Some of you have probably noticed that I’ve been using a lot of Whiplash Audio cables in my rigs, including the HD800 (both balanced and single ended cables), the JHAudio customs (both balanced and single ended), as well as LODs and interconnects. Additionally, Whiplash Audio has joined the ranks of becoming a Headfonia Sponsor. Yes, we do need sponsors to keep this site going, yet I don’t want to let the status of sponsorship to ruin the credibility of our site.
I don’t normally write articles on single brand cables, and the last time I wrote an article on cables was when I wrote the Sennheiser Aftermarket Cable comparison, which was a direct comparison between different brand name cables within the same headphone, amplifier, and source set up. However, recently people asked me why the TWAgs are so special, and when I was replying to his post, I found myself writing quite an extensive answer (albeit informative), and I decided to make it into a blog post.
One of the first thing that I want to say is that it’s easy to get a good quality AUDIO cable provided that it doesn’t need to be flexible. Some cheap non branded cables with stiff single core construction, can give most of the brand name cables a run for the money. If you notice, on the Sennheiser Cable review, I had included a CAT6 cable that turns out to have one of the biggest soundstage compared to the brand name cables. Of course I was using a solid core CAT6 cable, which was also very stiff and very impractical to use for headphone use.
One of the best cable that you can buy is amplifier hook up wires, which is the cable people use to do the internal wiring on an amplifier. Regardless of how much money you spend on an interconnect, there is little point if the signal will travel on cheap conductors inside the amplifiers. For this reason, amp builders have to use good high quality signal wires for the amplifier internals. Companies like WooAudio also offer an upgrade to use silver wires on their amplifiers. However, some of us have tried using different types of high quality hook up cables including top brands like Mundorf and Siltech, and yet they are impractical to use for headphones, because they don’t bend well, and solid cores lose the internal structure if you bend it too often.
So the challenge, is to make a cable that is both soft and flexible, yet retaining very good performance. Most of the branded cables that I’ve tried are quite soft and flexible, and that includes APS (that I had used for a long time for the HD800, balanced terminated with supernylon sleeve) and also the Equinox cable. However, they are still too stiff for IEM purposes. In terms of flexibility TWAg is leagues ahead of all the branded cables I’ve come across and that includes the APS, the Equinox, Cardas, and the Moon Audio cables. For this reason, you only see the TWAg cable being used for the custom IEMs, while the other brands are limited for headphone applications.
The TWAg cable for JH customs is almost as soft and as flexible as the stock Westone ES style cable, which is the softest IEM cable in the market. The TWAg cable for the HD800 is the same cable, and I actually feel that it’s going to be too soft for desktop use (which’ll lead to tangling, etc) if not for the sleeves that Craig used to protect the cable. Softness and flexibility is a very important factor in cables, and I would choose the TWAg just based on that criteria.
jendol
I have been using many replacement cable trying to find better synergy and better sound with my gears, and I agree that flexibility is a must, more so for IEM
Mike
Thanks, Peter.
Albert
Hey Mike,
I own HD650 with APS and Equinox as well. In your opinion, would this TWag be a significant improvement sound quality wise? In what sense the differences are?
I agree that soft & flexible are preferred, but I'm afraid that it would be too flimsy.
Thanks.
Mike
Hi Albert,
Between the APS and the TWAg, both of them balanced for the HD800, the TWAg has better clarity. I wasn't really making detailed observations, but the difference in clarity is quite noticeable. Hence the TWAg is the cable I use now for the HD800. It can be too flimsy without sleeving, but with the sleeving on, it's quite fine for a full size headphone cable.
I never really compared it A-B to the Equinox.
Tony
Thanks Mike for your post. Great review!
Sorry I’ve been really busy lately, haven’t checked your site for ages.
So, even with sleeving it’s still more flexible and comfortable than the likes of APS or Equinox? Since I don’t own IEM.
Thanks.
Tony
Mike
Tony, for full size headphones the flexibility of the TWAG, APS, or Equinox shouldn't be a problem. The choice is totally yours.
