Linum DualBaX

Review Of The Linum DualBax​

Introduction​

This is my first review outside of Chi-Fi Marvels since Linum is a Denmark-based firm that specializes in manufacturing incredibly professional and excellent-sounding cable using the highest quality materials and extensive R&D. Based on my observations of their products, they are quite practical and rational, even if they do not reassure you when looked at or felt in your hands. But when the firm supplied one of the greatest cables in their lineup, the Linum DualBax, I was really delighted. So, before continuing with the review, I'd like to clarify a few topics.

Disclaimer​

*Since this unit tour was organised by generous people at Linum and Pradipta, I am grateful to them. And as I've said in all of my evaluations, the same is true for this one: all of the concepts I've expressed below are entirely my own, original ideas that haven't been influenced by anyone else. If interested, go to this link.
*I am not associated with the connection, and I receive no financial assistance from anyone.
*For the remainder of the review, I will refer to this cable as “DualBax”.
*I am using different IEMs for better understanding and findings.
*Finally, I will only evaluate the DualBax based on its performance, even though I will explain how it feels and seems physically and aesthetically.

Specification​

The DualBax is made of silver-plated copper litz wire (224 strands) that is twisted in a dual structure. The T2 connections with ear hooks are fabricated in-house. The cable weighs only 8 grams and has a length of 127 centimetres. The cable feels extremely lightweight and professional. The constructed quality keeps me aware at all times when I use this cable; nevertheless, I checked it by stretching the cable out after being reassured by the tour leader, and thank goodness it had no sign of any damage, but I was still unconvinced, maybe due to personal issues. According to the technical standards, the impedance is 0.6 Ohms and the pull strength is around 180 N/40lbs. The cable is available in translucent black and golden colour.

Sound​

I think we can all agree that the subjective nature of this hobby makes it a very difficult situation for an audiophile to handle. Usually, when discussing sources, cables, or eartips, the changes and effects are minimal to nonexistent to most people, but I am aware that there can be changes in sound when using different cables, sources, or eartips. Therefore, as I respect both your opinions and mine, I would appreciate no denigration of my integrity or disparaging remarks about them. Everyone has the right to share their experiences, and ultimately the audience will decide whether or not to believe them. I use the word "alter" in these cases because the exaggeration of my results does not significantly change the tuning or signature of the IEM. I hope everyone will give my request some thought.

The sources used are: ​

1. Tempotec V6
2. Sony WM1A
3 AFUL Snowynight
4 Colorfly CDA-M2

The IEMs the cable was used with:​

Thieaudio Prestige LTD

Prestige LTD is the very reason I am now able to find the truth in my musical dreams; I have never heard another IEM that ploughs your ears with faith in each note, no matter how those notes should sound and nurtures your senses with dynamics and presentation as if I were hearing reality. Previously, I owned the Monarch MKII, which established what one would expect, but once the prestige's magic began to flourish, I knew I could explore so much more with it, especially when it came to the air and presence of each nuance the notes were able to grasp over and tingled my senses. To summarise the prestige's response sounds as if the Monarch MKII were given steroids and enhanced the upper frequencies in all directions with better authoritative flow in the lower response. The response is neutral with a sub-bass boost, similar to the Monarch MKII, with the exception that the notes are airier and more revealing than any other IEM before this era. However, the thinner notes and excessive clarity provide obnoxious features that expose bad mixing and recordings, which were highly obvious when heard on my V6 but smoothed out on my WM1A, indicating source dependence.



When I paired this cable with the LTD, there was a definite change in how the response was for me when I used to listen with the stock cable. The first change I felt was with how the stage imaging and layering were altered in a way that the psychoacoustics made me hear the vocals sounds which were already far, further with a proper body to the vocals not being interfered with any nuances created in the response. Though with such a response, the vocals weren’t very spread out and were more breathable in my opinion. Usually with the stock cable the mid-range sounds ready far and wide with a balanced out approach to forwardness which is epically tuned by thieaduio which in my opinion makes the response substantially natural to hear. Other areas where I felt there was any change were when the bass became too obvious to sound more centred with the same amount of bass, which allowed it to sound more powerful because the mid-range was further away, but when it came to the treble, it was less airy and less spacious, regardless of how spacious it sounded, which I believe was caused by the cable. Listening to instrumental songs made the instruments seem more open and exposed, which made it sound fantastic when I used LTD with its standard cable; nevertheless, tunes that are either badly mixed or sound bright do not produce very EST driver timbre.

