Physical aspects

I found the cable very well built (I even made a video showing it better).

The plastic used seemed good quality, is very soft and does not scratch the skin and does not bother the ear. They also took care of the positioning of the reinforced plastic in the part where the cable leaves the connector that fits in the handset thus providing a more anatomical fitting in the ear so as not to disturb during a walk for example.

Although the connectors are made of metal, in this cable they have taken care of the size and type of metal so as not to weigh the whole assembly when the person is using it. They were especially careful with the Y cable splitter so as not to get heavy and "pull" the handset down injuring the user's ear.







In the connector that fits in the phone we observe by the photo even though it has an extra layer of plastic placed close to the metal part to avoid that the cable breaks in that part that usually moves more when we walk with the phone or when we fit in the ear.

The cable is super malleable, has no memory and I did not detect any microphones during my walks on the street. So if you want to go out even with wind, the cable will not produce sounds while you listen to the music.







Sound

A very detailed sound, presenting micro details that I had not noticed before.

The sound stage has increased considerably and has more layers with better separation of the instruments.







The bass has excellent impact, speed and texture. I can perceive with greater clarity the details of the sound produced by the instruments.

The middle men that I thought would be more reticent and less musical surprised me! I imagined that this cable would follow the same line of other silver cables! This pleased me greatly because I do not like a cold sound.

The trebles achieved good extension and detailing without being aggressive in an impressive way! I liked the result! I was very afraid the highs would be aggressive because the silver cables usually increase activity in this region in a sometimes bad way.







Conclusion

It's a cable that not everyone can buy. But worth it for everything it offers (comfort, excellent sound, robustness and beauty).

Introduction
Technical Specifications
Sound Analysis
Ergonomics
Comparisons
Pairings
Suggestions For Improvement
Conclusions
I will be reviewing the 2.5mm version Thor II from https://shop.musicteck.com/collections/effect-audio. Musicteck sells a variety of audiophile cables including the Effect Audio lineup. I purchased the cable from Musicteck at full price and will return it at the conclusion of this review for a refund. Unfortunately Musicteck was forced to undertake such a policy after some bad actors did not return their cables after the review. I appreciate Musicteck making this loaner unit available to me because I’ve always wanted to hear Effect Audio cables. Effect Audio’s strategy is to produce premium cables at a lower price than the competition-cables that provide a lot of value. Read on to see if they’ve lived up to that with regard to the Thor II.
I will be evaluating the capabilities of the cable with my 64 Audio A18’s which are a mostly reference IEM with regard to Frequency Response and my Chord Mojo which is also reference with a bit of warmth (I would argue this added warmth is natural anyway because live performances do not typically have the sort of bright analytical sound many sources have). Volume matching using an SPL meter was done between cables for accuracy purposes.


The Thor II from effect Audio is made with 26AWG UPOCC pure silver Litz. It’s a multi stranded design within a single encapsulation. The extremely thin strands increase conductive speed in the cable. It has very sturdy EAC CD connectors and Y-split.


Thor II creates a dynamic, epic and almost theatrical sound. The music becomes more impactful, full and thick. Thor II is a warm silver cable that smooths off sibilant highs, adds more weight to the lows allowing them to go deeper and impact with more stage presence.

Around the 4 minute mark of Minor Blue off of Thurman Green’s Dance of the Night Creatures album, there are multiple layers of instruments with a lot of space between the players. All that space was captured perfectly in the recording. The Thor II faithfully reproduces this space between the players. I don’t find the Thor II to overly be skewed towards one direction with regard to it's effect on stage dimensions, it tends to increase space in all directions and pushes the players out a little further on the stage while maintaining the dynamism of each player-the expansion does not create a thin sound at the edges of the stage instead the sound at the edges remains full bodied and dynamic. Keywords: Expanded Stage, Increased Space Between Images

Rhythm comes through better due to better reproduction of sonic images, especially the attack of notes which is more focused and solid. Definition and resolution increases in the upper mids and highs. There is more high definition texture revealed in sub and mid bass. In General Image and Resolution Test from Chesky’s Best of Chesky Jazz and More Audiophile Tests Volume 2, it’s easier to follow the various players around and keep them separated as they circle around the microphone. Keywords: Increased Texture Definition, More Solid/Impactful Images


