manufacturer's this is a bargin. the clarity of the tight bass and the impact of the midrange is truely amazzzing. Plus, it has the monster interchangeable connections that allow you to install bannana plugs or spades. It's roughly 3/4 of an inch thick and as stated before it is well crafted. 25ft run.
Krell HTS
Krell FPB 200
Krell 250/3
Toshiba dvd 9200
Arcam fmj23
Magnum Dyn tuner
transparent/straigthwire balanced interconnects

Similar Products Used:

Mit, AQ, Nordost

I recently auditioned Monster cables M2.2s speaker cable in my $40,000 reference system; consisting of Dunlavy SC-V reference monitors, Audio Research VT-200 amplifier and LS-25 preamp with a Balanced Audio Technologies VK-D5 front end.This product is "World Class"! I have owned and lived with $12,000 worth of various cable companies product from the likes of Transparent and MIT to name two. The Monster Cable M2.2s speaker cables outclassed them all: the refined and detailed high end(liquid and sweet with no grain), the palpably rich and tonaly accurate midrange and the deep unrestrained articulate bass was astonishing. Enthralling is the only word I could think of as I kept reaching for the next CD to play! If any audiophile desires an absolutely beguiling set of reference cables that capture the heart, soul and spirit of a "Live" concert..search no more...these cables deliver! They just don't have the snob appeal.

I actually thought these wires are well made, for a Monster that is. As for the sound, it has deep bass and decent midrange but lacks crisp treble. That's fine for movies but in a real music system? I don't think so. As for famous people using this brand, check out the new Monster-Krell alliance... Krell just lost 1 point of respect. Still, they managed to put out great sound through the JM Lab Utopias in the HTExpo...

One year ago I wa a monster fan. I didnt know any better. Brainwashed by Monster ads and the fact that they are so easy to find. I have a story to tell. Hope I can chnge you. Please, read on. On it aug97 isue, Home Theater Tecnology mag ran a interconnector face off. Monster 550i was the winner. However, acording to the editor of the mag, Brent Butterwrth, Straightwire Chorus II was BETTER. I bougt both brands and conducted a face off myself. THAT changed my sistem AND my life. Chorus II had a deeper bass, more detail and made voices sound awsome! Monster 550i was just ok. Now, check this out: Chorus II had a more controlled bass and better human voice reproduction than my Monter 1000i, wich costs 3 times more than the Chorus II! I heard things using the Chorus II that I never heard before. Ok, the Monsters are smoother, but the Straightwire int. was neutral, almost smooth(but NEVER bright) Sooner I had every Monster cable off my sistem. Even Their video cable(wich is ISF recommended. I dont know why) paled in comparison with Straightwire video silver II.
Ok, what about the 2.2s ?
Whn I bought them(8 feet pair) thefirst thing I noticed was how cheap they looked. I mean, the network cases had blurred paint on them, as if somebody didnt haver time to do a more careful job. How abou the sund? Decent. Good bass, soundstage, smooth and open. However, grainy as hell(thats when you know you got budget insted of high end). I returned them and bought Straightwire Encore II(price: 130+tax. Monter 2.2: 500). Oh my! The Monster was again smoother, but the Encore sounded way beter on voices. Again, I heard more detail and inner detail through the Encore. Also, the Straightires were extremely well built(definitely high end) with strong bananas terminations(my favorite).
My friends, if you dont get human voices right, your sistem will never deiver, no matter how much you spend. That is for audio and Home theater. Movies and music are about words. Screw that up, and you always have listening fatigue. I dont care how many famous people claim to use Monster cables on their ads(are they getting paid?) Do yourself a face off. Buy both the Chorus II and the M550i. They only cust 50 bucks. I garantee you will never buy Monster again.
No, I donot recommend Monster 2.2 speaker wire. There are better and cheaper wires out there. I recommend Straightwre, Cardas and the cheap MITs.
My sistem" Defnitive P-10, Rotel pre/pow, Rotel 950 CD player, plugued into a Power Wedge II. I use Cardas Cross interconnectors and speaker wires. I use Chorus II bteen my preamp and amplifier.
Thank you for taking time inreading this.

Bass and Midrange.

None

Dear

Reader


This cable is truly a Monster. It's big and very difficult to work with, but provides the owner with a sweet and natural offering. The bass and the midrange are world class, but the top is a little rolled off.

Below is a list of products used with the Monster M2.2s.

Yamaha CDR-S1000
Monster Cable M 1000i
Tandberg TT 3011A
Monster Cable M 950i
Classe CAP 151
Sonus Faber Concertino
Target 24"
Monster Cable SW 400
Velodyne CT 100

The Monster Cable 2.2s enables the listener to hear music, and not Hi-Fi. While the Monster Cable 1.4 and Kimber Cable 8TC (Biwire) cables offer a good value, they are not high-end products. The 2.2s soundstage is wide and deep. Try Monk "At the IT Club", and Bill Evans "Waltz for Debbie" with the 2.2s, and these 20-bits recording will come to life. This cable is not perfect because it does not extend into the ultra-sonics like the big Kimbers.

If you want great bass, smooth midrange, and a very wide/deep soundstage, the 2.2s might just fit the bill. At $500, they are a true bargin. My 2001 purchase is built quite well, and has experienced no quality problems.

Similar Products Used:

8TC Biwire, MIT MH 650

Bass, midrange, and top-end.

Look's like gray garden hose in my living room.

Dear

Reader


The Stereo Exchange and other High-End Stores cannot be wrong. The M2.2s by Monster could be the best speaker cables under $800 per pair. This is a fine sounding product, and an excellent value. Below are my findings.

Top. Open and smooth. Rating B+

Mid. Natural. Rating B+

Low. Big and tight. Rating A

Tone. On the yin side. Rating A

Sound Stage. Rating A

The more upgades I perform, the better this product sounds. Listed below is my current setup.

Classe CDP .3 (Mk2)
Monster Cable M1000i (XLR)
Classe CAP 151
Monster Cable M2.2s
Vienna Mozarts

I just upgraded from M1000i RCA's to XLR's, and the difference was not a small one. The Monster Cable M2.2s offering is the foundation, and it allows me to keep pushing the envelope.

My rating is based on speaker cables under $600 for a 10' pair. For those of you that own bi-wire speakers, the M2.4s offering from Monster may be a safe bet. In a nutshell, the Monster Cable M2.2s great product at a decent price.

Similar Products Used:

Audio Quest, and Kimber Cable

Good stuff, really lets you hear more bass.

none

If you're gonna invest in a good stereo, might as well go all the way and get you some moster cable. For a small price, you can hear the full potential of what you have.