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Monster Cable ILS200-1M: Review

Posted to Accessories 2010-01-03

The best way to enjoy a digital audio experience is with a top-quality digital audio optical cable-this is where the Monster Cable ILS200-1M Interlink LightSpeed 200 (Toslink-to-Toslink) comes into play. This 3-foot-long high-performance cable is specifically manufactured to give consumers a flawless digital audio connection. It is also a vast improvement over the LightSpeed 100 cables. If you don't mind paying the high price, and you want a durable Toslink cable, then you will definitely want to consider this one.

These cables measure one meter (3 feet), which is unusually short considering most cables are at least two meters (6 feet) in length. If your audio receiver and television are farther apart, you will want to invest in a longer cable. Despite the expensive price of these cables, many consumers find that the quality, durability, and reliability is much more than many other brands, so if you are a Monster fan you will love this optical cable.

Rating:

4.0 out of 5

Quality

The Interlink LightSpeed 200 is designed with a pressure connection to keep the optical fibers in perfect alignment with components. For lifelong durability, there is a metal shell connector (unlike plastic of the competition). More importantly, the graded index fiber is designed to reduce jitter for enhanced clarity and definition. With this product, your audio will sound better than ever, even better than using a LightSpeed 100 cable.

Value

Although some consumers may question the price of Monster cables and thinking the quality doesn't seem different, we must take into consideration that Monster manufactures its cables with higher-quality elements. More specifically, these cables are designed to be much more durable and reliable than cheaper cables. In other words, your sound is only as good as your weakest link and with Monster, it won't be the cable. If budget isn't a problem, and you plan to use your equipment for the long term, this cable may be for you. Otherwise, you might want to check around first.

Summary

Overall, if you are looking for a top-quality, top-performance digital audio optical fiber cable, your best bet would be to look for something durable and reliable, such as this one-meter ILS200-1M Interlink LightSpeed 200 cable. Of course, the common complaint is the cable's price tag, but if you don't mind paying upwards of $50 for this cable, then it could be the right one for you. Another downside is that this cable is a mere 3 feet long, so if you have your equipment spread out that could pose problems. If your equipment is stacked, then usually 3 feet is enough.

Pros

Top-quality- uses the latest materials for superb quality
Durable- manufactured to last longer than most cables
Performance- designed for optimized data transmission
Expensive- Monster cables are notorious for this

Cons

Short- one meter (three feet) isn't always enough