Effect Audio Code 23

Disclaimer:

Effect Audio approached me to ask for an honest review of their CODE23 flagship copper cable. This time the cable was a gift, but those who follow my reviews know, a gift will not affect what I say and write about the product. Just as in my previous evaluations you can only read my most honest thoughts here.



Who is EffectAudio?

Effect Audio is a company in Singapore, established in 2009 by Suyang, an electrical engineering student. Since then, the company has built a strong reputation on the IEM cable market. Only in the past 8-10 months they started to venture into the direction of full-sized headphone cables, as their success with high-quality IEM cables inspired them to conquer new territories.

What is CODE23?

CODE23 is the name of Effect Audio's flagship copper cable, which is available not just for IEMs but for headphones too. It has a solid copper core plus twelve multi-sized core bundles. The cable is ten times thicker than a standard 26 AWG cable, it is 16.5 AWG. In theory, the thicker the cable, the lower the electrical resistance and the lower the electrical resistance, the better the sound quality. Solid core means there is a non-stranded copper core in this cable, which is a more superior electrical conductor. That is all nice, but how does it translate to sound quality? Let us find out together, after having a quick look at the aesthetics.



Build quality, comfort:

Build quality on the CODE23 is impeccable, the cable feels solid, strong with good quality Furutech and Neutrik connectors. I trust, this cable will not break anytime soon. When it comes to comfort, I have no major qualms, but the solid core and the thickness means this is not the most flexible or lightest cable. It is flexible enough not to cause discomfort, but do not expect the 'free-falling' convenience of a braided sleeved cable. I would say, the weight is average, certainly liveable.



Sound:

If you are like me, who appreciates the clarity of silver cables but do not like the compromises they bring sonically, the CODE23 might be right up your alley. Most silver cables have great clarity, although this is partly a trick due to the brighter upper frequencies. Silver cables also often have a thinner sound, thinning out bass notes too much. Vocals can sound less lifelike, more metallic. Copper cables usually sound warmer and thicker with more bass quantity, but in comparison they do not really compete with silver when it comes to clarity.
I am happy to report, that the CODE23 rivals or even surpasses the clarity of some silver cables, and in doing so, EA's flagship copper cable maintains the more natural tonality and great bass, what we normally associate with good copper cables. The CODE23 has excellent black background which certainly helps to improve this notion of clear sound and good note separation.
EA's flagship copper cable is easily the most detailed and most neutral copper cable I have ever heard.



Bass:

Bass is definitely one of the strongest points of the CODE23. It is clear, clean, tremendously impactful. It has better bass body than most silver cables yet sounds super tight and clean. The sub-bass presence I hear on this surpasses every other cable that I will mention in the comparison section. This copper flagship has such a well-defined low-end, that is fun and a pleasure to listen to. Infected Mushroom has never sounded better on my Meze Elite due to this clean and impactful sub-bass. Gaudium (psy-trance artist) becomes an otherworldly experience on the ZMF Caldera, like the cleanest sub-woofer on your head. I presume, somehow the cable structure lets those ultra-low frequencies flow more effortlessly and without loss/distortion, compared to other cables.

Mids:

Vocals and acoustic instruments to my ears always have better timbre, a more lifelike tone on copper cables but those can never rival the clarity you get on silver cables. The CODE23 gives you both: lifelike vocal tone with clarity.

Treble:

I keep this one short: clean and clear but natural, never intrusive. Not bright, not warm, actually rather neutral which is a good thing in my book.



Comparisons:

Meze and ZMF stock cables:

Let us not waste too much time here, these stock cables sound hazy and unrefined compared to all other cables I will mention in this review. Luckily Meze started to offer their upgrade cables as standard with the Empyrean and Elite. That was a good move.



Meze copper and silver-plated copper PCUHD upgrade cables:

The copper upgrade cable improves clarity over the stock Meze cable, but not by a huge margin. The silver-plated cable sounds a lot cleaner and clearer, but also brighter and a little thinner. To me, while the clarity is a worthy upgrade on the silver-plated cable, the sound became a tad too thin, losing too much bass body and impact. Vocals are also fuller and more lifelike on the WyWires Platinum or on the CODE23. The silver-plated Meze cable is the second best when it comes to pure clarity, the CODE23 slightly surpasses it, and the Platinum is a close third. The silver-plated cable is still a good choice for very warm and bassy headphones like the Empyrean.

