Sound Analysis.

I analyzed Axiom sound performance paired up with LPGT and R6 2020 DAPs while playing a variety of test tracks, such as Agnes Obel “The curse”, Sandro Cavazza “So much better” (Avicii remix), C-Bool “Never go away”, Ed Sheeran “Shape of you”, Alan Walker “Darkside”, Galantis “Hunter”, Iggy Azalea “Black widow”, Indila “Boite en argent”, Dua Lipa “Love again”, Counting Crows “Big yellow taxi”, Bob Marley “Jamming”, David Elias “Vision of her”, and Michael Jackson “Dirty Diana”. I let it burn in for about 100hrs before I started taking my notes. Also, please keep in mind, I only received and describing Axiom version, not Axiom XP.

Both OG (original stock) and YU modules offer a unique tuning that shares a similar bass and mids response but varies in treble. OG treble is brighter and more energetic while YU treble is smoother and more attenuated. With both modules you get deep textured bass rumble, rounded less aggressive mid-bass impact, a typical performance of DD driver that is more laidback, with a more natural articulation, and extra “weight”. Mids are natural, smooth, detailed, not too revealing, also not as layered. Treble can vary from being crisper and more detailed (OG) to being smoother and a bit rolled off (YU) depending on the module. Soundstage width and overall imaging also changes depending on cable selection.

The new YU module has more attenuation in mid-treble which brings more focus to the mids with their more forward presentation in comparison to OG. In contrast, OG module gives you a more revealing reference tonality while optional YU module gives you a more organic natural tonality. But I do want to note, YU module has a very precise attenuation of mid-treble only peaks without touching either bass or mids.

I know cable disbelievers are going to cringe, but the sound of Axiom is cable dependent, perhaps due to changes in wire impedance or conductivity properties of different materials. So, in this review I decided to do something different. What I describe above is just a summary of my findings. But for a more detailed analysis, please read my Cable pair up section below. For both OG and YU modules, I stepped through 5 different EA cables, from the cheapest $99 Maestro to $2k Leo II octa, just to describe the changes I hear. And please, keep in mind, nothing is night-and-day. After all, we are changing cables, not applying the EQ.

Cable pair up.

Preamble.

I’m aware that some people don’t believe in cables and have very strong opinion about it. It’s not my intent to change those minds. Instead, I’m just sharing what I hear during my testing. What makes sense to me, a metal wire is a material with physical properties of resistivity, conductivity, purity, and unique geometry, all of which put together act as a filter between your source and headphones. Variations of these physical properties can affect the conductivity of analog signal, resulting in a sound change, from a subtle to a more noticeable level. If the talk about cables upsets you, you are welcome to skip this section, but I do encourage you to read it since below is my detailed analysis of Axiom sound tuning based on me stepping through different EA cables.

OG module.

w/Maestro – balanced signature with more forward upper-mid emphasis and rather revealing tonality due to brighter mid-treble. In this pair up combination, I do hear more of a deep sub-bass extension rather than mid-bass punch which is softer and less aggressive. Lower mids are neutral, and upper mids/vocals have a brighter and more revealing tonality, especially with crisper and more energetic contribution from treble. Treble is quite revealing too, packing a lot of energy but can also get a bit fatigue depending on source pair up and quality of the recording since it will reveal every imperfection in sound. Soundstage has a natural width without any exaggeration, but I do hear more depth than width.

w/EVO10 – scales up the sound to a more balanced turning with bass coming up and treble being a touch smoother. Here, it is not just about sub-bass extension, but also more of a mid-bass impact which gives bass more weight. I also hear a touch more body in lower mids. The perception of upper-mids being more forward is no longer there, though upper mids are still quite revealing and treble is crisp, maybe just a touch smoother than in a pair up with Maestro copper cable. With soundstage, there is also a bit of improvement in width.

w/Cleo – sound continues to scale up, and I hear more weight in low end, more rumble in sub-bass with a similar impact as with EVO10. But now, lower mids gain some body which gives upper mids and vocals a more natural tonality. Treble is as crisp and as energetic as with EVO10, but now I also hear an improvement in soundstage width.

w/Horus – the first thing I noticed is improvement in soundstage and imaging, with soundstage being wider and imaging being more holographic. That change is quite noticeable, especially when compared to Maestro. The bass rendering is similar to Cleo. Lower mids have fuller body which gives mids/vocals a more natural tonality. Treble is still crisp and energetic, but at the same time doesn’t sound as brittle as in previous pair ups.

w/Leo 2 Octa – in this pair up the soundstage expansion and imaging are the same as in pair up with Horus, having a wide soundstage with a holographic imaging. Bass has even deeper sub-bass rumble, while mid-bass was a bit softer than in pair up with Cleo. Also, to my surprise, treble became a bit brighter.

YU module.

w/Maestro – smooth balanced tonality with more forward organic vocals. I do hear there is some loss in resolution and retrieval of details due to smooth treble. Also, the soundstage is the same as it was with OG cable, having more intimacy. Overall, I wasn’t too crazy about this pair up with YU.

w/EVO10 – soundstage width is similar as with Maestro, but I do hear some improvement in imaging. The sound signature is balanced, tonality is smooth and natural, with some improvement in retrieval of details relative to Maestro pair up. Bass has a deep sub-bass rumble and stronger mid-bass impact, mids have full body with natural organic tonality, and even treble gained a little bit of sparkle, but not a lot.

w/Cleo – consistently with OG MU, I hear the improvement in soundstage width and imaging when paired up with Cleo cable. The signature is still balanced and tonality is still smooth and natural as with EVO10. But I hear mids/vocals being slightly pulled back which gives treble a little more room to shine and I hear some improvement in treble definition.

w/Horus – soundstage is similar to Cleo, being expanded in width and having a holographic imaging. The signature is balanced with a natural smooth tonality. Sub-bass has a deep rumble in this pair up, but mid-bass sounds softer. Mids/vocals also have fuller body and a touch more forward presentation in comparison to Cleo. One pleasant improvement here was more presence of treble. Of course, not as crisp or super energetic like with OG MU, but it certainly has better definition and more presence.

w/Leo II octa – Everything from a wide soundstage to a holographic imaging, and smooth and natural, detailed tonality just clicked in this combo. This is a perfect example of W-shape balanced signature with a natural detailed tonality. Sub-bass rumble goes deep and has a smooth texture. Mids-bass is not as strong, but has a good impact and presence. Lower mids have slightly north of neutral body, upper mids are smooth, organic, detailed. Treble gained more presence and definition, being more crisp and still natural. Leo II octa made treble brighter with OG module. But with YU, where the treble quantity is reduced, the mid-treble boost is actually welcomed.

Page 3 – Eartips selection, Comparison, Source Pair up, and Conclusion.