@exflute your observation is valid and results of your comparison probably accurate and as such you MUST have a good ear to detect the variances between these two specific cables
Where you've stubbed your toe that has brought out some of the claws and venom of this forum, is both cables you tested are mediocre at best
larryi has summed it up very concisely and now the forum sommeliers are trying to correct your path
It's also not as simple as swapping one of the Monster cables for something higher up the food chain and connecting it to entry level electronics and expecting to hear the virtues of the upper end cable
Entry level electronics are not capable of rendering the benefits of an upper end cable and thus you would likely report back that based on the cost you're disappointed in the performance of the cable as compared with the Monster. What would be letting you down in this example would be the electronics not the cable
Do not let these responses wear you down, this is a great place to learn and the members cast a wide net of skills and opinions
Happy listening and enjoy the journey