EFFECT AUDIO - What is Roots?

[ONRX]

Can someone briefly mention if its tonality is closer to silver or copper?

There are still a few units left in some stores and I'm tempted to try this cable, thanks!

Same here.

 

[Sweet2K]

Can someone briefly mention if its tonality is closer to silver or copper?

There are still a few units left in some stores and I'm tempted to try this cable, thanks!

I think it’s very balanced between the two. It manages to provide the warmer, more analogue-like sound from mids on down without losing any details up top.

It helps provide more detail across the entire soundstage…along with some spaciousness. It does not make the highs harsh at all like some silver cables can. It’s very natural and organic sounding. I have really come to appreciate the tonality that cables with gold provide. They seem to really help the vocals move forward in the mix and sound so natural and organic. There were so many positive reviews on the Eletech Raphael because of the tonality and how it improves vocals. I purchased the Raphael and the reviews weren’t wrong. Like many stated, it’s does improve vocals and it does narrow the soundstage at the same time. It will feel slightly more in your head.

So, I purchased the Roots…and after comparing the difference was absolutely noticeable between the two. The Roots maintained the tonality that I really love with the Raphael, but expanded the stage. I then went on to purchase the Fusion 1 to see if it was drastically better. Honestly, not nearly the difference…slight improvements. For the money the Roots is an amazing cable!

I was tempted to get a second Roots cable instead of going with the Fusion 1. The Fusion 1 I feel adds a little more depth in the bass region and a little wider stage, but not much at all. I think in terms of resolution and clarity the Roots hangs right there with the Fusion 1. I do love the Fusion 1 design and build quality. If I had it to do all over again though, for the money, I would have just gotten a second Roots.

The other cable that looks interesting that seems similar is the Penon Pyramid. There’s a Pyramid IV, VI, and VIII. They use a copper/gold alloy like the Roots…not copper with gold plating.

I’d say though with the Roots being limited edition…I’d probably lean in that direction. Just my two-cents.

I currently use the Roots on my UM Maven II and the Fusion 1 on my FlipEars Aurora XXIV. Which reminds me…I think in terms of synergy with certain IEMs, I feel like the Roots will play nice with any IEM.

 

[Lim Rui EA]

Can someone briefly mention if its tonality is closer to silver or copper?

There are still a few units left in some stores and I'm tempted to try this cable, thanks!

Hey there!

@Sweet2K said it nicely.

The materials used in Roots are:
- Gold-Copper Alloy
- Silver-Plated Copper with Central Solid Core
- Silver and Copper Alloy (Pure Silver + Pure Copper Hybrid with Solid Core)

In summary Roots is definitely on the warm-ish side & closer to copper tonality but delivers a rich, soothing sound profile (thanks to the gold-copper alloy).
If you prefer something closer to silver cable, I would suggest the Cadmus II.

- Lim

 

[LoryWiv]

I think it’s very balanced between the two. It manages to provide the warmer, more analogue-like sound from mids on down without losing any details up top.

It helps provide more detail across the entire soundstage…along with some spaciousness. It does not make the highs harsh at all like some silver cables can. It’s very natural and organic sounding. I have really come to appreciate the tonality that cables with gold provide. They seem to really help the vocals move forward in the mix and sound so natural and organic. There were so many positive reviews on the Eletech Raphael because of the tonality and how it improves vocals. I purchased the Raphael and the reviews weren’t wrong. Like many stated, it’s does improve vocals and it does narrow the soundstage at the same time. It will feel slightly more in your head.

So, I purchased the Roots…and after comparing the difference was absolutely noticeable between the two. The Roots maintained the tonality that I really love with the Raphael, but expanded the stage. I then went on to purchase the Fusion 1 to see if it was drastically better. Honestly, not nearly the difference…slight improvements. For the money the Roots is an amazing cable!

