thaslaya's star rating system:
☆☆☆☆☆ - Fantastic!
☆☆☆☆ - Recommended
☆☆☆ - There are buyers but not for me
☆☆ - Can't see the appeal
☆ - Product is a failure
Disclaimer:
This cable was provided for tour by Effect Audio through Head-fi. It was returned after the review period. I receive no compensation and all thoughts and opinions are my own.
I'm going to add a second disclaimer here for those that might dismiss my review because of the star rating. All reviewers have their own rating systems and criteria on how to score peoducts. I always include my personal system at the beginning of my reviews. Two stars indicates that I am unable to find the appeal of the product in question. It doesnt necessarily mean that the product is not worth buying or meant to invalidate it in some way. It simply means the product holds no appeal to me personally. However, I always advise people to consult a variety of reviews for any product they may be considering, both positive and negative.
Gear used:
●Samsung Galaxy s22 Ultra
●Samsung dongle
●Letshuoer DT03
●Hiby FC4
●Various iems
●Various cables
Source:
●Listening was done through Amazon Music HD or Ultra HD.
Introduction:
Founded in 2009, Effect Audio is a renowned cable manufacturer based out of Singapore. They offer an array of cables ranging from the more affordable Ares S at $179 all the way to the ultra-flagship Centurion at $5499. Many of their cables have incorporated the Con-X and Term-X systems that allow for the cable connectors and terminations to be swapped, making the cables very versatile. The Cleopatra II OCTA is one of Effect Audio's Heritage series cables featuring an 8W build and currently priced at $1799. That is definitely no chump change. Let's see what this cable can do for my ears.
Build and accessories:
Now, keeping in mind that this was a tour unit, I am unable to speak about the unboxing experience. Let's jump right into the specs and build quality.
●Selected Premium UP-OCC Silver Litz
●Proprietary Dual geometric Design
●26 AWG 8 Wires
●Individually Enamelled Strands
●EA UltraFlexi™ Insulation
●ConX & TermX Interchangeable Connector/Plug System
The build quality of the Cleopatra II is nothing short of fantastic. For being an 8W cable, it is exceptionally lightweight and pliable. I had no issues with tangling or fatigue, and I wad able to use the cable comfortably with multiple iems over long sessions. The ear hooks are very sturdy and somewhat rigid, but they are shaped in a way that still fits me comfortably. Luckily, this tour unit included the Con-X and Term-X systems. The connectors are easy to change with the provided tool and appear to be durable. They are well-crafted and do not feel fragile or delicate. The terminations are also easy to swap, and the screw-on mechanism feels fairly secure, though it did seem to loosen occasionally, especially when unplugging the cable from my devices. The termination required frequent retightening, but this may have been due to the protective plastic on the hardware. As this was not my personal unit, I decided to leave it on to protect the metal during my tour period.
Sound impressions:
The following statements are taken directly from EA's listing for the Cleopatra II OCTA from their website:
Tuned to unleash the potential of modern Multi-Brid IEMs
IEMs have improved along the years and brands have been exploring different driver technologies to bring out better sound quality. Our next attempt on our Heritage Series will be focused on delivering a synergistic match to Multi-Brid IEMs, bringing out the best of each driver.
Pushing the boundary of the Traditional Silver Sound
Instead, our take is in reimagining experience with dual wire geometries will be able to help with this - 1 that captures details while the other to bring a meatier body and warmth. Cleopatra II will be the newest edition in our Heritage series that employs the dual geometric design, thus capturing Clarity and a surprisingly smooth Analog sound.
These two paragraphs certainly make some big promises when it comes to the performance of the Cleo II. Below are my own impressions and interpretations of the sound quality. The following comparisons were made using the Cleo II against that particular iem's stock cable:
●Simgot SuperMix 4 - The overall resolution is enhanced with the Cleo II. I can hear more detail and better separation. The soundstage is also wider and less congested. The bass is also enhanced and has a tighter response.
