The discovery thread!

[NymPHONOmaniac]

Does anyone have any suggestions for a cable to use with the Volare? It should have around 0.1 ohm impedance so as not to color the sound.

havent measure impedance of this cable and i truely wish cable maker include it in specs since at they end its most important factor that can legitly inflict on sound transmission....
but i love this Hakugei cable and it dont color sound, i dont like 50-100hz harmonic distortion boost euphonic stuff....yet love alive dynamic. this deliver that, unlike pure silver cable that can deliver super lean dynamic with odd upper treble spike...

 

[linconleandro]

havent measure impedance of this cable and i truely wish cable maker include it in specs since at they end its most important factor that can legitly inflict on sound transmission....
but i love this Hakugei cable and it dont color sound, i dont like 50-100hz harmonic distortion boost euphonic stuff....yet love alive dynamic. this deliver that, unlike pure silver cable that can deliver super lean dynamic with odd upper treble spike...

Thanks for the suggestion.

I'll research more about it to place the order.

 

[NymPHONOmaniac]

Thanks for the suggestion.

I'll research more about it to place the order.

your welcome....its modular cable so its big plus if multiple source as well as you surely know single ended output as 2x lower impedance than balanced....so this is to be taken in account in your anti-coloration quest....alas cable reviewer dont talk about complex impedance matching math chain of whole cable improvement thing...very complex....near esoteric too. and im a cable-can-improve-sound-clarity-and-dynamism believer. yet dont wanna review them....too risky to be misleading. due to exactly that: IEM impedance of each freakin drivers in fact. plus source...etc.

OK!

 

[Hypops]

Does anyone have any suggestions for a cable to use with the Volare? It should have around 0.1 ohm impedance so as not to color the sound.

Can’t say anything about cable matching the Volare specifically, but in general it is very rare to find an IEM cable with that low impedance. In fact, I think it’s physically impossible. Even 0.2 Ω is uncommon. More typical is 0.3-0.7 Ω for aftermarket cables.

For reference, Rikuduoku and Paul Wasabii have a (publicly available) mutual list of low impedance cables that they have tested. There are a few cables on their list that are at or below 0.15 Ω, but not many.

Honestly, your best bet is to invest in a low impedance meter and a bunch of random inexpensive cables and test them yourself to find the low impedance ones. Imperfections in manufacturing (soldering, braiding, connectors, etc) all impact impedance beyond the actual wire itself, and they’re not consistent even between “identical” cables. The lower the impedance, the more important those minor details become.

In other words, even if someone else has tested a cable and found a low impedance measurement, that doesn’t mean that will hold true for another sample of the same cable. IMO consistency and build quality are ultimately what you pay for with pricey aftermarket cables.

 

[Fat Larry]

havent measure impedance of this cable and i truely wish cable maker include it in specs since at they end its most important factor that can legitly inflict on sound transmission....

If they did that they'd have a harder time selling people placebos and snake oil.

 

[Ineras]

Does anyone have any suggestions for a cable to use with the Volare? It should have around 0.1 ohm impedance so as not to color the sound.

My go-to cable is the xinhs C01 if I want low impedance. I have it in standard 2-pin and recessed 2-pin. It's advertised as 0.24 ohms, but my crappy multimeter struggles to detect even 0.1 ohm when I measure it. I should probably buy a better one. It even has a black and silvery grey weave that should match the Volare nicely. Anyone else with this cable and a good multimeter?

Edit: just ordered a 10000 count multimeter.

 

[linconleandro]

your welcome....its modular cable so its big plus if multiple source as well as you surely know single ended output as 2x lower impedance than balanced....so this is to be taken in account in your anti-coloration quest....alas cable reviewer dont talk about complex impedance matching math chain of whole cable improvement thing...very complex....near esoteric too. and im a cable-can-improve-sound-clarity-and-dynamism believer. yet dont wanna review them....too risky to be misleading. due to exactly that: IEM impedance of each freakin drivers in fact. plus source...etc.

OK!

