Low end. Cheap. Generic. Otherwise bang for buck cable thread!

[courierdriver]

C$ 17.26 29%OFF | 8 Core Silver Plated 2.5/3.5mm/4.4mm Balanced Cable To MMCX 0.78mm 2 Pin Connector Hifi Headphone Upgrade Cable For TRN QDC TFZ
https://a.aliexpress.com/_m0NYwgJ

There you go @paulwasabii

 

[saldsald]

I noticed this cable too as I was comparing their cables with some branded cables. But I think this is not the same as the FAAEAL copper litz.
I bought the Yin-yoo (censored brand name) 8 core copper the other day and I am quite impressed:

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/400...earchweb0_0,searchweb201602_,searchweb201603_

This one I am certain it has the same core cable as the FAAEAL.


I bought these:

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005001797472128.html?spm=2114.12010612.8148356.41.5b0d4cbb5YR2mh
Gold plated copper - interesting for me as I have silver-plated-copper-gold-plated copper mix and also silver-plated-copper-gold-plated-copper-copper mix

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005002036919544.html?spm=2114.12010612.8148356.17.5b0d4cbb5YR2mh
This one is silver-plated copper - I asked the seller they actually listed several cables with the same spec but different price there, they also have one with black skin

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005002091739835.html?spm=2114.12010612.8148356.27.5b0d4cbb5YR2mh
This one I think is copper only - should be quite interesting - the colour combination is too ugly and luckily the seller told me I can customize my own colour combo and of coz I order all black.

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005001796996285.html?spm=2114.12010612.8148356.31.5b0d4cbb5YR2mh
And I think I will be getting this one. Read somewhere this one is quite expensive elsewhere and they give spacious sounds with smoothed top-end.

I am one of those who believe in cable-rolling and I am certain that cables do affect the sound so I actually have bought around 30 cables so far.

Here are the pictures of what I have bought from XINHS:

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005001797472128.html?spm=2114.12010612.8148356.41.5b0d4cbb5YR2mh
Gold plated copper - interesting for me as I have silver-plated-copper-gold-plated copper mix and also silver-plated-copper-gold-plated-copper-copper mix


The gold-plated copper is my least favorite among the three cables I have bought. It gives powerful low end but doesn't smooth out the treble enough despite being gold-plate copper thou it is still a good cable overall but the FAAEAL is better to my ears with less bass but smoother highs.

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005002036919544.html?spm=2114.12010612.8148356.17.5b0d4cbb5YR2mh
This one is silver-plated copper - I asked the seller they actually listed several cables with the same spec but different price there, they also have one with black skin

This is my favorite cable out of the bunch. The sound is very balanced and the treble is really smooth. I am really digging this one. This one also gives the most reverberation and thus has the largest soundstage, really highly recommend this one.


https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005002091739835.html?spm=2114.12010612.8148356.27.5b0d4cbb5YR2mh
This one I think is copper only - should be quite interesting - the colour combination is too ugly and luckily the seller told me I can customize my own colour combo and of coz I order all black.


This one is interesting. The mids standout more than the rest of the frequencies as if it is made for vocal. Vocal is more forward and more energetic. Treble is smooth and there is no boosted bass. I am liking this one too.

 

[EJSorona]

I just ordered Oyaide Neo d+ class B cables: an USB A-B and an XLR-XLR pair. Both are second hand but the USB appears to be in good shape, whereas the XLRs are almost new. The XLR are for a future project, right now I'm curious whether the USB cable will improve SQ over the generic printer USB cable I've been using. They costed me about half as much as brand new, sealed ones.

 

[cappuchino]

Okay, guys. Need some cable advice. So I've got a BQEYZ Summer coming in a few days for review purposes. Ordered the 3.5mm variant in the black/dark violet colorway. As this will be my most expensive pair, I think that investing in a "good" aftermarket cable wouldn't be that bad. Budget is limited to about 30 +- 10 USD. Here's what I'm looking at:

----
1.) NICEHCK C8s-3 for 14 USD.

2.) Faaeal Hibiscus for 12 USD

3.) NICEHCK C24-2 for 20 USD

4.) KBEAR Expansion for 24 USD

5.) XINHS Graphene Cable for 38 USD (@RikudouGoku , found one for sale on Shopee. Is this about the same price as what you bought?)

6.) TRN T6 for 16 USD

7.) HAKUGEI 4-core Copper for 36 USD

----
Anyone have experiences with these cables?

And here's a question I really want to ask, even if it has caused much-heated debate for the past few days, "HOW DO THEY SOUND?"
I'm also chasing an "aesthetic" look.

Thanks a lot for any reply and other cable suggestions are much welcome.

 

[RikudouGoku]

Okay, guys. Need some cable advice. So I've got a BQEYZ Summer coming in a few days for review purposes. Ordered the 3.5mm variant in the black/dark violet colorway. As this will be my most expensive pair, I think that investing in a "good" aftermarket cable wouldn't be that bad. Budget is limited to about 30 +- 10 USD. Here's what I'm looking at:

----
1.) NICEHCK C8s-3 for 14 USD.



2.) Faaeal Hibiscus for 12 USD



3.) NICEHCK C24-2 for 20 USD



4.) KBEAR Expansion for 24 USD



5.) XINHS Graphene Cable for 38 USD (@RikudouGoku , found one for sale on Shopee. Is this about the same price as what you bought?)



6.) TRN T6 for 16 USD



7.) HAKUGEI 4-core Copper for 36 USD



----
Anyone have experiences with these cables?

