B. Forza AudioWorks Hybrid Series IEM (4wire braid – 1.20m)
Picture
Material Used
High purity, 4 strands of 26AWG cryo 7N UPOCC copper + UPOCC silver in semi-Litz geometry and PE insulation.
Termination
Viablue 3.5mm straight jack
Look & Feel And Presentation
A 4 braid flexible cable with just like the earlier Clair Hybrid 8 braid. It’s very light and thin. The braid is very tight like the 8 wire braid and this makes the cable a little less flexible to put in your pocket.
Build quality
Like all the other Forza cables it is good. There’s a nice cable splitter 32cm from the connectors. They have the Forza logo on the heat shrink and you can distinct left from right by looking at the colors, green is right. In contrast to the Effect Audio cable this cable has no heat shrink or memory wire over the ears so the cable does tend to stick out more when wearing it and it does happen it falls off my ear. The cable can be used with recessed and normal sockets like the Effect Audio cable.
Customization & Options
You can choose the Connector, Termination Type and Length.
Price
The 4 braid version we have with the standard termination costs 139€ or $190.
Sound
The Forza cable focuses on clarity, musicality and detail. Therefore it matches great with the 1964 V6S as this IEM already has more forward vocals and extended treble. It gives the IEM a more complete sound. Just like with the Effect Audio cable I haven’t used this cable with any other IEM than the 1964 one.
Conclusion
I never was a fan of the stock cable that 1964 Ears supplied and after hearing this perfect match with the Forza cable it hasn’t left its sockets since.
Conclusion Part 3: Replacement Cables For IEMs
To me it is that clear aftermarket cables are the way to go with IEMs. The difference in quality with the stock cables is much bigger than with full sized headphones and I can full recommend trying it yourself.
Like in the previous cables the choice of the aftermarket cable depends on your preference and the IEM used. If you can listen to the different cables before purchasing one. On the other hand they both are all quite a lot better than the stock cable and they will be an improvement anyway.
Conclusion and surprises on the next page!
Marc
Great review, Lieven!!
I wouldn’t say that I’m a cable believer but that’s only because I haven’t heard any boutique aftermarket cables. The one aspect of cables I do find interesting is how they could vary in sound not just through cable material but even through cable geometry such as being made into a litz, solid core, and/or braided strands.
Common belief to the threads and articles I’ve been reading is that solid core and cables that utilize litz should be the best sonically and I think this is the closest aspect to cable material that still has objective evidence to it. I’d like to think that differences in cable material only show little to no differences in measurements as there is more than the common measurement procedures needed to notice its effects. Then again, when should measurements ever be the sole factor in judging sound.
What are your beliefs regarding cable geometry and things like “Skin Effect?”
24bit
There are no measurement devices that can show you how vast the sound stage is, how much separation between instruments their is, how light or effortless the headphone sounds, how much bass weight there is, what the texture of the lows, mids or highs might be, what the shape of the sound stage might be…these are some qualities that are often attributed to change with cable swapping.
Dollarstore and Gas Station interconnects or mic cables sound like trash. This is an overpriced hobby, just as most specialized hobbies tend to be. Sports cars can cost $500,000 but can’t be taken off road or often used for long trips, totally outperformed by the $15,000 used car. Cable wire manufacturing plants create their wires in different purities, but even the highest grade wires are produced for pennies on the dollar. Those plants sell to a reseller or middle man, who sells to a distributor, who then sells to a specialized audiophile cable making company who sticks the wire inside their own companies housings of various designs and materials. I think the difference between extremely low grade wiring and normal consumer grade ( maybe even up to $99 entry level aftermarket cables ) is extremely apparent. But, the difference between those $99 entry level cables to high end is almost non existent. Although, I admit that I believe Cryotreatment alters the chemistry of audio gear for the better. No real proof beyond my ears on that, but why is it that my stock HE500 cable sounds this way, and a spare stock cable that is identical that was cryotreated sounds noticeable more clear?
Would love someone to measure cryo treated cables against themselves in stock untreated forms on the same headphone, just curious how that would pan out and if its really the cable or if perhaps the treatment altered the connections or adapters or the cable that resulted in more efficient voltage transfer.
dalethorn
A lot of properties like soundstage can be impacted strongly by other properties. You may have the perfect sound one day, then needing to replace a component (DAC, amp, etc.), your favorite sound is negatively impacted and you can’t get it back, even trying six other components. You may have gotten used to an exaggerated property, then when all that’s available are normal components, disappointment can happen. That’s why it’s important to try a lot of different things and aim for “good” in your price range, rather than aiming for perfection.
