[Kerouac]

Introducing the Copper Cable Carnival!



In the upcoming weeks we're going to commemorate and celebrate how EA started through copper cables. Copper is an amazing entry point in the world of cables. It has a distinct sound with its own advantages, and can be blended with other materials to create unique signatures. And of course it isn’t too costly, making it the perfect cable to start off with.

We'll have a little something something coming up, but will also just put some of our cables in the spotlight - starting off with the ultimate classics: Ares II and Ares II+.

Ares II distinguishes itself with a high quality sound for an affordable price, resulting from EA’s proprietary multi-size stranded design and UltraFlexi Insulation. Stemming from a time when copper cables were predominantly known for their warm sound, Ares II provides a unique balance between a warm bass and shimmering treble. The result is a beautiful tone with sufficient detail, resulting in a highly engaging sound.



Adding a bit of size to the wires adds weight to the sound. Ares II+ is built on the same foundation, but going from 26 to 22 AWG results in a noticeably warmer and fuller sound. The key ingredient here is the upper bass: Ares II+ has a warm layer covering its sound, which adds body to its instruments and gives it a more emotional touch.

I personally enjoy it when paired with the VE8, which I typically use for rock music. Male vocals sound full and raging guitars impressive. But with Samba for instance I’m going for precision, where Ares II has the upper hand. Both provide their own flavour, making them interesting starting points to upgrade from a stock cable.

Copper Cable Carnival means Party time?
Well, in that case, please count me in...

The Ares II is also still one of my favorite copper cables up to today... I've even got 3 (4w 2.5mm, 4w 3.5mm and 8w 3.5mm) of them here as we speak.

It's also still my favorite synergy match (and I've tried a couple of more expensive ones in the past) for the Warbler Prelude, as it gives its signature more (and a slightly warmer) body + triggers its (sub)bass to come out and play, without losing out on its wonderful vocals and instrument separation. Quite an achievement imho



Oh well, just my 2 (copper) cents...
Party on!

 

[Layman1]

Introducing the Copper Cable Carnival!



In the upcoming weeks we're going to commemorate and celebrate how EA started through copper cables. Copper is an amazing entry point in the world of cables. It has a distinct sound with its own advantages, and can be blended with other materials to create unique signatures. And of course it isn’t too costly, making it the perfect cable to start off with.

We'll have a little something something coming up, but will also just put some of our cables in the spotlight - starting off with the ultimate classics: Ares II and Ares II+.

Ares II distinguishes itself with a high quality sound for an affordable price, resulting from EA’s proprietary multi-size stranded design and UltraFlexi Insulation. Stemming from a time when copper cables were predominantly known for their warm sound, Ares II provides a unique balance between a warm bass and shimmering treble. The result is a beautiful tone with sufficient detail, resulting in a highly engaging sound.



Adding a bit of size to the wires adds weight to the sound. Ares II+ is built on the same foundation, but going from 26 to 22 AWG results in a noticeably warmer and fuller sound. The key ingredient here is the upper bass: Ares II+ has a warm layer covering its sound, which adds body to its instruments and gives it a more emotional touch.

I personally enjoy it when paired with the VE8, which I typically use for rock music. Male vocals sound full and raging guitars impressive. But with Samba for instance I’m going for precision, where Ares II has the upper hand. Both provide their own flavour, making them interesting starting points to upgrade from a stock cable.

I can testify to the powers of the Ares II+
I have it on my EE Nemesis, and it adds a noticeable increase in slam, rumble and impact.
I've taken the 'Pepsi Challenge' with several other cables, and whilst they all have things to offer, none yet have brought that visceral slam and impact that I get with the Ares II+

 

[Suyang]

Copper Cable Carnival means Party time?
Well, in that case, please count me in...


The Ares II is also still one of my favorite copper cables up to today... I've even got 3 (4w 2.5mm, 4w 3.5mm and 8w 3.5mm) of them here as we speak.

