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→Quality and pricing: this was loaded. The reviews indicate that there's essentially no difference between monster or low priced cables, particularly for digital
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Monster Cable and similar "boutique" cables are a substantial source of revenue for retailers of electronics such as DVD players and TVs. While the margins of DVD players and TVs may be low, the margins of Monster Cables and similar products provide supplemental revenue for these retailers. Employees of such retailers are trained to market and bundle Monster Cable and similar products so as to improve consumer satisfaction and to increase profitability.
Monster Cable and similar "boutique" cables are a substantial source of revenue for retailers of electronics such as DVD players and TVs. While the margins of DVD players and TVs may be low, the margins of Monster Cables and similar products provide supplemental revenue for these retailers. Employees of such retailers are trained to market and bundle Monster Cable and similar products so as to improve consumer satisfaction and to increase profitability.


Nevertheless, various reviews have reported that some listeners and viewers are unable to tell a difference between substantially higher-priced Monster cables and inexpensive cables<ref>Raskin, Jef. [http://www.acmqueue.com/modules.php?name=Content&pa=showpage&pid=98 Silicon Superstitions]. ACM Queue vol. 1, no. 9. December/January 2003-2004.</ref><ref>Meyers, Peter. [http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9D0DEFDF113BF937A15752C0A9649C8B63&pagewanted=print BASICS; The PC as D.J., Talking to the Hi-Fi]. [[The New York Times|New York Times]]. January 24, 2002.</ref><ref>Captain, Sean. [http://www.pcworld.com/article/id,121777-page,1/article.html The Cable Game]. PC World, August 02, 2005.</ref>, In addition, opinions differ, especially for cables which carry digital signals such as [[HDMI]] cables.<ref>{{cite news | first= | last= | coauthors= | title=The Truth About Monster Cable | date= | publisher=Gizmodo | url =http://gizmodo.com/gadgets/field-notes/the-truth-about-monster-cable-266616.php | work = | pages = | accessdate = 2007-12-17 | language = }}</ref> In one experiment, audiophile listeners could not distinguish between short Monster cables and ordinary coat hangers.<ref>Popken, Ben. [http://consumerist.com/362926/do-coat-hangers-sound-as-good-monster-cables Do Coat Hangers Sound As Good As Monster Cables?]. The Consumerist, March, 2008.</ref> Another reviewer concluded that "16-gauge lamp cord and Monster [speaker] cable are indistinguishable from each other with music."<ref>Greenhill, Laurence. "Speaker Cables: Can You Hear the Difference?" ''Stereo Review'', August 1983, quoted at [http://www.roger-russell.com/wire/wire.htm#reviewdares ''Speaker Wire: A History''].</ref>
Nevertheless, various reviews have reported that listeners and viewers are unable to tell a difference between substantially higher-priced Monster cables and inexpensive cables<ref>Raskin, Jef. [http://www.acmqueue.com/modules.php?name=Content&pa=showpage&pid=98 Silicon Superstitions]. ACM Queue vol. 1, no. 9. December/January 2003-2004.</ref><ref>Meyers, Peter. [http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9D0DEFDF113BF937A15752C0A9649C8B63&pagewanted=print BASICS; The PC as D.J., Talking to the Hi-Fi]. [[The New York Times|New York Times]]. January 24, 2002.</ref><ref>Captain, Sean. [http://www.pcworld.com/article/id,121777-page,1/article.html The Cable Game]. PC World, August 02, 2005.</ref>, In addition, opinions differ, especially for cables which carry digital signals such as [[HDMI]] cables.<ref>{{cite news | first= | last= | coauthors= | title=The Truth About Monster Cable | date= | publisher=Gizmodo | url =http://gizmodo.com/gadgets/field-notes/the-truth-about-monster-cable-266616.php | work = | pages = | accessdate = 2007-12-17 | language = }}</ref> In one experiment, audiophile listeners could not distinguish between short Monster cables and ordinary coat hangers.<ref>Popken, Ben. [http://consumerist.com/362926/do-coat-hangers-sound-as-good-monster-cables Do Coat Hangers Sound As Good As Monster Cables?]. The Consumerist, March, 2008.</ref> Another reviewer concluded that "16-gauge lamp cord and Monster [speaker] cable are indistinguishable from each other with music."<ref>Greenhill, Laurence. "Speaker Cables: Can You Hear the Difference?" ''Stereo Review'', August 1983, quoted at [http://www.roger-russell.com/wire/wire.htm#reviewdares ''Speaker Wire: A History''].</ref>


===Trademark and patent===
===Trademark and patent===

Revision as of 20:06, 18 March 2009

Monster Cable Products
Company typePrivate
IndustryConsumer electronics
Founded1979
HeadquartersBrisbane, California
Key people
Noel Lee, Founder, CEO ("Head Monster")
ProductsCables, Loudspeakers, Headphones, Audio equipment
Number of employees
600+
Websitewww.monstercable.com
File:Monstercableheadquarters.jpg
Monster Cable headquarters in Brisbane

Monster Cable Products Inc. owns the Monster Cable brand of consumer audio and video cable, which is primarily used to connect audio and video components.

