Cable Comparisons
I tested the FEATs with a number of aftermarket cables to gauge how effectively they scale.
NiceHCK Blacksoul (USD $50)
As expected BlackSoul rolls off the treble which helps make the FEATs less fatiguing, and also adds sharper imaging, a slightly blacker background and better note weight.
The soundstage is also slightly deeper, and though it isn’t any wider instruments feel better organised & separated in this very solid cable pairing.
Penon Vocal (USD $69)
The FEATs definitely feel smoother on the Vocal cable, with a more relaxed tonality that’s less edgy – perhaps due to the upper midrange being attenuated.
Treble is also smoothed a little, the soundstage is slightly deeper but technical performance isn’t improved that much. This cable pairing feels satisfying for the improved tonality however.
NiceHCK FirstTouch (USD $89)
FirstTouch deepens bass, blackens the background quite a bit so that imaging feels more defined an resolution particularly through the midrange seems higher.
Treble is darkened slightly but otherwise it’s mostly the improvement to resolution I notice as soundstage dimensions don’t change terribly much.
Ares S deepens bass as it usually does, with more midbass in particular being added. The stage is deeper with a blacker background.
Treble is again lowered, and for some reason imaging seems particularly sharp & defined on the Ares S making this a good pairing.
Penon Renata (USD $269)
Another sneak peek at this impressive new cable before my upcoming Renata review!
Renata is in a different class to the other cables I tried, boosting technical performance massively. Dynamics improve, the stage becomes much wider & deeper, and imaging & resolution are better.
Treble is slightly darker, but is reduced less than by the other copper cables in this comparison. The staging & detail improvements in particular go well beyond the scope of the others, very impressive.
Page 1 – Introduction, Packaging & Ergonomics
Page 2 – Sound Impressions & Technical Performance
Page 3 – IEM Comparisons
Page 4 – Cable Comparisons
Page 5 – Conclusion
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