Effect Audio Signature Series Review

Packaging & Accessories

After some questionable decisions on their Axiom IEM (not a single accessory whatsoever) and the Chiron cable (a case wasn’t included on that one and sold separately but EA changed that policy later on), the new series has full packaging with excellent presentation and add-ons.

First of all, you get EA’s ConX system. This had been included in higher-end cables so far but now you also have it in the entry-level cables. You also get a dedicated carrying case for each cable, and the cable strap can be used for tidying up your cable or closing your cable case. A very thoughtful design there.

So overall, EA cut no corners this time around.

Sound Quality

The new EA cables present improvements over the previous generation and honestly, the Eros S is the star of the show. The good thing about the new Signature Series is that you have every flavour covered in all three cables. The Ares S provides lush yet bright sound with excellent bass, Cadmus provides clarity and resolution, and the Eros S represents air, spaciousness and layering.

Ares S Sound

Ares S is the most exciting cable of the three. It adds a very impressive bass boost to any IEM which is nice in decay and punch. It works best with flat-sounding IEMs, giving a full-bodied presentation here.

The same goes for the midrange. The mids are lush, rich and musical with the Ares S, and the instruments have more blood and fullness. There’s a bit of colouration too, especially in vocals, and the instruments are lively. The midrange is also forward with this copper wire, sounding exciting and dynamic.

Despite warming up the sound with fullness, the Ares S also boosts the treble a bit and makes it more crisp and bright. So I’d say you shouldn’t pair it with already bright-sounding monitors. But of course, that doesn’t mean that it’ll never sound good, it’s just my experience.

Cadmus Sound

When I switch to Cadmus, I immediately hear the bass backing down. This is a flatter bass response with a quicker nature. However, the depth and texture of the bass are not as impressive.

When it comes to midrange, the Cadmus is a bit drier sounding, and it doesn’t have the fullness and colour of the Ares S. It also isn’t dynamic that much, it’s rather neutral and studio-like in its timbre. However, the mids are very clean and transparent with the Cadmus.

The treble region is not as aggressive and it’s very controlled but still bright. There’s more space and air, and the treble has a very good resolution together with a crisper nature. So overall, if you wish to open up your IEM’s sound with a brighter presentation, the Cadmus is just the cable.

Eros S Sound

The most impressive cable of the new lineup, the Eros S is an excellent cable top to bottom. The best part about it is the soundstage and layering, so if you enjoy Classical or Jazz music like me, you’d be very much surprised by the performance. EA positioned this one in a very competitive way with its price.

The bass is reminiscent of the Cadmus in terms of presentation. It’s very tight, quick in decay with a good punch. There’s good texture in the bass, slightly better than Cadmus, and the bass overall is more separated from the midrange.

The mids have good detail, transparency and resolution. And since this cable provides a very good black background and layering, the mids are cleaner. The treble is smooth and clear and has a good extension with good sparkle. The best part about the Eros S however is the soundstage, especially in width.

The other two models don’t have this expansive staging experience. Of course, that also depends on your actual IEMs, but the staging and stereo imaging become better with the Eros S nevertheless. It is the least dynamic-sounding cable among the three, presenting a more relaxed, well-balanced and spread-out sound.

Conclusion

The New Effect Audio Signature series is simply paying homage to the company’s earlier entry-level cables. The Vogue Series, which was not that impressive in terms of build, is now enhanced with better materials and connectors, better braiding quality, and thicker wires. Not to mention the impressive packaging and product presentation.

The three cables appeal to different tastes and different setups/IEMs. I actually liked all three, but to me, the Eros S has been the most impressive one because of staging, layering and imaging. Secondly, I liked the Ares S for its timbre and fullness, and the Cadmus is a great SPC cable with fantastic clarity for the price.

So it’s hard to overlook the performance and the design/build of the new series from EA. I recommend all three if you’re new to IEM cables and want to experience different combinations.

Page 1: Intro, Design, Ergonomics