By Nick Smith, 16th January 2024
How much do you need to spend on a cable before you start hearing a difference?
It’s a question you might’ve pondered, and with 4 recently-arrived IEM cables I may’ve found an answer.
Previously I conducted an exhaustive Cable Shootout with 15 different earphone cables which arrived at interesting conclusions & deepened my interest in this area of the hobby. The fascination that wires affect what we hear is forever wrapped in mystery & wonder, though perhaps science will someday catchup to explain away the magic.
In the meantime these four cables promise to take your IEMs to new heights prices for well under $200.
Do they? Let’s find out.
Test Setup
I tested each cable using a Hiby R6 Pro II set to hi-gain, in AB mode streaming Apple Music songs mostly in EDM, classical & soundtrack genres.
Three IEMs were tested with each cable:
Simgot EA1000 – 1xDD 1xPR (USD $219)
Fairly neutral IEMs I’ll review soon, which’d benefit from a more forward midrange & more bass rumble.
ISN EST50 – 2xBA, 1xDD, 2xEST (USD $449)
V-shaped basshead earphones, that could use a bit more midrange prominence & soundstage depth.
Penon Turbo – 6xBA (USD $549)
Slightly dark L-shaped IEMs that would benefit from a bit more sub bass impact & treble prominence.
Introduction & Test Setup
Simgot LC7 Review
NiceHCK FirstTouch Review
NiceHCK DragonScale Review
Penon ASOS Review
Cable Roundup Summary
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