PWaudio SALADIN

Price: U$D ~320.


Design

The Saladin cable is flawless in its design, build quality and ergonomics. It is all handmade and perfectly even, using very good materials for both durability and yet well thought for daily portable use. This one is the 4-wire version and relatively compact and lightweight next to other 4-wire cables. Each of the four strands consists of a mix of two types of wires of 34 awg, copper and silver plated copper, and on a closer look it is possible to see there're four inner strands of each wire evenly twisted that also give a nice look to the whole cable. From the plug to y-split the cable is braided while the upper right and left sides are twisted.


The outer jacket is made of clear PVC material and the whole cable is very soft with zero memory effect and very low noise. The plug, y-split and MMCX connectors are well protected with a light metal cover. There is a screw at the bottom part of the y-split to hold the metal cover tightly to the wires. It should have no damage to the cables inside as they are well wrapped by a plastic tape. The plug has no screw on it to, but also missing a heat-shrink tube hold the metal cover to the cable.


As for the MMCX plugs, they are not the usual standard options, rather the new extended version with a 4-split meant to give a much tighter connection to the IEM socket and yet allow the cable to swing without much effort (very similar to the already found on some of the Dunu IEM cables, but the Dunu options are very difficult to rotate around the IEM shell).


Moreover, the Saladin is very light and comfortable, not much tangle resistant but not difficult to undo if happens. The only potential drawback for some might be the fixed earguides that allow the earphones to be worn only on an over-ear setup, and while they're very soft they have a very sharp curve that gives a tighter locked fit around the ears.


Sound Impressions

Main IEMs used: Advanced GT3, iBasso IT04, Dunu Falcon-C and DK-3001, Accutone Studio S2, Brainwavz B400.
Cables: Linum G2, Dunu, plusSound X (hybrid wire) and X8 (copper wire).

"Neutral and Transparent" should be the best way to describe the sonic performance from the PW Saladin cable. While many aftermarket cables I tried added certain coloration over the 'stock' sound from the included cables with each IEM, the Saladin is the cleanest with zero coloration but brings a clear and better timbre with darker (cleaner) background. The bass is better layered and less congested with better transition from upper bass to lower midrange.

The midrange is where the transparency is more pronounced, with higher separation and cleaner instruments' texture; though, with some earphones it can be perceived as lean/thinner (i.e., the DK-3001 with its own 'upgrade' cable). Upper midrange is more liquid, a bit smoother if there was some sibilance or grain in the sound, but most importantly the lower treble is a tad more natural giving an airier presentation overall. Not really a wider stage effect, but feels more open with better sense of space and more effortless extension. Using the balanced output is a key to take full advantage of the cable. With the Aune M1s it was more than enough to get the best results.

Using the Saladin with the Dunu DK-3001 had a similar synergy as with the Linum G2 SuperBaX, but with a less limited bass extension and slightly fuller midrange. However, I find it is still not the most favorable match for the DK-3001 as it is missing on the full and richness on the sound and being a bit brighter. If just for the DK3001 I would choose the PlusSound hybrid being a tad darker, smoother and richer on the bass.

With the iBasso IT04, despite having a similar signature to the DK-3001, the Saladin made a much better option. The IT04 included cable is already of very good quality. Even though, the Saladin gives a bit cleaner upper bass and bit thinner lower midrange which is actually quite favorable for the IT04 to reach a more equal balance.

The favorite match is with the Falcon-C. Bass is cleaner, tighter, with airier midrange and more controlled lower treble. For those who found the Falcon-C too bright, the sound is not less aggressive in that regard, but the timbre sounds more natural.

PWaudio is a boutique/company well known for its premium copper cables. Just recently, Peter Wang( chief of PWaudio), showed his new products at Canjam Singapore. In the catalogue you can find new Vanquish models: Saladin, Loki and Xerxes and a new “aeon” 1950s model that is the flagship in charge.

Today we are going to have a better look to their Saladin model. This is our first PWaudio product, so would like to write some words about this company: All PWaudio cables are crafted with care. All cables are hand-braided, soldered with precision and tested by ears for the best audible experience before dispatched. A wide range of selected materials are featured in PWaudio's line up, including copper, silver plated copper, pure silver cores with different treatment and gauge.


