Transnova makes an excellent point -- Monster is undoubtedly suffering the proverbial contempt bred by familiarity. I've been using the M1000is (I paid $200 for a 1m. pair, Lak) in my second system, along with the M1.2 speaker cable, and they are solid performers. I'm also obliged to say that replacing these cables on my main system with Audience Maestros -- only slightly more $ for the ICs, though a good bit more for the SC -- was a step forward in overall musicality, and I've just ordered Maestros for System #2. The bottom line is, no one is likely to go wrong with Monster products; if your audio pals snicker and roll their eyes, offer to buy them a beer with the money you've saved.