Would you happen to know how the VE5 would compare to EE Phantom or Kumitate Corona? Looking at a new ciem later this year to complement my Fitear 435s
Effect Audio cables thread
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I have not heard the Corona or the 435s, but do own the Phantom. The VE5 are brighter, with a stronger emphasis on the mids, compared to the warmth of the Phantom. Personally, I find the Phantom very versatile and I think they work well with every type of music, while I considered the VE5 to be real specialists for vocals and solo performances. The VE5 were also more towards a clinical sound, although capable of conveying emotions really well, they were just very "precise" or "proper" in how they sounded. I don't think I have ever been able to explain it well enough, but it is what makes the VE5 so special.
Mind you, I have not heard them back-to-back because I only had a demo unit of the VE5 over for a few weeks before I got my Phantom. But the Phantom are definitely the warmer, thicker sounding IEMs. With a cable such as Lionheart the VE5 get a little bit extra warmth and gives a very neutral-natural type of sound that I thought was very special.
If you are curious about the VE5, I can highly recommend getting in touch with Vision Ears to see if they can arrange for a demo. They were extremely helpful when I contacted them and they ended up sending their entire demo line to my audiologist in London, before sending me the VE5 demo for a review. Also, I see in your profile that you are located in Singapore, which means you can drop by Euphoria Audio, where you can probably demo them as well and compare directly to the Phantom and your 435s. I expect you will also be able to try out the VE5 + Lionheart pairing and (if your budget allows) the Phantom Leonidas II pairing, which I think is also very special.
Alson Chua
100+ Head-Fier
Guys,
I just post a small review for Lionheart on my own free time. Feel free to go read it and let me know what your thoughts! thanks!
https://www.head-fi.org/showcase/effect-audio-lionheart.22371/reviews#review-21394
I just post a small review for Lionheart on my own free time. Feel free to go read it and let me know what your thoughts! thanks!
https://www.head-fi.org/showcase/effect-audio-lionheart.22371/reviews#review-21394
proedros
Headphoneus Supremus
nice review , i am also pairing Zeus XR with LH (4w) and i think i prefer it to my ares ii (8w)
LH keeps the Zeus transparency while adding some lows/mids body
LH keeps the Zeus transparency while adding some lows/mids body
Alson Chua
100+ Head-Fier
Yup, LH is body everywhere.. you can try Leo2 too.. very good
How
What's your take on phantom >leo2>dx200 amp8. ?
Alson Chua
100+ Head-Fier
Its a tad more liquidity on the mid, the low and high also more prominent but smooth in the same time
If your budget allow, get leo2. You won’t regret with this combo
Last edited:
Thanks! Yeah realised it a bit after I posted initially. Cheers!
larfboy
New Head-Fier
do you need anything more than the Ares II on a EE Bravado? just getting my feet wet in this dangerous community. I just went with the 3.5 Ares as it's most convenient for my use right now but i am interested in a possible cable upgrade if it's worth while with the Bravado. Thanks in advance!
I'm using Thor II with my Bravado and I like the synergy. I feel it tight the bass and bring up little more details.
Alson Chua
100+ Head-Fier
Depends what genre you’re listening to, Ares II 8wire, Eros II, Lionheart and Leo2 all further elevate your bravado
Notinspired
New Head-Fier
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Hello everyone!!
First of all, thanks for sharing all this knowledge. I’m currently at page 68 (it takes time to read everything ahah). I have several questions indeed.
On EA website, they say « For JH24 Set (With Bass Control), it is only available for 6wires or 8wires configuration. Please write in a "Bespoke" request to us. ». Does it mean we can order cables with 6 wires also? Eric told once that the 8 wires braids offer a more dynamic and fuller, lusher sound compared to 4 wires. Also, what is the additional cost of these?
I’m really new in this area so I’m still lost about making a decision between Ares II+, Eros II+, Lionheart, Thor Silver II+. All of these cables seem a good choice, but my wallet won’t allow me to buy all of these and my country don’t have a reseller where I could try them. Here is my dilemma and where I need your knowledge!
I currently owned the Dream Earz aud-5X. I really love the restitution. It’s bass heavy when coupled with my Cayin N3. I would like to add some resolution, separation and soundstage. In my mind, I want something more refined like closing my eyes and feeling like at a concert of classical music or at a metal festival. Also, bass need more control and details IMO. All of these wrapping into emotions and keeping a kind of warmth tone! What would you guyz advice?
