Monoprice.com: Cheap A/V Accessories
For years, we've advised people who need audio-visual accessories—especially the little stuff, like cables—to shop on eBay. And we still do—there are some great deals to be found out there. But the next time we need a component video cable or a fiber-optic audio Toslink cable, we're going to try Monoprice.com. Here's why:
They are cheap as hell and have a totally decent Reseller Rating.
A/V accessories are some of the most overblown, overpriced consumer products out there. In almost all cases, a cable is a cable, and companies like Best Buy make a killing selling you quality, but horrendously-priced products like those from Monster Cable.
We're giving Monoprice a shot. We just purchased three generic 6-foot optical audio cables from Monoprice for $10.79, shipped. For the same product from Best Buy (and we chose the cheaper, Acoustic Research brand), the shipped price was $97.47 (again, for three).
Think someone is making some money somewhere?
Update: Reader Miriam sent in this handy guide to speaker/audio wires. The lesson? cheap is fine.
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Comments:
I've also worked with PartsExpress.com with great results. You can get those same 3 toslink cables for about $10 (plus shipping, which has been pretty reasonable for me). They also give discounts for bulk orders, and on this item, 4 is considered bulk. Monoprice appears to be a touch cheaper though, so I'll have to keep them in mind for future purchases.
Just ask anyone who works (or has worked) for best buy, or other electronics retailers what their discount is.
I was doing a car stereo installation once, and had a friend who worked there get me the wiring harness and faceplate adapter. I've done plenty of these installations before, so I knew the stuff cost around $30. He got it for me for $3.19