Review: Estron Linum BaX --- New IEM Cable for a New Age

[unknownsolo]

Got mine, used it for a good 2 hour. Just emailed them back to see if I can return it!
 
I used this with my Shure SE846 IEMs. Don't get me wrong. the cable is super super thin. Just like others have said, I expected a thin cable, but not fishing line thin. It's so thin that it feels like it will break if you apply just a tiny bit of pull on it.
 
However, I am not sure how nobody noticed this, but the sound quality does not even compare to the stock Shure cable. Also you get louder volume out of the stock cable than with the Linum BaX. I noticed with the BaX I had to turn the volume up about 20% more just to get the same sound level as the Shure stock cable. Also the bass is punchier with the stock cable.
 
Another thing is that it is too short. If I put the little neck slider all the way down, it sits right under my chin. That's of course with the cable looped around my ears.
 
Lastly, the connectors are not as tight as the stock cable. They would disconnect with the lightest pull on the cable.
 
For all of these reasons, and mainly for the fact that you get more Bass and louder volume with the stock cable. I decided that this cable is a no go for me. Hopefully they will reply to my email and let me return it back.

 

[stormmilk]

I am just confused by the websites. How do I buy these? 

 

[DougofTheAbaci]

I am just confused by the websites. How do I buy these? 

Contact them directly, they will put you in touch with a reseller. That reseller will give you instructions on how to make a purchase. Is it a little convoluted? Yep. I had to think twice about it because it seemed a little sketchy (something these guys need to address if they're to have any large success).

But they'll work with you, be responsive, and ship the cable very quickly.

 

[theUKMrT]

As far as sound goes (mostly cable sceptic here btw) I'm probably imagining this but I find that the bass seems very slightly boosted, and mids a little more recessed than before (tiny amount).

We must both be imagining it then - (& as a fellow sceptic) exactly the qualities I hear too.

 

[Q Mass]

We must both be imagining it then - (& as a fellow sceptic) exactly the qualities I hear too.

Damn, I don't want to be a cable believer.
Its like waking up in the morning and finding yourself in a religious cult!

It sounds like Unknownsolo had a very different experience to us with his IEMs, maybe due to source differences too?

I had to flatten the pins of my Linum just a touch though, as mine were also a loose fit.

 

[DougofTheAbaci]

It sounds like Unknownsolo had a very different experience to us with his IEMs, maybe due to source differences too?

Or it could be how the cable changes the fit of your headphones on your ears, that's what it is for me. Since they're so low-profile they don't press against my head or shift when I put on my glasses. Result is my CIEMs fit as intended, seal as intended and sound as intended. Meant a bit more bass (due to the seal) but I didn't lose any of the high-end others had mentioned.

There are a number of factors that can account for why the sound might 'change' with a new cable.

 

[Q Mass]

True dat.
However mine didn't change the fit at all.
Still increased the bass a bit though.

I've only tried it from my Cowon D2, and cellphone so far though.
Home rig may tell a different tale.

I hope my next CIEM'S ( upcoming Cosmic Ears CE5H hybrid ) have quite strong mids.
I love my mids almost as much as my bass

 

[utdeep]

I love the cable as the stock cable for my SE846 was hurting my ears.  However, I am getting the MMCX disconnect issue that happens with a lot of custom cables and the MMCX connector.  My right ear piece occasionally disconnects if I press against the connector.
 
However, because the cable is so light, I have to do this on purpose for the issue to occur.  When I had a Black Dragon cable it occurred on normal use.

 

[doublea71]

So who do we contact via email to place an order? And do the pins fit Unique Melody connectors snugly? Lastly, do they chafe your ears at all when they loop over and behind them?
 
Cheers

 

[AxelCloris]

  So who do we contact via email to place an order? And do the pins fit Unique Melody connectors snugly? Lastly, do they chafe your ears at all when they loop over and behind them?
 
