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

[timbre1822]

Last years I prefer more expensive cables ($150-$200) for better SQ and CEMA is excellent in such price brackets. Few months ago CEMA started several cheaper cable series, wich I didn't try. In higher price range CEMA SQ surpasses IvipQ a little.

Thank you so much. By any chance, have you tried the CEMA MS and XS series? Sending the link below for easier reference.

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/400...ef8ba!10000001603732845!ct!PH!6048582959!!1!0

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/100...ea9ba!12000044580443154!ct!PH!6048582959!!1!0

 

[Uprox]

On other side CEMA has insufficient quantity of cheap cables, and IvipQ has very good cheap cables with various experimental materials.

 

[timbre1822]

I a

On other side CEMA has insufficient quantity of cheap cables, and IvipQ has very good cheap cables with various experimental materials.

I agree. Thank you!

 

[Uprox]

Thank you so much. By any chance, have you tried the CEMA MS and XS series? Sending the link below for easier reference.

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000158772005.html?spm=a2g0o.cart.0.0.701138dafOR5rm&mp=1&pdp_npi=5@dis!PHP!PHP 12704.30!PHP 11560.91!!PHP 11560.91!!!@2141122217459793705005700ef8ba!10000001603732845!ct!PH!6048582959!!1!0

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005008313390294.html?spm=a2g0o.cart.0.0.49e238dauNmiTs&mp=1&pdp_npi=5@dis!PHP!PHP 11312.05!PHP 11312.05!!PHP 11312.05!!!@213ba74817459805835576552ea9ba!12000044580443154!ct!PH!6048582959!!1!0

I have XS cable. I once damaged the connector and had to send the cable to a local service center for repair. I asked to use best connectors and solder. After repairing I was very surprised by higher SQ. Even now after 3 years XS is one of my favorite cables.

 

[timbre1822]

I have XS cable. I once damaged the connector and had to send the cable to a local service center for repair. I asked to use best connectors and solder. After repairing I was very surprised by higher SQ. Even now after 3 years XS is one of my favorite cables.

Could you please elaborate on the SQ of the XS?

Really curious about it, but the MS appears to have more reviews on their website.

May I also ask which CEMA cables you've tried and recommend to maximize the overall technicalities of an iem?

Thanks again!

 

[Uprox]

Could you please elaborate on the SQ of the XS?

Really curious about it, but the MS appears to have more reviews on their website.

May I also ask which CEMA cables you've tried and recommend to maximize the overall technicalities of an iem?

OhThanks again!

I have 4 core version of XS. In stock the sound was quite dark with powerful bass and recessed treble. After repair the sound became much more transparent, detailed and more V-shaped. Resolution corresponds to price range. Thus it's not my best cable, but for some IEMs is favorite.

 

[timbre1822]

I have 4 core versio of XS. In stock the sound was quite dark with powerful bass and recessed treble. After repair the sound became much more transparent, detailed and more V-shaped. Resolution corresponds to price range. Thus it's not my best cable, but for some IEMs is favorite.

Thank you! Do you have other CEMA cables within the range of 150$-up?

 

[Uprox]

Thank you! Do you have other CEMA cables within the range of 150$-up?

Fate series (terminated),
Palace series (terminated),
Justice series (for warmer but clear sound)
Upd.
Also Super Copper series is very good. I have 4-core version and gonna buy 6-core. Sound is warm, with very good extension of frequency range edges.

 

[linconleandro]

Hi, guy
Has anyone ever bought an IEM cable made of UPOCC material? For transparency, is it better than OCC 7N plated with palladium silver?

Cheers

 

[Uprox]

Hi, guy
Has anyone ever bought an IEM cable made of UPOCC material? For transparency, is it better than OCC 7N plated with palladium silver?

Cheers

Personally, I've never had a cheap cable that was transparent enough. Every more expensive cable had a chance to open up a new level of transparency and I must say, the prices were well beyond $100.
Any cable consists of a conductor, connectors, a plug and solder. Each component affects the sound quality, including transparency and is very important.
To be completely sure about the impact, experiments need to be conducted. Otherwise, generalizations cannot be true.
Also, keep in mind the not-so-well-defined term "transparency" and my lack of knowledge of psychoacoustics. For example, I suspect that transparency is influenced by several sound properties, including pinna gain clarity, layering ability, bass quantity and stage size. This is just my guess, so take it as an example.
To avoid your disappointment with my answer, I will provide a few links to cables that I consider transparent enough to draw your attention to:

FiftyStrings M.hawk Bandung 7N Monocrystalline Copper Silver Plated Balanced Headphone Cable 0.78 MMCX Upgrade Cable Coaxial
https://a.aliexpress.com/_EyOqwhY

XINHS S06 8-strand high-purity silver plated palladium earphone upgrade cable
https://a.aliexpress.com/_ExbsFoa

ivipQ-233 High Purity HiFI DIY MMCX 8-Core Graphene+Silver Palladium Plating Modular Plug Earphone Cable , For IE900 AKG N5005
https://a.aliexpress.com/_EIMQReO

MS series 100% pure silver + single crystal copper cryotreatment Pure silver headset upgrade cable MMCX 0.78MM QDC
https://a.aliexpress.com/_EzTaA4m

PS series Double freezing structure of upgraded cable Litz with palladium + single crystal copper + pure silver0.78MM MMCX ie900
https://a.aliexpress.com/_EjH4RcK

 

[Redcarmoose]

Review!
https://www.head-fi.org/showcase/tr...-replacement-cable.28179/reviews#review-38032

 

[Jefecesti]

I bought some GUCraftsman from Amazon this week. Arrived on Saturday, so one week delivery ain't bad. Got THIS version:



GUCraftsman 16 Strands 7N Single Crystal Copper/Silver Mixed Upgrade Headphones Cable for Astell&Kern AKT1P AKT5P 2nd Focal Stellia Elegia Elear JVCHA-SW01 HA-SW02 (6.35mm Stereo Plug)



Seem to be very well build, very soft and lightweight, and they do assist to be much brighter than my stock Focal MG cables. About 7' long, so perfect length for me.



Nicely packaged, and come with a pouch (that I will never use). $300 is a bit steep for Chinese cables. Looking to compare them to my Norne that are arriving later this week.

What was your experience with these Gucraftsman 16 strands cable?

 

[Todomio]

On other side CEMA has insufficient quantity of cheap cables, and IvipQ has very good cheap cables with various experimental materials.

I'm currently testing the IvipQ-193, and so far I'm being surprised by the price at which it's offered.

 

[linconleandro]

I saw this 7N Pure Silver item and couldn't resist: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005005955548634.html
I bought it and I'll check it out when it arrives. See if it was worth the money.
Cheers.

 

[kalibri]

How much does that adapter cable affects the sound signature?

Probably zero.

Adapters can change the sound signature if they have non-close-to-zero impedance so pay attention to that (if possible).