WyWires Platinum:

WyWires is a small company in the USA, led by Alex Sventitsky. His cables are also relatively popular in the hobby, and I can see why. The Platinum's name is a bit deceiving, there is no platinum in the cable. Instead, it is a pure copper cable with some carbon/graphene in it. Graphene is a relatively new material, known for its superior conductive abilities and lightness (graphene is 70% more conductive than copper). This cable is surprisingly thin and light, but that makes it very comfortable to use. This has been my favourite cable in the last eight months.
I like the WyWires cable more than the Meze silver-plated cable because it has a thicker and more enjoyable bass, and the mid-range is super sweet on it. When it comes to clarity, it is close or even on the same level as the Meze flagship cable, but it is not as bright, therefore details are not that obvious at first. Details are there, they just appear in a different, warmer light. Vocals and string instruments are super lifelike on the Platinum with good texture. For someone who is only into vocals and string instruments, I would actually recommend this cable even over the CODE23. Effect Audio's cable easily surpasses the Platinum when it comes to bass and treble definition, but there is some sweet magic in the vocals on the Platinum despite being less refined and less detailed with a softer and boomier low-end.



Pricing:

Apart from the Meze cables which come in 2.5m, the default length for custom cables is 1.5m as standard and you have to pay extra for every added 30cm/1 foot. WyWires charges $75 for an extra 30cm, EffectAudio charges $150. Both the WyWires and EffectAudio cables I have at hand are 1.8m, so the prices below reflect that length. I could have calculated with 2.5m prices, but I think 1.8m is enough for most people. If you need a long cable though, the Meze upgrade cables win on length for price value.

This 1.8m CODE23 on today's exchange rates cost £790 after taxes with free international delivery. The IEM version's starting price is $200 cheaper. ($599 for 1.2m IEM and $799 for 1.5m headphone cable before tax.)
Both the Meze upgrade cables are 2.5m (8ft). The copper costs £325, the silver-plated one is £449. International shipping is £20.
The WyWires Platinum's retail price with international shipping ($50) is £515 for 1.8m (6ft) length, but most of the time there is a 40% discount on Alex's cables so in reality this Platinum can be bought for £370 shipped.



Value:

Is the CODE23 good value then at twice the price compared to the other cables in this review? That is a very subjective and personal question to answer. There are headphone cables for £2000 and £3000 too. A lot of them go for £200/£300. Some people hear the difference between them, some do not. Some of those who cannot hear any change, religiously bring certain measurements as proof of their truth even though many aspects of sound that we perceive still cannot be measured. Many people buy these cables for aesthetics, build quality and comfort only, which is also absolutely fine.



Finishing thoughts:

I must emphasise, these cables will not change the nature of your headphones. You will achieve bigger changes in your chain by swapping your amplifier or DAC. Yet, cables in my view are excellent tools to fine-tune your ideal system. If you are happy with your audio chain, cables can be the last element, the cherry on your cake. They can slightly alter tonality, improve clarity and get the final percentages of performance out of your high-end headphones. Most of these cable prices are unreasonable, just like the prices of flagship headphones. In this alternative reality the CODE23 seems good value, if we compare its performance to other headphone cables and look at all the pricing structure of the industry. Whether it is a purchase for you, only you can decide. Hopefully with this little write-up I managed to help you getting closer to that decision, whatever it might be.

Effect Audio Code 23​

A flagship copper cable and a second entry in the CODE series, CODE 23 aims to change the cable game forever. Effect Audio, known for excellent cables fights for the spot of THE manufacturer to go. See how their newest model does at $799.