●Dunu DaVinci - The treble takes on more detail and further extension. The frequencies are better separated and more resolving. The bass digs deeper with more sub-bass rumble. The timbre is more natural, and there's also an extended soundstage in both width and depth.
●Letshuoer S08 - With the Cleo II, the timbre takes on a more natural and organic quality. Again there is better overall separation of the frequencies and a wider, deeper soundstage. The treble takes on more detail and is further extended. The bass is also more controlled with a tighter response.
●CCA Trio - The overall sound just has a cleaner, tighter response. The bass is noticeably less pillowy with less reverberation (quicker decay?). There is better separation, and the vocals appear slightly more forward and clear, possibly due to cleaner mid-bass. The detail retrieval is more apparent, and there's a slight increase in the soundstage.
The Cleopatra II OCTA has a consistent effect on all of my iems compared to their stock cables. Most notably, the enhancement of detail retrieval, soundstage, separation, bass control, and treble extension. Now let's refer back to EA's description of the Cleo II and see how my perception compares to their claims. EA states that the Cleo II brings out the best of each driver in "multi-brid" iems. I would say that my personal observations were consistent across all my iems, regardless of the driver type or configuration. In essence, I couldnt hear a noticeably better performance with the SuperMix 4 (DD, BA, Planar, PZT quadbrid) or the DaVinci (2DD, 4BA hybrid) over the S08 (planar) or the Trio (3DD). EA also claims to push "the boundary of the traditional silver sound", while the Cleo II "captures details" and adds a "meatier body and warmth." I would agree with the claims of better detail retrieval, to a certain extent, but not necessarily more body or warmth. As someone who primarily prefers a warmer, laid-back tuning, I would love for the Cleo II to inject more warmth, but I just didn't hear it that way.
I conducted some further comparisons between the Cleopatra II and some of my other upgraded cables. When pitted against my ivipQ 530 and Hakugei Healer cables, I could not discern any audible differences. Those two cables sell for around $100 each on AliExpress. They both have excellent build quality and a premium feel, but they lack modular terminations or interchangeable connections. I want to make it clear that I'm not trying to imply that the Cleopatra II is incapable of producing superior sound quality in comparison to those two cables. However, based on my own perception, I am unable to discern any noticeable differences.
In conclusion:
I'm so grateful for the opportunity to demo one of Effect Audio's TOTL cables. Utilizing an $1800 cable is something I never thought I'd be able to experience, and I want to give a big shout-out to Effect Audio and Sebastian Chui. This tour has helped make me a cable believer. It has confirmed that cables can and do make a sonic difference to my ears. However, those improvements only amount to approximately a 10-15% increase in the overall sound quality. There is also a point of diminishing returns, and for me, that point is around the $100 mark. Through my testing, I could hear a distinct difference between the Cleopatra II and each individual iem's stock cable. But when compared to my other upgraded aftermarket cables, I couldn't hear any discernible difference. I guess I should count myself lucky that I don't feel the need to spend hundreds or thousands of dollars on cables to get a bump in quality that I can hear. I know my wallet is very appreciative. Am I saying there is no difference between an $1800 cable and a $100 cable? No. I am simply saying that if differences exist, I am unable to perceive them. I will continue to prioritize aesthetics and comfort over sound quality when selecting cables because that is more important to me. For those interested in purchasing the Cleopatra II, I encourage you to do so. Don't let my interpretation hold you back. It remains one of the absolute best quality cables I've tried, and the Con-X and Term-X systems add a ton of versatility. This could very well be the last cable you ever buy. Personally, I’ll stick to spending a bit less. Maybe one of the ~$200 Effect Audio options would be more my speed. Of course, you should not take my word as truth. I am but one humble hobbyist. It's important to recognize that we are all unique individuals with our own preferences and perceptions of sound quality. I encourage everyone to go out and try things for themselves whenever possible. After all, the best way to judge is to listen for yourself.
