IEM cables

Discussion in 'IEMs and Portable Gear' started by Stuff Jones, May 18, 2018.

  1. Stuff Jones

    Stuff Jones Friend

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    I know talking cables in audiophile circles is like talking politics at the dinner table. Nevertheless, assume you want to buy a balanced cable to take advantage of your gear's superior balanced output. Two questions:

    1. Generally is silver vs copper clarity vs body as purported? Should one aim to balance warm IEMs with silver and bright ones with copper?

    2. Does anyone have a go to source for cheap (<$100) balanced cables? Anyone tried Penon's?

    xxx. Do cables make a difference?
     
    Last edited: May 18, 2018
  2. gixxerwimp

    gixxerwimp Professional tricycle rider

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    In my limited experience with IEM cables (and cables in general), I've found that SPC definitely has a brighter sound than plain copper, and definitely prefer the latter with Andros and EX1000s.

    I think most aftermarket "upgrade" cables can be terminated balanced, as long as the L/R ground lines are separate. So you could get a cheaper SE cable and just reterminate it as required.

    There are a lot of cable discussions scattered throughout the IEM general discussion thread.
     
  3. Panohm

    Panohm Friend

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    You could try VE cables, they have some pretty good quality Junkosha although it's a bit microphonic https://www.veclan.com/engappliance_sel_one?eng_ApplianceVo.eac_id=16
    Not the prettiest but quite cost effective and you get a plethora of options.

    Also note that they now have 4.4mm balanced female adapters starting at 10USD, which i've been looking everywhere for.
     
  4. EagleWings

    EagleWings Friend

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    There was a time when Silver cables were typically brighter and offered better clarity, where as coppers offered warmth and body and thus began the stereotyping. And today things have shifted slightly. Now there are silver cables that are warm (some cables from Silver-Fi, EA Thor II) and Copper cables that are clarity focused (EA Ares II, PWAudio 1960 4-Wire). So it is almost to a point where it is impossible to guess how a certain cable would sound just based on the material/metal.

    As for pairing the cable and IEMs, I see people doing different approaches. Sometimes they try to balance it out by pairing a warm IEM with a dry type of cable. But then I also people pairing a warm IEM and a warm cable to improve on the warmth and body further. In fact I see people listening to 64Audio Fourte with bright cables as it brings some improvement in other areas.

    So basically:
    1) No pre-defined Right or Wrong. What ticks your preference is Right
    2) People's preferences seem to change from time to time. So I see people (including myself) enjoying a bright cable this week and switch over to a warm cable next week to soak in the warmth
    3) IEM cables is a slippery slope

    Most cheap cables (<$100) from what I have seen are SPC cables which give an impression of improved performance by boosting the treble. I try to stay away from SPC cables. Their negatives in most cases outweigh the benefits, at least for my own preferences as they in most cases never get the mid-range right. But not all SPCs sound the same either. For example Rhapsosio Dark Knight 8W is actually slightly warm and slightly bright due to focus on upper-bass and lower-treble. Where as a certain SPC cable from Null Audio had a focus on sub-bass and had dry mid-range with a bright treble.

    I'd recommend either the PWAudio No5 or the EA Ares II. Both are different sounding although both are OCC Copper Litz 4 Wire cables. And depending on your preference, I could say which might be the better option for you. And yes, you can order them with Balanced plug. I also see people saying nice things about Impact Cables on Etsy. But I haven't check it out myself.

    XXX It depends on the cable. Some cables offer very little difference while some offer a noticeable difference
     
  5. Stuff Jones

    Stuff Jones Friend

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    Does anyone have favorite adapters? I've got a SE, balanced 3.5 and balanced 4.4 sources.

    Is any suggestions to affordable and reliably go between these sources?
     
  6. EagleWings

    EagleWings Friend

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    1. One head-fier has a cable terminated with mini-XLR and 4 separate pigtail adapters (3.5, 2.5, 4.4 and Dual 3.5) that connect to the mini-XLR. I think that is a cool system. The cable was built by the head-fier who goes by the username Peterek. I have good stuff about his cables although I have not tried one myself.

    2. I know Whiplash Cables used to make modular cables. Not sure what type of interconnect they used though. I'll try to dig up some info.

    3. The system that some cable manufacturers are following is have the cable terminated with a straight pin 2.5mm TRRS plug and then have 3.5mm SE and 4.4mm Bal adapters/pig tails.
     
  7. Bina

    Bina MOT - Shanling

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  8. Stuff Jones

    Stuff Jones Friend

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    If cables do indeed improve SQ can a cheap connector degrade it?
     
  9. EagleWings

    EagleWings Friend

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    Simple answer is, Yes. They become the weakest link in the chain. But its not possible to quantify the difference. You don't need exotic plugs. Just a decent one should do. The plugs from most cable sellers these days are pretty good.
     
  10. likearake

    likearake Acquaintance

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    I have the ALO Audio Green Line cables for my full-size headphones that use this system as well. I'd think that this would make an IEM cable annoyingly stiff and heavy.

    I am interested in the best solution to this problem though.
     
  11. Panohm

    Panohm Friend

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  12. Kattefjaes

    Kattefjaes Mostly Harmless

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    Looks can deceive. The most comfortable IEM cable I've ever had was a soft, thick braided copper Pentaconn terminated IEM cable made by @Forza AudioWorks. While it looked thick, this actually made it incredibly convenient, due to being virtually tangle-free. It was also incredibly comfortable in use. Oh, and it looked extremely cool, due to unnaturally neat and regular braiding. It was more comfy than a Superbax cable, to my mind.

    Sometimes a hefty-looking cable can be a good thing.
     
  13. Stuff Jones

    Stuff Jones Friend

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    On the plus side, it can double up as a short climbing rope.
     
  14. Claud

    Claud Living the ORFAS dream

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    ALO makes good solid reasonably priced IEM cables. WyWires and Norne make the best cables I have heard and own. I have not heard WyWires new IEM cable. I have two PlusSound IEM cables. I bought my son a HiBy R3 for Christmas along wirh a Norne IEM cable and my old CA Vegas.
     
  15. rhythmdevils

    rhythmdevils MOT: rhythmdevils audio

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    I found a really nice OCC copper iem cable that I think everyone who uses iems on SBAF should buy if you like OCC copper cables. It's the Effect Audio Maestro cable. It was just discontinued by Effect Audio, and replaced with a thicker cable, but they are available in limited supply from Audio 46. the cable is almost as thin as the Campfire Audio regular Smokey Litz cable, but not as flexible though still flexible enough. But it's extremely thin and well made. When you put them on, they just disappear. The only cable I've found that is more flexible is the Lunashops 16 core 7N OCC copper cable, but it's much thicker and heavier.

    Sound is really good too.

    Audio46 has a limited supply and they're on sale or 100$ from I believe $175 originally.

    https://audio46.com/products/effect-audio-maestro-in-ear-headphone-cable?variant=36282451427484
     
  16. Biodegraded

    Biodegraded Friend

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    Balanced cable for $24.99 + $2 global shipping: https://oeaudio.shop/products/oeaudio-mcp-cable-with-plug-adapters

    Plain-Jane molded-plastic over OFC, but with 4-pole 2.5mm plug and 4.4mm Pentacon & 3.5mm SE adapters, with a choice of 2-pin or MMCX connectors. Haven't tried it myself, but OEAudio stuff seems to have a good rep and for the price, well...
     

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