And here's a question I really want to ask, even if it has caused much-heated debate for the past few days, "HOW DO THEY SOUND?"
I'm also chasing an "aesthetic" look.

Thanks a lot for any reply and other cable suggestions are much welcome.

That graphene cable is indeed around the same price as on aliexpress. The only one I can recommend from personal experience is the faaeal cable AKA cable A3.

 

[saldsald]

Okay, guys. Need some cable advice. So I've got a BQEYZ Summer coming in a few days for review purposes. Ordered the 3.5mm variant in the black/dark violet colorway. As this will be my most expensive pair, I think that investing in a "good" aftermarket cable wouldn't be that bad. Budget is limited to about 30 +- 10 USD. Here's what I'm looking at:

----
1.) NICEHCK C8s-3 for 14 USD.



2.) Faaeal Hibiscus for 12 USD



3.) NICEHCK C24-2 for 20 USD



4.) KBEAR Expansion for 24 USD



5.) XINHS Graphene Cable for 38 USD (@RikudouGoku , found one for sale on Shopee. Is this about the same price as what you bought?)



6.) TRN T6 for 16 USD



7.) HAKUGEI 4-core Copper for 36 USD



----
Anyone have experiences with these cables?

And here's a question I really want to ask, even if it has caused much-heated debate for the past few days, "HOW DO THEY SOUND?"
I'm also chasing an "aesthetic" look.

Thanks a lot for any reply and other cable suggestions are much welcome.

The nicehck and kbear 24 are the same cables. I have the FAAEAL like everyone else it actaully came with the spring 2 so the summer should ship with a similar quality cable which you might want to skip. I have the T6 and it is one of the best cable at this price. I also had the 8 core graphene cable but didn't like it. You might refer to my post right above yours and I recommend getting the beige cable which is within your budget.

 

[cappuchino]

The nicehck and kbear 24 are the same cables. I have the FAAEAL like everyone else it actaully came with the spring 2 so rhe summer should ship with a similar quality cable which you might want to skip. I have the T6 and it is one of the best cable at this price. I also had the 8 core graphene cable but didn't like it. You might refer to my post right above yours and I recommend getting the beige cable which is within your budget.

Thanks a lot! So, considering that the stock BQEYZ cable is of similar quality as the Faaeal's, you just saved me money I do have my eyes on the T6 as the "specs" interest me. Might get them for the KS1 or DQ6. I'll try to look for that beige XINHS on Shopee.

That graphene cable is indeed around the same price as on aliexpress. The only one I can recommend from personal experience is the faaeal cable AKA cable A3.

Thanks a lot!

 

[RikudouGoku]

Thanks a lot! So, considering that the stock BQEYZ cable is of similar quality as the Faaeal's, you just saved me money I do have my eyes on the T6 as the "specs" interest me. Might get them for the KS1 or DQ6. I'll try to look for that beige XINHS on Shopee.


Thanks a lot!

Yes, the Spring 2 stock cable is the faaeal cable. But we dont know what cable the summer got though.

 

[cappuchino]

Yes, the Spring 2 stock cable is the faaeal cable. But we dont know what cable the summer got though.

Well, from the pics, it looks like it has the same jack, splitter(except cinch or whatever it's called) and connectors but now in an 8-core fashion?

 

[saldsald]

Well, from the pics, it looks like it has the same jack, splitter, and connectors but now in an 8-core fashion?

It is likely the same cable maker as the core cable of the FAAEAL coppet litz (and also YY 8 core copper litz) which is called Acrolink. I happen to have the 8 core version of the silver plated copper litz (by YY) so I assume the Summer will come with the 4 core version as it looks very similar to mine.

This one:

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/400...earchweb0_0,searchweb201602_,searchweb201603_

Edit: it is probably the exact same cable as above, the Summer will ship with an 8 core.

 

[RikudouGoku]

Well, from the pics, it looks like it has the same jack, splitter(except cinch or whatever it's called) and connectors but now in an 8-core fashion?

Looks different, but still seems pretty good. Usually I wouldnt recommend spending money on cables when the stock cable is already good.

Much better for you to spend it on getting a big tip collection (if you dont already have it, if so just save money lol).

 

[lgcubana]

Looks different, but still seems pretty good. Usually I wouldnt recommend spending money on cables when the stock cable is already good.

Much better for you to spend it on getting a big tip collection (if you dont already have it, if so just save money lol).

unless you’ve converted from single ended to balanced.

 

[RikudouGoku]

unless you’ve converted from single ended to balanced.

ok, yeah. Thats the biggest reason I switch cables. Although the Spring 2 had the option to get a stock 4.4mm (or 2.5mm) cable. Not sure if the summer has that option, but that option is quite rare.

 

[cappuchino]

ok, yeah. Thats the biggest reason I switch cables. Although the Spring 2 had the option to get a stock 4.4mm (or 2.5mm) cable. Not sure if the summer has that option, but that option is quite rare.

I could confirm that Summer also has options for a balanced cable. But I ordered 3.5mm cause I have yet to walk the "balanced path."

 

[RikudouGoku]

I could confirm that Summer also has options for a balanced cable. But I ordered 3.5mm cause I have yet to walk the "balanced path."

Then the cable might be good as well. At the very least, I recommend waiting for the Summer to arrive before you decide to spend more.

Going balanced is almost always better when it comes to amps with both SE and balanced (since they will put more effort into the balanced port). Not sure what source you are using but upgrading it could be your next step.