Jimmy
Hi Mike,
Do you think this TWag is the answer to counter-balance the Sennheiser HD650's darkness? Would it be better in lifting the darkness compared to APS and SAA Equinox?
Your reply to Albert stated that this TWag has more clarity, do you mean more details that never been noticed before in the recording? Or it sounds more open and less veiled?
I'm wondering whether the TWag with sleeving is more comfortable to use and less microphonic than APS Supernylon for your HD800?
Thanks a lot.
Mike
Hi Jimmy, I don't think the TWAg cable, or any other cable, will change the fundamental signature of a headphone. Yes you can hear more things, but ultimately the HD650 is a dark sounding headphone. Sometimes cable owners tend to over emphasize the improvements, making it sound like a total miracle solution.
The TWAg cable will add both an airier sound and more detail. The TWAg sleeving on my cable is not quite as flexible the APS Supernylon, but Craig said he has another sleeving that is even more flexible.
Josh
Hi,
My system is a tad too warm, do you think this silver TWAG might bring some treble, brightness, details & speed with no fatigue/sibilance like any other silver cables? Anyway, my cans are the HD650.
Have you compared the TWAG against any other silvers?
Cheers.
Mike
Josh, what silver cables have you tried, and what are your impressions?
b3dz
Mike,
Does the twag cable (Whiplash) improve the sound's signature a bit over the regular Westone wire since i found out the price gap was significantly huge?
Will the Plugs fit all the way into Westone IEMs?
I was confused abt gettin either basic or protector balanced twag
# Oyaide Right Angle 3.5MM
# CryoParts Custom Cryo'd XLRs
# Furutech XLR
# CryoParts Custom Carbon 1/4"
Have you had any experience about these kind of cables ? Does the furutech connector hve an L-shape pin?
Mike
Hi b3dz, it will definitely be an improvement. I don't understand what you mean about "fit all the way", but if you order a Westone cable, then it should fit your Westone IEM. (I assume you have one with the removable cables?). Don't get confused about the connectors. The XLRs and the 1/4" won't be needed for an IEM. You can either go with the Oyaide right angle for 3.5mm, which is a very nice connector, or the Protector connector if you want to use it with the Protector.
Cheers.
b3dz
Yo,
I'm wondering whether twag cable's plug fit properly to my Iem which is conceal the plug connector.
Btw, do they offer other colors instead of silver?
Thx for your quick response.^^
Mike
B3dz, not so sure about how the cable will hide under the plug connector. I think you should email Whiplash instead. 🙂
quanmer
How do you describe the sonic differences between Crystal Cable and Whiplash TWag on JH 16Pro? Regardless of their price.
Mike
I'm not too familiar with the Crystal Piccolino, but I think it has a cleaner grain than the TWAg, and a smoother midrange.
Reckoncile
What source (the DAP) is pictured in the image?
Andy
That’s not a DAP. It’s a Pico Slim.
Anonymous
Yes that’s right.
Pete
Hi mike
Im deciding what cable i should get for my custom iem,
Do you think the alo or twag are worth it over the stock custom cable such as westone or ue?
And i have heard that copper wire is better for dynamics and bass, silver better for details, is it true?
Anonymous
Pete,
Copper is generally warmer and gives a fuller bass and mids. Silver usually better for treble, details and soundstage.
As for worth the price, how much money do you have in the bank account? 😉
Dennis
Hi Mike, I highly recommend you to give the DHC Symbiote CM cable a try~
It’s as flexible as TWag and it sounds a little richer and aggressive than teh TWag cable.
Mike
Hi Dennis,
I’ve tried the DHC cable a while ago, though not sure which type. It’s a good cable. 🙂
Ed
Hello
I want to upgrade the cable of the sennheiser IE8 and am considering the whiplash elite TWag V2.
Does anyone have any experience with these cables?
If yes what improvements can I expect.
Kenny
Hi Mike, I’m wondering which if you have any experience with a Westone 4R, and what whiplash cable you would recommend, the TWag or TWspc.
Mike
Hi Kenny,
Sorry I don’t have any experience with the Westone + Whiplash cable pairing.