Introduction to the review of Effect Audio Code 23​

Effect Audio, a company started and run by electronics and electric engineer Suyang is a Singaporean-based cable manufacturer. They are making quality cables since 2009, earning their place on the market as one of the best manufacturers around. What sets them apart from their competition, is not only the quality of their products but also their excellent approach to customer service.
They are one of the most active manufacturers on Head-Fi. They are always quick to interact with their customers to provide help, advice, or just joke around. As you know by now being engaged with the community is a major green flag for me. I met them in London at CanJam and they are as nice live as they are online. Kind, informed, and experienced as you would expect from a company like Effect Audio.
Back to the topic at hand, Effect Audio CODE 23 is the ultimate copper cable for headphones and earphones. So this is a surprise, as it’s the first model like this from Effect Audio. Usually, a cable is designed for one of those. Well, CODE 23 is no ordinary cable. I’ve seen speaker wires thinner than that. We’ll get the juicy details about that later, but note that a headphone variant is $200 more expensive than the IEM one.
The CODE series’ goal is to push the materials to their limits, creating CODE 51 – the ultimate silver cable and now the 23, the ultimate copper cable. It’s the pinnacle of Effect Audio’s 14 years of experience. Everything is best, from the materials, to assembly, and packaging, everything is meant to set new rules in the game. The biggest step is the change of thickness. This cable is 16,5AWG, which is absolutely crazy for a headphone/IEM cable. THICCC with three C. It’s not only a resistance thing though. It also allowed Effect Audio to go for a new type of conductor in their offer. Let’s see if it is actually a game-changer.

Packaging​

The box in which this cable is shipped screams quality. Textured finish, pressed foil lettering, velour finish inside. There is an included pouch for the cable made with artificial leather and Cordura-like material. It’s a nice touch, and I see myself using it for this cable, or else.
The whole thing does feel luxurious indeed. I mean take a look at the pictures, and imagine you get something like that from the mail. I know the product is more important than the packaging. Sure, it is. I have to admit though, packaging of the reviewed Effect Audio CODE 23 does IT for me and I’m not ashamed to admit that. In the end, a $799 headphone cable is a luxurious item and should be treated appropriately.

Build Quality and Tech​

This is absolutely outstanding! The cable is finished in a black, smoky colour. The splitter is a nice, machined piece in gunmetal. The connectors are custom, Effect Audio jack 3,5mm and the 4 pin XLR is made by Neutrik. While I like Neutrik, at this price point I was expecting something higher quality here, like AECO, or Furutech. It is the only thing that I don’t love about this cable though. I assume they have chosen the Neutrik because of how well it complements the rest of the parts sound-wise.
There is an option selector on the Effect Audio’s website allowing you to choose the connectors you want, whether it’s headphone or IEM cable. There is a great selection available including the most popular standards, including swappable plugs like ConX and TermX. The CODE 23, as a pinnacle of copper design uses the top conductor: UPOCC copper. The cables are a mix of solid core and litz wires, and it’s the first time for Effect Audio to use solid core. It was made possible thanks to the aforementioned thickness of the wire.
Solid core wires have a big following in the audiophile community, so I was curious how it’s going to work in Effect Audio CODE 23. There is a ratio of 12 litz bundles to one single core wire, which was researched to be optimal for the construction of this cable.
Not only the conductors are special though. To make a cable this thick, that is not extremely stiff and mechanically sturdy is no small task. They came up with an isolator material called Effect Audio UltraFlexi™ which keeps everything together. While it is a stiff cable, for this gauge of wire used it’s really not bad. Doesn’t really bother me when daily driving to be honest.