A top of the line transparent headphone should be free of distortion and have a natural tone. These two things among other factors create transparency. Tuning for transparency is often a balancing act between dynamism and naturalism. The Thor II isn’t the most transparent cable because it has such a powerful, big, emotive and dynamic sound. You’ll love it if that’s what you’re looking for. Keywords: Dynamic


One of the other standout effects the Thor II has on the sound is its ability to increase layering and separation. It does this by slightly increasing the depth of the stage. As I mentioned in the Resolution and Imaging section, the notes become more solid while simultaneously gaining empty space around them which allows them to bloom in full while increased distance between instruments in the x axis increases layering and separation. Keywords: Increased Space Between Images, Increased Stage Height, Good Layering and Separation


The cymbals are more forward in Mark Nauseef’s Gears from the With Space In Mind album with Thor II. More micro detail is reproduced in their decay. The cymbal shimmering at the end of the song is more forward and full bodied. This cable would be fantastic for audiophiles looking to make the “concert hall effect” more apparent because the Thor II increases the presence and clarity of the upper mids and thus those frequencies and micro details will be more audible. Reverberations from music recorded inside a concert hall, church or similar location with a lot of sound bouncing off the wall is reproduced better with Thor II. The sparkly highs are also tamed a bit, I don’t find that they’ve lost weight or presence but just that they’re easier on the ears. Keywords: Smoothed Highs, Good Micro-detail Reproduction


Upper mids and highs have more high definition texture. Vocals are definitely more forward and full bodied with the Thor II. I hear more natural, vivid and alive vocals. Mid bass punches harder with better texture but is also tidy and doesn’t bleed into the upper mids or highs. Male vocals especially will be more impactful and have more stage presence. Keywords: Natural and Vivid Vocals, Increased Mid Bass Quantity (remains tidy)


One of the most immediately noticeable changes the Thor II brings to the sound is in the low frequencies; it pushes them deeper in tone and gives them more impact. Going back to Mark Nauseef’s drum exhibition from With Space In Mind; the sonar drum is much deeper with Thor II. Sub bass deepens in tone and increases in quantity. Bass decay has noticeable more weight to it, pushing more of that deep deep sonar drum out onto the stage. Mid bass is also more full bodied with more quantity. In the binaural recording of Stank from Lenny White’s Exploration in Space and Time the drums at the far right of the stage have more texture detail with Thor II. Keywords: Deeper in Tone, Good Texture Definition

Sublime. I recently demoed the Linum Super BaX and while the Thor II is heavier than the Super BaX, Thor competes with it with regard to comfort. The Thor II is very soft. I would think the round metal bracers near the 2 pin connection would have been felt while I was wearing the cable but they disappeared.


Linum Super BaX: The Super BaX has more congestion in the X-axis while the Thor II has more space between the players. The Super BaX has much more shimmer and sparkle while the Thor II smooths out the high end which will remove sibilance. The Thor II has a more visceral low end with more presence, body and impact. Thor creates a more epic, dynamic and emotive sound while the Super BaX is more about shimmer and air.

64 Audio Premium Cable: Vocals on the 64 Audio premium cable are less forward. The entire spectrum has less weight and body. In Chesky’s General Image and Resolution Test the movement of the shaker player as he circles around the microphone is more sudden and abrupt on my 64 Audio Premium cable while on the Thor II he moves in more of a smooth circle. The 64 Audio cable is more transparent than the Thor II cable, this is one thing the 64 Audio premium cable does spectacularly well. It doesn’t color the sound in any way that I can detect, it’s a completely natural and transparent listen while the Thor II is more fun, colored and dynamic. The Thor is has more accuracy and more of a “pin point” effect with regard to imaging within the stage.


64 Audio A18: The Thor II increases layering and separation. It removes some of the transparency of the IEM and substitutes it for a deeper and harder hitting sub bass, more emotive and forward vocals (especially male), more micro detail and high definition texture reproduction and a more spacious slightly larger stage.

