Rei87
100+ Head-Fier
- Joined
- Jan 28, 2015
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Just a short disclaimer, that I've been in audio for just a short while, so I've not been in this hobby long enough to be able to make comments without some form of first hand experience. Anyway, a short while ago I heard about another branch of tweaks which involved the use of contact enhancements to either enhance or alter the sonic characteristics of a player or iem. Having already extensively played with different burn-in techniques and tracks (from 4 different companies), to alter the signature of 10 different cables and about 6 players till date, it was only natural that to start exploring contact enhancement next.
Hence, I thought that I'd start a short discussion thread on the effects of different contact enhancements on a cable and player's sonic characteristics. The previous thread on contact enhancements http://www.head-fi.org/t/336479/contact-enhancement-treatments was from 2009, and hence seemed rather outdated on the various developments in the field since then. We hope that this can serve to help anyone looking to squeeze for that extra 10 to 20%% in performance without having to rely on hearsays or guesswork from individuals who lack access to these audio tweaks.
From left to right:
1) Furutech Nano Liquid
2) Kryton Setten Silver
3) Krypton Setten Gold
4) Deocyit Gold
5) Deoxyit Cleaner
Since it was almost impossible to do a blind test given how limited the quantity in each bottle was, what my group did was to separately record down how we felt the application of each contact enhancement to the 2.5 or 3.5 jack and 2 pin affected our gears, before comparing our observations and then looking for trends.
In general;
1) Furutech was the most conflicting of all, but in general it led to an increase in clarity across the mids and highs. It led to a decrease in the sub-bass bloat on some IEMS.
2) Setten Silver: The middle ground. Consider it something that just enhances the presence in the mids and highs. Little to no alterations in the presence of the lower signatures.
3) Setten Gold: Its biggest impact would be in enhancing the bass regions to the point. Bassheads loved it. I detested it, it felt so damn bloated.
4) Deoxyit Gold: Narrowed sound stage due to a tightening of the sound presence; e.g. bass became less diffused (rumbly) but increased in impact as a result. Effects were rather subtle compared to the other 3.
Personal Verdict: Go for the furutech if you wish for a contact enhancement that you can't go wrong with. The Setten silver would serve those who enjoy their mid and highs best, while bassheads would love the Setten Gold. Use deoxyit for everything else if you just cant decide.
Cheers
Hence, I thought that I'd start a short discussion thread on the effects of different contact enhancements on a cable and player's sonic characteristics. The previous thread on contact enhancements http://www.head-fi.org/t/336479/contact-enhancement-treatments was from 2009, and hence seemed rather outdated on the various developments in the field since then. We hope that this can serve to help anyone looking to squeeze for that extra 10 to 20%% in performance without having to rely on hearsays or guesswork from individuals who lack access to these audio tweaks.
From left to right:
1) Furutech Nano Liquid
2) Kryton Setten Silver
3) Krypton Setten Gold
4) Deocyit Gold
5) Deoxyit Cleaner
Since it was almost impossible to do a blind test given how limited the quantity in each bottle was, what my group did was to separately record down how we felt the application of each contact enhancement to the 2.5 or 3.5 jack and 2 pin affected our gears, before comparing our observations and then looking for trends.
In general;
1) Furutech was the most conflicting of all, but in general it led to an increase in clarity across the mids and highs. It led to a decrease in the sub-bass bloat on some IEMS.
2) Setten Silver: The middle ground. Consider it something that just enhances the presence in the mids and highs. Little to no alterations in the presence of the lower signatures.
3) Setten Gold: Its biggest impact would be in enhancing the bass regions to the point. Bassheads loved it. I detested it, it felt so damn bloated.
4) Deoxyit Gold: Narrowed sound stage due to a tightening of the sound presence; e.g. bass became less diffused (rumbly) but increased in impact as a result. Effects were rather subtle compared to the other 3.
Personal Verdict: Go for the furutech if you wish for a contact enhancement that you can't go wrong with. The Setten silver would serve those who enjoy their mid and highs best, while bassheads would love the Setten Gold. Use deoxyit for everything else if you just cant decide.
Cheers
