Another Xmas in July!

PROS: Finetunes the sound of IEMs with more weight in bass, improved mids clarity, and more air in treble; surprisingly lightweight and flexible for an 8-wire cable, ConX modular connector, updated cable hardware, durable build, and still at the entry-level price.

CONS: Sound improvement varies depending on pair-up synergy, the lack of accessories, and the protective shrink-wrap around cable hardware is not easy to peel off.

The product was provided to me free of charge for review purposes in exchange for my honest opinion.

Manufacturer website:  Effect Audio.  Available for sale from authorized retailers like Musicteck.

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Preamble.

I’m aware that some people are skeptical about cable’s contribution to the audio chain.  It’s not my intent to start an argument here.  Instead, I would like to share what I hear during my testing.  Perhaps, I can’t fully explain why there is a change in sound, but I do hear it and don’t find it to be a placebo effect, especially in blind testing of various cables with IEMs.  What makes sense is that a metal wire is a material with physical properties of resistivity, conductivity, and purity, acting as a filter between your source and earphones.  Variations of these physical properties could affect the conductivity of an analog signal, resulting in a sound change, from a subtle to a more noticeable level.  Also, the sound change introduced by a specific cable is not universal because it will depend on the design of earphones and their synergy with a source.

Intro.

If you are on a budget and looking for higher-quality cables, the original Signature Series from Effect Audio was among the top choices, including the bonus of ConX, making it compatible with 2pin, mmcx, and other IEM connectors.  Hard to imagine how you can improve it, yet EA still managed to by doubling the wires in Ares S II and Cadmus II while offering each at a lower price than corresponding 8-wire versions of Ares S and Cadmus from the OG series and also offering Eros S II at the same price as Eros S with other design improvements.  The cable hardware was updated with a more elegant, premium-looking, sleeker Y-Split and a new wire structure, including the implementation of a Central Solid core like in their more expensive Code series, using a Solid Copper core in Ares S II and Cadmus II, and a Solid Silver core in Eros S II.

Similar to the original Signature Series cables released in 2022, Signature Series II includes Ares S II (Copper), Cadmus II (SPC), and Eros S II (Copper / Silver hybrid).  And following OG Sig Series footsteps, EA decided to release Ares S II x Cadmus II (AxC) hybrid version of the cable, just like they did two years ago, releasing the Xmas Limited Edition hybrid cable featuring a combination of Ares S x Cadmus wires.  While we are still far from Christmas, approaching summer now, I titled this new AxC cable review: Another Xmas in July as a nod to that previous Xmas release.  Today, I would like to share what I found after spending a few weeks with this new Effect Audio Ares S II x Cadmus II cable.  I will also cover the rest of the cables in Signature Series II, even though I have already done that in my previous CanJam Dallas and NYC reports.  It makes sense to tie everything in one review.  Besides, to understand the design and the sound characteristics of AxC, you need to read its origins, covering Ares S II and Cadmus II.

Unboxing / Accessories.

When the Signature Series release became available, EA refreshed its packaging presentation and made each box similar in design.  It featured a quality cardboard box with the cable’s Y-Split presented under the cover, in a cutout of the insert like premium jewelry.  Each cable model’s name was reflected in a cool cover art drawing. Ares S, the Greek God of war, was painted copper to reflect copper wires.  Cadmus, the Greek slayer of monsters, was shown in the silver plating over the copper underneath to reflect silver-plated copper wires.  Eros S, the Greek God of love and sex, had a funky twist of silver and copper to reflect its silver/copper hybrid wires.  I found it very clever that each cover image and its coloring scheme depict the wire of the corresponding model.

The Signature Series II uses the same cover art with slightly updated coloring.  While Ares S II remains all-copper, Cadmus II now has an equal split between silver and copper to reflect its updated design.  Eros S II also has more copper colors in addition to silver.  The AxC reflection of the hybrid Ares S II x Cadmus II design has both characters in a split copper/silver color.  Some are probably going to say, so what?  Knowing EA for many years, I know that nothing is accidental.  With them, every detail intentionally connects the artwork with the actual product and the story behind it.  I enjoy analyzing and appreciate this type of detail.

