average_joe
Headphoneus Supremus
- Joined
- Dec 5, 2008
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[size=14.0pt]Multi-aftermarket cables for custom IEMs and TF10 evaluation thread[/size]
average_joe’s (my google+ page) custom IEM aftermarket cable thread: Many custom IEMs come with detachable cables, and as I own many custom IEMs that have detachable cables such as the JHA JH16, Rooth LS8, Starkey SA-43, EarSonics EM3 Pro,and Thousand Sound TS842 among others, but there are several aftermarket cables on the market that may improve looks, ergonomics, and possibly sound, not to mention replacement out of necessity if a cable goes bad. My custom IEM review and resource thread is here.

Cables evaluated:
1) Several stock custom IEM cables
2) Whiplash Audio TWag V2 OM (tested pin compatibility: JHA)
3) Beat Audio Cronus (tested pin compatibility: JHA)
4) Beat Audio Ruby Supreme (tested pin compatibility: JHA)
5) Effect Studio Athena for Ultimate Ears TF10 (tested pin compatibility: TF10)
6) Effect Studio Crystal for Ultimate Ears TF10 (tested pin compatibility: TF10)
7) Jaben ES8 for Ultimate Ears TF10
8) Null Audio Lune for Ultimate Ears TF10
9) Null Audio Arete for Ultimate Ears TF10
10) Chris_Himself cable for JHA, Westone, UE
11) Moon Audio Silver Dragon for JHA, Westone, UE, UM, Rooth, Earsonics
12) Crystal Piccolino for JHA, Westone, UE
13) Double Helix Symbiote IEM cable for JHA, Westone, UE, Rooth, Earsonics, etc
14) Uber Muzik V5f cable for TF10
- AudioSonus UE TF10 cable for TF10
15) Whiplash Audio Hybrid V3
16) Whiplash Audio TWag V3
17) Effect Studio Pearl
18) Effect Studio Apollo
19) Effect Studio Odin
20) Effect Studio Thor Silver
21) Whiplash Audio TWau Reference Gold
22) Whiplash Audio TWag V2 GOLD
kenman345's cable thread that lists information about the available aftermarket cables
What is the science behind any possible sound differences between cables? This Gizmodo article covers the topic in an understandable way, explaining that there is proven physics behind changes in sound.
If you want to dive a little deeper you must start by understanding an analog signal, which is a very complex signal composed of different voltages and currents moving at different speeds (frequencies) representing different parts of the audio signal. If you want to further understand analog signals, you can read here.
The slower frequencies (bass) usually have more power than higher frequency signals (midrange and treble) and are therefore affected less from signal degrading factors such as resistance, capacitance, and impedance. Conversely, fine details have less power than the main note in music so that would be the first thing that is lost. Also, a primary tone can have harmonics at various levels that are much weaker than the main signal which are easier to affect with degrading factors.
As the Gizmodo article mentions, there is resistivity, capacitance, inductance, dielectric, and skin depth can all affect the cable transmission properties. Resistivity will only change significantly with different material properties, so let’s take a quick look at the differences from TBITECH innovations site (table has been simplified), especially between silver and copper which are used for the various cables tested.
average_joe’s (my google+ page) custom IEM aftermarket cable thread: Many custom IEMs come with detachable cables, and as I own many custom IEMs that have detachable cables such as the JHA JH16, Rooth LS8, Starkey SA-43, EarSonics EM3 Pro,and Thousand Sound TS842 among others, but there are several aftermarket cables on the market that may improve looks, ergonomics, and possibly sound, not to mention replacement out of necessity if a cable goes bad. My custom IEM review and resource thread is here.
Cables evaluated:
1) Several stock custom IEM cables
2) Whiplash Audio TWag V2 OM (tested pin compatibility: JHA)
3) Beat Audio Cronus (tested pin compatibility: JHA)
4) Beat Audio Ruby Supreme (tested pin compatibility: JHA)
5) Effect Studio Athena for Ultimate Ears TF10 (tested pin compatibility: TF10)
6) Effect Studio Crystal for Ultimate Ears TF10 (tested pin compatibility: TF10)
7) Jaben ES8 for Ultimate Ears TF10
8) Null Audio Lune for Ultimate Ears TF10
9) Null Audio Arete for Ultimate Ears TF10
10) Chris_Himself cable for JHA, Westone, UE
11) Moon Audio Silver Dragon for JHA, Westone, UE, UM, Rooth, Earsonics
12) Crystal Piccolino for JHA, Westone, UE
13) Double Helix Symbiote IEM cable for JHA, Westone, UE, Rooth, Earsonics, etc
14) Uber Muzik V5f cable for TF10
15) Whiplash Audio Hybrid V3
16) Whiplash Audio TWag V3
17) Effect Studio Pearl
18) Effect Studio Apollo
19) Effect Studio Odin
20) Effect Studio Thor Silver
21) Whiplash Audio TWau Reference Gold
22) Whiplash Audio TWag V2 GOLD
kenman345's cable thread that lists information about the available aftermarket cables
Science of Sound - cablesWhat is the science behind any possible sound differences between cables? This Gizmodo article covers the topic in an understandable way, explaining that there is proven physics behind changes in sound.
If you want to dive a little deeper you must start by understanding an analog signal, which is a very complex signal composed of different voltages and currents moving at different speeds (frequencies) representing different parts of the audio signal. If you want to further understand analog signals, you can read here.
The slower frequencies (bass) usually have more power than higher frequency signals (midrange and treble) and are therefore affected less from signal degrading factors such as resistance, capacitance, and impedance. Conversely, fine details have less power than the main note in music so that would be the first thing that is lost. Also, a primary tone can have harmonics at various levels that are much weaker than the main signal which are easier to affect with degrading factors.
As the Gizmodo article mentions, there is resistivity, capacitance, inductance, dielectric, and skin depth can all affect the cable transmission properties. Resistivity will only change significantly with different material properties, so let’s take a quick look at the differences from TBITECH innovations site (table has been simplified), especially between silver and copper which are used for the various cables tested.
[size=10.0pt]Material[/size] | [size=10.0pt]Electrical conductivity[/size] | [size=10.0pt]Electrical resistivity[/size] |
[size=10.0pt](10.E6 Siemens/m)[/size] | [size=10.0pt](10.E-8 Ohm.m)[/size] |