Thor Mjolnir MKII

Mjolnir is a very bassy set that has a lot of sub-bass emphasis. The treble and upper mid-range are also very forward in the mix. The upper treble has great extension as well. The bass is very punchy and boomy while acting fast. Mjolnir is a great V-shape-sounding IEM with a different approach to explosive bass that has better technicalities, especially in this price range. The stage is great with a nice surround stage and depth where the separation of each element sounds distant enough for them to procure space to breathe and distinct themselves. The attack and decay of the driver capability is really quick and perform great. The vocals may feel lean and sparkly, but the warmth or the fuller experience is something that these lack.



So after pairing this cable with Mjolnir, I find it more enjoyable to listen to because Mjolnir often sounds intimate and in your face, whether it's the bass or the upper frequencies, but with this combination, it seemed more surround than stereo-wide. The vocals seemed in front and farther, similar to the LTD response. Another difference was in how it normally sounded in terms of instrumentation; the instruments sounded like they were mixing with the vocals, but the vocals were attempting to escape away from it. Such a reaction with huge bass seemed too fun and thrilling, but after using this connection, the response became more balanced and was quite enjoyable to listen to. The treble, which used to sound sparkling and glittery with occasional sibilance, was controlled, balanced, and properly extended, resulting in a tranquil but invigorating sound. However, when it comes to bass, it keeps the same booming bass that would satisfy any bass enthusiast, albeit in a more mannered and controlled manner. I used to just listen to EDM and Hip Hop tracks with the Mjolnir, but this combo lets me appreciate cinematic, rock, and pop music as well.

Kefine Klanar

Instead of having a neutral tuning, the Klanar's sound tends to be lean and bright, with a V-shaped tuning. It's a very interesting IEM for the price, with plenty of exciting bass and a focus on clarity and nuances. Since I've heard so many Planar IEMs employing a full range planar, I don't think this is particularly novel or exceptional—rather, it's more sophisticated in some respects and stunning in others. In order to illustrate such a response, I would use the Timeless as an example, since they shared a similar sound profile. They sound inviting and subjectively either lean or incredibly detailed and clear due to the emphasis on the vocal region and the quality of the planar driver. Yes, even though it sounds more accurate than warm, the bass is still good for a Planar. The Planar drivers do have some sense of that wet response, but they are far better than the Timeless, for example.



As predicted, Planars are not tolerant when changing sources, whether cable, DAC, or amp. The response, which was already bright and snappy, seemed much brighter when I heard the peaky and sibilant notes at higher frequencies. Despite the fact that the response should have been more expansive and controlled, it seemed as if the lower treble and upper mid-range were amplified in terms of vitality, and the lower notes sounded more surfaced in the mix. To be more specific, the response did not meet my expectations, mostly because of how uneven it began to seem to me.

Hisenior Mega5EST

I could tell as soon as I heard the Mega5EST that it was a very well-tuned IEM because of its remarkable tone and strong technical capabilities. The tuning is more in line with my taste, which is a refined neutral with a sub-bass boost character. I've listened to the Variations, OH700VB, EJ07M, and all of its rivals, but despite the fact that all of these IEMs have my favoured response, the tonality is by far the safest and most pleasant sounding. The bass is powerful yet extremely well-controlled, the midrange is forward-sounding, and the treble is expansive and silky. With the exception of the fact that they aren't warm-sounding IEM, it sounds as calming overall as any other.