I placed this order about 10 days ago, but I'm having trouble with customs and I think it's going to go back to the seller. https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005005955548634.html

 

[FreeWheelinAudioLuv2]

Kiwi Ears Aether vs Letshuoer S12 (2024)

This was the comparison I left until the last second, before the Aether has to go to the next lucky fella. So the two albums chosen for the comparo would be :




Kaisa's Machine - Taking Shape
Esperanza Spalding - Esperanza

A wide array of instruments, as well as vocals.

Bass : The bass is very interesting. So you'd think the Aether's bass is fuller, punchier, and more impactful than the S12 (2024), but this is NOT the case. The bass is warmer, more rumbly in the sub bass, and more impactful in the mid bass, BUT the bass of the Aether is more textured, note resolute, and cleaner, with a quicker snap. It's also a deeper bass, with more spaciousness, and dimensionality than the flatter bass response of the S12. So the bass comes off as fuller and cleaner on the Aether, while the S12 is slower, warmer, but with more impact on both mid bass and sub bass, while the Aether let's you hear the details in the bass, with uncanny note resolution and incisiveness that the S12 just can't provide with it's thicker presentation.

Midrange : Here we have a 3D, spacious, and immersive stage and midrange spatial cues with the Aether. It's what jumps out at you immediately when you listen to both these IEMs with an a/b, is the immersive and expansive stage you are greeted with, while the S12 (2024) is more intimate, with a thicker, more musical midrange, that's maybe a 1/2 step behind in overall incisiveness and resolution. It's a warmer, darker midrange, that though details are present and can pop, it's not at the level of the clean, clear, and more transparent midrange floor of the Aether. That's probably the best descriptors (transparent and technical vs musically lush and warm). While the S12 isn't quite as warm and lush as say the Letshuoer S08, it's fairly close, and actually has better detail retrieval than the S08, but nowhere near the technical skills of the Aether. Same with instrument separation and imaging. It's spacious and technical with the Aether, and more intimate and emotive with the S12, so vocals, both male and female, carry more emotion, weight, and texture with the S12 (2024), vs the more clinical and dry approach of the Aether. So you'd pick up throaty warm with vocals in the S12, while you'd hear the vibration of a drier voice with the Aether. A wisp vs a whisper. Upper mids are both smooth and devoid of shout or peaks in the Aether and the S12. So anyone who's sensitive in that area can rest easy knowing they won't get bleedy ear with either IEM, but as mentioned earlier, the resolution and crispness is just a touch more impressive with the Aether, making it less warm and a bit clearer.

Treble : The Aether is clearly more incisive, extended, and airy. While the S12 (2024) treble isn't rolled off, and the Aether not strident, there's just a more defined resolution and crispness to the Aether that makes it's treble refined, natural, and airy, while still maintaining a fair bit of smoothness. so it never gets strident or peaky. The S12 has very rounded notes, slightly reigned in upper harmonics, and though it can be defined as airy, it lacks a bit of resolution, so those rounded notes provide a less perceivable crispness and extension than the Aether, so though the texture and refinement of the treble is very similar on both, you still get the sensation that the Aether is slightly more resolving and crisp, so making for a more exciting and high def top end, so if you have severe sensitivities in that area, the safer bet for you would be the S12 (2024), though in reality, the Aether treble isn't offensive in the least, but if you want to play it safe...

Stage : Aether in a slam dunk. Not much to discuss here that wasn't discussed earlier. Aether has a fuller, more dimensional space, with superior spatial cues, so that you get an immersive sonic experience, with a large, expressive, and expansive stage. The S12 (2024) is full and warm, with average to slightly above average dimensionality, but next to the Aether, is downright intimate feeling. Say the difference between the stage of the Koss Porta Pro vs the Sennheiser HD600. The Porta Pros don't necessarily have a small stage, but if compared to the HD600, it's going to seem much more intimate than it really is, comparative speaking. The planar driver of the Aether is also larger than the S12 (2024), plus it has a much larger shell, so that probably helps with the expansiveness.? This also makes the S12 a more comfortable fit for longer sessions than the Aether, especially for those with smaller ear holes. I had no issues with comfort with the Kiwi Ears Aether, and the S12 (2024) can have tricky fit with it's very short nozzles, but Penon Black lickies can solve that puzzle fairly well.

