Our prototype cable tour is now formally underway. First up for impressions of the prototype pairs are
@emdeevee @fiascogarcia @jwilliamhurst @Tex Irie @fejnomit.
Next in line are
@aaf evo @corgifall @Dsnuts @Visceral @chemosapien @Francisco Evangelista
If you have not posted your impressions, please post them here, the Effect Audio thread, and on Watercooler.
Thank you - and please do continue enjoying the time with the cables before shipping them out!
Signups are being done on a rolling basis. We are doing things non-traditionally since we have so many pairs going around and can go West Coast > East Coast then overseas. If you can find time, we'd love to have you.
I had the honor of participating in the Effect Audio Prototype Cable Tour over the weekend. The Prototype Cables were revealed to be the CODE 24 (Cosmic Blue) and CODE 24C Limited (Galactic Purple). I auditioned both cables using the following gear:
64 Audio U12t
Empire Ears Legend Evo
Fir Audio Xenon 6
iBasso DX312
Questyle CMA Twelve Master (Not Pictured)
Sony NW-WM1ZM2
I spent the weekend using both cables with my IEMs listening to Music, Playing Metroid Dread on Nintendo Switch, Watching College Football, NFL, & John Wick. It didn't take much time to figure out which Cable I favored.
Cosmic Blue Cable:
Ergonomically this is possibly the thickest IEM Cable I've ever used. My eye test would estimate the cable is approximately 16 AWG wire. I would imagine that the retail version of this cable will fit just fine with the chin slider. The sheath of the cable is quite comfortable and non-microphonic. When listening to music the first thing I noticed was the bass, clarity across the frequency ranges, and the sweetened highs. I found the pairings with the U12t, Legend Evo, and XE6 to be fun, easy listening. The pairing with the U12t was probably the most dramatic change and the low-end presence was really noticeable. I would say that it made the relatively safely tuned U12t sound exciting in a good way. I'm looking forward to the finished version of this cable. I would replace my Legend Evo's Genesis Cable in a heartbeat for this.
Galactic Purple Cable:
The Galactic Purple cable is slightly thinner than the Cosmic Blue Cable. I found no issues wearing my glasses with either cable. This cable is noticeably warmer leaning in direct comparison to the Cosmic Blue Cable. It took some listening for about 30 minutes or so for my mind to adjust to the sound presentation. These cables do audibly enhance the low end and exhibit some pleasant smoothness in the high end. I preferred the Galactic Purple Cable with my desktop gear. When I turned the volume up it was kind of hard to stop nodding my head to the music. I do think the Galactic Purple cable will be better suited to brighter leaning IEMs. I did not like pairing this with my Legend Evo it sounded a bit hazy; to the point details were being muffled in songs I'm very familiar with. I found the XE6 to sound a little denser, while I did not mind this..., It paled in comparison to the presentation with the Cosmic Blue Cable. I absolutely love the Galactic Purple Cable with the U12t. It accentuates all the positives of the U12t and displays clarity, slight warmth, and a nice enhancement of the low-end frequencies. Music with this paring is enjoyable, Movies sound epic, and the sparse, brooding soundtrack of Metroid Dread sounded atmospheric, and slightly terrifying (Outstanding Game).
Overall, I like both cables a lot. If I could only choose one, The Cosmic Blue would be my choice... I think it is a great all-rounder. I'm looking forward to seeing what else Effect Audio cooks up in 2024.