Another dilemma for a newbie like me is about termination. Hiby R6 Pro has a 4.4mm balanced and EA has a classic 4.4mm balanced. Hiby R6 has a 2.5mm balanced and EA has a PSquared 2.5mm balanced. Is there a huge difference between both setups?
Finally, do you think EA can make a small cable (<5cm) adaptor for ease of use? Like a 4.4mm/2.5mm balanced to a 3.5mm (for mobile device). Of course, the aim is to have the same composition of the bought cable. For example, a small cable adaptor made of Lionheart component to connect with a Lionheart cable.
Thank youuuuuuuu guyz and I apologize for this long message
First of all, thanks for sharing all this knowledge. I’m currently at page 68 (it takes time to read everything ahah). I have several questions indeed.
On EA website, they say « For JH24 Set (With Bass Control), it is only available for 6wires or 8wires configuration. Please write in a "Bespoke" request to us. ». Does it mean we can order cables with 6 wires also? Eric told once that the 8 wires braids offer a more dynamic and fuller, lusher sound compared to 4 wires. Also, what is the additional cost of these?
I’m really new in this area so I’m still lost about making a decision between Ares II+, Eros II+, Lionheart, Thor Silver II+. All of these cables seem a good choice, but my wallet won’t allow me to buy all of these and my country don’t have a reseller where I could try them. Here is my dilemma and where I need your knowledge!
I currently owned the Dream Earz aud-5X. I really love the restitution. It’s bass heavy when coupled with my Cayin N3. I would like to add some resolution, separation and soundstage. In my mind, I want something more refined like closing my eyes and feeling like at a concert of classical music or at a metal festival. Also, bass need more control and details IMO. All of these wrapping into emotions and keeping a kind of warmth tone! What would you guyz advice?
Another dilemma for a newbie like me is about termination. Hiby R6 Pro has a 4.4mm balanced and EA has a classic 4.4mm balanced. Hiby R6 has a 2.5mm balanced and EA has a PSquared 2.5mm balanced. Is there a huge difference between both setups?
Finally, do you think EA can make a small cable (<5cm) adaptor for ease of use? Like a 4.4mm/2.5mm balanced to a 3.5mm (for mobile device). Of course, the aim is to have the same composition of the bought cable. For example, a small cable adaptor made of Lionheart component to connect with a Lionheart cable.
Thank youuuuuuuu guyz and I apologize for this long message
Kerouac
Headphoneus Supremus
I just posted this in another thread, but as the EA Horus also came by, I will also share my impressions over here...
During the past weeks I had (and still have) 3 interesting loaners over at my house, thanks to Nic (and @Wyville for forwarding them to me). The following is just a basic impressions trilogy of those loaners. As they were the only items that I listened to during that period, it felt as if there was some kinda connection between the three, while logically there wasn’t any, besides that they’re expensive items on a loan. Anyway, here we go...
1) EarSonics Grace: The ‘French’ connection
Now, there’s a movie called The French Connection (1971) with Gene Hackman and Roy Scheider. This was a raw and 'in your face' kind of movie. I would say that the EarSonics Grace, although they’re made in France, are almost the opposite of that. They have a very sophisticated and elegant (not raw at all) way of bringing you lots of detail and the soundstage is impressive. A beautiful and gracefull (name well chosen) signature indeed.
Just before I got them I read some reviews on them, so it wasn’t a total surprise that they sounded good. The part about the Spiral Dot (usually my favorites with universals) tips written by @subguy812 immediately worked in a 'Don’t push the red button' kind of way for me...
...and of course they got stuck in my ears on both sides when I removed the Grace. But luckily after 3 hours of intense surgery everything was allright again. I also (tried and) had to agree on the cable part. I’m aware that the Grace was tuned with the stock cable in mind, but I couldn’t help prefering it with an aftermarket cable like the Ares II over the stock cable myself too.
2) Empire Ears Legend X: The ‘Sweet Holy Mother of Bass’ connection
The Legend X was one of the few IEMs that I was still curious about over the last year. And I was even a bit afraid that when I should get that chance I might like them over my Phantom.
When I first listened to the Legend X it was with the Effect Audio Horus cable and I was very impressed (understatement) from the start. Especially the (gotta love that DD) bass and soundstage immediately stood out, but that was no surprise as I also read quite some positive impressions/reviews over the last year on this one. It sounded extremely good, dynamic and holographic to my ears and I think that Zeus XR + Legend X + Phantom could be a 'close to perfection' IEM trilogy collection. Not much left to wish for with those 3 signatures in tha house, except a good source to do them justice of course. Quality wise they're not that far apart imo, but they surely do have different strengths and therefor I can also totally understand why one might prefer one of them above the others. Imo they all 3 already have a well deserved legendary status.