Advantage : Kiwi Ears Aether, but to be honest, I also love the musical warmth of the S12 (2024), and it's also much easier to drive, with the S12 able to be driven by a smartphone or untethered Sony DAP, while this just isn't the case with the Aether. Not at all. The S12 (2024) is one of the easier to drive planars, and unless you want that broad, technically refined and punchy approach of the Aether, you can get away with a great listening experience with the S12 (2024) by Letshuoer. Whether you need the Aether or not if you already have the S12 (2024) is up for debate? You choose.

 

[Hypops]

havent measure impedance of this cable and i truely wish cable maker include it in specs since at they end its most important factor that can legitly inflict on sound transmission....

It would be nice, but I'd be skeptical even if manufacturers did post their own impedance measurements. Too many potential points for inconsistency during manufacturing for those figures to remain very consistent--unless you're shelling out for a cable that has been individually measured after it's been custom made for you.

If they did that they'd have a harder time selling people placebos and snake oil.

Nothing nefarious about it IMO. Just expensive and impractical. If we want cheap cables, we can't also expect them all to be carefully measured and built consistently to spec. Then they'd cost 2-3 times what they currently cost. I guess that means that for those of us in the US who are now shut out from most Chinese cable makers, those pricier custom cables from the US and EU are starting to look more reasonable.

I should also add that I'm not a cable believer. I buy cables based solely on appearance and ergonomics (and impedance, if I can), not "sound quality."

My go-to cable is the xinhs C01 if I want low impedance. I have it in standard 2-pin and recessed 2-pin. It's advertised as 0.24 ohms, but my crappy multimeter struggles to detect even 0.1 ohm when I measure it. I should probably buy a better one. It even has a black and silvery grey weave that should match the Volare nicely. Anyone else with this cable and a good multimeter?


Edit: just ordered a 10000 count multimeter.

It's a sign of just how far down the rabbit hole we are when I say: congrats on the new low-impedance multimeter!

 

[FreeWheelinAudioLuv2]

Some may wonder why I have not [extensively, to the point of ad nauseum] raved about/fully reviewed the Jomo Nautilus yet... Maybe I'm weird, but they feel like fine China... meant to be brought out for special occasions. Over double the price of any other IEM I've purchased, they just feel special... and I honestly don't use them a LOT. I mean they're literally heirloom quality especially with the fancy ivipQ golden cable on them. [no fancy name... just "ivipQ high end 8 core 7n occ gold plated"] so it feels like I'm TREATING myself when using them, more-so than the other fantastic sets I have.

So basically, I'm taking my time with the Nautilus... but I gotta say... the VP-07 some scarily close to the sound signature of the Nautilus! [I improved the sound of the VP-07 by switching to the rainbow braided cable by XINHS... looks good except for the glaringly black connectors.] I mean obviously it doesn't have the BC stage but...they both have stellar treble and clean bass. The Nautilus just sound more...expensive I guess!

That's what's called diminishing returns, but as always, and typically, the Nautilus is on the winning side of diminishing returns. This is why we spend more money on gear.

Does anyone have any suggestions for a cable to use with the Volare? It should have around 0.1 ohm impedance so as not to color the sound.

Good luck. Most folks don't measure the impedance of their cables, and the ones that do, typically don't post it, or they buy cheapo cables. I know @Hypops does and @Ineras, but not aware of anyone else, and I know neither has the Volare. Might want to ask in the Watercooler thread? I know those two fellas might have cables that measure at that impedance, but it wouldn't be in context with the Volare.

Not only the Juzear Defiant sound super musical, balanced, versatile, lush mid wise and well articulated macro dynamic wise....and offer high sound value for 100$ but i think you could buy it just for cable and accessories too....

Love the modular unicorn cable included both sound transmission and built design wise...in fact i see very similar cable from Hakugie...selling for around 100$ lol (cant confirm its very same though!)

The Defiant is truly a gatekeeper at $100.00. One of the new gatekeepers.

Plus Juzear always provides great cables. Got three Juz, and all three have fantastic cables, that perform brilliantly.

 

[NymPHONOmaniac]

Kiwi Ears Aether vs Letshuoer S12 (2024)



This was the comparison I left until the last second, before the Aether has to go to the next lucky fella. So the two albums chosen for the comparo would be :




Kaisa's Machine - Taking Shape
Esperanza Spalding - Esperanza

A wide array of instruments, as well as vocals.

