I have tested 3 Brise audio cables recently, namely Yatono 4wires, STR7-ref, Asuha at the official distributor in my country. My gears were Lotoo Paw 600 & Sony IER-Z1R.
I am looking for a replacement cable due to the treble of IER-Z1R (stock cable) is harsh for some female vocal when I pair it with LP6k.
I want to spend around 50% of my iem market price. My aim will be STR7-REF or Asuha for the budget. However, I have tested Yatono out of curiosity too.
FYI, Yatono price is 2X Asuha. I didn't try the flagship model Yatono 8wire due to the price and cable stiffness.
In summary:
Physical appearance:
1.) STR7-ref: look thin and feel soft. Same as most 'normal' iem cables.
2.) Asuha: Quite stiff and quite thick but acceptable. IMHO, it feel like a 6 wires cable.
3.) Yatono: Similar to Asuha.
Wear:
1.) STR-ref: Comfortable.
2.) Asuha: I can feel the cable is hanging on my ears.
3.) Yatono: Similar to Asuha
Sounds:
Songs for audition:
a.) Hotel California by Eagles
b.) Nella Fantasia by Kelly Sweet
c.) High life by Jazz at the pawnshop
d.) Fever by Valeria Joyce in Chesky records 10 best album
e.) Master of Chinese Percussion
I tried STR-REF 1st, then follow by Asuha and Yatono.
I've spent around 2.5 hours for the audition.
My stock cable:
a.) The guitar bass sound is nice. Micro details from the audience are there.
b.) Female vocal’s treble is smooth but a bit harsh at a high peak. Feel uncomfortable.
c.) Micro details from the audience are there. Drums are deep but a bit bloated.
d.) The finger tapping is there. The female vocal sound is smooth but a bit harsh.
e.) The sound of the drums are deep but a bit bloated. The textures and the drum vibration are there. There are at least 5 different types of drums. I cannot identify the drum sounds when all of them hitting hard at the same time. I need to pay extra attention to hear the different drums’ sound when they were hitting softly.
Overall, I feel something missing from the ier-z1r sound with stock cable.
1.) STR-REF: Everything is vivid... Everything sound right! Or should I say the sound is coherence?
Songs:
a.) The guitar bass sound nicer and ‘crunchier’. Micro details from the audience are noticeable a lot easier than my stock cable.
b.) Female vocal’s treble is smooth and tame compared to my stock cable. Airy with a bit of extension.
c.) Micro details from the audience are noticeable a lot easier than my stock cable. Drums are well controlled.
d.) The finger tapping is vivid. The female vocal sound is smooth and enjoyable.
e.) The sound of the drums are more controlled, the textures and the drum vibration are more obvious. There are at least 5 different types of drums. I can identify the drum sounds when all of them hitting hard at the same time. I can hear the different drums’ sound when they are hitting softly.
Overall, I feel like I had upgraded a DAC!!
2.) Asuha: Everything sound ok. Vivid but not as clear as STR7-REF and Yatono.
Songs:
a.) The guitar bass sounds nice. Micro details from the audience are noticeable.
b.) Treble is smoother, tame, and airy compared to the stock cable.
c.) More micro details from the audience are noticeable than my stock cable. Drums are well controlled.
d.) The finger tapping is vivid. The female vocal sound is smooth and enjoyable.
e.) The sound of the drums is more controlled, the textures are obvious, and the vibrant is enjoyable. There are at least 5 different types of drums. I cannot identify the sounds when all the drums are hitting hard at the same time, it seems like the sound are mixing together. I need to pay extra attention to hear the drums’ sound when they were hitting softly.
Overall, I feel like this cable is better than Satin Audio Medusa 8x (pure silver) but not a big margin.
3.) Yatono: Everything sounds right and brilliant. Everything is vivid with depth and sense of space!
Songs:
a.) The guitar bass sound nicer and ‘crunchier’ and sparking. Micro details from the audience are obvious.
b.) Female vocal’s treble is smooth and airy with a nice extension.
c.) Micro details from the audience are very good. You can hear what they said clearly. Drums are well controlled and tight.
d.) The finger tapping is vivid with a sense of space. The female vocal sound is smooth, airly, and enjoyable.
e.) The sound of the drums is well controlled and tight. The textures and the drum vibration are obvious. There are at least 5 different types of drums. I can identify the drum sounds when all of them hitting hard at the same time with ease. I can hear the different drums’ sound when they are hitting softly with ease.
Overall, I feel like I had upgraded a DAC!! I want to listen to a well-recorded album or live concern album more!!
Sorry for my broken English.