Sound of the reviewed Effect Audio Code 23​

If somebody is sceptical about the influence of headphone cables, let them listen to CODE23. It’s a killer. I’m more of a copper type of guy, so it’s right up my alley.
With my primary listening setup consisting of HiFiMan EF400, Musician Pegasus, WHAMMY and HE6SE the Effect Audio CODE 23 fits right in. I needed an adapter with the WHAMMY, but it was still a noticeable upgrade. So, first things first, how does it sound with the subject of the review added to the signal chain. It’s like unshackling the music. When I tried it for the first time I had the feeling that other cables that I used previously were limiting the sound in some manner.
It was truly like the limitations went away, and what was left was just a beautiful, boundless sound. The main signature is a little dark, and warm, which is caused by the bass being elevated. More on that below. Overall it is an instant upgrade over any stock cable and many aftermarket ones. It’s built differently. Both in reality and metaphorically.
Bass
Effect Audio CODE 23 is a game changer and a must-have for all you bass heads. One of my references for bass performance is the track Earth Drums by Xiuntan He. You might recall it from numerous audio shows, being used as a showcase of how well the bass is reproduced. Well, try it with CODE 23 and hold on to your socks. Not only is it incredibly demanding to show the textures and the dynamics. Additionally, all of the instruments are heavily working in terms of positioning and travelling around the listener. CODE 23 nails this test effortlessly. At this point, it’s my reference.
Midrange
Copper tends to have a slightly warmer tint compared to silver. It is also true in this case. It’s not life or headphone, changing though. There is one common adjective to use for the Effect Audio CODE 23. Effortless. Music just flows from the cans. Subconsciously I have selected Lenard Cohen’s You want it darker. His unique, hoarse voice is always like a box of chocolate. There are so many things going on, that it’s hard to decide what to focus on. Upgrading to this cable, it clears up the midrange making it much easier to follow a few of the aspects of his voice much easier. Just a clean, precise scope to enjoy, or analyse, whichever you please.

Treble
I know it is a reference that is beaten to death, but it is a good one. So I’m rolling with it, whether you like it or not. Time, by Pink Floyd. The opening part with clocks ringing. There is so much going on, that even this fragment allows us to understand the Effect of the Effect Audio cable. What I really appreciate about it is the fact that even in very intense moments, it retains separation between sources very close to each other in terms of tone. All of those clocks, going absolutely nuts, yet we can still clearly separate them from each other. It’s not easy to achieve even with a kick-ass setup like mine. Effect Audio CODE 23 pushes everything to an even higher level of performance.
Soundstage
While it can’t compete with silver cable in terms of openness, it holds its own very well. Wide, deep sound staging, with very natural sizing. It is basically limited by the headphone. One of the reasons I prefer copper cables is the fact that they always have a very natural and realistic experience. I find the sound staging of the reviewed Effect Audio CODE 23 exactly this way. It allows the headphones to shine and doesn’t change anything. It’s like a wide, open road for the sound and musicians to amuse you.

Comparisons​

HiFiMAN Stock Cable
The famous dry condom. I would rather eat pizza with pineapple than use this cable.
Lavricables Grand

Top tier silver vs top tier copper. Big boy league. The differences are exactly as you would expect them to be. No surprises here, besides one. The CODE 23’s sound staging is much closer to the Lavricables than I expected. It has this common quality of open, effortless sound that really enhances the perception of depth and width.
As for the rest… Of course, the silver cable offers bigger sound staging, with more pronounced details, while CODE 23 shines with dynamics, bass and the organic sound it provides. You knew that already, didn’t you? So whatever floats your boat.

Pairings​

HiFiMAN HE6se

My daily driver and the old flagship still amaze me with its resolution and control. If, when asked how much detail you want to hear, you answer “yes” this might be a headphone for you.
The Effect Audio CODE 23 works excellently here, feeding those famously power-hungry cans. The effortlessness introduced by this cable goes perfectly with the HE6SE’s extreme separation and capability. It’s like being with that one friend, that you really get each other going positively. I’m not looking for any other cable, in my opinion, CODE 23 fits like a glove.
Denon AH-D9200

I wanted to get a glimpse of how it will perform with closed headphones. I was interested if the incredible bass of the CODE 23 might overwhelm the experience. It wasn’t the case. I feel that this cable doesn’t necessarily add any bass, but it just allows it to sound full. As mentioned before and after, if you are here for bass, it’s a no-brainer. What I liked about this combination was that extra separation, compared to the stock cable, really did a favour for the Denons. I would rather use the Lavricables Grand with them, as it will fit them better. Unless you want to double down on their warm sound signature, then stay with the CODE 23.

Summary​

The Effect Audio CODE 23 is the cable to show to your “cables don’t matter” friend. Its effect is so noticeable, nobody can just ignore it. It is one of the best cables on the market regardless of price.
Excellent build quality, supported by years of experience and research. One of the cables to try when you wish to bring your flagship headphones closer to perfection. A great selection of connectors, including swappable ones allows you to choose your own adventure.
Effect Audio is one of the audio companies that are the most in touch with their customers. It’s a great product, from a reputable vendor, that improves your experience of listening to music. A must-have for bass heads, a strong recommendation for others.
Recommended.