Bass : The bass is very interesting. So you'd think the Aether's bass is fuller, punchier, and more impactful than the S12 (2024), but this is NOT the case. The bass is warmer, more rumbly in the sub bass, and more impactful in the mid bass, BUT the bass of the Aether is more textured, note resolute, and cleaner, with a quicker snap. It's also a deeper bass, with more spaciousness, and dimensionality than the flatter bass response of the S12. So the bass comes off as fuller and cleaner on the Aether, while the S12 is slower, warmer, but with more impact on both mid bass and sub bass, while the Aether let's you hear the details in the bass, with uncanny note resolution and incisiveness that the S12 just can't provide with it's thicker presentation.

Midrange : Here we have a 3D, spacious, and immersive stage and midrange spatial cues with the Aether. It's what jumps out at you immediately when you listen to both these IEMs with an a/b, is the immersive and expansive stage you are greeted with, while the S12 (2024) is more intimate, with a thicker, more musical midrange, that's maybe a 1/2 step behind in overall incisiveness and resolution. It's a warmer, darker midrange, that though details are present and can pop, it's not at the level of the clean, clear, and more transparent midrange floor of the Aether. That's probably the best descriptors (transparent and technical vs musically lush and warm). While the S12 isn't quite as warm and lush as say the Letshuoer S08, it's fairly close, and actually has better detail retrieval than the S08, but nowhere near the technical skills of the Aether. Same with instrument separation and imaging. It's spacious and technical with the Aether, and more intimate and emotive with the S12, so vocals, both male and female, carry more emotion, weight, and texture with the S12 (2024), vs the more clinical and dry approach of the Aether. So you'd pick up throaty warm with vocals in the S12, while you'd hear the vibration of a drier voice with the Aether. A wisp vs a whisper. Upper mids are both smooth and devoid of shout or peaks in the Aether and the S12. So anyone who's sensitive in that area can rest easy knowing they won't get bleedy ear with either IEM, but as mentioned earlier, the resolution and crispness is just a touch more impressive with the Aether, making it less warm and a bit clearer.

Treble : The Aether is clearly more incisive, extended, and airy. While the S12 (2024) treble isn't rolled off, and the Aether not strident, there's just a more defined resolution and crispness to the Aether that makes it's treble refined, natural, and airy, while still maintaining a fair bit of smoothness. so it never gets strident or peaky. The S12 has very rounded notes, slightly reigned in upper harmonics, and though it can be defined as airy, it lacks a bit of resolution, so those rounded notes provide a less perceivable crispness and extension than the Aether, so though the texture and refinement of the treble is very similar on both, you still get the sensation that the Aether is slightly more resolving and crisp, so making for a more exciting and high def top end, so if you have severe sensitivities in that area, the safer bet for you would be the S12 (2024), though in reality, the Aether treble isn't offensive in the least, but if you want to play it safe...

Stage : Aether in a slam dunk. Not much to discuss here that wasn't discussed earlier. Aether has a fuller, more dimensional space, with superior spatial cues, so that you get an immersive sonic experience, with a large, expressive, and expansive stage. The S12 (2024) is full and warm, with average to slightly above average dimensionality, but next to the Aether, is downright intimate feeling. Say the difference between the stage of the Koss Porta Pro vs the Sennheiser HD600. The Porta Pros don't necessarily have a small stage, but if compared to the HD600, it's going to seem much more intimate than it really is, comparative speaking. The planar driver of the Aether is also larger than the S12 (2024), plus it has a much larger shell, so that probably helps with the expansiveness.? This also makes the S12 a more comfortable fit for longer sessions than the Aether, especially for those with smaller ear holes. I had no issues with comfort with the Kiwi Ears Aether, and the S12 (2024) can have tricky fit with it's very short nozzles, but Penon Black lickies can sold that puzzle fairly well.

Advantage : Kiwi Ears Aether, but to be honest, I also love the musical warmth of the S12 (2024), and it's also much easier to drive, with the S12 able to be driven by a smartphone or untethered Sony DAP, while this just isn't the case with the Aether. Not at all. The S12 (2024) is one of the easier to drive planars, and unless you want that broad, technically refined and punchy approach of the Aether, you can get away with a great listening experience with the S12 (2024) by Letshuoer. Whether you need the Aether or not if you already have the S12 (2024) is up for debate? You choose.

