[Craftsman1511]

Always bummed to burn in Eletech Dante Cables, but boy oh boy, once it's fully settled, audio nirvana!

 

[Eric Chong]

(Apologies if this question is off-thread-topic, feel free to delete if inappropriate).

Do you guys find sonic differences via cables more obvious only with certain "kinds" of IEMs? (eg, harder to drive IEMs, or complex crossovers, etc). I'm aware that multi-driver IEMs seem to be affected more than single driver ones, but what other factors?

It seems that most who talk about cable sound changes usually hear them from higher-end IEMs, so I'm assuming its either something to do with the fact that many of those IEMs are harder to drive, or have complex crossovers and stuff. Any reasoning behind this?

(I don't want this to turn into a cable debate so for those who don't think cable changes sound, please ignore this post, thanks. Only want to hear thoughts/opinions from those who do).

On this topic i may have a few thoughts - I may not have all the answers nor explain the science behind it but these are some of my findings throughout the years.

I concur with your findings that cables do sometime sound more obvious with certain kinds of IEMs. Not only because they are more complex but also on synergy itself. Sometimes a kilo-buck flagship IEM may not necessarily have to be paired with flagship cables to achieve its best synergy. It's all about finding the best synergy to create the best sound system you desire. I've also gone down the path where i've paired a relatively cheap IEM with kilo-bucks cables that satisfied my needs during a certain time of my audiophile journey. I recalled having paired (iirc) the ancient Earsonics SM3v2 with a Crystal Piccolino and that system although cable being 3- 4 times more expensive than the IEM, synergizes so well that i decided to flow with it.

I also find sometimes that certain kind of cables make & geometry does affect a certain type of driver configuration more. For Eg, I find most single DD IEMs does inevitably pair much much better with pure silver cable or silver based cables. To say that it "Pairs better" would perhaps be an overstatement - a better worded way would to say that more apparent changes are perceivable. Current multi-driver / hybrid driver IEMs does have the benefit of cable upgrades as they are much more sensitive that any resistance, materials change from cables are picked up by them.

my 2c , YMMV

-Eric

 

[FlyHigh247]

Has anybody tried combining Baroque with foam inserts? How are the sound changes and comfort? I've been reading that's the indie way of going about

 

[Eric Chong]

Has anybody tried combining Baroque with foam inserts? How are the sound changes and comfort? I've been reading that's the indie way of going about

I've seen many DIY doing this , not sure how well it works. Although the softness of Baroques will definitely be affected, it would likely improve on better isolation and tighter fit. Perhaps we should ponder about developing a version of this...

 

[Kiats]

I've seen many DIY doing this , not sure how well it works. Although the softness of Baroques will definitely be affected, it would likely improve on better isolation and tighter fit. Perhaps we should ponder about developing a version of this...

Sounds like an excellent idea! Phase 2 of product development.

 

[Eric Chong]

Sounds like an excellent idea! Phase 2 of product development.

We'll have to start experimenting and logging the different types, density of foams and their effects on ergonomics and sound - Fun

 

[SBranson]

Looking for a recommendation on a cable choice. I’ve been mostly out of the hobby for a little while now due to various reasons but a recent demo of the CFA Bonneville got me to purchase a set. The only reservation I have with them is a bit of thickness in the mid bass, probably due to my age or occupational hearing loss similar to the effect of conversations being more difficult to discern in the presence of background noise.
Which cable would one recommend? I’m looking again at the Plato as I loved that one so much but I’m less familiar with the newer offerings. I had the Raphael that brought some nice warmth to the lean mods of the EE Bravado 2 but other than than I haven’t heard any of the new models.

 

[theveterans]

Looking for a recommendation on a cable choice. I’ve been mostly out of the hobby for a little while now due to various reasons but a recent demo of the CFA Bonneville got me to purchase a set. The only reservation I have with them is a bit of thickness in the mid bass, probably due to my age or occupational hearing loss similar to the effect of conversations being more difficult to discern in the presence of background noise.
Which cable would one recommend? I’m looking again at the Plato as I loved that one so much but I’m less familiar with the newer offerings. I had the Raphael that brought some nice warmth to the lean mods of the EE Bravado 2 but other than than I haven’t heard any of the new models.