Big thanks to Effect Audio for providing the Code 23 for this review. I wasn’t paid or asked to say anything good or bad about this product, all of the above is just my personal, unbiased opinion.

Preamble

I first heard about this cable from a friend of mine who happened to have an early prototype model back when it was still undergoing production of the final samples. I had heard great impressions left by both revered and experienced audiophiles that I just had to take the chance and contact Effect Audio to see if I can get a demo unit myself. That was a few weeks ago, which was made possible by the grace of @JordonEA who gave me this opportunity to write this review.

I’ve now had this cable for a little over two weeks to collectively gather my thoughts. My first impression left me impressed by what a $600 cable was able to achieve - but soon after diving into comparisons, I was surprised to find that this is more than just a “value” cable but a competent one that objectively performs on par with more expensive offerings by the likes of PWA and Eletech. From a quick synopsis, I can safely say Code 23 does not falter behind the likes of 1950s and Ode to Laura. It would be more correct for me to say Code 23 takes the technical points we expect from 1k+ territory, but has its strength redistributed to different criterias that denotes to being a flagship quality by Effect Audio’s standards.

Hence, their advertised statement - “befitting of our flagship copper cable label, Code 23”

If this isn’t clear by now, Code 23 is already a win in my book. The cables I'll be comparing down below are all within the 1k+ territory (except Eros S) because I felt it was technically proficient enough to stand up against the upper-echelon category. And by utilizing today’s flagship cables for comparison, I hope to give readers a familiar point of reference to connect the dots and triangulate whether Code 23 will do the deeds they seek at the $600 price mark.






Ergonomics

Before dissecting its sound signature, I must emphasize that the manner in which we appreciate cables isn’t determined by sound quality alone. Cables are physical components with weight and ergonomics to take into consideration and Code 23 isn’t too forgiving in this regard. I already had in mind it was going to be a hefty cable with the 16.5 AWG wire that makes up its core, but it turned out to be stiffer than I expected that I’m still in the adjustment phase getting used to the ergonomics. The good news is that the entire structure of the cable is malleable from top to bottom, so you can shape it to whichever form you need. A few of my friends (all owners of Code 23) joked that it can stand in a right-angle without any support, and to my surprise this turned out to be true as I was able to shape it to stand by itself.

The cable I have is a demo unit that came in dystopian black, but the color is actually closer to dark brown in natural lighting. In the official retail version, the plastic covering of the ear-hook comes in black, so do note the minute differences in hardware compared to my photos here.




ConX is easily one of my favorite accessories to have as an audiophile and I’m happy to see it being implemented here as well. All you need to do is twist and turn the connector part of the cable and it will easily slide off for you to switch out to different connectors to your needs. It’s a nifty feature that will satiate the needs of audiophiles who don’t like to deal with the added length from using third-party adaptors. You can get any of your cables to ConX by reaching out to Effect Audio and Jane will be more than happy to service you as she has done for me.






TermX is another accessory that comes as a default with Code 23. It allows you to switch out its termination to any of your choosing from 2.5mm, 3.5mm, and 4.4mm. This is my first exposure to TermX through Code 23 and it’s a simple mechanic where you twist and turn the housing to reveal the inside connector, which you can then pull out and switch to other terminations of your desire. There is a little hole that you must match when doing this, so do keep in mind the orientation of the connector so that all 5 holes align as seen in the photo above.




Sound signature

Effect Audio has an uncanny ability to make silver cables sound like copper and copper cables sound like silver while retaining the core characteristics of its alloy timbre. Cleopatra II comes to mind where its lush analogue nature is reminiscent of the characteristics of copper, while preserving that bright and lively sound we associate with silver cables. Code 23 is similar in this regard in that it doesn’t retain the stereotypical copper warmth, but is very neutral in tonality that one could mistake it as a copper-based mixed alloy. I’ve spoken with Jordon in regards to this and apparently it’s the twelve proprietary smaller core bundles that keep its main core from getting too warm. So kudos to the architects of Effect Audio for inventing this geometry because it is unlike most copper cables out there that only prioritize warmth and fullness of sound as the basis of its signature.