Man, what a great comparison..i ''wish'' i was english native ahah....as a non competitive reviewer, i dont hide my awe in front of such informative sound impressions poetry.

keep up the great work bro. for me, your no1 headfi reviewer. and i +1 for S12 2024 while cant for Aether! havent try.

as well, Aether dont seem to fit my personal musical bill, exactly cause i get what you write.

Musical vs Technical here?

 

[superuser1]

All of my DAPs now pull FLAC from the home server rather than SD card. It's much more convenient to A/B test sources this way rather than having to prepare multiple SD cards with identical library.

Apologies to others for going off topic.

What are you using to achieve this?

I am just running a homelab with a samba file server and jellyfin along with things like tailscale, watchtower, scrutiny, home assistant, grafana, Prometheus, vaultwarden, duplicati, dozzle, portainer etc on docker. I am thinking of getting a proper x86 machine and now currently using all this on a pi 5 running Ubuntu server.

 

[FreeWheelinAudioLuv2]

Man, what a great comparison..i ''wish'' i was english native ahah....as a non competitive reviewer, i dont hide my awe in front of such informative sound impressions poetry.

keep up the great work bro. for me, your no1 headfi reviewer. and i +1 for S12 2024 while cant for Aether! havent try.

as well, Aether dont seem to fit my personal musical bill, exactly cause i get what you write.

Musical vs Technical here?

Aww thanks, man! I appreciate you and those words very much. That's why I do what I do, to help folks, and to get this kind of confirmation from my peers. Thank you.

 

[alexandros a]

​

Having covered pretty much the major differences over those two GIANTS OF REPRODUCTION was thinking why not doing the same about the latest tremendous release coming from PENON this time... PENON ARCHANGEL (haven't included this battle over my review on ORACLE MKIII..........) so here it is guys ...........

ARCHANGEL vs. ORACLE MKIII

Two Tribrids, Two Philosophies — One Big Decision


The THIEAUDIO Oracle MKIII and the PENON Archangel stand shoulder-to-shoulder in price, prestige, and promise — both feature multi-driver tribrid architectures, strong tuning identities, and spatial mastery. Yet, they couldn’t sound more philosophically different in execution.


This comparison breaks down their tuning approaches, technical differences, and emotional impact, helping you decide which one suits your sonic preferences and playback priorities.

Bass – Control vs. Authority

• Oracle MKIII: The MKIII version utilizes the IMPACT2 technology for sub-bass presence with a clean, reference-grade implementation. The combination of two 10mm dynamic drivers arranged in an isobaric design housed in a chamber is very well implemented in this case...... Bass is tight, fast, and precise, giving body to the low end without overwhelming the mids. It’s less visceral, but more detailed, designed to underpin a transparent and airy soundstage.
• Archangel: This is where Archangel takes the crown. With dual coaxial dynamic drivers plus Bone Conduction Drivers, it delivers massive sub-bass presence, tactile physicality, and cinematic weight. You don’t just hear the bass — you feel it. It’s articulated, never boomy, and still maintains clarity. This is Penon’s most impressive bass to date.

✔ Verdict:
Choose Oracle for bass accuracy and reference tonality.
Choose Archangel for visceral depth and immersive power.



Midrange – Spatial Clarity vs. Transparent Neutrality

• Oracle MKIII: Mids are clean, open, and lightly ethereal. Vocals and instruments are spaciously placed within the stage, never pushed forward or overly colored. It excels in layering and separation, especially for orchestral or ambient works, where each element needs its own breathing space.
• Archangel: Midrange is absolutely flat and neutral, something we rarely see from Penon. There’s no bloom, no forward push, and no warmth bias. Vocals come across as honest and accurate, particularly well-suited for listeners who value reference-grade transparency over emotional coloration.