I was tempted to get a second Roots cable instead of going with the Fusion 1. The Fusion 1 I feel adds a little more depth in the bass region and a little wider stage, but not much at all. I think in terms of resolution and clarity the Roots hangs right there with the Fusion 1. I do love the Fusion 1 design and build quality. If I had it to do all over again though, for the money, I would have just gotten a second Roots.

The other cable that looks interesting that seems similar is the Penon Pyramid. There’s a Pyramid IV, VI, and VIII. They use a copper/gold alloy like the Roots…not copper with gold plating.

I’d say though with the Roots being limited edition…I’d probably lean in that direction. Just my two-cents.

I currently use the Roots on my UM Maven II and the Fusion 1 on my FlipEars Aurora XXIV. Which reminds me…I think in terms of synergy with certain IEMs, I feel like the Roots will play nice with any IEM.

Hey @Sweet2K, I really appreciate your comments and specifically pertaining to the synergy between Roots and Maven II. I own the latter and love but, but at times seems a bit sub-bass-shy and a bit clinical. Does Roots bring up sub-bass and overall "euphony" without diminishing the wonderful treble extension and excellent mids Maven II brings to the table? Thanks for your thoughts!

 

[Sweet2K]

Hey @Sweet2K, I really appreciate your comments and specifically pertaining to the synergy between Roots and Maven II. I own the latter and love but, but at times seems a bit sub-bass-shy and a bit clinical. Does Roots bring up sub-bass and overall "euphony" without diminishing the wonderful treble extension and excellent mids Maven II brings to the table? Thanks for your thoughts!

Hey there @LoryWiv!
I understand completely. The Maven II is capable of hitting fairly deep in the sub-bass region when a track calls for it, and it does so with great quality and texture.
It doesn’t have that ever present sub-bass quantity though. It is a very balanced set that I feel has a very neutral tone, which can depending on what your used to listening to, feel somewhat clinical at times.
I love the vocal presentation being more forward, intimate, and emotional…and wanted a cable that could enhance the vocals more, maintain clarity/resolution, add some more warmth, and increase the sub-bass quantity.

The Roots delivered on most of that.
It didn’t provide more sub-bass quantity. It did provide more depth, resolution, and rumble though. It also maintained the forward vocals and added a little more warmth and richness to them, while adding more spaciousness to the soundstage (this really stood out to me).

I feel it also improved the detail in the treble, too. Although, for my tastes, the stock tuning still needed a little more air and sparkle up top. If you have a PEQ on any of your sources, I’d recommend increasing the gain in the sub-bass region…and up top, too. It handles the adjustments well. With the PEQ adjustments and the Roots cable, the Maven really comes to life.

The Roots cable, at that price, is an excellent pairing with the Maven to maintain the special sauce it’s known for while squeezing out just a bit more.

In my opinion, the stock cable isn’t that good. The Eletech Raphael truly made the vocals stand out more while adding a more warm, organic tonality, and improved bass quality even more. Then the Roots made a very noticeable impact compared to the Raphael.

In a huge fan of the Roots, especially for the price. I’m sure there’s better, but most likely need to spent over $1K to get a noticeably better performance upgrade.

UM stated that the Maven tuning was intended to be more reference and less musical…and that the Mest line is supposed to be the more musical of the two. I owned the Mest II and felt it was the opposite. I will say, the Aurora XXIV has now replaced the Maven as my daily driver. It is definitely more musical, has a significantly warmer tone, timbre is equally if not more accurate than the Maven, has more bass quantity, same bass quality, vocals are lush, organic and emotional too…but in a slightly different way. They aren’t as forward as the Maven, but they are still forward. The vocals aren’t as in your head either. They are staged perfectly…a little more out of your head. Although coming from the Maven, the warmer tone can initially make the vocals seem slightly veiled, but they are not. I feel like the tuning is so coherent across the hybrid drivers that it feels like you’re listening to a monitor speaker vs. an IEM.