Code 23 is unapologetically a reference-like tuning with strict neutrality in mind. It’s neither warm nor bright, but stays right in the middle to provide a balanced tone with just a smidge hint of copper timbre-related warmth. I must emphasize that this warmth is only timbre-related as the general characteristic of copper, and I find it to add just the right amount of musicality to keep it from getting sterile. Code 23 is also more akin to a transparent cable that takes the intrinsic qualities of its connected transducer and elevates the technical performance without drastically changing its tonal character. This made it easy to match up with any iems without worrying about potential mishap in synergy. I’ve tried it with Odin, Xe6, Kr5, Viking Ragnar, and Nodachi and found its pairing to all work well without encountering any issues.

This already makes it a very easy and forgiving cable to work with, which would make it one of the easiest recommendations I can give towards newcomers who aren’t sure what they are looking for but are curious about trying out a high-performance cable.

The technical performance of Code 23 is very impressive and performs right below Cleopatra II OCTA within Effect Audio’s lineup. The stage is enveloping in a sense that you’re sucked into the center of an orchestra and have instruments playing in a spherical field all around you. To reiterate, you’re not placed five rows behind a concert to observe the music in a fan shape. Rather, this is a presentation that brings you close and upfront into the music with a holographic imaging to accentuate a three dimensional field. I do not say “holographic” loosely as there is a clear delineation of foreground, background, and all layers in between to give a sensation of space that is beyond the conventional X and Y axis. This is commonly seen in more expensive cables and certainly rare within the mid-ranged price territory. This is a stage that is more comparable to the industry standard 8-wire flagship cables than 4-wires. It may not be competing with the heavyweight champions like the Orpheus Shielding or Chiron, but you’re essentially getting about 90% of its performance at a fraction of its price – plus, a very forgiving and neutral tonality that is easy to pair with more iems.

Code 23 has just the right amount of grit and body in note weight that you’ll feel anchored to the music without any feeling of evanescence. It’s muscular in its dynamic swing, but not overpowering to make it fatiguing. I love how well its bodied signature works well with its crisp and tactile transient. It’s not the sharpest and most incisive I’ve heard, but there is a sort of magic that comes to fruition when the two harmonize together to create a sound that is simultaneously filling and punchy.




Comparison Review Cables:

I’ve had numerous visits to different audio stores (more often than what the photos justify) to gather samples of high-end audio cables and do a side-by-side comparison. I was curious to see how it performed next to Effect Audio’s own flagship cables and with the likes of PWA and Eletech.

• Magnus 4-wire
• Orpheus Shielding
• Chiron
• Centurion
• Cleopatra II
• Cleopatra II OCTA
• Eros S
• 1950s
• Ode to Laura

To take into consideration of the fallacy of human memory and primarily utilizing the notes I've written during my audition, this will be a summarized note-style comparison review so I apologize ahead of time if it will sound too pedantic or anemic.


Gears used for comparison: Sony WM1ZM2 -> [insert cable] -> Viking Ragnar -> Azla Crystal


Noble Audio Magnus 4-wire (~$1200 msrp) :

This is the stock cable that comes with my Viking Ragnar and its transients are incisive and addicting. Highs are a bit piercing as there are hints of sibilance with certain songs and genres (most notably in EDM). But this sibilance can be mitigated by switching up the source or ear tip rather than it being a flawed characteristic of Magnus 4-wire itself.

Transitioning from Magnus 4-wire to Code 23 –

There's an immediate expansion of soundstage in every direction. The aforementioned sibilance is mitigated and there is slightly more weight throughout the overall frequency. Its brightness is slightly tamed as the forward treble of Magnus 4-wire is reigned back to neutral in quantity. I can hear the familiar copper timbre coming through but without any added warmth. That's a huge plus on my side. Vocals sound closer and more revealing with a hint of romance that melds well with the old-time warmth of Sony M2.