✔ Verdict:
Oracle = spatial charm and natural openness
Archangel = dead-flat neutrality and studio monitor realism

Treble – EST Air vs. BA Silk

• Oracle MKIII: The twin EST drivers shine in the upper treble — delivering airy, delicate extension, with microdetail and shimmer that never turns peaky. It’s a treble tuned for ambience, reverbs, cymbals, and subtle spatial cues.
• Archangel: Uses BA treble with refined tuning, aided by a treble switch. It’s equally extended, but less sparkly, more textured, and silkier in delivery. There's more of a velvet realism than dazzling brilliance. Even bright recordings remain smooth, yet never dull.

✔ Verdict:
Oracle = treble air, sparkle, and micro-spatial cues
Archangel = refined, non-fatiguing, and texturally honest top-end


Soundstage & Imaging – Holography vs. Architecture

• Oracle MKIII: Delivers a wide and immersive stereo field with excellent front/back separation. Instruments are placed in a convincingly natural spread. This is a very “audiophile” stage — balanced, elegant, and layered.
• Archangel: Simply next-level. The vertical and diagonal imaging, made possible by BCD integration, adds an entire extra axis of immersion. Stage is spherical and massive, bordering on multi-speaker-like depth. Instruments appear anchored in space, not just placed by panning.

✔ Verdict:
Oracle = classic hi-fi layering and lateral width
Archangel = cinematic 3D immersion with height and weight


Technicalities – Resolution, Layering & Speed

• Oracle MKIII: Exceptionally precise — particularly strong in detail retrieval, transient response, and upper-end clarity. Complex recordings are dissected cleanly, offering studio-style insight into mixes.
• Archangel: Feels slightly more natural and relaxed, but sacrifices none of the detail. It offers incredible layering, nuanced microdynamics, and a more “physical” style of resolution, especially in the bass and lower mids.

✔ Verdict:
Oracle = clinical accuracy and transparent resolving power
Archangel = holographic detail with natural dynamics and realism


Comfort, Build & Accessories

• Oracle MKIII: Comfortable, lightweight resin shells, modular cable, good fit. Accessories are solid, but standard in quality.
• Archangel: Also full resin, but includes the Effect Audio Cadmus II cable, which is premium-tier in aesthetics and performance. Build feels more boutique and luxurious overall.

✔ Verdict:
Archangel offers a more premium total package, especially with the EA cable.

Feature	Oracle MKIII	Penon Archangel
Bass	Tight, controlled, reference	Deep, physical, textured, immersive
Midrange	Open, neutral-spatial, slightly airy	Flat, uncolored, studio-accurate
Treble	Airy, shimmering, delicate (EST)	Silky, extended, smooth, natural (BA)
Soundstage	Wide, layered, open	3D, spherical, cinematic, full axis imaging
Imaging	Clean, linear, hi-fi	Immersive, weighty, anchored in space
Technical Ability	Transparent, highly resolving	Cohesive, micro-detailed, physically dynamic
Cable & Build	Solid resin shell, good modular cable	Premium shell, boutique Cadmus II cable (EA)
Personality	Clean, analytical, immersive	Organic, immersive, powerful
Best For	Critical listeners, ambient/classical	Immersive listeners, cinematic/electronic/acoustic
Treble Profile	Sparkle and air	Detail and silk

Final Verdict – Which One to Choose?

Choose THIEAUDIO Oracle MKIII if:

• You want reference-grade imaging, delicate treble air, and precise separation
• You prefer a slightly more open and floaty midrange
• You value upper-treble microdetail and clean spatial layering
• You prefer a studio-monitor experience with just enough warmth

Choose PENON Archangel if:

• You crave visceral sub-bass, larger-than-life stage, and holographic realism
• You love a neutral, non-colored midrange with intimate dynamics
• You want the best bass performance Penon has ever produced
• You enjoy ambient, cinematic, or vocal-focused music with gravity and finesse

feel free to read over my take on the romantic ORACLE MKIII : ORACLE MKIII review

​

 

[Discordiain]

New 'budget' varients of the Signature Series cables from Effect Audio.
Ares Lite and Cadmus Lite.
$129 & $149 respectively.

These look like they're just OG Ares and Cadmus; ie. 4 wires of 24AWG, but with fixed connectors, as opposed to conX, and less fancy pants packaging.

This has been posted elsewhere on Head Fi, but I haven't seen it on the Disco thread.
Apologies if it has already been posted and I missed it.

https://www.effectaudio.com/signature-series