Cable Comparisons
As a confessed cable collector I had to learn how the Neo5s scale with fancier cables, but was surprised how well the stock cable performs.
ISN S4 Stock Cable – (USD $55)
The stock S4 has been very well-chosen. It provides a dramatic amount of sub bass emphasis to create a very ‘fat’ sound, which enhances the Neo5s’ bouncy nature even more. I’m also surprised how much warmth this cable adds despite being silver-plated.
The S4 creates a very mid-forward sound with terrific dynamics, and keeps treble in check without feeling veiled. Trebleheads may long for more upper-treble however.
ISN S8 (USD $32.50)
I’ve read the S8 was once the Neo5s’ stock cable before a change was made, and though this cable sounds quite similar to the S4 I definitely prefer this pairing less.
The S8 makes bass feel more rounded but less impactful with less sub bass emphasis, the soundstage seems narrower & dynamics are inferior. The presentation feels smoother which could be useful if you find the Neo5s too raw on the stock cable, but I prefer the S4 pairing.
Penon Vocal (USD $69)
As expected the Vocal places more emphasis on the midrange, giving it greater volume & smoothness which creates a feeling of increased refinement.
Soundstage depth is slightly improved but width is similar to that of the stock cable, and although bass feels a little tighter overall bass quantity is diminished. I’m indifferent to this pairing as it robs the Neo5s of too much of their dynamics & rawness that I enjoy.
Penon Obsidian (USD $149)
The Obsidian is a modular cable, with both Rhodium and Purple Copper plugs available so you can change its’ presentation.
With the Rhodium Plug the Obsidian is brighter than the stock cable with a slightly wider & deeper stage, and added midbass but diminished sub bass. Vocals are pushed forward but the background doesn’t feel as black as stock, and I don’t care for how the extra brightness influences tonality.
To my ears the Purple Copper plug is a better Neo5 match. Now sub bass is deepened with more slam, the stage is wider than stock, but the Rhodium plug’s extra brightness has been replaced by added warmth. The Rhodium plug sounds cleaner with slightly better imaging & marginally increased dynamics -the better option if you prioritise technical performance- but tonality is much better on the Purple Copper plug whereas Rhodium would be better for ‘thinning out’ an excessively warm IEM. I find the difference between plugs slightly less than the difference between cables.
Effect Audio Ares S 4 Wire (USD $179)
Ares S widens & flattens the stage, sharpens imaging & makes bass feel tighter but lowers perception of subass by shifting emphasis towards midbass.
Likewise the midrange emphasis shifts more to the upper midrange, and treble feels more prominent now. Tonally the character has shifted to a more ‘hi-fi’ presentation which thins out too much of what I like about the Neo5s on the stock cable.
Hakugei Sky-bolt (USD $884)
This is a heavy behemoth cable with performance to match. Sky-bolt emphasises midbass at the cost of some sub bass which is not a change I prefer, but dynamics are improved, as is background blackness, and the soundstage expands significantly in all directions.
Resolution increases far more than I would’ve thought possible by swapping cables, and is delivered more effortlessly – almost as though a couple of EST drivers were added. The Neo5s are far more refined & technically capable on the Sky-bolt, though some of the excitement & rawness of the stock cable is absent. The overall change is profound, completely flying in the face of naive cable skeptics.
PW Audio 1950s clone (USD $2149)
This 4 wire Cardas Clear is a clone of PWA’s 1950s, and offers superior dynamics, a blacker background, and a much deeper stage though width is increased only marginally.
The midrange feels even more forward, and vocals sound smoother & richer with less grain. Note weight is also improved but sub bass is slightly less emphasised. Once again Cardas Clear delivers another great pairing, though Sky-bolt is another step-up again in technical performance.
Page 1 – Introduction, Packaging & Ergonomics
Page 2 – Sound Impressions & Technical Performance
Page 3 – IEM Comparisons
Page 4 – More IEM Comparisons
Page 5 – Cable Comparisons
Page 6 – Conclusion
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