64 Audio A12: The change is dramatic with this pairing, the distant airy and veiled sound of the A12 becomes more forward, clear and dynamic-much the same effect as going from an ADEL MAM to an apex M15 module. Pairing the A12 with the Thor II and the M15 is quite and apparent change from stock 64 audio cable and ADEL MAM. The Thor II really brings out the deep deep bass in the SACD of Donald Fagen’s Morph The Cat-not so with the stock cable. Morph the Cat has more dynamism, life and full bodied sound with the Thor II.


I can find no ways in which this cable could be improved; it’s soft, does what it says it would do with regard to sound, it beautiful and overbuilt with regard to strength. An impressive cable at a good price and a time when cables are now exceeding $2,000. This isn't a cable that you will have to struggle to hear a change with, the change was obvious with all my IEMs.


The Thor II is a great value that provides a noticeable change in sound, from my experience it deepens bass, increases space between instruments in the stage, slightly softens the highest of the highs and creates an overall more dynamic, weighty, impactful and epic sound. The construction is SOLID, especially the metal connectors around the 2 pin area. The ergonomics are on point as is; the softness, the Y splitter with soft sliding adjuster and the weight never tugged on my ears either. The Thor II is a good value that I highly recommend to those looking for a more dynamic sound that won’t break the bank. Thanks again to Musicteck for providing me the opportunity to review the Thor II, check out their Effect Audio cables here: https://shop.musicteck.com/collections/effect-audio.

Effect Audio Thor Silver Ii+ 22awg Cable Review

- Expatinjapan

 

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Effect Audio Thor ii+ cable, iBasso DX200 and Campfire Audio Andromeda.​

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http://www.effectaudio.com/upgrade-cables/iem-cables/iem-premium-series/thor-silver-ii.html​

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Thor Silver II+ 22awg cable review​

-expatinjapan​

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For the Thor Silver ii+ there are many other variations on connector (12) and termination (7) available.
Also there is are several options for Y-split and also several adapters available.
 

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Effect Audio Thor Silver ii+ cable, Opus#1 and Campfire Audio Dorado.​

 

Effect Audio interview from March 2016:​

http://headpie.blogspot.jp/2016/03/effect-audio-interview-expatinjapan.html​

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Whats in the box?, and build.

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Effect Audio plug, 2.5mm.​

 

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A decent light weight and solid splitter, combined with a plastic slider.​

 

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Durable MMCX connectors, no memory wire that I could notice.​

 

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2.5mm balanced female to 3.5mm single ended adapter.​

 

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Opus#1 dap using the 2.5mm balanced above and the single end via the adapter below.​

 

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Specifications and description
 
*From the Effect audio website:

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Thor Silver II+ is for people who wants more out of their Silver Cable. Immersive and alluring, intimate vocals, visceral bass punch, while introducing unbelievable and 3D imaging and soundscape. Thor Silver II+ is designed such to be as smooth as possible, removing the treble spike and sibilance as most pure silver cables do, Thor Silver II+ features better ergonomics and is a huge step-up from its predecessor, ‘Thor Silver’. Offering more balance, more staging and more vocals allure together with its new cable geometry design, Thor Silver II+ is not your usual Pure Silver cable.
 
Technical Specifications
22 AWG
UPOCC Pure Silver Litz
Proprietary Multi-Size Stranded design within single encapsulation
Flexible insulation (same as Leonidas)
New EA CF connectors and Y-Split
 
Notes
A multi-sized stranded design within the same encapsulations enables the Thor Silver II+ to achieve distinct highs and details due to the signal transmission speed in thinner cable strands, while the thicker size cable strands are usually employed for smooth bass and mids.
Past experiences have taught us that even though sound quality is a critical factor in determining an upgrade cable’s worth, the tensile strength and flexibility matters too. The reworked insulation features high tensile strength and flexibility, while adding as little weight as possible
8 Wire Braid is only available by “Bespoke”
Effect Audio uses certified UP-OCC materials only. 

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 iBasso DX200, Effect Audio Thor ii+ and Campfire Audio Dorado.​

 

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Hifiman MegaMini, Effect Audio Thor ii+ to 2.5mm to SE adapter and iBasso IT03.​

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Sound
 
The sound is silky smooth, great clarity, fairly linear and even.
 
