Hi guys, I have my combined review here ready
:
The Code 24 and Code 24C Limited were received by me on 27th Dec last year and each of them had about 100 hours of burn-in before I started to write this review. Also, I prefer hearing their changes during the burn-in but they seem to have settled rather quickly actually.
Please allow me to thank
@JordonEA and
@EffectAudio for this opportunity to participate in reviewing them.
I find it pretty uneasy to review and compare these cables precisely and generally since they share something in common yet they are still quite different. They are all very refined but in different aspects. So hopefully, with my limited jargon, I am able to deliver my messages to the readers here.
To kick start the actual impression/review of the Code 24 and Code 24C Limited, I would like to state that all the Code 23, Code 24, Code 24C Limited and Fusion 1 are all fairly energetic cables. You can feel there is a constant pumping of energy to power every single note from all of them. Secondly, the most distinctive difference or similarity IMO between these cables is actually the stage, not just the stage size but the placement of the frequencies in the virtual space. The Code 24 in this regard doesn't sound like the Fusion 1, Code 24C Limited, or even the Code 23. It actually resembles the Ares S 8w but the bass and treble cohesion points are both different. And on the other hand Code 24C Limited sounds more like Fusion 1.
Their ergonomics in general
Their thicknesses:
Code 23 - 3.74mm
Fusion 1 - 3.20mm
Code 24 - 3.39mm
Code 24C Limited - 3.09mm
Although these cables aren’t exactly about the ergonomics, the sheathing (skin) has much improved since the Fusion 1 so while not as pliable as other cables with a higher core counts and smaller diameter, I have not experienced any issues with them. Fusion 1 and Code 24C Limited in particular, they just feel more than pliable enough. I have seen the pictures of the prototypes without the 2-pin grip hardware and from my experience the ear hook may not hold its shape easily without that and that’s why the cable may fall off from the ears.
Code 24
Bass
The Code 24 has a lower bass extension but a similar mid-bass resonance as other cables. It is slightly spread-out and is rendered in a fast manner. However even though it is slightly spread-out, it still has a really sharp punch attack thanks to the quantity and speed of the treble so that instruments like kickdrums cut through the mix easily. Pizzicato double bass is greatly benefited from the deep reaching bass with a more even, more stable and powerful rendition. Depending on the type of the bass recorded in the track, for example the playback of EDM type of bass can get really intense since the bass beats also pack a lot of upper frequencies into them. With suitable types of music, it is simply the most punchy cable I have heard. With more analogue types of bass, the bass continues to pack a punch and can be perceived as about as punchy but lesser in presence or volume due to the faster decay as the other cables in the comparison especially the 24C Limited.
Mids
The mids are coherent and very smooth and carry some extra note-weight and it is slightly more forward compared to the treble. It is also quite layered like other frequencies.
Trebles
The treble is bright, layered and full of overtones and it is placed on a more coherent plane closer to other frequencies, which can get a tad bright at times depending on the track. Otherwise it allows instruments like hi-hat and clapping effect to sharply define the beats. Despite being a bit bright, the sound plays nicely with the mids to get a very coherent sound.
Resolution, Staging and Imaging
There is plenty of background detail and treble air and the decay is relatively fast. In fact there is plenty of everything which sometimes can feel like night and day during the process of cable rolling from another cable. The stage is very wide and tall but not overly tall due to the placement and speed of the treble. The grand stage allows better separation of the frequencies to be played. Overall, the sound is fast and thickened by the mids and open with less convergence compared to the other cables in this review but there is a great sense of openness blurring the edge of the virtual stage which I really appreciate especially when listening to some live recordings.
VS Fusion 1
The Code 24 doesn't sound like the Fusion 1. The envelope of the rendered sound of the Fusion 1 is more focused and there is less detail around what is being rendered, being quite a lot quieter (darker background), more coloured and textured and less treble airy. In contrast, the Code 24 is open sounding, with very nice background details and air so the stage is perceived as being larger. The stage of the Fusion 1 is just rendered differently, which is still very spacious rather than large which I reviewed
here. The treble of the Fusion 1 is slightly faster, much dryer and snappier and brighter but Code 24 has more layers of treble and overtones and so there is a note-weight boost. As the Code 24 being wetter and having more treble layers it is not perceived as sharp as the Fusion 1 even if there is more of it. It has simply more of almost everything except colouration. Code 24 also has a deeper reaching and more impactful bass (which also depends on the type of bass being played) but there is less oomph and better clarity compared to the Fusion 1. Overall, the Code 24 is more straightforward with less colouration, situationally much more punchy, and has wetter and smoother treble and mids. I find the Code 24 to be even better for live recordings than the Fusion 1 and for studio recordings I think they are on par. Code 24 is better at driving the rhythm with the snappy treble while the Fusion 1 is a bit more textured.