I'm a strong proponent of synergy and can most definitely find myself preferring one over the other based on how I weave them into my setup. But the one objective remains in that Code 23 is the technically more proficient cable.



PWA Orpheus Shielding (~$$$ msrp) :

Orpheus sounds lush and romantic. Noticeably smoother than Code 23 that some may seek a more articulate transient if they're used to crisper presentations. Its smoothness doesn't smother any details, but provides a different presentation that's more laid back for a comfortable listening session. It's warm, but definitely not "hot". Synergy is key as is applicable to every cable out there. It'll benefit most from iems with a sharp and energetic presentation that could use some smoothening to relax some hot upper-end treble (Ragnar for example). It has the blackest background I've heard in any cable right next to Murakumo 2 with an enveloping soundstage that literally swallows you whole. Compared to Code 23, it has a clearer and more revealing midrange. The positioning of vocals doesn't come closer and remains where it's situated, but becomes so clear and resolving that you can hear and "see" the details better.

Code 23 has a smaller stage in comparison and its imaging falls short on par against Orpheus Shielding. However, it comes competitively close from a value standpoint that I find myself more amused than disappointed how well Code 23 performs next to a significantly more expensive cable. On the bright side, Code 23 is more articulate in attack and decay, giving a more satisfactory punch in comparison to the smoother listening session of Orpheus Shielding.



EA Chiron (~$3000 msrp) :

It's hard to be biased as Chiron is undoubtedly one of my favorite cables out there. Like Orpheus, Chiron has a significantly larger soundstage in all axes with an incredibly holographic presentation that has layers and depth expected of a summit-fi cable. Being a GPS alloy, it has an added sweetness especially in female vocals which I attribute as a property of gold. Chiron is brighter, cleaner, and sweeter in presentation with a slightly less note-weight than Code 23. Code 23 is fuller in comparison with a bit more midbass quantity, while Chiron is faster and leaner in presentation with an articulate transient that is crisper in attack and decay.



EA Centurion (~$5000 msrp) :

Centurion has a slightly wider soundstage than the already massive stage of Chiron, but I hear Chiron to have a tad better depth in comparison. Centurion sounds bright and very transparent across the entire frequency spectrum and there is a sense of holographic imaging that rivals some of the best I've heard – e.g. Orpheus Shielding, Rhapsodio Evolution Hybrid Wizard, Brise Murakumo 2 cable.

It's undoubtedly Effect Audio's flagship cable and I must humbly admit that Code 23 has much more to improve to get to Centurion’s level in the technical aspect.

Compared to Code 23, Centurion has a leaner presentation with similar note weight as Chiron but with less midbass, focusing all its attention from upper-mids and above. It gives you a feeling like you're floating above the clouds. Code 23 is much more neutral and sounds tamed in comparison to the very bright Centurion. Code 23 is the much easier cable to work with as Centurion can come across too bright with some pairings. Centurion is more of a collector’s cable that has the potential to synergize outstandingly with a specific setup, but could render as being fatiguing without a cohesive pairing.



EA Cleopatra II & OCTA (~$1000 & $1600 msrp) :

Cleopatra II and OCTA are essentially the same tonality with a notable difference in soundstage, imaging, and resolution – with the 8-wire being the technically more proficient one. Its general sound signature is slightly bright, but strangely organic and lush that you’d be surprised how analog it sounds for a pure silver-based geometry. It is a slightly warm presentation for a silver cable, but certainly brighter than Code 23 in a side-by-side comparison.

The technical difference between the 4-wire and 8-wire is very noticeable that I would recommend the 8-wire between the two without any hesitation. Code 23 is technically superior over the 4-wire with a better soundstage and clearer image that the 4-wire comes across slightly veiled in a side-by-side comparison. However, the story changes when compared to the 8-wire, as the OCTA is noticeably more enveloping with a larger soundstage that takes you a few rows back behind a concert to give you a wide cinematic experience. Code 23 places you more upfront within the center stage to give you a more forward presentation in comparison.
Cleopatra has an added sweetness that injects an appreciative amount of emotive vitality. Code 23 sounds neutral and clean in comparison, but certainly not sterile or lacking in emotive flavor. I found the OCTA to be slightly better in depth and imaging than Code 23, but the 4-wire unfortunately falls slightly behind in this regard. Code 23 transient is surprisingly crisper than the OCTA. There is a sense of tactility and weight to it that I find very engaging, in spite of the neutral and reference-tone signature.