It's also still my favorite synergy match (and I've tried a couple of more expensive ones in the past) for the Warbler Prelude, as it gives its signature more (and a slightly warmer) body + triggers its (sub)bass to come out and play, without losing out on its wonderful vocals and instrument separation. Quite an achievement imho



Oh well, just my 2 (copper) cents...
Party on!

Thanks for sharing, always love the warmth and bass of the copper cable delivers, for Ares II and II+, the geometry design makes then shines on highs

Btw, Spot the jack of your Ares II, that was very early batch produced by us, a truly OG man

I can testify to the powers of the Ares II+
I have it on my EE Nemesis, and it adds a noticeable increase in slam, rumble and impact.
I've taken the 'Pepsi Challenge' with several other cables, and whilst they all have things to offer, none yet have brought that visceral slam and impact that I get with the Ares II+

Thanks Layman, agreed!! Blending something new and stay tuned

 

[EffectAudio]

As part of the Copper Cable Carnival this month, we will be sharing a few special creations based around the copper wires from the Bespoke collection: the EVO 1 and EVO 10 in 8wire variation, a hybrid of EVO 1 and EVO 10, and of course our acclaimed Ares II and Ares II+ in their 8 wire variations.

We will be sharing more about the unique sounds of the cables over the week.
Chat us more about our Bespoke cables and find out what suits you best!
https://bit.ly/3hWL0Bp

 

[Wyville]

I recently received a parcel from my friend Nic, @EffectAudio, with some goodies to try out for a bit. Among those were the Axiom, IEMs that I have been very curious about. Especially the modular design is a unique approach that I did not really know what to expect of. Having spent some time with them, I think the Axiom are quite interesting.

For the cable I went with Cleopatra, which seemed to pair well with the Axiom, and for the source I used the Shanling M8 on high gain.

Both modules (black original and silver YU, if I got that correct) seem to have a similar bass and mids, but differ mostly in the treble. That’s also where I find the Axiom to be a little disappointing in both cases. With the original module the Axiom have a brighter treble and it feels a bit brittle at times. It is not harsh or offensive in any way, but I find that relative to the bass and mids, the treble doesn’t quite reach the same level. With the YU module the treble becomes attenuated and gets lost a little to the point where with some classical music I have to turn the volume up to find the details in that region.

The bass on the other hand is very nice with good extension, texture and physicality. It is not the tightest or quickest bass, but rather a lush and analogue bass you can lose yourself in. At least, I can. I love this type of bass when I want to relax and drift away in the music. Despite the lusher bass, I find the mids to be fairly clean without the sort of veil that can result from such a bass. Vocals are nice and clear and sound natural. With the YU module, which is the one I prefer, the whole presentation is quite warmish natural with an easy feel to it. The sort of tuning I can listen to all day without any fatigue. It is not the most transparent or highest resolution, but rather musical and thoroughly enjoyable.

Build quality is excellent and I think the modules are very well done. The ergonomics of the shells is also very good. I ended up using Spiral Dots tips, which gave me a comfortable fit for however long I wanted to listen to them. I didn’t count the hours, but have used them for long sessions while I was working and simply forgot I had them in until my dog put his face on my keyboard in order to get my attention. Both comfort and tuning with the YU module worked great for that, and, coincidentally, the wonderful ergonomics of Cleopatra.

Alongside the Axiom Nic’s parcel included the new Chiron, which I have not yet had an opportunity to spend time with. A situation that will of course be remedied forthwith!

 

[Sifo]

I didn't say the pic would be any good, but TermX is neat!

 

[EffectAudio]

I recently received a parcel from my friend Nic, @EffectAudio, with some goodies to try out for a bit. Among those were the Axiom, IEMs that I have been very curious about. Especially the modular design is a unique approach that I did not really know what to expect of. Having spent some time with them, I think the Axiom are quite interesting.



For the cable I went with Cleopatra, which seemed to pair well with the Axiom, and for the source I used the Shanling M8 on high gain.

