plusSound Exo Series Cable

Design / Build quality

Plussound always keep innovating with their cables products. New wires types and mixes, better quality materials from the core of the cables up to the outer sleeve, and all available for almost every of their cables series in practically any customization possible for connectors, termination plugs, braid, splitters and what else.
In this occasion, it is the newest Copper+ wire in a unique matte black finish. It is no secret that it is an all OCC copper wire of high purity, instead of another new exotic mix of wires and/or plating. It may suggest more ‘simplicity’ – and in a way it is – however it hides extra quality, specific wire count and twist and a new special structure. Unlike the other copper wires of 26AWG implemented by Plussound (and many cable manufacturers), this copper wire is of a ~15% thicker gauge of 24AWG, which means higher conductivity potential, less resistance.


The wire configuration inside is very interesting, as can be seen on the diagram. The inner core consists of five litz twisted copper strands, where each strand is isolated in its own enamel coating (what prevents oxidation of the wire and crosstalk). These five strands are then covered together by an extra clear layer that isolates them from the outer layer set of wires. Surrounding this clear layer are multiple strands, also grouped in a litz twist of five strands (again, each of them with its own enamel coating). And protecting this second outer layer there is a new proprietary Plussound shielding of silver material, which should also help to eliminate further EMI interference and act as a ground layer, too. Finally, in this provided cable unit, the outside jacket that you will actually see is of a very sleek matte black finish.



As for build quality and outer design, Plussound cables are always of very high quality and nice aesthetics. Despite being an Exo series cable of four strands in round braided finish, the cable itself is thicker than other 4-strands options. Not too surprising when considering the greater gauge and extra inner and outer protecting insulation layers and the final jacket atop. All of this adds extra mass to the final product making the cable a bit heavier and more bulky. It still maintains high flexibility for comfortable wear and easy portable use and storage. Cable noise is practically not present at all. Moreover, the various components applied are of top-notch quality. Buyers have a generous variety to choose for each part of the cable. Describing the one cable here, the 2-pin connectors are of standard 0.78mm type. The pins are copper with gold plating and installed in a whole anodized aluminum shell in black color. Obviously, they also feature the typical Plussound screw design to keep the shells and pins joined, and the main round shells are fully covered by PEEK insulation, and the PS logo is now laser engraved. The right and left connectors are differentiated by metal red and blue colored parts, respectively, added at the top of the shell barrel. The audio plug here is 4.4mm TRRS balanced. The metal plug too is copper and in this case rhodium-plated. Like the 2-pin section, the audio plug features the same aluminum shell and printed logo, with just the upper part in a very nice rose-gold finish and silver screw. The y-splitter is also made of thick anodized aluminum in all-black color. It does feature a screw system, but is completely hidden inside the metal barrel. The shape is rounded and smoothly finished. The same goes for the round ring shaped cable slider. Like most of the Plussound cables, this one doesn’t present memory wire or ear guides, and while the cable is bent at the 2-pin connectors section it doesn’t necessarily holds its shape – a plus to me as can be used with earphones that are worn with cable down or easily curve around the ears.
I should admit that the color combination in this specific provided unit is not what I would have chosen myself – too many colors in a single product. Nonetheless, it is very elegant with all the shiny metal components and dark matte finish that puts a nice contrast.









Sound Impressions

Earphones: UM Mest MKII, Hyla Sarda, Hifiman RE2000, InEar PMX, Dita Audio, CA Solaris 2020, final A8000, Fir M5 & VxV, FAudio Dark Sky
Sources: Shanling M8, iBasso DX300, Fiio M15, Lotoo PAW6000



If specific wire materials tend to give a particular tonality to the sound, the Copper+ could be a good example of what pure copper cables may offer. Smooth, liquid and richer tone from lows to mids and yet energetic but less offensive treble response. Of course, changes are never going to be drastic ‘day and night’, but not difficult to notice either when compared to stock bundled cables and other custom made aftermarket cables. Hard to say how much the 24AWG gauge will improve the conductivity and, consecutively, the technical performance over the more common 26AWG unless you compare it to an identical version with this gauge. But regardless, there are some specific points the Copper+ tend to improve. Ultimately, as with any other IEM cable the amount of gain that a cable will provide is limited and also dependent on the earphones used and the audio sources it is finally connected to. Even so, there are some general characteristic traits shared from the various tests.