Something about Saladin model: “Tapping on his vast experience with copper based and silver based cables, Peter Wong has set out to create a new range of products, known as the "Vanquish" series, to mark a new era of PWaudio products.

Featuring a unique geometry and wire design based on his "sevenfold pipe" series, together with his knowledge of different types and grades of copper based materials, PWaudio has created the Saladin.

The Saladin features a 7 multi-bundle wire design that is a combination of single crystal copper and silver plated single crystal silver.

The combination of the wire geometry and materials, together with the final tuning using different types of audio-grade and non-audio industry solders, results in a sound that is musical, warm, smooth and inviting for users of the Saladin.


Saladin unit was sent me for the purpose of this review, i am not affiliated with the company and all observations and opinions will be only my own. Would like to thank Peter and PWaudio team for sending me this unit giving me the opportunity to test this premium cable.

For more info about Saladin and other products, you can easily contact them on their facebook channel.


OFFICIAL SITE: https://www.pw-audio.com/

FACEBOOK PAGE: https://www.facebook.com/pwaudio2014/?



PACKAGING:

packaging is simple and minimalistic: the cable will arrive in a small black box with a PWaudio logo on it and a nice cotton storage bag. If the package is simple, Saladin cable looks very nice with surely a premium feel.

DESIGN: Saladin has a premium build and a great ergonomics: everything is nicely crafted and i found no sign of microphonic issues. Plus, with its gold/silver plot looks nice and elegant. I was quite impressed by the premium feeling that this cable is capable to show.



SOUND: Saladin is not aimed to bring you incredible resolution, incredible soundstage or amazing fun factor. The beauty of this cable is that wants to portray simply a natural sound with a great timbre and tonal accuracy. For this, has a great sinergy with most of the iem i have tried with. Saladin is capable to show an incredible realism and mature sound, never sounding too flat or sterile. This cable will give you a natural sound with a touch of warmth, never sounding too warm and congested.

Bass is well portrayed, but it is not the strongest focus of this product. Sub-Bass has good impact and fastness, always sounding natural and controlled. Mid-bass has a nice emphasis, giving you a nice rumble and body to the music.

Voices are one of the strongest point for this product: both male and female voices are rendered with great accuracy and near-to-life emotions. Everything sounds so natural with a perfect timbre and tonality. This is the strenght of Saladin: natural sound with great focus to timbre and tonality.

Trebles are well portrayed, sounding always detailed and well extended, but never emphasized too much. Saladin will not give you an exaggerated treble response, avoiding arshness and sibilances. For this could be a great pairing with most of the IEMs out there.

Soundstage has a natural extension both in width and depth, never sounding congested. Saladin is capable to portray a natural space around you, with great instrumental separation.



PAIRING:

Saladin with Aroma Audio Yao: Saladin has a great sinergy with this IEM: Yao is a great performer with great vocals reproduction. Saladin, helps to give a better tonality with a more detailed sound and a more natural bass response. Soundstage improves a bit, with a wider space and better instrument separation.


Saladin with Aroma Audio Twins: Twins has a more fun sound signature than Yao with more sparkles and hot trebles. Saladin helps to have a more mature and natural sound, with a more organic voices. Trebles result less harsh and less fatiguing.


Saladin with Rhapsodio Infinity(20 BA): Infinity has a bit dry sound, lacking emotions sometimes. Saladin helps to give better tonal accuracy, with a touch of warmth. Everithing sounds more natural and near to life with better male and female vocals.


Saladin with Heir Audio 10.0: Heir Audio has too much bass response, with a bit recessed voices. Saladin helps to give more body to voices, with a more natural bass response. Soundstage improves a bit, with better separation and layering.


Saladin with Inear SD5: SD5 has a clean presentation, resulting sometimes, a bit harsh and fatiguing. Saladin helps to have less hot trebles, with a more mature and controlled bass response. Male voices gains more body and better tonality. Overall, this is a great pairing offering a more natural and mature sound reproduction.


Saladin with Inearz Euphoria: this is not a great pairing, cause Euphoria has a strong bass response and is a mid-forward IEM. I usually prefer to use a silver cable with this IEM, cause Euphoria needs more trebles and sparkles.

CONCLUSION: Saladin is a great cable both for its build and sound quality, with a great premium feel. It’s aim is to portray a mature and natural sound with a great focus for timbre and tonal accuracy. For this has a great sinergy with most of the IEM out there.

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