Linum Super Bax
Connection: 2pin, 3.5mm TRS
Source: AK380Cu+AmpCu
Iem: Zeus-XRA (XIV set up)
Pros: Small size, flexible, performance/value ratio
Cons: 2pin connectors look cheap and bended. Only available in 3.5mm TRS, would be better to have memory wire.
Sound Stage and Presentation: The stage is just the right size. It’s not too huge nor too small. However, the depth of the stage isn’t on par with TOTL cable. The sound tends to go a bit to slightly warmer than neutral (Zeus is kinda on the cold side. With Linum bax, it seems a bit warmer.). Speed is really good so it sounds smooth.
Low: Bass is tight, and very fast. Decay time is very very short. Not much of texture details but impact is good. It doesn’t reach as deep as TOTL cable like Heracles but it still better than stock cable.
Mid: Vocal is forward. It seems to bring more details to vocal than bass.
High: High has very nice sparkles with slight roll-off to reduce the harshness and sharpness not to pierce your ears.
Score
Soundstage width: 7/10
Soundstage depth: 5/10
Bass: 7.5/10
Mid: 8.5/10
High: 8/10
Value: 8/10
Original Cable Orpheus MK5 8-wire (180 USD) (Copper Cable)
Connection: 2pin, 3.5mm TRS (in house copper plug)
Source: AK380Cu+AmpCu
Iem: Zeus-XRA (XIV set up)
Pros: strong 2-pin connector, deep bass, warm, best bang for the bucks for cable under $200 that I’ve tried.
Cons: Harsh Treble, The in house 3.5mm plug sometimes short-circuit with AK380Cu amp causing a lot of hiss, cable can be tangle easy if not roll right (I let my friend borrowed and she ruined it T_T)
Sound Stage and Presentation: MK 5 seems to have similar width to other cable in the $200 region; however, I found it to have a better depth. Due to the nature of copper cable, it makes the sound warm.
Bass: Bass hits deep and rumble. It has very nice impact with Zeus-XRA.
Mid: Vocal is not forward but rather hide within the band instruments.
High: High has a clear sparkle but harsh. It could be piercing and unpleasant to hear after long listening time.
Score
Soundstage width: 7.5/10
Soundstage depth: 7/10
Bass: 8.5/10
Mid: 8/10
High: 8/10
Value: 8.5/10
Original Cable Zeus UE X 8-wire (300 USD) (Silver Cable)
Connection: 2pin, 3.5mm TRS (in house plug)
Source: AK380Cu+AmpCu
Iem: Zeus-XRA (XIV set up)
Pros: Micro details, soundstage width.
Cons: bass isn’t boomy, distance between each musical instruments doesn’t scale really with increase stage in some songs. Too technical.
Sound Stage and Presentation: Sound stage is very wide and depth is pretty good for cable at this price. However, distance between musical instruments doesn’t scale with increase stage. It seems like cymbal are pushed to the side of the stage while other instruments cluster in the middle. Also, because of wider stage than MK5, bass seems to have way less impact. Speed is very similar to MK5.
Bass: Bass hits deep but lack body and impact. However, you can hear a bit more details than MK5.
Mid: Vocal is not forward but rather hide within the band instruments. Imaging is very precise.
High: High has a clear and nice sparkles. Details are very good. This is where it outshines its little brother MK5.
Score
Soundstage width: 9/10
Soundstage depth: 8/10
Bass: 8/10
Mid: 8.5/10
High: 8.5/10
Value: 8/10
Original Cable OC Au X 8-wire (550 USD) (Gold Plated Silver Cable)
Connection: 2pin, 2.5mm TRRS Furutech Cabron Plug
Source: AK380Cu+AmpCu
Iem: Zeus-XRA (XIV set up)
Pros: Boomy bass, large soundstage, Sparkles
Cons: Price
OC Au X is the best cable under Original Cable brand. It combines the best things from Orpheus MK5 and Zeus UEX.
Sound Stage and Presentation: It has its middle brother Zeus UEX soundstage. However, this time everything scales with the increase stage size. It’s not too technical probably due to the gold plated. To me, it feels like this is the Zeus UEX in the warmer side with proper stage presentation.
Bass: Bass hits deep and rumble with lots of details comparing to MK5. It has very nice impact with Zeus-XRA.
Mid: Vocal is positioned a bit forward. It is well pronounce with body and impact.
High: High has a clear sparkle with slightly roll-off to reduce sharpness and harshness. This provides more details and air.
Score
Soundstage width: 9/10
Soundstage depth: 8/10
Bass: 8.5/10
Mid: 9/10
High: 9/10
Value: 9/10
Effect Audio Heracles 8-wire (1500 USD)
Connection: 2pin, 2.5 mm TRRS
Source: AK380Cu+AmpCu
Iem: Zeus-XRA (XIV set up)
Pros: Boomy bass, large soundstage
Cons: Very Very Very Very Expensive
Sound Stage and Presentation: Heracles is beast in soundstage
Bass: Full body bass which hits deep, hard and rumble with lots of details. This is the most impactful cable in EA line that I’ve tried
Mid: Vocal is positioned a bit forward. It is well pronounce with body and impact.
High: High has a clear sparkle with slightly roll-off to reduce sharpness and harshness. This provides more details and air.
Score
Soundstage width: 10/10
Soundstage depth: 8.5/10
Bass: 10/10
Mid: 9.5/10
High: 9/10
Value: 6/10
Effect Audio Mars 4-wire + Leonidas 4-wire bespoke (1700 USD)
Connection: 2pin, 2.5 mm TRRS
Source: AK380Cu+AmpCu
Iem: Zeus-XRA (XIV set up)
Pros: Technical Beast
Cons: Very Very Very Very Expensive
Sound Stage and Presentation: Same as Heracles, beast in soundstage
Bass: Full body bass which hits deep, hard and rumble with lots of details. It’s really good but not as good as Heracles.
Mid: Vocal is positioned a bit forward. It is well pronounce with body and impact.
High: High has a clear sparkle with no roll-off to reduce. However, it’s not at all piercing, harsh, and too sharp. You will feel more air than Heracles
Score
Soundstage width: 10/10
Soundstage depth: 8.5/10
Bass: 9/10
Mid: 9.5/10
High: 10/10
Value: 5.5/10
P.S. Forgot to mention that OC Cable are single core ultra pure OCC cable while Effect Audio cable are Litz bundle.
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