I think OTL would be the best for Bonneville as it'll clean up its midbass elevation and add 3D spherical presentation to the mids and treble

 

[SBranson]

I think OTL would be the best for Bonneville as it'll clean up its midbass elevation and add 3D spherical presentation to the mids and treble

Umm...oops.. I should have specified a budget as the OTL is very much out of my price bracket as much as I would love to hear it.. Definitely under $1k.

 

[theveterans]

Couldn’t think of anything other than Raphael. It might actually clear up the midbass, but I also suggest tip rolling. I find the Baroque tips work best for Bonneville if you have the right Eletech cable for it. I do not think the Plato will help with the midbass for Bonneville. Maybe Socrates but I’d definitely start with Raphael

 

[theveterans]

If you can find a rare Victoria, that’s also very helpful since Jeff used that cable with the Bonneville and had no impressions of midbass bleed

 

[Eric Chong]

Looking for a recommendation on a cable choice. I’ve been mostly out of the hobby for a little while now due to various reasons but a recent demo of the CFA Bonneville got me to purchase a set. The only reservation I have with them is a bit of thickness in the mid bass, probably due to my age or occupational hearing loss similar to the effect of conversations being more difficult to discern in the presence of background noise.
Which cable would one recommend? I’m looking again at the Plato as I loved that one so much but I’m less familiar with the newer offerings. I had the Raphael that brought some nice warmth to the lean mods of the EE Bravado 2 but other than than I haven’t heard any of the new models.

Welcome back! The team fondly remembers your support as one of our early adopters back in 2020! Thank you for considering us again on your return to headfi

Based on your description, I would recommend the Raphael at this moment. Also, we're in the midst of developing some projects worth checking out, but that should come to fruition sometime in Q2 this year

 

[SBranson]

Couldn’t think of anything other than Raphael. It might actually clear up the midbass, but I also suggest tip rolling. I find the Baroque tips work best for Bonneville if you have the right Eletech cable for it. I do not think the Plato will help with the midbass for Bonneville. Maybe Socrates but I’d definitely start with Raphael

Thanks! I really enjoyed the Raphael on the Bravado 2. It’s a great cable so maybe I should try it again. At the time I bought it to bring some body so I kind of glossed over the other effects .
I had the Plato back when I had the VE Elysium and I was stunned at how smooth and clear the sound was for silver. I had never heard a silver cable sound so natural so I have an affinity for that cable for sure.
The Socrates i had for a while and found it quite dynamic but sold it for the Raphael as it had the wrong termination at the time.. Now that I think back, the Raphael really was pretty special, kind of giving me some of the best of the the Socrates and Plato. Hmm..

Welcome back! The team fondly remembers your support as one of our early adopters back in 2020! Thank you for considering us again on your return to headfi

Based on your description, I would recommend the Raphael at this moment. Also, we're in the midst of developing some projects worth checking out, but that should come to fruition sometime in Q2 this year

Thank you Eric. With getting back into iems the first and only cable choice for me is one of yours. I guess my journey kind of petered out while the Iliad was the top model. I loved every one of the models back then with the last hurrah being the Raphael. Some day I hope to hear the wonders you have created since as I can only imagine how great they sound.
You have me intrigued about these new products so maybe I’ll hold off a bit to see what’s coming and try those new Baroque tips as well.

 

[SBranson]

If you can find a rare Victoria, that’s also very helpful since Jeff used that cable with the Bonneville and had no impressions of midbass bleed

Though I have no doubt that the Victoria is a great cable (as they all are), Jeff and I are somewhat local to each other and have met up quite a few times and from that we know we have a different relationship with midbass and what constitutes “bleed”. As an old 2 channel guy for 25 years before my iem journey, I have a different relationship to cables than he does.

 

[Tristy]

Just want to commend this thread and the brand, what a breath of fresh air it is to read the updates in here compared to some of the other threads on this forum as of late. I own several Electech cables and reading how integral and helpful @Eric Chong is here only makes me want to invest more! Cheers