Eletech Odyssey

The Epic Journey!

PROS: Finetunes the sound of IEMs with a wider soundstage expansion, improves control of bass notes (shorter decay), improves (noticeably) the mid-range clarity and resolution, fine-tunes the treble to sound more naturally, includes 2-pin/mmcx modular Versa connectors (P-ear optional), has a unique cable hardware, durable build, premium leather case, and comes with an impressive unboxing experience.

CONS: Price, sound improvement varies depending on pair-up synergy, the “pain” of peeling the protective cover off the Plug and Y-split.

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

Manufacturer website: Eletech. Available for sale from authorized retailers like Musicteck, where you can also purchase Odyssey with P-ear tips.

Preamble.

I’m aware that some people are skeptical about the contribution of cable 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 in these physical properties can affect the conductivity of an analog signal, resulting in a change in sound that ranges from subtle to more noticeable levels. Additionally, the sound change introduced by a specific cable is not universal, as it depends on the design of the earphones and their synergy with the source.

Intro.

“The Legacy Continues” was the main slogan on the backdrop behind Eletech’s tables at the last CanJam NYC ‘25 show early this year. As I approached their booth, Eric greeted me, beaming with pride, to introduce the prototype of his upcoming new flagship cable from the Parnassus Series, codenamed “Evolution” since they were not yet ready to unveil the official name. Later, I was told this cable is going to be a successor to the discontinued Iliad and Aeneid, which did pique my interest.

At that time, I knew nothing about the wire material used in the cable. Besides, from my experience reviewing Eletech’s cables, I have learned not to jump to conclusions based on wire material stereotypes until I hear it myself. The performance of this cable caught my attention at the CanJam show, which I mentioned in my report. Still, it wasn’t enough time to formulate my final opinion until now, when I had the pleasure of spending the last few weeks testing and comparing Eletech’s new flagship Odyssey cable with many IEMs and cables. Here is what I found.

Unboxing / Accessories.

As I always mention, the unboxing of Eletech cables is a one-of-a-kind experience because you never know what to expect inside, and the packaging itself is glamorous enough to be showcased in the spotlight. With the theme of this new cable being Odyssey, one of the two major epics of ancient Greek literature attributed to the Greek poet Homer, who is also responsible for the Iliad, it resonates throughout every part of the packaging, from outer sleeve to inner box, which resembles a classical book when standing upright.

Under the magnetic cover, you will find a plexiglass insert featuring colorful artwork in the background and a detailed specification of the cable printed in the foreground. Once you remove the insert plate, you will find a cutout in the foam base of the box containing one of Eletech’s signature custom, genuine leather cases. This time, it is brown and rectangular (4” x 3.5”) rather than round, and features a premium zipper around it. Next to the case, there is another small cutout pocket in the foam, featuring a beautifully crafted, themed metal plate with a serial number, and a cable organizer leather strip in a matching brown finish.

Inside the storage case, besides the Odyssey cable, I found a small Ziplock bag containing a bonus pair of MMCX Versa modular tips, while the 2-pin were already on the cable. For an additional $50, you can order a bonus Pentaconn-ear Versa tips to cover all your Elysian and other IEMs that use P-ears. As a side note, I wish the provided leather case included a small mesh pocket on the inside to store extra Versa tips.

Another comment, I noticed that the Plug and the Y-split now have a clear vinyl protective wrap cover, which is harder to remove than the plastic one they used before. I know some will find it silly even to mention this, but when you spend 5-10 minutes breaking your nails trying to peel them off, you will know what I’m talking about 🙂

Design.

Odyssey is part of Eletech’s premium Parnassus Series, featuring four wires with a 24 AWG thickness. Each wire features a multi-sized stranding design, utilizing a 7-core litz of a triple bespoke premium alloy blend, which includes Gold-Silver alloy, Gold-Copper alloy, and Silver-Copper alloy. Every strand is individually enameled and also cryogenically treated. The final blend of wires is wrapped in a transparent FlexiMax insulation to showcase the strands of its premium wire material.

The hardware of the cable has been updated to resonate with the theme of Iliad and Aeneid designs, featuring an all-new, customized Y-split and Plug. The Y-split cleverly combines the arrow, helmet, and shield from the Iliad and the Colosseum structure from the Aeneid. At the same time, the housing of the 4.4mm plug has new arrowhead patterns instead of the usual geometric shapes. Eletech’s engraved logo can be found on the plug and connectors, as well as its name on the plug, Y-split, and even the chin slider. The look and feel are always premium to the touch, thanks to the use of aluminum alloy material.

Despite having a modular design, the IEM connector housing is compact, featuring a matching aluminum alloy material and bearing Eletech’s logo on the outside, along with corresponding engraved L/R markings on the inside. These Versa adaptive connectors, co-engineered with ddHiFi, allow you to switch between 2-pin and MMCX, both of which are included with the cable. There is also an option to order Odyssey with extra Pentaconn Ear tips. Each Versa module features a short, dual-pin side that attaches to the connector and a tip nut on top to secure it in place.

Such a modular system allows you to get one cable that can cover many different IEMs without the need for additional cables. Additionally, within the plug and connectors, Eletech utilizes bespoke audiophile solder. Then, a flexible heat-shrink earhook portion of the cable is adjacent to the connector. Overall, the cable is lightweight, very pliable, and non-microphonic.