OmoNemo
New Head-Fier
- Joined
- May 27, 2008
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My impression about W5K are its liquid midrange, clarity and detailed, it also has sharp high and hollow sound as the cons but I still like its with my female CDs collection. Last week according to WindowsX suggestions, my good friend peeradonn re-cabled his W5K with Stefan Audio Art Equinox XLR, he told me that the cans sound superb on his Rudistor RP010B MKII and want my opinion on the cans with my stock W5K in my home system so I decided to have my listening session with it, of course this's not a fairs play, balanced vs single ended but I still want to know the differences between these two and finally came out this thread.
System:
Cans: ATH L3K, W5K, W5K+Equinox XLR cable[ peeradonn's ]
CD: C.E.C. TL51XR
PC: Mac mini
DAC: Bel canto Dac3
Amp: RSA The Apache
Cables: Cardas Golden Reference interconnect XLR, Kimber Kable AGDL Digital XLR, Kimber B-Bus USB, Kimber PK10 power cords.
As far as I knew the wrong cable would change sound signature of the cans, on the other hand the cans could shines to show its full potentials with synergy cable. After hours of listening to stock W5K and re-cabled W5K in comparison both connected to Ray Samuel Audio the Apache, apparently I'd say the Equinox XLR on W5K could draw the sound out of the drivers as its should be, then had me this results:
Bass: Getting tighter, emphasized the notes, improving the upper bass.
Midrange: Fuller, smoother and I could notice some sibilant sound.
Treble: More accurate, extended, less sharp and silkier
Soundstage: Wider, more air around the instruments.
Tonality: Well controlled and smoother than the stock one.
Image: Precise, weights up the hollow sound and bigger.
Detail: Better and clearer.
Soundstage: A bit narrow than the stock W5K but I think it's more like the soundstage of L3K, interesting.
Dynamic: Faster so I could enjoy myself more on rocks.
Honestly, IMO for some genres like pop and chamber music balanced termination is a bit too well presented, single ended sound more musical.
Comparing with my L3K:
The L3K is the Flagship of ATH line of products with good tonal balance, punchy bass, full mid and as a newbie here I wanna say it's one of the best all around cans that I ever listen to. After my listening hours I'm impressed with the sound I heard, I used to listen to W5K and L3K frequently L3K won hands down on low frequency, fuller midrange and "you're there" feeling. This time re-cabled W5K breathe to its neck on the midrange but still need some work on the low area though. Tweak W5K excels L3K by it's wider soundstage and clarity as always but this time I felt more impressed with the results. Overall, L3K obviously still has the advantage over W5K but the re-cabled W5k come closer to its predecessor than the stock one.
Conclusions:
For those who satisfied with W5K on the system but still need some more out of your cans, Stefan's Equinox cable is one of many choices that you ought to consider IMO it's synergy with W5K. Thanks WindowsX for your advice on this W5K recabling tweak, appreciated.
Warning:
Recabling procedure could damage your drivers, it's your own risk, lets the experienced technician do the job.
Thanks for reading this far, enjoy your listening
System:
Cans: ATH L3K, W5K, W5K+Equinox XLR cable[ peeradonn's ]
CD: C.E.C. TL51XR
PC: Mac mini
DAC: Bel canto Dac3
Amp: RSA The Apache
Cables: Cardas Golden Reference interconnect XLR, Kimber Kable AGDL Digital XLR, Kimber B-Bus USB, Kimber PK10 power cords.
As far as I knew the wrong cable would change sound signature of the cans, on the other hand the cans could shines to show its full potentials with synergy cable. After hours of listening to stock W5K and re-cabled W5K in comparison both connected to Ray Samuel Audio the Apache, apparently I'd say the Equinox XLR on W5K could draw the sound out of the drivers as its should be, then had me this results:
Bass: Getting tighter, emphasized the notes, improving the upper bass.
Midrange: Fuller, smoother and I could notice some sibilant sound.
Treble: More accurate, extended, less sharp and silkier
Soundstage: Wider, more air around the instruments.
Tonality: Well controlled and smoother than the stock one.
Image: Precise, weights up the hollow sound and bigger.
Detail: Better and clearer.
Soundstage: A bit narrow than the stock W5K but I think it's more like the soundstage of L3K, interesting.
Dynamic: Faster so I could enjoy myself more on rocks.
Honestly, IMO for some genres like pop and chamber music balanced termination is a bit too well presented, single ended sound more musical.
Comparing with my L3K:
The L3K is the Flagship of ATH line of products with good tonal balance, punchy bass, full mid and as a newbie here I wanna say it's one of the best all around cans that I ever listen to. After my listening hours I'm impressed with the sound I heard, I used to listen to W5K and L3K frequently L3K won hands down on low frequency, fuller midrange and "you're there" feeling. This time re-cabled W5K breathe to its neck on the midrange but still need some work on the low area though. Tweak W5K excels L3K by it's wider soundstage and clarity as always but this time I felt more impressed with the results. Overall, L3K obviously still has the advantage over W5K but the re-cabled W5k come closer to its predecessor than the stock one.
Conclusions:
For those who satisfied with W5K on the system but still need some more out of your cans, Stefan's Equinox cable is one of many choices that you ought to consider IMO it's synergy with W5K. Thanks WindowsX for your advice on this W5K recabling tweak, appreciated.
Warning:
Recabling procedure could damage your drivers, it's your own risk, lets the experienced technician do the job.
Thanks for reading this far, enjoy your listening