Cheers

 
I'm not sure who the local contact would be for Vietnam; it's best to email sales@linum.dk and they can put you in contact with the best distributor for your country. As for the connector, it fits very snugly on my 1964-Q CIEM with recessed sockets. They use the same 2-pin connector as UM. And there is certainly no chafing on my ears when I'm wearing them, they don't move at all around the ear area. I wear every IEM over the ear that I can since it reduces microphonics and is more comfortable.

 

[doublea71]

  So who do we contact via email to place an order? And do the pins fit Unique Melody connectors snugly? Lastly, do they chafe your ears at all when they loop over and behind them?
 
Cheers

Okay, so I found them on the Cosmic Ears website and it appears that they do can UM CIEMs. So.....
 

• Any chafing over the ear?
• Will the T2 connectors also fit Unique Melody customs?

 
I'm pretty excited about these - I originally thought that they were $500 or so based on a post made shortly after the OP/review where somebody put a large figure out there....around $70 is insane! When you think about the cost of innovation in gear, this is dirt cheap and should scare the hell out of some, if not all other cable builders. I'm buying a set tonight when I get home from work because the left connector on the stock cable for my UMs does come into contact with my ear (I had a guy buff the plastic connector that holds the pins until smooth and rounded to reduce the discomfort - I guess UM angled the socket a bit when building them.). To no longer have that issue would be very satisfying.

 

[AxelCloris]

 

• Will the T2 connectors also fit Unique Melody customs?

 
I'm pretty excited about these - I originally thought that they were $500 or so based on a post made shortly after the OP/review where somebody put a large figure out there....around $70 is insane! When you think about the cost of innovation in gear, this is dirt cheap and should scare the hell out of some, if not all other cable builders. I'm buying a set tonight when I get home from work because the left connector on the stock cable for my UMs does come into contact with my ear (I had a guy buff the plastic connector that holds the pins until smooth and rounded to reduce the discomfort - I guess UM angled the socket a bit when building them.). To no longer have that issue would be very satisfying.

 
No, the T2 is not compatible with 2-pin terminated IEMs.
 
For $70, this cable is an absolute steal. I'll be getting one with any MMCX and 2-pin IEM I purchase going forward simply based on the comfort they offer.

 

[DougofTheAbaci]

Any chafing over the ear?

Ergonomics is why I bought this cable. It's as light as it looks and as comfortable as you'd expect. I don't notice it. At all.

One thing I haven't seen much mentioned but one of the main reasons I hate most CIEM cables is because they seem to conflict too easily with glasses. Whether it's because they're a little on the thicker side (which is common for after-market cables) or because of that stupid memory wire... They always seem to rub against or get shifted out of whack by my glasses, which are very low profile. These do not have that problem. They sit right there on my ear perfectly comfortable.

Gotta agree about the price. When I saw how light it was and how much it cost my brain went, "This is either going to be awesome or a complete waste of money." So far it's the former. I do wonder if they'd rounded up to $100 if I'd be more comfortable with it. When something's cheap you don't expect it to be this well made. So far it's better than at least one cable I've bought at three times the price...

 

[bjoern]

I have used this cable for about a week now, together with an ibasso DX90 and SE846 iem.
The main reason to get the cable at all was comfort, since I couldn't stand the Shure stock cable for a number of reasons. What can I say, this product is worth every penny in that regard. I have the same experience as many of you have already written; very comfortable, I hardly notice the cable at all, it picks up less external noice, the ear pieces have a better fit now and the cable doesn't interfere with my glasses etc. All good!
However, it feels a bit fragile and the MMCX connectors doesn't sit as tight as the stock connectors. I have even had trouble getting it fixed enough to get a good signal. It is a bit worrying and the ear pieces could get lost at some point...
Soundwise it is a bit dampened or darker than the stock cable. The highs are not as sparkling and voices are somewhat drawn back. At first I wasn't too happy abot it, but now I'm not so sure... I tend to "forget" to listen for components in sound quality and instead I listen to the music. That must be a good thing
All in all my portable gear is now a good match and I'm pleased with the Linum cable, except perhaps for the MMCX connector fit.

 

[doublea71]

Thanks for the info - I'm going to go for the 2 pin, but not sure about the vocal, music or bax...