Price

lack of detail, muddy bass.

Some may think a cable is just resistance, capacitance etc.. Then why do cables with the same numbers sound different? The analog signal acts differently in different cables, regardless of these measurements. Sure if you are measuring the number and speed of electrons traveling through a cable then the same numbers mean same performance as far as electical current and voltage is concerned. The analog signal is not just the current and voltage. Better cables sound better despite numbers. Actually some cheaper cables sound good too. This is not one of them.

Similar Products Used:

Kimber PBJ, Hero Silver Streak, KCAG. DH Labs. Pure silver Sound.

I've been skeptical about all the high-end fuzz, $1000 cables and more. A cable is rated by resistance, reactance, capacity and that's it. It turned out that either my ears or physics is wrong. If its my ears, it do not mind, as I like the results. :-)
MITerminator 6 (the audo cables, not the speaker ones) did make an audible difference. Actually, my CD has two connectors and I connected both sets to the amp (Advances Tube Technology preamp and power amp, small German manufacturer)for 1-1 comparison:
- MUCH more bass
- crisp highs
- better space definition

What amazed me most were the subtle microdynamics and phase shift things that I could suddenly hear. I could hear the resonances between strings on a piano.

For guitar/bass players: the sound difference between a worn and a new bass string.

Yes: my previous cables sucked. :-) Free cheap cables that came with the CD. Big fault.

The need for an upgraded sub cable drove me to the stores yesterday. First stop, bought the Monster SW-250THX interconnect (6m) for $50. Later in the afternoon, I stopped by a favorite high end shop, where I was chided for spending my money at a chain electronics store and informed that MIT Terminator 6 cable is available in 10' and 20' single lengths with subwoofer applications in mind. I was also told that MIT would smartly "out-perform" the monster product. I've got MIT speaker cables and I love them...and I'm always up for a good face-off, so I bought the MIT wire (20 feet for $35) and a monster "Y" adaptor ($15). [note: same total cost as the Monster product!].
THE COMPARISON:
I used a couple of bass-heavy CDs and some select DVD scenes for test material. I started with my current cheap sub cable (entry level Monster), then moved to the Monster SW-250THX, then to the MIT Terminator 6. All volume levels on my preamp, amp and the sub's amp & crossover remained at the same level throughout the comparison.

THE RESULTS:
Switching from the cheap cable to the Monster THX sub cable brought a nice, audible improvement. Depth increased slightly, bass was more controlled and output level (didn't measure) remained about the same to my ear. Overall, I got the improvement I expected. Satisfied, I then switched to the MIT Terminator 6, expecting similar performance. GEEZ, the MIT just stomped all over Monster!! The room came alive, the signal was audibly louder (at least 2 db..again not measured), bass was more full yet controlled/musical and significantly deeper. It was as though my dual 12" sub became a 15" or 18" sub. This was far and away the most dramatic improvement I've ever heard from a cable in a one-to-one comparison. If I hadn't experienced it myself, there was no way I would have expected such a dramatic improvement (and remember I paied the same for both cables!).

CONCLUSIONS:
Overall, the Monster cable made a nice improvement, but I returned the Monster cable last night. I could have lived very happily with it, had I not bought the MIT...but I'm glad I did. Before posting this, I read the reviews posted for the MIT Terminator 6 here. Not surprising, every reviewer mentions improved bass. Five Stars for an affordable "knock-you-off-the-couch" upgrade!!

Related Equipment:
M&K MX-125 Sub
Paradigm Reference Studio 60 mains
Paradigm Reference Studio CC-450 Center
Paradigm ADP-350 Dipole surrounds
Toshiba 43" RPTV
Harman Kardon AVR-80 Receiver (used as preamp)
Parasound HCA-1205A (140w x 5 amp)
Harman Kardon ADP-303 DD Decoder
Panasonic DVD-A110
Sony VCR
Sony CD
MIT Terminator 5 speaker connects (front)
Monster THX speaker connects (rear)
XLO PRO-150 interconnects
Panamax MAX-1000+ line conditioner
Harman Kardon TC-1000 Take Control Remote

Bright highs, detailed midrange, clean-tight bass

None that I have encountered

I have only had the MIT 6's for about 2 months, and quite frankly haven't fully broken them in yet. Upgraded from a pair of monster cable "Clear jacket" performance cable. I auditioned some straitwires and XLO at a dealership, and yes some did actually sound better-for about 10 times the price! These cables are absolutely excellent! I immediately noticed a difference the moment I hooked them up. I would give them 5 stars for price/performance alone, but I must rank them along with the others I auditioned, which as I mentioned sounded better, but only marginal audible difference.

Similar Products Used:

Midrange monster cable, acoustic research