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Effect Audio Leonidas II Upgrade Cable Review

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Effect Audio Leonidas II

 

Aesthetics and Build quality:

The Leonidas II is one pretty cable, with a soft outer jacket and silver colouration it looks really amazing in the flesh. The jack has a carbon fibre housing, the y-split is silver and leather, and the 2-pin connectors are just sleek silver. I really do love the look of the cable; it definitely stands out as the silver has quite a unique sparkle in the sunlight.

Build quality is superb, from the PSquared jack to the 2-pin connectors everything is flawless. The braid is consistent and everything just feels really premium and well made.

Leonidas II

 

Comfort:

The Leonidas II uses 26awg wires in a soft jacket, along with a consistent braid and moulded earhooks rather than stiff memory wire. All of this makes the Leonidas II an extremely comfortable cable in use, it is also a very quiet cable, with minimal if any cable noise.

Sound:

The Leonidas II is not a cable that brings noticeable changes in the lows/mids/highs, rather it focusses on how the detail and soundstaging effects are portrayed. The Leonidas II places a firm focus on creating a very accurate and wide soundstage, yet it also manages to add an element of increased resolution.

This increase in resolution doesn’t come across as added brightness though, it still remains a smooth a natural sounding cable. The Leonidas II will pair with many different monitors, with a black background and impeccable imaging and soundstaging. This cable never makes you feel like anything has been sacrificed to create the improvements, it keeps all the core elements of the sound of your monitors, but the increase in detail and spaciousness are instantly recognisable.

This is definitely a cable you can hook up and forget about, it doesn’t jump out at you with exciting elements, however it has a very mature and resolving sound that is about pure enjoyment.

Conclusion:

The Leonidas II is a perfectly balanced, highly resolving and all-round excellent cable. It is one that will pair well with most IEM’s, bringing out the best of their technical capabilities without making anything stand out.

Sound:  5/5

Comfort: 5/5

Build: 5/5

Value: 4/5

 

You can find our whole range of Effect Audio cables here

 

Effect Audio Ares II vs Eros II Comparison Review

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Effect Audio Ares II vs Eros II Comparison Review

 

If you are having a hard time trying to decide between the Ares II and the Eros II, we have written up a little comparison between the two. You cannot go wrong with either cable.

 

Aesthetics and Build:

These cables look superb, they finish is perfect and the braid is even, they are an excellent accessory for every on the go audiophile. They are not all about the looks though, the sound offered by both the Eros II and the Ares II is truly excellent for the price.

Both Effect Audio cables are built the same, with excellent quality jacks, a lightweight and slim y-split and soft over ear moulds that are much more comfortable than regular memory wire. The 2-pin connectors are sturdy, and the braid is tight and even, overall an expertly finished product.

Sound:

The Ares II is a lively and fun cable, the lows are still impactful and full but well controlled and not over the top. The midrange retains clarity and is not overshadowed by the slight increase in bass fullness. Where the Ares II goes against the typical copper sound is in the upper midrange/lower treble section, where it injects a little extra spakle and presence.
This makes this cable well detailed, but also fun and engaging to listen to. It pairs well with multiple IEM’s and if you are looking to get into the world of custom cables, the Ares II is the perfect place to start.

 

The Eros II paints quite a different picture, it leans towards the neutral side of sound and doesn’t go in to change anything drastic about the sound signature. What the Eros II does is increase the air between instruments, adding an extra layer of separation and allows the finer detail to shine through. The Eros II does add a tiny bit of presence in the treble, but it is not what I would consider a brighter sounding cable. The Eros II is clear, transparent and refined with excellent soundstaging.

Conclusion:

So there you have it, two beautiful cables both with different sound signatures. Which will be for you depends on synergy and what differences you want out of your current IEM’s. If you are in need of any cable pairing advice, give us a call!

Effect Audio Horus Review – Fit for a King

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Effect Audio Horus Review – Fit for a King

The Effect Audio Horus definitely deserves its TOTL status, bringing added dynamics, layering and detail to your IEM’s.

Pros:

  • Holographic
  • Natural
  • Organic
  • Detailed

Cons:

  • It costs a lot

Aesthetics and Build quality:

To start with the Horus comes in a leather presentation box, fitting of it’s price and big enough to store your IEM’s in too. First impressions are excellent, then you look at the cable and it is simply beautiful. An even braid with a slight gold tint to the cable, with a rose gold splitter and chin slider.

The 2-pin connectors are standard and the jack plug is the usual carbon fibre Effect audio one, I would have liked to seen the jack in rose gold like the splitter. Everything feels very well built, with good strain relief and this is a beautiful cable that is built to last.

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READ MORE: Effect Audio Thor Silver II Review

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Sound:

The Horus has a pitch black and deep background, sounds emerge from thin air to immerse you in a richly textured and expertly layered sound.

