Monster Power conditioner or Monster Power bar???

[4x12]

Hey Guys,

I was looking into getting some new protection for my gear tonight. My current protection is a Belkin 8plug power bar that seems to be ok but its about 5 years old so I imagine due for a change.

While I was checking out the Monster HDP-1800 at FS, my wife pops in and said "why don't you get a power bar... something like this? and its cheaper!" She was showing me the Monster Blackout bar. So not knowing what to answer honestly I said... let me ask my people (youz guys) and we'll get back to this...

So, the two units I was looking into was :

http://www.monstercable.com/productdisplay.asp?pin=5317 $149

and

http://www.monstercable.com/productdisplay.asp?pin=4885 $299

Besides the esthetic factor... Is the 1800 worth $150 more for an the extra 2500joules, the clean stage 2 etc... or is this just another Monster marketing pitch?

what to you think?

[azncarbos]

If you are looking for power conditioner, I would recommend the APC H10 or H15 and you could get a killer deal on APC H10

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...yCjCVqHCjCdwwp

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...408&CatId=1324
or the Belkin Pure AV PF60
http://www.buy.com/prod/belkin-purea...207514357.html

I have the HTS 1600 for bedroom and does the jobs it made for....
The power conditioner a surge diverter, an isolation transformer, and a power line noise filter.

[xneox]

What ^^he said.

Don't bother with the Monster 'power bars'. Their conditioners are popular, so I suspect they do a nice job...but the APC H10 & H15 do as well for much less $. And the difference between those two - the H15 is rated for 1500w continuous and has a numeric display. I went with the H10 because unless you're running some crazy shit, you'll never hit its 1000 watt rating, and the led indicators were fine with me. I run a large plasma, a BD player and two a/v receivers - on bright scenes I've seen it hit 60%, no higher.

I won't comment on whether they improve your picture or sound (many say they do), or whether they lengthen the life of your components, especially in homes with less-than-ideal power (most say they do), but I'll tell you that I lost a 46" Panny 800u, and they had no idea why. There wasn't a chance in hell that I was plugging the [warranty] replacement V10 into the same 'power bar'. Not saying it had jack to do with it...but for $99, why risk it?

[Johnny Vinyl]

Unfortunately, APC and their resellers will not ship into Canada. I tried to jump on that APC 15 a while back without any luck. All of this is a real pity as power centres and the like are almost twice the price in Canada as they are in the U.S. and makes them ridiculously expensive.

However, if one is willing to wait for Boxing Day sales, you can get some deals. I got the Monster HDP 2400 (discontinued now and replaced by the HDP 2500) for $199. The regular price was $499.

Like you I also has a Belkin unit, which never caused me any issues, but I wanted a component-style unit as it integrates nicer into a HT setup from an aesthetics point-of-view. I'm very satisfied with the Monster HDP 2400.

John

[4x12]

So, you all suggest the APC over the Monster... I just find it a little boxed up compared to the 1800. I found the H15 at TigerDirect.ca for 199.99 CDN is this a good price or is there better ?

Edit:

I was just reading up on the APC units, and some users mentioned that the APC affects sound quality in audio gear... can anyone confirm this ?

[4x12]

Originally Posted by azncarbos

I have the HTS 1600 for bedroom and does the jobs it made for....
The power conditioner a surge diverter, an isolation transformer, and a power line noise filter.

Actually, the FS dude offered a demo HTS1600 for $179 But i was hesistant on the fact that its a demo... should I grab this one ?

[xneox]

Originally Posted by 4x12

So, you all suggest the APC over the Monster... I just find it a little boxed up compared to the 1800. I found the H15 at TigerDirect.ca for 199.99 CDN is this a good price or is there better ?

Yeah, but not because it's better...just because it's cheaper. Yes, $199.99 CDN is good, as it's $199.99 US on the US TD site.

I was just reading up on the APC units, and some users mentioned that the APC affects sound quality in audio gear... can anyone confirm this ?

Negatively?

[Johnny Vinyl]

Originally Posted by 4x12

So, you all suggest the APC over the Monster... I just find it a little boxed up compared to the 1800. I found the H15 at TigerDirect.ca for 199.99 CDN is this a good price or is there better ?

Edit:

I was just reading up on the APC units, and some users mentioned that the APC affects sound quality in audio gear... can anyone confirm this ?

That's a great price for the APC H15......

Some people say they notice an improvement in sound with a power conditioner. I personally have not had that experience. Then again, I didn't buy it for that reason...I bought it to protect my HT investment.

Originally Posted by 4x12

Actually, the FS dude offered a demo HTS1600 for $179 But i was hesistant on the fact that its a demo... should I grab this one ?

