LTT Magnetic Cable Management System Review: Taming My Cable Chaos

Introduction: The Cable Challenge

About six months ago, LTT (Linus Tech Tips) generously sent me their Magnetic Cable Management system (MCM), but I've been avoiding the inevitable pain of reorganizing my entire setup.

Let's be honest - if you're anything like me, organization isn't our strongest point. So today I'm putting the LTT magnetic cable management system to the test on my mess of cables.

The Setup Challenge

My setup isn't extreme, but it's definitely complex. Here's what needs cable management:

• Five computer speakers
• Home theater receiver
• Two displays
• Three MIDI controllers
• Two audio interfaces
• Five external drives
• USB hubs and various devices
• Ethernet connections
• Power banks
• Hue Lights
• And many more components...

The centerpiece is a steel McDowell & Craig Tanker desk from the 1950s that belonged to my grandfather. While I'm not usually sentimental about objects, this desk does hold special meaning. The fact that it's steel works perfectly with the MCM's magnetic design, though I'll be testing the system on wood surfaces as well.

Product Overview: What's in the Box

The MCM system is straightforward but impressively engineered. Here's what LTT sent me:

The Arches

These come in four sizes, and I received the small, medium, and large. The magnets are surprisingly powerful - I can actually open my desk drawers just by attaching these magnetic arches.

Strength Test: The smallest arch can hold my Cloud Lifter preamp (11.3 oz/320g) with just one magnet. The larger arches could likely hold several pounds. They're so strong that prying them off a surface takes real effort - definitely a good feature.

Power Bar Keys

These might be the secret weapon of the entire system. Power bars/surge protectors typically come with screw mounting options, and these keys simply take advantage of what's already there. With a simple twisting motion, you can attach your power supply to any magnetic surface.

Mounting Plates

LTT also sent various mounting plates, which are essential if you want to attach the system to non-metal surfaces like wood. Each plate has an adhesive back (though I opted to bolt mine for extra security).

The Organization Process

My strategy was to:

1. Consolidate my mess by relocating my home theater receiver
2. Attach one power strip to the bottom of my IKEA stand
3. Organize cables using only what LTT provided

Step 1: Starting Fresh

To give my past self credit, I had made some attempts at organization with cable ties, but it was still a mess. Clearing my desk gave me the opportunity to vacuum and clean - keeping your space clean is just part of being a responsible adult.

Step 2: Tackling Ethernet

I started with my ethernet situation, tucking the cable between the bevel and garage floor lip, securing it with painter's tape for now (though I'll revisit this for a cleaner solution later).

Step 3: Power Management

Next came attaching the power bar keys to my surge protectors:

• My trusty 10-15 year old Belkin surge protector attached with a simple twist-and-slide motion
• My ancient (25+ year old) Surge Master with phone line protection (now apparently "rare" according to some optimistic eBay sellers)

I attached the larger surge protector to the back of my desk and the smaller one to the bottom of my IKEA furniture using the mounting plates. For the wood surface, I bolted the plate down rather than relying solely on the adhesive.

Step 4: Cable Routing

One cautionary note: these magnets can scratch metal surfaces! I tried using felt pads to prevent scratching, but they were too thick and reduced the magnetic strength significantly. A product suggestion for LTT would be integrating silicone grips directly into the arches.

The Results

I kept my goals realistic, knowing I'd never be able to hide all cables in a setup this complex. When viewed from most angles, the cable mess is considerably reduced. I prioritized functionality over perfect presentation since this setup serves as both my work-from-home station and my creative outlet for YouTube and music.

One area that turned out particularly well was my Power Mac G4 setup, which is located several feet away from my other electronics. It was already fairly organized, but the MCM made it even better.

Final Verdict

LTT drove a money truck to my house for this review, I'm genuinely impressed with the MCM system. (No, they didn't pay me anything.

Yes, it's somewhat expensive, but I'll be buying more components with my own money for future projects. It's simply the best cable management system I've found so far.

If you're on a budget, start with the power bar keys - they're likely to be the most impactful first step in organizing your setup. Then you can gradually add more components as your budget allows.