Shecky504
500+ Head-Fier
@Eric Chong Any update on availability of the new case to purchase separately?
I have ordered A18s. Plato is out of my budget.Last time I covered the Fortitude briefly, this time around let's do the Iliad and Plato!
I believe I've covered both of those to some degree but this time around I'd like to do more of a side by side comparison as I believe they work as excellent complements to one another
I've listened to both of these cables with a variety of monitors - the one where I loved both and had a really hard time deciding was the 64Audio A18s, as I feel like they both offered some rather unique benefits - for that reason I will be using it as the point of reference for this mini review/post.
On build quality alone the Iliad remains my pick - the hardware on both is excellent and easily the best I've come across from any and every cable brand I've used. The sheathing is the main difference - the Iliad is the softer of the two by a fair margin. The Plato has come a long way since I first got to play around with it, props to Eletech for taking into account feedback and improving it!
Where sound is concerned, the Plato is a very unconventional pure silver. Most silver cables I've come across are all about a treble boost that gives you the sense of artificial clarity, lacking midrange texture and body. It's something that I quite openly despise, as I'm a bit of a texture person myself. Thankfully though the Plato provides excellent texture and weight throughout the midrange, with a slightly recessed treble presentation. It's not rolled off in the classic sense of the word, but it just feels a bit more controlled and cleaned up. The Plato has a similar effect on the bass as well - it adds an overwhelming sense of speed and precision to it. The A18s has a fair bit bolder and more present bass than the A18t, and it sounds absolutely exceptional with the Plato. In no way does it mimic a DD, but it presents itself as a sort of "pinnacle" of bass BA tech.
Where technicalities are concerned, I feel like the main strength of the Plato is the separation - instruments and vocals feel like they have a life of their own, where you can pick out much more clearly what each one is doing and where it is.
Where the Plato presents the music with a certain sense of control, the Iliad is the polar opposite experience. It enhanced both the bass and the treble, giving the lows a slower decay and the highs a fair bit of sparkle (or well, treble decay... that zinggg - call it what you will). It's also marvellously detailed and has the sort of holographic presentation that demands attention at every step of the way. I honestly loved the A18s paired with the Iliad, and if it were the only IEM I owned I'd probably still pick the Iliad over the Plato for it. However, since I use it as a reference that's just more fun than the classic A18t, I found that I wanted to double down on that by picking the Plato for it. The Elysium and Thumimm are quite thankful for that as they're both rocking Iliads currently
Looking forward to being able to soon cover the Eletech Fortitude and Prudence in another side by side post!
Come on Eric, I've waited for literally 28 HOURS now (not that I was counting lol)..
What's this news?? Is it a new product?? We need to know!!
@Eric Chong Any update on availability of the new case to purchase separately?
Stay updated on Eletech Cables at their sponsor profile on Head-Fi.
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I haven’t tried the fortitude yet I’m afraid - I’ll be able to report back in a week or twoI have ordered A18s. Plato is out of my budget.
Would you recommend Fortitude or Prudence?
My budget is under US$400.
I have ordered A18s. Plato is out of my budget.
Would you recommend Fortitude or Prudence?
My budget is under US$400.
I haven’t tried the fortitude yet I’m afraid - I’ll be able to report back in a week or two
Thanks for your help. Sometime I feel hard to judge cables.Congratulations on the incoming flagship IEM, and welcome to the thread
The answer to the cable question would depend on what you're looking for.
Probably the best approach would be to listen first to the A18s once it arrives; give it a couple of weeks at least to get used to the sound signature with the stock cable.
During that time, have a think about what aspects of the sound signature you would like to modify, and how.
Once you have those answers, you can post them here and I'm sure we'll be able to steer you in the best direction
Of course, if that all sounds like too much waiting around then you can just choose Fortitude or Prudence now of course
@mvvRAZ should be able to give you a comparison in a couple of weeks.
I haven't heard Fortitude, but I own the Prudence and it's an outstanding cable, not to mention a thing of beauty
I've heard the A18s is a bit warmer, darker and with more low end presence and richness than (e.g.) the U18t, but of course still hugely detailed and spacious.
So as an off-the-cuff guess, if you wanted to continue along with that signature then Fortitude would seem the appropriate choice.
Conversely, if you wanted to tighten up the low end, whilst adding a bit more sub-bass extension and impact, increasing detail, soundstage and separation, then I suspect the Prudence is going to be more suitable for your needs. But, I haven't heard the Fortitude so I'm just going on comments I've read about it.
However, as I've said, the best approach would be to spend a couple of weeks with the A18s, give a chance for some Fortitude vs Prudence comparisons to appear hear and then make a decision that you can be fairly confident will be the right one
What kind of price are you looking for?Thanks for your help. Sometime I feel hard to judge cables.
For some cable, I can hear the different and improvement in some area. (At the first try)
But there may be some flaw I won't identify until long time listening.
Most of the time I'm looking for cables that improve detail & separation. (too much detail is painful too)
Also not making the bass boomy (/too close) or vocal thin.
Btw I'll wait for my A18s and spend a couple of weeks with the stock cable.
Hopefully Eletech will release more cable in my price range for me to try out.
What kind of price are you looking for?
Thanks for your help. Sometime I feel hard to judge cables.
For some cable, I can hear the different and improvement in some area. (At the first try)
But there may be some flaw I won't identify until long time listening.
Most of the time I'm looking for cables that improve detail & separation. (too much detail is painful too)
Also not making the bass boomy (/too close) or vocal thin.
Btw I'll wait for my A18s and spend a couple of weeks with the stock cable.
Hopefully Eletech will release more cable in my price range for me to try out.
Stay updated on Eletech Cables at their sponsor profile on Head-Fi.
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The Fortitude compared to an EA Ares ll (4-wire) is warmer on the bottom, fairly similar in the middle and a bit less trebly on the top (but not in a bad way). Extremely well made, priced really well, and feels great when walking. I'd be using it more, but I got a PWAudio 1960 2-wire at the same time and that has been my daily cable ever since. Excellent cable for the price.
Stay updated on Eletech Cables at their sponsor profile on Head-Fi.
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