The company produces consumer electronics accessories including audio and video cables, headphones, speakers, remotes, power conditioner equipment and digital audio players accessories under a breadth of brands, including Monster Power, Monster Mobile, Monster Performance Car, Monster Game, Monster Photo, and M•Design. The company holds over 200 patents and offers more than 4,000 products in more than 100 countries.

In November 2005, the company launched a music label, Monster Music, releasing audio recordings in high definition surround sound on DVD media.

On September 28, 2004 the company purchased the naming rights to the San Francisco 49ers stadium at Candlestick Park, and it was named Monster Park. The naming rights deal expired in 2008 and the name has reverted back to Candlestick Park.

History

Monster Cable Products (Monster) was founded in San Francisco in 1979 by musician and audiophile Noel Lee. The company is based today in Brisbane, CA, and has additional offices in Ennis (Ireland), London, and Hong Kong with about 650 employees, most of them in the US headquarters. The company is privately held, hence it does not publish its sales figures; however, industry sources estimate its annual revenue to be around US$500 million. Monster Cable International, LTD is currently incorporated in Bermuda. [1]

In recent years, faced with increasing competition in the consumer electronics market and in an attempt to reduce costs, the company outsourced many of its production lines. This has resulted in several rounds of layoffs, resulting in a substantial reduction of its workforce.

Controversy

Quality and pricing

Monster Cable and similar "boutique" cables are a substantial source of revenue for retailers of electronics such as DVD players and TVs. While the margins of DVD players and TVs may be low, the margins of Monster Cables and similar products provide supplemental revenue for these retailers. Employees of such retailers are trained to market and bundle Monster Cable and similar products so as to improve consumer satisfaction and to increase profitability.

Nevertheless, various reviews have reported that listeners and viewers are unable to tell a difference between substantially higher-priced Monster cables and inexpensive cables[2][3][4], In addition, opinions differ, especially for cables which carry digital signals such as HDMI cables.[5] In one experiment, audiophile listeners could not distinguish between short Monster cables and ordinary coat hangers.[6] Another reviewer concluded that "16-gauge lamp cord and Monster [speaker] cable are indistinguishable from each other with music."[7]

Trademark and patent

Monster Cable has aggressively protected its name and trademark by opposing applications for registrations for marks that include the term "MONSTER" at the United States Trademark Office. In addition, lawsuits have been filed in a number of cases. [8] Monster Cable CEO Noel Lee defended these actions by saying "We have an obligation to protect our trademark; otherwise we'd lose it." [9] Monster Cable owns many trademarks[10] and patents[11] listed with the US Office of Patents and Trademarks[12].

Monster Cable's adversaries include:

On the April 1, 2008, Monster Cable sent a cease and desist letter to Blue Jeans Cable,[17] claiming infringement on certain patents[18] owned by Monster Cable. The owner of Blue Jeans Cable, Kurt Denke, previously a litigation lawyer, responded with a letter detailing flaws and shortcomings in the allegations of patent infringement, adding "Not only am I unintimidated by litigation; I sometimes rather miss it."[19] In this correspondence, Denke also observed the possibility of Monster Cable avoiding federal income taxes by using a Bermuda-based holding company.

False Advertising

On January 29, 2003, Monster Cable agreed to a consent order with Energizer Holdings to settle a complaint of false advertising regarding Monster Powercells alkaline batteries. Energizer asserted that Monster Cable's claims of "25% More Power Than Standard Alkalines" were false, based on independent testing. Monster Cable removed these claims from its website and product packaging.[20]

See Also

References

  1. ^ http://www.findownersearch.com/owner/2055422/
  2. ^ Raskin, Jef. Silicon Superstitions. ACM Queue vol. 1, no. 9. December/January 2003-2004.
  3. ^ Meyers, Peter. BASICS; The PC as D.J., Talking to the Hi-Fi. New York Times. January 24, 2002.
  4. ^ Captain, Sean. The Cable Game. PC World, August 02, 2005.
  5. ^ "The Truth About Monster Cable". Gizmodo. Retrieved 2007-12-17. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  6. ^ Popken, Ben. Do Coat Hangers Sound As Good As Monster Cables?. The Consumerist, March, 2008.
  7. ^ Greenhill, Laurence. "Speaker Cables: Can You Hear the Difference?" Stereo Review, August 1983, quoted at Speaker Wire: A History.
  8. ^ Evangelista, Benny. Monster fiercely protects its name. SFGate.com. November 8, 2004.
  9. ^ [1]SFgate
  10. ^ [2]Monster Trademarks
  11. ^ [3]Key Monster Patents
  12. ^ [4]Office of Patents and Trademarks
  13. ^ [5]SFgate
  14. ^ [6]SFgate
  15. ^ [7]News10.net Rancho Cordova Mini Golf Course Hit with "Monster" Lawsuit
  16. ^ http://www.monstercable.com/monster_truth/
  17. ^ Monster cable correspondence
  18. ^ [8]Key Monster Patents
  19. ^ Blue Jeans Cable Strikes Back
  20. ^ Energizer, Inc. Investor Relations
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