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.
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.
Also the Saladin I have is a MMCX, against the 2-pin of the Land/Mest. Sorry.
I should try the Mest with some other cables (including some PW Audio)