HDMI confusion: Monoprice vs. Blue Jeans


So I read the Audioholics 50 cable HDMI shootout, and became convinced that HDMI either passes or fails. That is, it either successfully transmits 1080P data (for example) or it does not.

I happened to have a 6 foot Monoprice HDMI cable and a 6 foot Blue Jeams HDMI as well. For the heck of it, I ran both cables from my cable box (1080i), DVD player (480i), and XBox (1080p) just for the sake of comparison.

The thing is, the Blue Jeans cable definitely had bolder colors, and the Monoprice definitely was a bit more muted but slightly more detailed in presenting images. Another possibility, of course, is that I am clinically insane.

So does this mean that there actually *are* differences among HDMI cables, just as there would be among component video cables (I tried several of those before settling on Tara Labs RSC)? Or am I simply a crazy person who saw non-existent differences and the signal passed (as opposed to failed) on both cables and looked identical, and my eyes simply deceived me.

Any assistance on this issue would be greatly appreciated, especially as concerns other HDMI cables you've tried and loved vis-a-vis others (if indeed such distinctions exist in HDMI cables).

Thanks!
thedautch
Saying some HDMIs look better than others is something I have never been able to tell. I have tried $5 monoprice cables versus some $200-$300 cables, and sory folks, no difference I could see.
i heard a huge difference when i hooked up a high grade silver core hdmi. didn't take but 10 seconds for me to say wow!. did direct a/b comparisons between a moster $25 1.3 hdmi and ps audio's new I2S-12 ($500). detail and sound stage improvements were VERY obvious regarding audio when using my perfect wave transport and dac. remarkable imo.

however....

did the same comparison using my tv too SAT hook-up and noticed no difference what so ever. nothing! hifisoundguy may be right with his comments above. i've got a decent/nice sony bravia xbr tv, but it's nothing special.

not sure what conclusion to draw here, but i'm keeping the pricey psa line.
You really need a really good Plasma to see these differences more. Comparing a very cheap HDMI to a much higher priced HDMI and differences are BIG but when comparing other high priced HDMI's around the same price or higher the differences are SMALL....
i'd have to agree with you Hifisoundguy. given the dramatic difference with hi grade audio....i could see it doing the same with hi-grade video.
I did a/b with generic vs BJC series-1 4' and BJC was clearly better - sound and pic diff was clear. IMO, you can get a 4' BJC length for $20, just get it - it is worth it!

I am also using a Monoprice 35' 22AWG silver plated to my projector and it is pretty good. But, if I bring my Oppo next to projector and hook it up with Blue Jeans 4', I find picture more vibrant. I am ok with mono for long length now as don't want to spend $300-$500 on a 40' long hdmi cable at this time.