3) Effect Audio Horus: The ‘Golden Touch’ connection
Yes, I’m a cable believer and I’m aware that many of you out there are not. But my ears and brain are able to convince me (which is enough for me) that I can hear differences in sound signature / quality when I switch from one cable to another.
When I switched the EA Horus after a few days from the Legend X to the Phantom it totally hit the 'Sweet Spot' for me. I just couldn't get myself to switch back to another cable after that. I already liked the Phantom a lot with the Ares II 8 wire over the past months, but with the Horus the clarity, resolution and imaging improved in a way that I found hard to categorize as 'fine tuning'. The Phantom clearly scaled up to my ears and that was not something that made me 100% happy, as I also realised at the same time that there is no way that I can talk myself into spending another $1600 on a cable right now. So, I will enjoy this combination while I can and will try to convince myself that it was just a sweet (spot) dream once it has gone back to its original owner.
Untill now I considered the Zeus XR (switch mainly on R) + PW1960 2 wire from the RW AK380 Cu as my best (at least in a technical way) sounding synergy combination.
But now the Phantom + EA Horus from the LPG probably has surpassed that synergy wise and conquered that personal #1 spot.
Solid gold to my ears!!!
Btw, none of the above Christmass tree decoration items was hurt during the above smartphone photoshoot.
Thanks for reading and best 2019 (audio) wishes to all of you out there!
During the past weeks I had (and still have) 3 interesting loaners over at my house, thanks to Nic (and @Wyville for forwarding them to me). The following is just a basic impressions trilogy of those loaners. As they were the only items that I listened to during that period, it felt as if there was some kinda connection between the three, while logically there wasn’t any, besides that they’re expensive items on a loan. Anyway, here we go...
1) EarSonics Grace: The ‘French’ connection
Now, there’s a movie called The French Connection (1971) with Gene Hackman and Roy Scheider. This was a raw and 'in your face' kind of movie. I would say that the EarSonics Grace, although they’re made in France, are almost the opposite of that. They have a very sophisticated and elegant (not raw at all) way of bringing you lots of detail and the soundstage is impressive. A beautiful and gracefull (name well chosen) signature indeed.
Just before I got them I read some reviews on them, so it wasn’t a total surprise that they sounded good. The part about the Spiral Dot (usually my favorites with universals) tips written by @subguy812 immediately worked in a 'Don’t push the red button' kind of way for me...
...and of course they got stuck in my ears on both sides when I removed the Grace. But luckily after 3 hours of intense surgery everything was allright again. I also (tried and) had to agree on the cable part. I’m aware that the Grace was tuned with the stock cable in mind, but I couldn’t help prefering it with an aftermarket cable like the Ares II over the stock cable myself too.
2) Empire Ears Legend X: The ‘Sweet Holy Mother of Bass’ connection
The Legend X was one of the few IEMs that I was still curious about over the last year. And I was even a bit afraid that when I should get that chance I might like them over my Phantom.
When I first listened to the Legend X it was with the Effect Audio Horus cable and I was very impressed (understatement) from the start. Especially the (gotta love that DD) bass and soundstage immediately stood out, but that was no surprise as I also read quite some positive impressions/reviews over the last year on this one. It sounded extremely good, dynamic and holographic to my ears and I think that Zeus XR + Legend X + Phantom could be a 'close to perfection' IEM trilogy collection. Not much left to wish for with those 3 signatures in tha house, except a good source to do them justice of course. Quality wise they're not that far apart imo, but they surely do have different strengths and therefor I can also totally understand why one might prefer one of them above the others. Imo they all 3 already have a well deserved legendary status.
3) Effect Audio Horus: The ‘Golden Touch’ connection
Yes, I’m a cable believer and I’m aware that many of you out there are not. But my ears and brain are able to convince me (which is enough for me) that I can hear differences in sound signature / quality when I switch from one cable to another.
When I switched the EA Horus after a few days from the Legend X to the Phantom it totally hit the 'Sweet Spot' for me. I just couldn't get myself to switch back to another cable after that. I already liked the Phantom a lot with the Ares II 8 wire over the past months, but with the Horus the clarity, resolution and imaging improved in a way that I found hard to categorize as 'fine tuning'. The Phantom clearly scaled up to my ears and that was not something that made me 100% happy, as I also realised at the same time that there is no way that I can talk myself into spending another $1600 on a cable right now. So, I will enjoy this combination while I can and will try to convince myself that it was just a sweet (spot) dream once it has gone back to its original owner.
