Build Quality
I have never been a big fan of PW Audio’s build and design. And that hasn’t changed with the Monile. Sure, beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but I seriously don’t get the hexagonal hardware. It does set PW apart from all other manufacturers, and makes his cables easier to recognize, but in my opinion they look cheap. Which the cables aren’t. I also don’t think that heat-shrink should be used in a high end cable anywhere near the plugs. And yet, there it is. Again, that’s just my personal taste and opinion. If you like it, that’s fine.
The cable itself is very flexible and I really like the cotton sleeves. Near the top end of the cable you’ll notice the pre-formed tubing, which acts as ear-hooks. It’s a common technique used by almost all cable makers. What PW did different is how sharp the hooks are formed. It takes a quick turn on both sides. It doesn’t cause any discomfort or problems, it’s just unusual.
The 2-pin barrels are made out of aluminum and are clearly marked with colors to indicate channel sides. Red for right, black for left. Make sure that the signals are connected the correct way on your IEM. A positive note on the cable’s build is the very low friction noise it transports.
So, all in all, the build quality has ups and downs. While my downsides are definitely matters of personal taste.
Sound
Cables are a very hot topic in our corners. Can they introduce changes to the sound, or are people who buy them just guided by the marketeers of cable companies? Many, many heated discussions have been held about it. And while I understand that there is hardly any scientific evidence to prove cables make a difference, I rely heavily on my hearing, which tells me that there is something going on.
Although I admit, not every In Ear Monitor or headphone shows the changes as clearly as others. I have IEMs that hardly react to cables and others that show me the changes in the chain very easily. One of those monitors would be Noble’s Katana. Probably the most cable responsive IEM in my inventory. Which is also why I am usually falling back to it for each and every cable review I am doing.
The Monile has a generally transparent and detailed, but musical and emotional sound. It does not boost any particular frequency range, but gives a slight induction of warmth into the mids, just to make them a bit more appealing. Monile has good extension into both ends and enhances the dynamic range.
Bass on the Monile is well defined, but not exaggerated to any extent. You get a linear, tight and highly resolved low end. There’s no extra body or weight added to the bass with Monile. Bass reaches a touch deeper into the sub-bass areas. What you gain with the PW cable in the chain is resolution, texture and layering in the bass.
There is a slight hint of warmth coming through the lower mid-range into the center mids. It creates an extra layer of musicality that makes up for a more enjoyable tone overall. You get a bit more body and a touch higher weight in the mids. There is also a bit more smoothness, especially in vocals to me. Monile creates a rich sound, that sports a level of added saturation.
Overall, there is quality transparency in the mids though. The Monile does not overstate any coloration, but only adds slight bits here and there. An area the Monile handles very well in my opinion is technicalities. It creates a nicely dark background and gives good contrast between it and the instruments. You get a well rendered stage with high resolution. Details come across more easily and better pronounced. The sound stage does see some alterations in depth and width. Monile creates a well organized stage where musicians stand out clearly. Imaging and instrumental separation are both enhanced as well.
In the treble I find Monile to perform very linear. It doesn’t give a boost to the highs, nor does it sharpen treble to a harmful degree. Yes, there is some added agility and energy in the highest regions, but the change is very subtle and won’t cause any discomfort. At least not to my ears.
Suggested pairings:
64 Audio Fourté Noir, Tia Trió, A18s, A18t, A12t, N8, Nio; Empire Ears Legend X, Odin, Valkyrie, Hero, Phantom; AAW Canary; Noble Katana, Sultan, Khan; Vision Ears VE3.2; qdc Anole VX
Conclusion
With the Monile PW Audio has created a strong cable with a more or less neutral sound. If you want to introduce some slight warmth to your monitors, but enhance it’s technical performance then give the Monile a listen.
My only wish for PW is that they rethink their hardware design. I can’t help it but to think they could use something more premium for their plugs and splits. Something that reflects the price tag or the status of their cables more. Their cables sure sound great, but their looks just don’t meet the performance in my opinion.
If looks don’t matter to you, then you are in great hands with PW Audio’s Monile.
Steven
With all respect, I like the look of PWAudio cables. Heat shrink is fine in my book, it’s functional. My Leonidas II has a very pretty and very useless silver spliter, that drops down the cable within a minute. My MEST cables use shrink tube for splitters, and they are firm and tight and actually work. Also my Leonidas II cable has to be reterminated, because the wire termination at the 2.55mm plug is loose and the sound drops out. When I send it for repairs, I am going to order a piece of shrink tube over the plug and cable to reinforce the junction, something that should have been done at the factory.
My next purchase was going to be the 1950s Monile…. I demoed it at Canjam in February, and the resolution and clarity was sublime…
Guy
Incan never tell why some cables cost so much more than others, even in the same family. I mean an 8-wire PW Anniversary cable with all the same hardware and fantastic sound characteristics costs half the price of a 2-wire cable like this one.
I’m with Steven – I love the look of PW’s hexagonal hardware. It’s what actually sold me on their cables! And I think they’ve used clear shrink-wrap very cleverly in the design. It’s not only functional but very practical, and because it’s clear, blends into the design.
These guys really know what they’re doing, and it shows.