Cable Comparisons
I tested the KE4s with other cables to gauge how they scale. These changes are unusually dramatic, since the KE4 stock cable is 3.5mm – so upgrading to a balanced cable yields greater improvements.
NiceHCK BlackCat Ultra (USD $57)
The 8 wire BlackCat cable improves dynamics, and resolution goes up dramatically too.
The stage is much wider & slightly deeper, midbass feels slightly more accentuated but the tonality of the stock cable is preserved quite well in this solid pairing.
Penon Vocal (USD $69)
Dynamics are much improved and bass slam is a bit more satisfying. Resolution is also higher, imaging is sharper and the soundstage is much deeper.
Clearly swapping from an unbalanced to a 4.4mm cable has huge benefits, this very impressive pairing makes the stock cable sound mushy & vague.
NiceHCK FirstTouch (USD $89)
The stage is much wider but there’s not much more depth, imaging & dynamics are improved, and vocals feel spotlit as this cable is tonally quite midcentric.
There’s less bass & treble boost than with the other balanced cables, overall character is fairly but imaging could be slightly better. Still a good improvement on the stock cable due to the broader stage.
Effect Audio Ares S 4 Wire (USD $179)
Dynamics are improved, bass feels more impactful and the stage is both deeper & wider. Imaging is also slightly sharper.
There’s a small amount of extra warmth which improves musicality, this cables feels a bit less fatiguing than vocal though dynamics may not be boosted quite as much, but it’s a solid pairing.
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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