Both modules (black original and silver YU, if I got that correct) seem to have a similar bass and mids, but differ mostly in the treble. That’s also where I find the Axiom to be a little disappointing in both cases. With the original module the Axiom have a brighter treble and it feels a bit brittle at times. It is not harsh or offensive in any way, but I find that relative to the bass and mids, the treble doesn’t quite reach the same level. With the YU module the treble becomes attenuated and gets lost a little to the point where with some classical music I have to turn the volume up to find the details in that region.

The bass on the other hand is very nice with good extension, texture and physicality. It is not the tightest or quickest bass, but rather a lush and analogue bass you can lose yourself in. At least, I can. I love this type of bass when I want to relax and drift away in the music. Despite the lusher bass, I find the mids to be fairly clean without the sort of veil that can result from such a bass. Vocals are nice and clear and sound natural. With the YU module, which is the one I prefer, the whole presentation is quite warmish natural with an easy feel to it. The sort of tuning I can listen to all day without any fatigue. It is not the most transparent or highest resolution, but rather musical and thoroughly enjoyable.

Build quality is excellent and I think the modules are very well done. The ergonomics of the shells is also very good. I ended up using Spiral Dots tips, which gave me a comfortable fit for however long I wanted to listen to them. I didn’t count the hours, but have used them for long sessions while I was working and simply forgot I had them in until my dog put his face on my keyboard in order to get my attention. Both comfort and tuning with the YU module worked great for that, and, coincidentally, the wonderful ergonomics of Cleopatra.

Alongside the Axiom Nic’s parcel included the new Chiron, which I have not yet had an opportunity to spend time with. A situation that will of course be remedied forthwith!

Great impressions Erik, thanks for sharing! Looking forward to what you think of Chiron

I didn't say the pic would be any good, but TermX is neat!

Appreciate it mate! Glad to hear you're enjoying it. And nice finishing touch of your handle on your IEMs.

 

[EffectAudio]

Back to the Copper Cable Carnival!

The first cable we’ll take a closer look at is the EVO1 8wire. EVO1 consists of an interesting blend of pure copper mixed with SPC and GPC, all intertwined in the same wires. The sound is characterized by its crystalline upper mids yet smooth lower treble, which gives it a clear sound that excels for acoustic instruments and female vocals.

Going to 8wire retains the crispness of the upper mids, while adding more body to its notes by filling up the midrange. The result is a fuller, more forward presentation resulting in a greater sense of immediacy. The slightly larger stage dimensions allow more space for the instrument positioning, as well as finer detail to emerge.

The EVO1 8wire’s full-bodied copper cable sound with its pristine upper mids is a festive addition to the EA collection. For the Copper Cable Carnival, current owners of the EVO1 can have theirs upgraded to 8wires for $300 including ConX.

 

[Wyville]

Btw, Spot the jack of your Ares II, that was very early batch produced by us, a truly OG man

I have been a huge fan of Ares II for years and it was always my first recommendation whenever anyone asked for a premium aftermarket cable at a great price. (Second was Eros II, btw. )

As for OG...

I remember the one on the left was the first one sold when Effect Audio became officially available in the UK. After having borrowed one from a friend, I just had to have my own.

 

[Kerouac]

I recently received a parcel from my friend Nic, @EffectAudio, with some goodies to try out for a bit. Among those were the Axiom, IEMs that I have been very curious about. Especially the modular design is a unique approach that I did not really know what to expect of. Having spent some time with them, I think the Axiom are quite interesting.



For the cable I went with Cleopatra, which seemed to pair well with the Axiom, and for the source I used the Shanling M8 on high gain.

Both modules (black original and silver YU, if I got that correct) seem to have a similar bass and mids, but differ mostly in the treble. That’s also where I find the Axiom to be a little disappointing in both cases. With the original module the Axiom have a brighter treble and it feels a bit brittle at times. It is not harsh or offensive in any way, but I find that relative to the bass and mids, the treble doesn’t quite reach the same level. With the YU module the treble becomes attenuated and gets lost a little to the point where with some classical music I have to turn the volume up to find the details in that region.