Vs Code 23
There are just more treble (and some upper mids) layers and air on the Code 24. Bass is a bit less but the impact is stronger as having that fast treble. And since there is more air, it is more open sounding. Code 24 just seems to carry more information in the mix, being brighter and more resolving which is very welcoming. On the other hand, since Code 23 is not as dense, the 3D imaging is actually better here. So for live recordings or music with more layers, I find them to be just equally good but presented differently. And for studio recordings, again, they actually are just equally good. Code 23 provides a little more breathing room to get a more 3D rendition while Code 24 get sharper impact to highlight the rhythm.
Code 24C Limited
On the the hand, the Code 24C Limited actually sounds a lot more like the Fusion 1 in terms of the shape of the stage. The presentation leans more towards the main instruments/vocals rather than the grander presentation like the Code 24.
Bass
The bass is more voluminous and fills up the lower end nicely. It has a punchy display but not as impactful as the Code 24 and like other cables it also has a mid-bass focus. Overall since the cable has a relatively fast sound so the bass clarity is enhanced here.
Mids
The mids are slightly forward and placed on about the same plane as other frequencies. They are also more layered and carry some good note-weight. The slight forwardness brings the main tune closer to the ears to grasp the attention for that macro detail focus.
Treble
The treble is equally forward as the mids and a bit elevated. Like the Code 24, it has a similar texture here. It is not as wet as the C24 but still brightly rendered with multiple layers and overtones. Moreover, there is less air and a good note-weight boost due to the layers and the more forward mids. The speed is slightly slower than the C24 so the attack is just ever so slightly not as impactful and not as sharp. However, due to the elevation, there is a better sense of 3D space for the treble. With less air, it may also be perceived as being a bit drier than the Code 24.
Resolution, staging and imaging
As mentioned, the shape of the stage is very much like the Fusion 1. The size is also similar but since the mids of the Code 24C Limited is more forward and carries more note-weight, it can feel a bit smaller. Its focus leans more towards the macro detail rather than the micro detail in the background, which is more effective in bringing out the main tune and rhythm. Imaging is as good as the Fusion 1 but the Fusion 1 is just more sophisticatedly presented of its spacious stage and there is more precise placement of the frequencies. I find the Code 24C Limited to have really good rendition of studio recorded music than live recorded music as a result.
Vs Fusion 1
Despite their similarity in the presentation of the stage shape, the Fusion 1 is a more sophisticated cable with more colouration and texture, more background detail, larger stage, dryer treble and more precise lower treble and also less bass volume. The Code 24C Limited is more about the macro detail with the more forward mids and trebles but the micro detail never feels lacking. It also has a gigantic bass volume with a more in-your-face presentation. Treble and mids are both wetter and more layered with some boost so a bit less sharp but they are less coloured. I actually find the Code 24C Limited to be occasionally better for studio recorded music but otherwise they are equally good just presented differently. For live recorded music, Code 24C Limited is no slouch but Fusion 1 really does it better here to reveal the background detail and render the stage more realistically.
Vs Code 24
As mentioned multiple times they are both very punchy energetic cables. Their bass finds its sweet spot in response to different types of bass playback however. Code 24 is more impactful and has better extensions at both ends and Code 24C Limited has a bigger volume and more bass presence. The texture of the mids and trebles are actually fairly similar, both being layered and filled with overtones but the Code 24 has a lot more treble air and better extension and less forward making the overall sound rather different here. The Code 24C Limited is more elevated and forward treble, which is also dryer due to having less air. The impact has a flatter sound rather than being absolutely sharp like the Code 24. For live recorded music or music with a better sense of space, I find Code 24 to be better here mostly due to it having more air and better stage. For studio music, it's a matter of taste. The Code 24 has an influx of information while the Code 24C Limited is more focused and also a little brighter.
VS Code 23
I find their bass to be quite similar sounding. However, just like the Code 24, the Code 24C Limited has more treble than the Code 23 so there is more bass impact just not as much as the Code 24. Despite having a thunderous bass, I find the Code 23 to be relatively relaxed and organic as it carries less treble and less speed up top. There is also more space to allow the notes to breathe while the Code 24C Limited is denser and more layered. And therefore, in terms of spaciousness and staging, I find the Code 23 to have an edge and slightly more resolving in the background. The Code 24 on the other hand has sharper treble and intensity which really helps in bringing out the texture of instruments in the upper register. So for live recorded music or music with more layers, I find Code 23 to be better here, being more 3D sounding and has better and more precise staging. For studio recorded music, they are fairly similar but the Code 24C Limited is a bit brighter and has more texture up top.
So which do I prefer?
It's a tough choice but I really like the more spacious sound of the Code 24. I have always been a copper enthusiast and the Ares S 8W has a special place in my heart. But now I am not sure, SPC cables are also really good, right?
I am not sure if I should expect further changes in sound on these cables as they seem to have been stabilized but I will updated the review should I hear further changes.
), which reminded me of the Tralucent 1+2 that I had (and adored) in the past. With the CODE 24 I can see a new 'marriage' coming up on the horizon though 