So, if at the end of the day, something like the Roots and slight PEQ adjustments can’t get you where you want to be with the Maven, something like the Aurora might do the trick. I love both the Maven and Aurora…I feel they complement each other…both are keepers and work with all music genres.

 

[ONRX]

Thanks for your insights.
Sadly, I purchased the roots last night, and after the payment I received the message that it is out of stock. I was very close. They offered the chance of sending the code 24 c instead, but I think I'll pass.

 

[Yefry]

@Lim Rui EA @Sweet2K

Thanks for the answers, especially to Sweet2k for such a detailed description of the product

However, I am in the same situation as @ONRX

I placed an order but the cable is no longer in stock

I hope Effect Audio continues to release special versions with this excellent sound performance at decent prices

 

[Sweet2K]

@Lim Rui EA @Sweet2K

Thanks for the answers, especially to Sweet2k for such a detailed description of the product

However, I am in the same situation as @ONRX

I placed an order but the cable is no longer in stock

I hope Effect Audio continues to release special versions with this excellent sound performance at decent prices

Did you both try bloom audio? They are showing as having it in stock.

 

[Yefry]

Did you both try bloom audio? They are showing as having it in stock.

The truth is that bringing some products from the United States to Europe is a problem

Bloom Audio has shipping costs starting at almost $80!

In this case, the purchase was through the Aliexpress anniversary sale, where the cable was available at a very attractive price

 

[ONRX]

The truth is that bringing some products from the United States to Europe is a problem

Bloom Audio has shipping costs starting at almost $80!

In this case, the purchase was through the Aliexpress anniversary sale, where the cable was available at a very attractive price

The exact same situation here! I'm having a serious argue with two vendors because they collected the money and afterwards communicate the out of stock. I've lost a 60 euros coupon. I'm very disappointed and frustrated. They have to erase the cable from listed sales. You still can order it. It's unbelievable!

 

[Sweet2K]

The exact same situation here! I'm having a serious argue with two vendors because they collected the money and afterwards communicate the out of stock. I've lost a 60 euros coupon. I'm very disappointed and frustrated. They have to erase the cable from listed sales. You still can order it. It's unbelievable!

The truth is that bringing some products from the United States to Europe is a problem

Bloom Audio has shipping costs starting at almost $80!

In this case, the purchase was through the Aliexpress anniversary sale, where the cable was available at a very attractive price

Oh no…that’s awful! I was looking at those on Aliexpress, too! I was still considering grabbing a second set.

It might be worth considering the Penon Pyramid or the Kinera x Effect Audio Orlog. Both of those are listed at great prices on Aliexpress.

I’m really tempted by the Penon Pyramid IV…it might be a great pairing with the FlipEars Legion that I’m eagerly waiting to arrive.

 

[ONRX]

I was looking at the Pyramid, too. I finally pulled the trigger on the Fusion 1 at a great price.

Effect audio should be aware of this sellers advertising products that are not in stock.
When you pay for a product to finally have money blocked, the brand is having bad rep sadly.

 

[Sweet2K]

I was looking at the Pyramid, too. I finally pulled the trigger on the Fusion 1 at a great price.

Effect audio should be aware of this sellers advertising products that are not in stock.
When you pay for a product to finally have money blocked, the brand is having bad rep sadly.

Congrats! The Fusion 1 is a great cable!

 

[Yefry]

I had the Pyramid and it is an excellent cable, I regret having sold it, it is definitely on the warm side like copper but at the same time it improves the entire frequency spectrum and does not limit the detail and technicalities like some copper cables, it is somewhat heavy and thick, I had the 4-wire version and it already provided an improvement in sound

 

[Lim Rui EA]

Taking the opportunity to share that we just launched something new two days ago! Check it out~

https://www.head-fi.org/threads/effect-audio-new-release-ares-s-ii-x-cadmus-ii.976043/
https://www.effectaudio.com/axc