Dealers who carry Monsters usually carry entry level brands as well. As for Krell and ML dealers, joint advertisements found in the HomeTheater mag should give you some idea of what's going on. The M550i is the lowest model that can be considered entry level. There aren't too many neutral sounding cables in the $50 price range. The M550i has the typical Monster sound but slightly refined. I actually prefer it over the bright PBJ when used in budget systems. I'd have to give it 3 stars based on the actual performance and the fact that you can get the excellent DH Labs for a bit more. DH Lab and Nordost are probably the only ones worth getting under $100.

I'm a budget freak. I admit it. I would never spend more than $100 on a cable. However, I'm also a music freak and I want the absolute best sound I can get for my dollar. My CD to Amp connection is the M550i .5 meter which I braided after some listening tests. I spent 45.00 and I have an interconnect that I'll put up against anything for 150.00 or less. If you like the 550 now braid it and hear the difference.
Four stars for sound, the fifth is for VALUE.

These cables were recommended to help "tame" the brightness/harshness of my B&K Pro 5 Preamp. I had been using Straightwire Chorus, which really brought out the highs - probably too much from this bright B&K. Well, the Monsters DID tame the harshness quite effectively, BUT, I lost both the high-end and low-end extension that the Chorus had (wonderfully) given me. The Monster solved the problem of the harshness, but screwed up the rest of the sound. I'm taking them back, and don't recommend them.

Been happily using this interconnect between a Marantz cd67se -musical fidelity x10d.. tween the x10d and an Adcom GTP450 then to 4 Marantz MA500's in a bi-amp configuration driving Paradigm Studio 60's. The 60's are connected with MITerminator5 speaker cable. I've been reading all the reviews of various pricey interconnects and getting wire envy. Just couldn't bring myself to spend the $100. or so apiece required to get a significantly better connecters (I already have $300 invested in the 6 m550i's). Found some plans on the web for some DIY silver signal tape and was intrigued. They cost about $15. a pair to build. Hang on to your headphones.... They easily blow the doors off the monsters! No contest, sweeter more extended highs, cymbals shimmer more soundstage, tighter bass. They need about 20 hours to fully break in but zowie~ Both friends I had over for listening tests easily could tell the difference.. and I've only replaced the pair between CD player and X10d! Can't wait to finish the other 5 pairs. M550i's 3 stars .. DIY hi yo Silvers .. 5 stars

The M550i are the first interconnect cables that I have purchased for my modest system: NAK AV-500 receiver, Technics SL-PD888 CD player and NHT Super Zero Xu speakers. I am giving them 5 stars because I can definately hear a difference over the OEM cables that came with the CD player. There is more "detail" in the sound, especially acoustic guitar. I have not compared different interconnects, but I feel these were worth the money ($45 for 0.5 meters).

I've seen TONS of cables, but these are a waste of time. Just for fun I used the S-Video cable that came with my Canopus Pure 3D II video card (piece of crap). It was pretty bad (better than composite, but bad for s-video). I put on the Monster and it was a LITTLE bit better, but not worth the price. This cable costs $50 and the cable I used first probably costs $1. There was NOT a $49 dofference. Monster is a ri[ off.
Buy MIT...

I have had a pair of these between my cd player/preamp and preamp/amp for around a month now. They seem to be of good quality and unlike other Monster interconnects are not too tight fitting.
No complaints on the sound, they seem to be quite neutral with good detail - as good as any cable I have auditioned. Very good indeed and the price is fairly reasonable.

Review System
Speakers: Polk RTA-11TL w/Tekna Sonic C-10 & C-12 Vibration Absorbers
Preamp: Sherwood Newcastle AVP-9080R (stereo analog bypass/tone direct)
Amplifier:Carver TFM-35
Source: Pioneer Elite PD-54 CD Player
Cables: Monster M1.2S, Monster M550i

Soundquality, soundstage, stereodepth, control

construction/build could be a tad better

The Monster Interlink M550i is a great product, considering the price.
I use the M550i between my Sony CDP-X 339 ES CD Player and Denon S10 pre-amplifier and between the pre-amplifier and my Denon POA-3200 power-amplifier. Furthermore I use Monster M75 loudspeaker-cable and B&W P6 speakers.

The sound the system produces is rich, detailed and clear. Stereofocus is great and there is a great deal of 'air' between instruments. The cable sounds very musical and not to analytical.
Neutrality could be considered a weakness of the M550i, since treble is rolled off just slightly. I my mind this is one of the aspects I have come to appreciate a lot. The Sony can do with a little less sharpness.
Dynamics, soundstage, stereo-imaging, bass-depth and control are really great, especially if you take into account the price of this cable.
I tested the five times more expensive Tara Labs RCA cables. Of course, they were just stunningly breathtaking!
Nevertheless, if you want a great sound and don't want to spend to much money, the Monster M550i is a great choice!

Similar Products Used:

Tara Labs RCA Reference
Tara Labs RCA Prima
Monster M950i
Monster M850i
Monster M350i

Clearity, soundstage, price

Some roll off of high freq

Over all a great cable for the money. Perfect for connecting a preamp to a amp. I personally use them to connect the surround outputs on my preamp to my amp. My surrounds are 2 ways speakers so these cables are perfect for that. The sony system is very bright with the klipsch speakers. The roll off of the high freq is perfect for this step up. I give them 5 stars for value and 4 for preformance. Only because of the roll off and that 5 stars are for cables like the M1500i.

System used:
Sony TA-E9000es
Sony TA-N9000es
Sony DVP-S7700
Sony CDP-70es
Sony MDS-JA20es
Klipsch legend series speakers
Panamax 1000+
Monster M series interconnects

Similar Products Used:

Monster M1500i-M850i, Tara labs, Audio quest

When I connected my CD player with an amp I was surprised how dynamic music filled my room. It was great. But when I stared to listen to various kind of music it appeared that regardless the kind of music the sound is the same! Silent passages became loud, with plenty of bass and treble. 505s sound like a "loudness" button switched on. It is a good cable for rockers , but is not a natural sounding cable.