Marc
I agree. Synergy can create magic in a system but can also turn a system into shit (and not that good kind).
L.
In the beginning I had 1€ interconnects. Then I switched to the same length hand made ones from Audio GD (about 30USD a pair) and the sound, and my world, opened up.
Marc
This is exactly my point!! There are tons of people claiming cables have no effect even without hearing them and these people claim that cables have no altered response seen through measurements. The standard measurement procedures are still lacking in totally and completely defining sound, Measurements can be seen as a basis before buying things but I don’t think people should see it as a religion.
L.
Hi Marc, Thank you first of all.
I don’t get along too well with measurements. I’m not against them but the ear hears more than the numbers can say. Now I don’t know if the geometry has a specific impact. All I know is that different cables sound different, so yes probably each and every single aspect of a cable impacts the sound.
EraserXIV
Wow. Those coupon codes ran out fast.
L.
Sorry man :/
Geek707
Why would every cable tested sound better than stock? Leaving the IEMs out of this because I have no experience there, we have three headphone manufactures, one a very old and very experienced company, the other two, company’s that aims their products at the high end market. Yet somehow no matter what cable was tried it was better than stock.
There is also the return on the dollars spent. Spending $400 on cables for a HD650 is not going to make it a HD700 or HD800. Same is true for the LCD-2. The $450 spent for the TOTL cable is much better spent on upgrading the phones. Even assuming that cables can change the sound of a system, (which I have never heard, or seen science to explain why) even cable believers have to admit the change is very small. Just read the second paragraph of this review. Spend you money on something that will make a difference you can see on a graph, and you don’t need golden ears to hear. Cables should never cost a significant percentage of you total system, and should be the last thing you add as a final tweek.
The very pretty custom woven copper cable that I got with my HD800 did sound very different than the stock. The right channel was silent…
meh
the way i see Cable is like EQ
Cans – The house
Amp/Dac – Furniture/Accessories
Cable – Finishing touch
and not all the time u need the cable, while most of the time u already get the perfect sound signature on Amp/Dac help
but i do love more people starting to believe more in this, not just a straight “no”
ohm image
I’m the sort that buys cables if they feel good. A number of stock cables (earphone cables especially) have horrible ergonomics or exhibit too much touch noise. A nice supple cable, that’s what I want.
Patrick
Agree ohm, I use mostly cables which are a bit expensiver (10-15$) than the normal audio cables from the manufacturer, because they have a way better handling and a great length (2-5m or more if it’s needed – deleycon, kabeldirect etc.).
But cables over 100$/£ is just to much for me. Anyway thanks for your review L. was great to see your opinion based on personal base – Greetz
L.
Thanks. Another option is making your own cables. Have you seen our DIY article on that?
Patrick
No not yet, thanks for mentioning this L. – Greetz
rob
My Effect cable feels stiffer as hell, but i love the way it rounded out the harshness of the stock UE TF10’s. smoother kids and way better bass definition.
Headfonia_L.
I agree. Love the Effect Thor’s sound but once you get used to the ergonomics of the Linum cables, you’ll be sold.
rob
I use the same “UPOCC SPC (Silver Plated Copper). The base core used in UPOCC is 7N purity” Effect audio cable on my UETF10’s. It’s a single ended type but i i love it.
L: What difference’s did you hear between the Cosmic Ears (i assume Linum) cable and this cable? I have the same CE’s coming to me.
Headfonia_L.
Well there are 3 different Linum Cables, it depends which one you listen to. The linums however are all very clear and detailed and won’t push the bass and add body as much as the Effect cables do.
Ddaktiv
Great review! I’ve been using effect’s cables and their service is really excellent aside from quality and speed.
Headfonia_L.
yeah, they’re really nice guys!
Nuno B
Hello Lieven, great review. Have you ended up buying the LCD-XC and tested these cables with it? Which one did you prefer the most and why? Thanks.
Lieven
Hi! Yes I did buy the LCD-XC. I’m using the plus Sound X16
https://www.facebook.com/plusSound/photos/?tab=album&album_id=1106765472701086
Nuno B
Thanks for the feedback Lieven. That one is over my budget I’m afraid. If you had to select another from the ones you tested, say the likes of Forza AudioWorks, which one would you select for it?
Lieven
Noire hybrid HPC!
http://forzaaudioworks.com/en/product.php?id_product=72
Nuno B
Thanks again Lieven! If I ever decide to move with the plus Sound X16, which is the Wire you have yours with? They have a lot of Wire options for the X16.