Untill now I considered the Zeus XR (switch mainly on R) + PW1960 2 wire from the RW AK380 Cu as my best (at least in a technical way) sounding synergy combination.
But now the Phantom + EA Horus from the LPG probably has surpassed that synergy wise and conquered that personal #1 spot.
Solid gold to my ears!!!
Btw, none of the above Christmass tree decoration items was hurt during the above smartphone photoshoot.
Thanks for reading and best 2019 (audio) wishes to all of you out there!
I just posted this in another thread, but as the EA Horus also came by, I will also share my impressions over here...
During the past weeks I had (and still have) 3 interesting loaners over at my house, thanks to Nic (and @Wyville for forwarding them to me). The following is just a basic impressions trilogy of those loaners. As they were the only items that I listened to during that period, it felt as if there was some kinda connection between the three, while logically there wasn’t any, besides that they’re expensive items on a loan. Anyway, here we go...
1) EarSonics Grace: The ‘French’ connection
Now, there’s a movie called The French Connection (1971) with Gene Hackman and Roy Scheider. This was a raw and 'in your face' kind of movie. I would say that the EarSonics Grace, although they’re made in France, are almost the opposite of that. They have a very sophisticated and elegant (not raw at all) way of bringing you lots of detail and the soundstage is impressive. A beautiful and gracefull (name well chosen) signature indeed.
Just before I got them I read some reviews on them, so it wasn’t a total surprise that they sounded good. The part about the Spiral Dot (usually my favorites with universals) tips written by @subguy812 immediately worked in a 'Don’t push the red button' kind of way for me...
...and of course they got stuck in my ears on both sides when I removed the Grace. But luckily after 3 hours of intense surgery everything was allright again. I also (tried and) had to agree on the cable part. I’m aware that the Grace was tuned with the stock cable in mind, but I couldn’t help prefering it with an aftermarket cable like the Ares II over the stock cable myself too.
2) Empire Ears Legend X: The ‘Sweet Holy Mother of Bass’ connection
The Legend X was one of the few IEMs that I was still curious about over the last year. And I was even a bit afraid that when I should get that chance I might like them over my Phantom.
When I first listened to the Legend X it was with the Effect Audio Horus cable and I was very impressed (understatement) from the start. Especially the (gotta love that DD) bass and soundstage immediately stood out, but that was no surprise as I also read quite some positive impressions/reviews over the last year on this one. It sounded extremely good, dynamic and holographic to my ears and I think that Zeus XR + Legend X + Phantom could be a 'close to perfection' IEM trilogy collection. Not much left to wish for with those 3 signatures in tha house, except a good source to do them justice of course. Quality wise they're not that far apart imo, but they surely do have different strengths and therefor I can also totally understand why one might prefer one of them above the others. Imo they all 3 already have a well deserved legendary status.
3) Effect Audio Horus: The ‘Golden Touch’ connection
Yes, I’m a cable believer and I’m aware that many of you out there are not. But my ears and brain are able to convince me (which is enough for me) that I can hear differences in sound signature / quality when I switch from one cable to another.
When I switched the EA Horus after a few days from the Legend X to the Phantom it totally hit the 'Sweet Spot' for me. I just couldn't get myself to switch back to another cable after that. I already liked the Phantom a lot with the Ares II 8 wire over the past months, but with the Horus the clarity, resolution and imaging improved in a way that I found hard to categorize as 'fine tuning'. The Phantom clearly scaled up to my ears and that was not something that made me 100% happy, as I also realised at the same time that there is no way that I can talk myself into spending another $1600 on a cable right now. So, I will enjoy this combination while I can and will try to convince myself that it was just a sweet (spot) dream once it has gone back to its original owner.
Untill now I considered the Zeus XR (switch mainly on R) + PW1960 2 wire from the RW AK380 Cu as my best (at least in a technical way) sounding synergy combination.
But now the Phantom + EA Horus from the LPG probably has surpassed that synergy wise and conquered that personal #1 spot.
Solid gold to my ears!!!
Btw, none of the above Christmass tree decoration items was hurt during the above smartphone photoshoot.
Thanks for reading and best 2019 (audio) wishes to all of you out there!
Excellent to see writing again, my friend! I too was particularly impressed by the Grace when I tried them in Singapore. I love their refined, effortless house sound nowadays and I can't wait to see what else comes of it.
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