EA Eros S (~$300 msrp) :

Eros S may be a competent cable at its price range, but there is a clear reduction in soundstage when compared next to the Code 23. It sounds as if the walls of sound are more caved into my own head instead of expanding out to give a wide field-like presentation. Eros S sounds closer to the typical SPC (silver-plated copper) cable, but its actual geometry is a hybrid setup composed of pure silver litz and pure copper litz. Eros S retains the characteristic of copper-timbre grit, but has a brighter and more elevated treble compared to Code 23. Code 23 has a more natural extension in treble that sounds clear and organic without needing brightness to give it an artificial perception of extension.

I enjoy the tonal signature of Eros S, but Code 23 is the more capable cable by a large margin.





PWA 1950s (~$2150 msrp) :

PWA left a large impression to audiophiles back when it first introduced the Century Series in 2018. And within the Century Series, 1950s captivated the most number of audience that it still holds a special place in many audiophiles’ hearts. Having owned one myself for a significant amount of time, I like to see the 1950s as the younger brother of Orpheus Shielding as they share similar tonality but with a notable difference in technical prowess.

With that being said, I’m happy to announce that Code 23 is not only competent with the 1950s, but has a wider and more holographic soundstage in every direction possible. They both have similar transparent midrange, but Code 23 is positioned a hair back without losing any of its details. Code 23 has a slightly more tactile treble compared to the more organic treble of 1950s and everything sounds a tad more crisp in its articulation. I can see the transient working in favor of Code 23, but the highlight of 1950s is in the romantic warmth that is not overdone and is tasteful in tonality.

I do think Code 23 is the technically more proficient cable, but the tone of the 1950s romance is hard to ignore that I can see audiophiles favoring one over the other by the virtue of tonal preferences.



Eletech Ode to Laura (~$2800 msrp) :

OTL (Ode to Laura) is one of “the” flagship copper cables of 2022 and still holds an appreciative place in many audiophiles' collections. It specializes in providing texture and details in spades with a tremendous holographic imaging that delineates each spatial layer with finesse and precision. There is a sense of grittiness that is palpable and enduring with sparkly highs that isn’t subdued as you may find in Rhapsodio’s flagship copper lineup. It’s a very engaging signature, which comes to show why it has a home in many audiophiles' inventory.

With that being said, its biggest drawback is in the soundstage width, because next to Code 23, OTL has a more conical signature that is narrower in width but deeper in depth. There are layers within layers that you’ll be able to pick apart instruments with greater precision, but it doesn’t expand as far out horizontally as Code 23 is able to do so. OTL is tad warmer with more elevated treble in comparison. Midrange is slightly pulled back as Code 23 sounds more revealing in female vocal rendition.

Code 23 brings you closer to the music, with the stage expanding and surrounding you. OTL is more holographic in its conical presentation that makes it easier to analyze spatial and positioning cues. Code 23 has more note weight that sounds fuller and weightier, anchoring you down to the music. OTL is grittier and more textured that makes it a fun listening session to experience.


Finale

Code 23 screams value within the $600 mark that the only dissuader I can think of is its cumbersome ergonomics. Having spoken with several owners of this cable and lending it out to my friends during my weekly audiophile congregations, there have most certainly been a divided fanbase in how it had been received due to the weight and ergonomics. However, if you're a purist at heart with sound being the only focus of your attention, this is a highly technical cable that should most certainly be in your shortlist if you're not interested in breaking the bank and emptying your wallet.

I’m delighted to see Effect Audio offer a highly technical cable that is made accessible to hobbyists who aren’t keen on spending over a thousand dollars on cables that are worth more than their iems. This is a win for both the manufacturer and consumers, which I hope would inspire other companies to follow suit and offer cheaper flagship cables to make it more accessible for the general audiophile consumers.

Thank you