Bass notes have an effortless quality to them being full in nature but not bloated, they extend with ease bringing out the quality of the bass tones of your IEM’s. The main thing about the bass that stands out is the natural and organic texture that doesn’t bleed into the midrange.

The midrange is well separated from the lows but also has a slightly smoother tonality, without losing out on the finer detail. The midrange has excellent micro detail retrieval, yet still retains a more organic and non fatiguing sound. Air and separation is superb, vocals come across with superb clarity and layering.

The highs gain a little presence over most stock cables, but here the quality is outstanding. They take the highs of your IEM’s of choice, take away the harshness and add extension and detail without hard edges. The Horus is not a bright cable, it is open sounding but at the same time engaging and dynamic. Cymbal taps and crashes are better defined within their own space, fading effortlessly into the black background.

The Horus is a deep sounding cable, adding a real sense of air and space to the sound both depth and height wise. During Pink Floyd – The Dark Side of the Moon different instruments swirl around the stage creating a holographic soundstage with excellent imaging and accurate placement.

This is a cable for those who want to get every last bit out of their favourite IEM’s, you have to come in and demo this to believe it.

 

Conclusion:

Horus is a cable that is incredibly dynamic sounding, it is full and impactful, yet at the same time it is open, airy and detailed. It may sound contradictory, but that is really how I hear this cable. The tone is natural and organic and is never fatiguing, bringing out every subtle detail in the recording without throwing it at your face.

 

Indulgence Show 2017 – London

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Indulgence Show 2017 – London

Hifiheadphones will be at the Indulgence show in London later on this month, so here is some info about the show:

Where?

Hammersmith Novotel London West

When?

29 Sept-1 Oct (10am-6pm on Friday and Saturday, 10am-5pm on Sunday)

Effect Audio

We will be showing off the range of luxury handmade upgrade cables from Effect Audio which are sure to turn some heads.

Starting at £149 and going up to over £1000, there are cables to suit all tastes and headphones. Come by and hear the difference yourself!

Final

Alongside them will be the latest offerings from Final, including a prototype of their D8000 planar magnetic headphone.

Since 1974, Final have been producing hi-fi equipment that reflects a musician’s passion for art, as well as their own passion for engineering. Truly unique, Final’s headphones combine sleek retro styling and ground-breaking technology.

Oriveti

We will also be taking along the superb Oriveti New Primacy triple hybrid in-ear headphones, and their Basic model too.
The New Primacy sets a new standard for sub £300 headphones, offering excellent value for money with a highly resolving and detailed sound.
The Basic is a fun everyday in-ear headphone that is superbly built and costs under £100.

Effect Audio Thor Silver II Cable Review

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Effect Audio Thor Silver II Replacement Cable Review

The Effect Audio Thor Silver II will inject a little extra space and sparkle into your IEM’s without taking away the qualities you love.

Pros:

  • Increased clarity
  • Increased soundstage
  • Slightly more sparkle
  • Smooth

Cons:

  • None if you know what you want

Aesthetics and Build Quality

Buying an upgrade cable is a decision based on many things, and one of those is cosmetic reasons. The Thor Silver II is a pure silver headphone cable that looks fantastic, the braid is even and tight and the carbon fibre plugs and splitter look great.

The build quality of the Thor Silver II is the same as all Effect audio cables, impeccable. The braid is even with no faults, the jack plug feels sturdy as does the y-split. All in all the Thor Silver II is well built and should last a long time with some care.

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READ MORE: Focal Elear Audiophile Headphone Review

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Ergonomics

I don’t quite know what kind of insulation Effect audio use, but it is soft and supple. Their cables are very ergonomic with no hard memory wire, instead a soft moulded piece of heat-shrink. The cable is very comfortable in use with no cable noise to be heard.

Sound

What I like about the Thor Silver II is that is it not what you think it will sound like. It is not your typical bright sounding, hyper detailed and aggressive silver cable. Instead it retains the coherent and full bodied lows of your IEM’s with excellent impact but with slightly better speed, recovery and control.

The midrange gains some air around the notes, making things easier to separate. The highs do have a certain amount of extra presence and sparkle however I never found them to come across bright or shrill. Cymbal crashes shimmer with more detail and real tone to them, with more effortless extension.

There is more air around notes, and the soundstage is a little wider with better separation and layering whilst still sounding coherent and natural.

Cables are a much debated topic in the audio industry, I am a believer in small changes between cables and that synergy is king. The Thor Silver II adds a little extra sparkle up top without sounding harsh or ruining the dynamics of your headphones of choice. The lows are still articulate just a bit better controlled, the midrange clearer and highs more realistic. If you feel your IEM’s could do with a bit better separation, control and a bit of a treble lift whilst still retaining a smooth sound, the Thor Silver II is well worth looking in to.