Today, we are looking at Lavricables Grand Silver aftermarket IEM cable. It is available from $449 USD.
Disclaimer: Lavricables kindly provided the Grand Silver cable for this review. I only covered the import taxes and duties. As always, this article reflects my honest, unbiased opinion.
Lavricables
The Lavricables brand was created in 2012 as a hobby by a group of passionate audiophiles. Dissatisfied with the high prices in the audio industry, this group decided to create their own cables. Hailing from Latvia, Lavricables stands out for its use of pure silver wire. Their range of products is remarkable, and they also offer limitless customization options. Their range includes headphone cables, speaker cables, USB cables, interconnects, and more. In this review, we take a closer look at the Grand Silver IEM upgrade cable from Lavricables. It is Lavricables’ flagship upgrade cable that can be fully customized according to your needs.
Lavricables Line-up
Lavricables has divided its cables into four different categories. The first and most budget-oriented one is called Reference Line. Reference Line is made of solid-core silver and has a purity rating of 5N. This line-up utilizes Teflon for RFI and EMI rejection.
Next is the Ultimate Line. In this range, the cable geometry is different, and the cable thickness is increased along with several other improvements. The Ultimate Line uses AWG24 5N multistrand litz silver wire and Lavricables states that it has a softer, more flexible cable jacket featuring zero microphonics. Additionally, the Reference and Ultimate Line cables are soldered with Mundorf 4% fine silver audio solder. I actually did build some cables with this solder and I find it easier to use compared to WBT’s %4 silver.
Master Line and Lavricables’ TOTL offering, the Grand Line, uses even thicker silver cables. Here, we see cables with both litz configurations and solid core configurations. Of course, there is improvement in specifications such as purity, wire geometry, and material quality compared to the other two categories. If you’d like to more about the specs, you can do so here.
Lavricables is not one of those companies that have been producing and selling the same cable for years. I checked their blog and found that they are constantly improving and updating their designs based on user feedback and in-house testing, which is worth mentioning.
The Grand Line
Lavricables’ Grand Line represents the pinnacle of their product offerings, designed for the owners of high-end portable audio gear who seek the ultimate upgrade in their audio setup. The Grand Line cables are meticulously crafted with AWG20 multistrand litz wiring for headphones and 20-30 core solid silver braided cables for power, speaker, and interconnects, ensuring a premium build that promises both durability and performance.
Lavricables states that using 6N purity silver and Mundorf 10% silver solder in the Grand Line ensures maintaining the utmost purity in their cables, eliminating common materials like brass that could potentially color the sound. This attention to detail results in a cable that not only enhances the performance of the high-end gear with a deeper low-end register and improved resolution but also provides better layering and a natural, realistic sound.
Lavricables Grand Silver IEM Upgrade Cable
Today’s review focuses on the Lavricables Grand Silver IEM upgrade cable, which I’ve paired with various IEMs from my collection. The 2.5mm termination was selected for its adaptability and ease of conversion.
The cable I received features Lavricables’ proprietary plugs and connectors. The specifications are as follows:
- The cable is a handcrafted braid of four cores of AWG20 6N-purity cryo-treated multistrand litz wire.
- It’s soldered with Mundorf Supreme Silver 9.5% audio solder.
- The woven Teflon Litz construction is designed to reject RFI and EMI and maintain low capacitance.
- The 6N silver is chosen for its ability to transmit electrical signals swiftly and with minimal distortion, surpassing standard OFC wires.
- High-grade Teflon insulation is used, providing a superior air dielectric, which is highly regarded for insulating bare cables.
Design & Build Quality
The cable was delivered in a black velvet pouch with the Lavricables logo and the phrase ‘Hear the difference with pure silver’ in silver lettering. Inside, a Lavricables sticker and a business card offer direct links to the brand’s social media and website.
Crafted from four cores of 6N-purity silver, the cable features excellent conductivity and resistance to corrosion. The insulation is soft and supple, making it comfortable to handle despite the wires being slightly thicker than those of Lavricables’ Ultimate Line. Its pearly white appearance pairs well with transparent IEMs, setting it apart from other silver cables in the market.
Lavricables’ craftsmanship is impressive, and each cable is made by hand. The brand encourages contact for further customization beyond what’s available on their website. The original connectors, with their carbon details and gunmetal color, add to the overall aesthetics of the cable. The aluminum shells used in the plugs and Y-splitter are anodized to a matte finish, and all contact points are gold-plated. The 2.5mm plug and Y-splitter are uniformly coated, while the 0.78mm 2-Pin connectors feature a glossier finish. A carbon accent on the 2-pins would be a welcome addition to match the rest of the design.
The connectors are lightweight yet feel sturdy and durable. The ear hooks on the 2-pin cable are short, without memory wire, and are heat-treated to hold their shape. This design choice is ergonomic, avoiding discomfort during extended use, which is a significant consideration for me as a guy wearing glasses. The symmetry of the ear hooks and the consistency of the shrink tubing used are indicative of Lavricables’ attention to detail, which I value when it comes to handmade products. The braiding is perfect; it is neither too loose nor too tight.
Lavricables impresses me with their attention to detail and the utilization of high-quality materials. While the market has plenty of SPC and copper options, it’s rare to find a company that pairs pure silver with high-caliber components in this price range, making Lavricables’ offering stand out. In our previous Lavricables review, we stated that we loved the craftsmanship and meticulous, error-free build quality of their cables. We re-highlight this by saying that, once again.
The review continues on Page Two, after the click HERE or by using the jump below.
Page 1: Lavricables, Lavricables Line-ups, Grand Line, Design & Build Quality
Page 2: Sound Intro, Sound & Performance, Comparisons, Last Words