Although the smooth and richer tonality out of the Copper+ can imply that it adds some coloration to the sound and make it less “reference”-like, there is still a noticeable gain in technicalities. Cleaner background, better detail, more air and more natural timbre. I found the first thing to notice with the Copper+ cable is on the low-end frequencies. Not for adding tons of sheer bass quantities – even though it brings a sense of warmth to the sound – but rather for improving the texture and giving more body and fullness to the whole bass area, even down to the sub-bass that gets an extra notch in rumble.

Consecutively, the midrange is well favored by the Copper+ for a richer texture, more solid body (especially on the lower-mids) and more delicate smoothness. Dynamics are improved a bit too, specifically on dynamic driver based IEMs (e.g., A8000, Dark Sky), but hybrid models that use BA units are also benefited with a more natural texture, less artificial and less liquid. Overall, the midrange may sound more relaxed with the Copper+, but it also sounds a bit more organic and pleasant with sweeter (less dry) vocals. It won’t make miracles to the Hyla Sarda, but does have a very good synergy with the MEST MKII, and excellent with the Solaris.

It also pairs well with IEMs that tend to highlight upper mids or have a strong lower treble boost, soothing things a bit down and controlling some annoying peaks. The A8000 still sounds bright with its voluminous treble quantity with the Copper+, but gains greater treble dynamics and also feels less abrasive and less sharp. Overall, the treble is kept almost untouched in terms of quantities yet gains a cleaner, airier presentation and a bit better resolution when presenting small details. And in spite of its added warm and richer tonality, there is a slight improvement in extension on both ends (more on the lows) giving the soundstage a bit more open effect, with width and depth, though not much in height.



Surprisingly, even though the ‘coloration’ and not so reference-like tune, it doesn’t show a negative synergy with any IEM of any kind, price or drivers’ setup. For instance, the InEar PMX which is super neutral and highly detailed gets an extra notch of body, better dynamics on lows/low-mids and better textured upper midrange that benefits female vocals a lot. Maybe not as flat linear as the PMX can sound with its stock (cheap) cable, but definitely more enjoyable without losing in micro-details.



It contributes to the UM MEST MKII too (though not as much as on the PMX as the MEST already includes a high quality cable). Sub-bass is a bit more extended and there is a gain in mid-bass body over the stock PWA cable. Midrange is more vivid, less dry, and cleaner and with more clarity; male vocals get a bit more authority, while female vocals a sweeter texture, if a bit more laid-back. A very tiny little extra sparkle on the treble is noticed, but is hard to improve much further (possible due the EST drivers’ nature, as I found a similar result with other cables).



On the other hand, going with a ‘simpler’ configuration (but of very high quality), with the pure Beryllium single A8000 driver the results are noticed easier through the treble. As mentioned above, you cannot tame too much the bright and very revealing nature of the A8000, but yes make it a bit more tolerable. Apart from that, the Copper+ contributes a little more to the already A8000 great dynamics performance, and adds a warmer tone and emphasis on the whole lows. A tad smooth and richer midrange, which is a very favorable result.



I also found a ‘fun’ combination with the Fir VxV and Copper+ connected to the Shanling M8. An immediate stronger low-end emphasis. Simply, there is more mass of the whole bass, more abrasive, as if the dynamic driver has been tweaked to a more bassy tuning. More body on the midrange (mainly in the low-mids), and a bit smoother but yet extended and informative treble.





And an even more favorable pairing with the Hifiman RE2000, which up to now I only used with the PW No.10 for a more relaxed and bearable treble. With the Copper+ it sounds much smoother – solid and stronger on the bass response (something the RE2000 is kinda missing), and even though the upper midrange is perceived as less forward, it is noticeably less peaky and much more tolerable through the whole treble region – even with the PAW6000 that generally has a brighter presentation over other DAPs I could test. Better extension on both ends and even more spacious and surrounding stage effect.