As mentioned, the display setting under the cover focuses on the new Y-Split design with a cable wrapped around the cardboard/foam spool underneath.  This is OK, except EA no longer offers a small storage case and a leather strap/wrap cable organizer.  The one included with the OG Signature Series was a cool accessory, a small round Oxford cloth storage case with microfiber lining inside.  It was small and didn’t fit many of my IEMs with a cable, but it was a free bonus accessory.  No accessories are included with Signature Series II, not even with this AxC model.

Design.

Usually, to keep the price of entry-level cables low, manufacturers have to cut some corners, like having a simplified design, no accessories, or thinner wires. As mentioned before, don’t expect to find accessories here, but everything else in this Sig Series II has scaled up compared to the original Sig Series.  Instead of 4 wires, now we have 8 wires, including improved cable ergonomics after doubling the number of conductors.  And the design of the hardware has been updated with a more elegant, premium look compared to before.  Furthermore, you still get a ConX modular connector to exchange the default 2pin with optional mmcx, Pentaconn, or other IEM connectors.

The new sleeker hardware features an updated multi-angled sculptured design with forged carbon fibre inlaid in the Y-Split.  To distinguish each cable, Ares S II has copper speckles, Cadmus II has silver speckles, and Eros S II and AxC have copper and silver speckles in their forged carbon fibre Y-Split inserts.  There is also a very slim retractable chin-slider that matches the multi-angled shape of the Y-split and almost disappears when next to it.

The updated wire’s design is more complex. It has a new structure with a central solid core, like in their more expensive Code series, using a Solid Copper core in Ares S II and Cadmus II and a Solid Silver core in Eros S II.  I will list the details of each wire below, and I just wanted to mention that this is not a recycling of old or standard off-the-shelf cables.  It is always good to see a manufacturer trying something different, including the tech introduced in their higher-end models, now trickling down the food chain to entry-level models.

The new Ares S II ($199) features 26AWG-thick 8 wires, UP-OCC Pure Copper, a ConX connector, a Rhodium-plated brass plug, and a single-material Litz. One type of wire includes a Copper core with a central solid Copper core and dual Variable Quantum copper, while another type consists of a combination of 6 multi-sized and 7 multi-sized core bundles. For reference, Ares S ($179) had 24AWG and 4 wires, while Ares S 8w ($279) had 24AWG and 8 wires.

The new Cadmus II ($249) features 26AWG-thick 8 wires, UP-OCC SPC, a ConX connector, a Rhodium-plated brass plug, and a single-material Litz.  It uses a Silver-plated Copper with a solid Copper core at the center. It was designed with six multi-sized bundles surrounding the central core. For reference, Cadmus ($199) had 24AWG and 4 wires, while Cadmus 8w ($299) had 24AWG and 8 wires.

The new Eros S II ($299) features 26AWG-thick 8-wire UP-OCC with Silver and Copper alloy, Pure Silver, and Pure Copper Hybrid, a ConX connector, a Rhodium-plated brass plug, and a multi-material Litz.  The materials include Silver and Copper alloy/Pure Silver/Pure Copper hybrid, a Silver central solid core, and 6 multi-sized bundles made from three materials surrounding a pure silver core. For reference, Eros S ($299) had 26AWG and 8 wires, while Eros S Anniversary ($349) had 26AWG and 8 wires.

The star of the review, AxC, is a hybrid design that combines the new Ares S II and Cadmus II ($269). It features 26AWG-thick 8 wires, 4 of each type, a ConX connector, a Rhodium-plated brass plug, and a multi-material Litz UP-OCC Pure Copper and UP-OCC SPC.

Page 2 – Sound Analysis and Conclusion.