Expensive HDMI and component and audio cables dressed up in smart looking packaging have been slammed by Choice in a move that could hurt retailers and specialist AV stores who are “pocketing” big margins from the cable accessory.
Among the manufacturers accused of duping consumers over the quality of their display cables are Belkin, Monster, Concord, Phillips, Panasonic, Sony and Audioquest.
Belkin and Monster have also been slammed for presenting premium cables as “high quality”when cables from these Companies “which can cost $300+ but perform no better than $40 versions” say Choice.
Choice claim that there is no statistically difference in both picture and sound quality between high-end HDMI cables and their much cheaper rivals and those retailers are misleading consumers.
But some stores and installers of these HDMI (High Definition Multimedia Interface) products only stock, or recommend, the much more expensive products with now-discredited claims they somehow perform better.
Even in the segment of cables up to ten metres, where you can pay up to six times more for some brands, there was no appreciable difference.
“Those with vested interests have been over-hyping the benefits of shelling out top dollar for HDMI cables with nothing but bluff to back up their case,” said CHOICE spokesman Christopher Zinn.
One manufacturer named by Choice said “We are still waiting for permission to speak on this issue however Choice is only one voice. There are literally millions of consumers around the world who have purchased our product and they are not beating down our doors to say that they have been sold a dud product. Either Choice believes that every consumers is stupid in that they have not picked up the quality difference between the cables that come with a TV
