Eletech Ode to Laura Review

In this review we check out the Eletech Ode to Laura. This is Eletech’s all copper co-flagship cable going for $2,799 USD.

Disclaimer: Eletech supplied the Ode to Laura for this review and our honest opinion. We thank Eric and the team of Eletech for their support and trust.

Eletech

Element Technology (aka Eletech) is a Singaporean boutique cable manufacturer that we have featured on Headfonia a couple of times already. Eletech has been co-founded by Eric Chong (previously with Effect Audio) who is very well known around our corners.

Their goal is to offer high performance cables at a reasonable price and provide hardware that meets their own (quite high) standards. I have been handling their new products for a few weeks now, and the plugs, connectors and splitter are really good and well made.

Eletech’s porftolio of cables is discerned into four different series. The Virtues Series holds their entry-level products, which cater to first-time users as well and customers looking for bang for buck offers. The Azrael, Cassiel and Raphael can be found in this series.

Their School of Athens Series is their mid-range cable series for customers who have a bit more to spend and are looking for unique signatures. Then there’s the Paranassus series, which goes all the way for audiophiles with big pockets, in which we can find today’s guest of honor – the Ode to Laura, as well as the new Sonnet of Adam (review incoming). All of these series are IEM cables only. For headphone users there’s the Dante series, which right now has two products in it.

Apart from cables, Eletech also offers leather accessories and interconnects and newly also Eartips. Their leather cases are so sought after, that they are pretty much sold out within hours of their release. Whenever you’re after one of their cases, better be quick!

Ode to Laura

The Ode to Laura is Eletech’s co-flagship cable. There’s only a hand-full of manufacturers that go all the way with copper cables and design their flagships as such. Eletech did just that, which might have raised a few eyebrows at first, but since its launch it has convinced many customers with its distinct sound.

Ode to Laura is a hefty 22 AWG design in a four-wire configuration. As previously mentioned, it’s an all copper cable. It uses a triple bespoke premium OCC copper blend in a quadruple stranding design. 

All of Eletech’s hardware is custom built to their specs, and when you look at the plug ad splitter, you’ll immediately know, that their specs are insanely high. The amount of detail in the Y-split is just sick. When I first saw them, it was clear to me, that Eric and his team must’ve driven the CNC company crazy untill they finally got it right. 

The plug, split and connector housing are all made of black brushed aluminum and to me give a very noble look. I really like their design and feel, which is premium, as it should be at that price point.

The 22 AWG size of the cables itself can definitely be felt, as the cable is thicker than most. And with that in mind, it is also less flexible than any 26 AWG cable out there. But in the end it’s also the size that matters. The higher the conducting area, the better. 

Ode to Laura comes in a very solid and special box. It feels a bit of an overkill for “just a cable”, but I guess, this isn’t what Laura is to Eletech and its many customers. In each Laura box you’ll find a collector’s metal coin. It doesn’t have any use and won’t get you access to anything other than a supremely elitist club of owners who could potentially trade their goodies with each other. Personally, I think the coin is a fun addition to the experience.

Other than that coin you’ll also get a Pentaconn x Eletech slider, a cable binder, a leather box and some promotional material. And of course also your cable.

You can customize the Ode to Laura to your needs. Mine is a standard 2-pin to 4.4mm balanced cable. So pretty standard nowadays. Of course there’s a lot more options for your different needs. 

Sound

I have been playing with my Ode to Laura for the better part of three months now, and during that time I have gotten to know her rather well. I have been test-running it with my FIR Radon 6, Krypton 5, my 64 Audio A18s, U4s and Tia Fourté Noir as well as some other monitors at my disposal.

The very first thing that sprung at me when I hooked up my OtL and listened was the expansive 3D-soundstage. With Laura in the chain the room stretched noticeably in all dimensions while adding more details and space to it. At first it felt like I was closer to the music and looking at the performers with a clearer vision. Laura gave everyone in the scene more space to walk through, more air around each instrument and better highlighting of each note. 

The Ode to Laura cable enhances all details. It adds a sheer amount of resolution throughout the entire frequency spectrum from top to bottom. Bass has higher definition, better speed and articulation. But unlike other copper cables, it doesn’t add anything to it. Laura doesn’t give a bigger body or more weight to the lows. It only delivers speed and precision, but that at the highest possible rate. 

In the mids Laura comes across with a smooth sound, making vocals become airier and softer. It adds a layer of an organic touch, making everything sound a bit more Class-A-analogue. It doesn’t oversatuate the midrange, but still adds this bit of warmth, that makes music a little more enjoyable.

With the added resolution and details it’s no wonder, that Laura also takes things up a notch when it comes to imaging sharpness and sound-stage positioning. It makes it easier to pin-point specific instruments by clearly separating all musicians and tones from each other. Even in big orchestras and complex or busy structures Laura delivers masterfully.

At the top end of the frequency spectrum, Laura remains clear without becoming too direct. Treble is clean, but not sterile. With Laura in the chain it’s noticeable that there has been a stretch into both ends. Laura makes my IEMs reach a bit deeper and higher, with better definition and sparkle. 

The review continues on page two!