Used Power conditioners are a safe bet. I wouldn't hesitate to purchase one.
--------------------------

My recommendation though....get the APC H15 from TigerDirect.ca !

John

[4x12]

Originally Posted by xneox

Negatively?

Yeah. something about the sound not being as pure or clear... can't remember the exact term used.

[4x12]

Another question for you guys...

I happen to trigger off my breaker often, To much crap plugged into that line, but I don't really have a choice since one side of the house (3 rooms) are on the same 15A breaker... should I look into one of those UPS battery packs to prevent damage to the panny, elite and PS3 when it shuts down?

Should I get both units (H15 and a UPS) ?

[Petra_Kalbrain]

"Monster Power conditioner or Monster Power bar???"

How about NEITHER!!!

Avoid Monster brand. You are paying them 60% of the price tag just for their name. The quality of their products can be found in other brands for less than half of the price!

[Johnny Vinyl]

Originally Posted by Petra_Kalbrain

"Monster Power conditioner or Monster Power bar???"

How about NEITHER!!!

Avoid Monster brand. You are paying them 60% of the price tag just for their name. The quality of their products can be found in other brands for less than half of the price!

I'm here to tell you that my Monster HDP 2400 works just fine and I got it for less than half-price last Boxing Day.

John

[Petra_Kalbrain]

Originally Posted by John72953

I'm here to tell you that my Monster HDP 2400 works just fine and I got it for less than half-price last Boxing Day.

John

Well, ya... that's all fine and dandy if you can get a Monster brand product for 50+% off the regular retail price (not the "suggested retail price"). Because then you are getting exactly the same as what you would get from their competitors without wasting the extra cash. But, as it is, their regular prices are ridiculously inflated.

[xneox]

Originally Posted by 4x12

Another question for you guys...

I happen to trigger off my breaker often, To much crap plugged into that line, but I don't really have a choice since one side of the house (3 rooms) are on the same 15A breaker... should I look into one of those UPS battery packs to prevent damage to the panny, elite and PS3 when it shuts down?

Should I get both units (H15 and a UPS) ?

Can't really tell you what add-ons you should get for that...I would run a dedicated line to your HT to solve the real problem.

[Johnny Vinyl]

Originally Posted by Petra_Kalbrain

Well, ya... that's all fine and dandy if you can get a Monster brand product for 50+% off the regular retail price (not the "suggested retail price"). Because then you are getting exactly the same as what you would get from their competitors without wasting the extra cash. But, as it is, their regular prices are ridiculously inflated.

I will agree with you on this point wholeheartedly. I had never even considered the Monster power conditioner before for exactly that reason, and was instead looking at the Panamax and APC units. Then the FS Monster deal came along and it was too good not not buy.

John

[azncarbos]

Originally Posted by 4x12

So, you all suggest the APC over the Monster... I just find it a little boxed up compared to the 1800. I found the H15 at TigerDirect.ca for 199.99 CDN is this a good price or is there better ?

Edit:

I was just reading up on the APC units, and some users mentioned that the APC affects sound quality in audio gear... can anyone confirm this ?

That same price here the States

I haven't had any problem when I had my APC H15 with both picture and sound.....
But it did get rid of buzzing sound for me.....

Originally Posted by 4x12

Actually, the FS dude offered a demo HTS1600 for $179 But i was hesistant on the fact that its a demo... should I grab this one ?

You shouldn't, I brought my from the guy on this forum... for cheap! But for $179 why not put down for $20 for brand new APC H15 or save a a bit and go for the APC H10....

Originally Posted by 4x12

Another question for you guys...

I happen to trigger off my breaker often, To much crap plugged into that line, but I don't really have a choice since one side of the house (3 rooms) are on the same 15A breaker... should I look into one of those UPS battery packs to prevent damage to the panny, elite and PS3 when it shuts down?

Should I get both units (H15 and a UPS) ?

Does this happen a lot? If so I would recommend getting a UPS then....

[4x12]

Originally Posted by azncarbos

Does this happen a lot? If so I would recommend getting a UPS then....

Only when I watch a movie. Since I have the whole HT running. I can avoid it by shutting down a few things (the PC in one room, shut down the lamps in the living room, etc...) Ill move things around to other ac plugs and see if that solves anything.

Originally Posted by xneox

Can't really tell you what add-ons you should get for that...I would run a dedicated line to your HT to solve the real problem.

I would, but this isnt my house so I can't have another line set in... and I doubt the lanlord would do something about it.

[xneox]

Originally Posted by 4x12

I would, but this isnt my house so I can't have another line set in... and I doubt the lanlord would do something about it.

Ooohhhhhhhhh....gotchya. Yeah, UPS might be good then.

[azncarbos]

Give that try!!! plus with APC H15 will regulate voltage automatically