When I coupled the Mega5EST with this cable, I began to believe that it sounded more like the Monarch MKII, except for the resolution and clarity of the notes. The changes were the same as previously, with the stage shifting back and forth rather than spreading out wide. This enabled for better positioning of the parts, such as when the bottom notes sounded closer and either side of my shifted somewhat back, making the mid-range notes seem more distinct. I believe that the vocals, which were a touch dense in the 1-3k region, were much lighter and more open sounding, and that because the location was further away and in front, the vocals sounded more revealing. The treble and bass did not vary significantly, but as the stage seemed more expansive, the bass sounded less constricted and more boomy and punchy, while the treble sounded less brilliant and thorough in terms of forwardness. I loved listening to some bass-heavy and symphonic music.

Tracks Used​

Luna Haruna - Overfly
Rokudenashi - The Flame of Love
LMYK - 0 (zero)
ORESKABAND - Jitensya
Marina Horiuchi - Mizukagami no Sekai
RADWIMPS - Suzume
Indila - Love Story
Indila - Tourner dans le vide
Earth, Wind & Fire - September
Tom Petty - Free Fallin'
Fleetwood Mac - Everywhere
Nirvana - Smells Like Teen Spirit
Blue Oyster Cult - (Don't Fear) The Reaper
Guns 'N' Roses - Sweet Child O' Mine
The Police - Every Breath You Take
Gojira - Amazonia
TV on the radio - Wolf Like Me
Bring Me To The Horizon - Can You Feel My Heart
Bring Me To The Horizon - sTraNgeRs
Avril Lavigne - Dare To Love Me
Travis - Love Will Come Through
Gotye - Somebody That I Used To Know
DJ Shadows - Six Days (Remix) [feat. Mos Def]
Lady Gaga - Just Dance
Lil Wayne - Lollipop
Flo Rida - Low
Sebastian Lopez & Flug - Electronic Measures
Federico Mecozzi - Blue (Da Ba Dee)
Wayve - Not Enough
Kai Wachi & TeZATalks - Ghost
NGHTMRE, Zeds Dead & Tori Levett - Shady Intentions
Zeds Dead, DNMO & GG Magree - Save My Grave
Skrillex, Noisia, Josh Pan & Dylan Brady - Supersonic
Skrillex & Nai Barghouti - Xena
Skrillex, Missy Elliott & Mr. Oizo - RATATA
Kaifi Khalil, Eva B & Wahab Bugti - Kana Yaari
A.R. Rahman, Javed Ali & Mohit Chauhan - Kun Faya Kun

Conclusion​

In the end, despite my concerns about the cable's feel, it promises me one thing: outstanding performance on every pairing I had; I enjoyed listening to every tune on whatever source I paired it with, with the exception of Planars. So, if you believe in cables, this is one heck of a great-sounding cable; it has earned my recommendation.

LINUM DUALBAX CABLE​

Introduction: -

Linum cables are manufactured by ESTRON A/S. ESTRON A/S is a market leader in wire and cable solutions for the hearing aid industry. Although well-known in-ear monitor brands like Ultimate Ears, Inearz Audio, INEAR, Cosmic Ears, Westone Audio and Etymotic Research are partnered with them. Somehow, they are quite unknown and fly under the radar, especially in India. All parts are manufactured on their specially designed equipment and assembled at their facilities in Vietnam. Linum is especially famous for its proprietary T2 connectors. We would also like to add here that Linum's concept stems from an extensive background in the medical devices industry and over 28 years of experience as an established company.

The DualBaX is Linum’s latest addition to their cable line-up. Just like Linum’s other cables such as BaX, SuperBaX, and UltraBaX, it is also a Silver-plated Copper litz wire and it sports super low weight. The 3.5mm version weighs only 8g (yes, eight), while the 4.4mm cable comes in at 13 Grams. This incredibly low-weight cable can’t be noticed when wearing as it fully disappears. We have already experienced similar things with Linum SuperBax cables. Here we can easily make out that Linum focuses totally on combining simplicity with functionality.

According to Linum’s product page on their website, DualBaX is the perfect solution for commute and stage use as it is super light and tangle-resistant. It is also very skin-friendly due to the use of high-quality medical-grade materials but when it comes to audiophiles like us what we are only concerned about is how it makes our in-ear-monitors sound so here is our short review of Linum DualBax.