The Effect Audio blurb from their specifications basically says it all quite accurately: `Immersive and alluring, intimate vocals, visceral bass punch, while introducing unbelievable and 3D imaging and soundscape. Thor Silver II+ is designed such to be as smooth as possible, removing the treble spike and sibilance as most pure silver cables do...`
 
Testing it with several daps, mainly the DX200 and the Opus#1 due to their 2.5mm balanced ports,
using Flac 16/41 tracks. I found it to be very pleasing experience.
 
I really enjoyed immensely the match with the Campfire Audio Andromeda. The sonic effect was largely a paraphrase of the Effect Audios own description from above.
 
Fast, deep and accurate bass.
A slightly recessed mid section as is usual with silver cables.
Vocals are clear, well balanced with the music and accurate.
Highs that are far reaching, without over stepping the bounds into the realms of sibilance.
 
A large sound stage, width, height and depth are satisfying.
 
Instrument separation is crisp and well layered.
 
It has a smooth sounding signature and as a result is very easy to listen to for extended periods of time.
 
 
 

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Effect Audio Thor ii+, Opus#1 and Campfire Audio Dorado​

 

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Effect Audio 2.5mm female (balanced) to 3.5mm single ended adapter.​

 

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Effect Audio Thor ii+ (and adapter), Cozoy REI and Campfire Audio Nova.​

 

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Opus#1, ALO Audio optical cable to CEntrance Mini-M8, PlusSound kobiconn to 2.5mm adapter, Effect Audio Thor ii+ and Campfire Audio Vega.​

 

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Overall

The Effect Audio Thor Silver ii+ IEM cable is a wonderful aftermarket IEM cable that brings something unique to the table.

Overall I would describe it as fairly linear, although it does seem to emphasize the lows and the highs as many silver cables are bound to do although it is not excessive in this regard, though the usual silver essence of sonic signature is present to a degree the mids are also pleasantly reproduced.

With an IEM such as the CA Vega with prominent lows the bass is more emphasized.
I found the CA Andromeda sonics to be nicely balanced with the cable.
The Thor Silver ii+ was also a nice match with the CA Dorado on a par with the stock Litz.

Vocals are accurately reproduced, very clear, yet not sharp or offensive.

The Thor Silver ii has a great deep bass rumble that isn`t murky or bloated, the bass is reproduced nice and fast, with a full rumble.

The overall instrument separation is distinct and clear, the sound stage is wide on all axis.

I like how it combines a certain crispness, yet also is able to be smooth overall without ever seeming to be dark. It has a certain warmth to it, but not in the traditional explanation that audiophiles would describe as warm - where it often refers to murky, which the Thor ii+ with its overall clarity never veers towards.

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The Thor ii+ is built well, it is durable and beautiful to look at. The weave is exquisitely done and is thicker than say the stock cable of the Campfire Audio ALo Audio Litz, it is quite lightweight and fairly supple for its larger gauge of cable width.

I am able to listen with the Thor ii+ for extended periods of time without listening fatigue.

The fit is very comfortable over my ears. Most of my cables have a memory wire, the Thor ii+ does not and I have found the difference to be a softer experience overall as it sits on my ears.

The output volume from the iBasso DX200 balanced port (6Vrms) is double that of the single end (3Vrms). Whereas the Opus#1 balanced port is 2.3Vrms.
This was noticeable in overall dynamics, sense of fullness, sound stage and user experience.

The earphones along with the Thor ii+ cable certainly enjoyed the extra juice.

To get the best experience out of an aftermarket cable it is preferable of course to have a high performing set of earphones and a dap to match.
The result is that the rig with as a whole will scale up accordingly.

That is to be expected.
With a lower end dap, mid fi earphones and a high end aftermarket cable the difference in user satisfaction is worlds apart from a high end dap combined with totl earphones.

Effect Audio Thor ii+, Cable hammer of the Gods.
 

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Thank you to Effect Audio for sending the Thor ii+ cable to Head pie for review​

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