The bass on the other hand is very nice with good extension, texture and physicality. It is not the tightest or quickest bass, but rather a lush and analogue bass you can lose yourself in. At least, I can. I love this type of bass when I want to relax and drift away in the music. Despite the lusher bass, I find the mids to be fairly clean without the sort of veil that can result from such a bass. Vocals are nice and clear and sound natural. With the YU module, which is the one I prefer, the whole presentation is quite warmish natural with an easy feel to it. The sort of tuning I can listen to all day without any fatigue. It is not the most transparent or highest resolution, but rather musical and thoroughly enjoyable.

Build quality is excellent and I think the modules are very well done. The ergonomics of the shells is also very good. I ended up using Spiral Dots tips, which gave me a comfortable fit for however long I wanted to listen to them. I didn’t count the hours, but have used them for long sessions while I was working and simply forgot I had them in until my dog put his face on my keyboard in order to get my attention. Both comfort and tuning with the YU module worked great for that, and, coincidentally, the wonderful ergonomics of Cleopatra.

Alongside the Axiom Nic’s parcel included the new Chiron, which I have not yet had an opportunity to spend time with. A situation that will of course be remedied forthwith!

Some wonderful Axiom impressions (almost a mini review + one amazing pic) my good ol' namesake...

But hey, look at that!
Ain't that Barnie over there in the corner?

Chewing away on that Chiron cable, while you were posting on HF

 

[Wyville]

Some wonderful Axiom impressions (almost a mini review + one amazing pic) my good ol' namesake...

But hey, look at that!
Ain't that Barnie over there in the corner?


Chewing away on that Chiron cable, while you were posting on HF

Lol! Luckily Barnie is not one to chew on anything other than his toys. I'm more worried about him burying Nic's Chiron with all the digging he is doing.

 

[Johnfg465vd]

Hey guys, I'm looking for a cable upgrade for my Kinera Norn IEM. The IEM has a slightly V-Shaped sound with some harshness in the upper mids. I've mostly used cheaper cables (15-40 USD) with my IEMs before and want to try something between 100 & 200 USD this time.

I'm hoping to add some warmth and bring out vocals (without harshness) and bass increase would be a bonus but not a necessary requirement. Considering my budget, copper cables like Maestro, Ares II... seem like good options.

What would you guys recommend?

 

[EffectAudio]

Hey guys, I'm looking for a cable upgrade for my Kinera Norn IEM. The IEM has a slightly V-Shaped sound with some harshness in the upper mids. I've mostly used cheaper cables (15-40 USD) with my IEMs before and want to try something between 100 & 200 USD this time.

I'm hoping to add some warmth and bring out vocals (without harshness) and bass increase would be a bonus but not a necessary requirement. Considering my budget, copper cables like Maestro, Ares II... seem like good options.

What would you guys recommend?

Hi there! If you're looking for warmth and bass I'd go for either Ares II or Ares II+. Both fit your description, but Ares II+ will add a touch more bass for a warmer and thicker sound. Maestro is cooler by comparison, with a tighter bass and cleaner sound.

-Nic

 

[GiullianSN]

Ares II and Eros II are the best cost-performance ratio in the copper cables market.

 

[Johnfg465vd]

@EffectAudio, @CrocodileDundee Thanks, will order Ares II soon.

I'm curious, do planar drivers not benefit much from cable change? I ask because when I tried swapping my Sundara (generic 4.4 Cable) & Timeless (Campfire Litz Cable) cables, I failed to notice any change in sound signature. I heard changes in sound when swapping Meze 99C, Blessing 2... cables but not with planar gear.

I'm thinking of getting another cable to use with A&K Diana IEM (all BA set), any recommendation? previously, I used a generic 30 USD mixed cable (Copper, Silver plated) and got disappointing results. Stock Kinera Norn cable (also mixed) was better but somewhat reduced the bass.

Edit: Diana has a dark sound signature and works well for long listening sections. I'm trying to tune the set to get a bit more energy in the upper frequencies and improve the hazy instrument separation.