Specifications: -

• Termination Options: 3.5mm TRS (90° Angled) & 4.4mm TRRS (Straight)
• Wire Material: Silver Plated Copper Litz Wires
• Impedance: 0.6 Ω
• Length: 127cm/50 inch
• Pull Strength: 180N/40 lbs
• Weight: ~8g / ~0.28oz (balanced version ~13g / 0.46oz)
• Microphonics: Low

Disclaimer: -

We have received Linum Cables for both versions from Linum Denmark for free in exchange for a review. We are thankful to Linum Denmark for the same. However, the review reflects our honest opinion.

Packaging & Accessories: -

The packaging for Linum Cables is very simple yet very effective in protecting the cable from any type of damage or weathering effects.



Build & Design: -

Linum’s DualBaX has a rated impedance of only 0.6 Ohms and consists of a total of four conductors. These four Litz wires come twisted into dual pairs and a total of 224 strands. The coatings of the wires are covered with a material called Aramid Fibers. Aramid fibers have high tenacity and high resistance to stretching, to most chemicals, and to high temperatures. They are well known for their relatively lightweight and resistance to fatigue and damage. Because of these properties, Aramid fibers are widely used and accepted for making body armour. The connectors are strong and well-built. It comes in the standard color option, Zebra with transparent golden & black.




Side-by-side size comparison with PW Audio Monile Shielding Anniversary cable and Linum DualBaX

Testing Equipment: -

We feel it’s important to list down sources and IEMs we are using to test the cables, so here is the list.

Sources: Dethonray DTR1+, Dethonray Pegasus SG1 Gold, Aune M1p, A & K SP1000M, Aune Yuki, Tanchjim Space and Space Lite

IEMs: Rhapsodio Little Eden, Rhapsodio Orla, Lark Studio LSX, P-EAR-S SH3, In-Ear PP8, Penon Fan 2, Penon 10th anniversary, Hisenior Okavango and Hisenior T4 and many other IEMs. We would also like to add here that we tested it more with multi-BA (Balanced Armature) IEMs to see its effect on sensitive BA IEMs and we are happy to say that it goes superbly paired with sensitive BA IEMs.




Sound Analysis: -

Now we are about to get down to one of this wonderful hobby's most controversial topics: do cables affect the sound quality? Especially when in this case, we are going to spend a solid US$ 229.99. Well, from our experience of being into this hobby for the last seven years, we can “politely” say, it does. Now when it comes to Linum DualBax we can easily say that it is like other high-quality SPC cables, the DualBax makes the sound of the IEMs more fun and foot tapping as there is an increase in clarity and soundstage. But what makes the Linum DualBax separate from others, is its low impedance of 0.6 Ω which helps use it with the sensitive multi-BA IEMs keeping the sound neutral and original without changing the tonality of the IEMs. When we use it with the Lark LSX and In-Ear PP8, we can see a slight bump in the treble keeping the musicality of the frequency range which is refreshing and fun to listen to. Due to the low SNR (Signal-to-Noise Ratio), we can happily say that the background is pitch black with DAPs like Aune M1p and helps in extracting more details from IEMs like Rhapsodio Orla and P-EAR-S SH3. With hybrid IEMs like Hisenior Okavango and Hisenior T4, there is an increase in clarity and transparency across the frequency. Here we would also like to add that with Single DD (Dynamic Driver) IEMs we couldn’t see many audible changes except for the slight bump in mid-bass and clarity. Also, the cable complements the IEMs which are musical in nature.



Conclusion: -

If you are in the market looking for a high-quality SPC cable for your sensitive BA IEMs and want to add that exciting tinge to your musical IEMs, then look no further and just go for Linum DualBax. Along with a super high-quality cable, it is super light, super strong and durable. From us at Aural Café, after Hisenior Okavango, Linum DualBax is the second product to enter our recommendation list.

Non-Affiliated Links-
- https://linum.warnertechcare.com/product/linum-8030101-dualbax-t2-earhook-4-4mm-trrrs-zebra/