Sound:
Linum characterizes the SuperBaX on their website to have amazing tonal neutrality. They could not be more right about this, as it really does nothing. Don’t misunderstand me though, it does not boost any specific frequency. There is no brighter, crisper treble. There is no smoother, fuller and more emotional midrange, and there is no tighter, more forward bass – none. This is absolute transparency.
Some might think this is a bad thing, but au contraire. This cable is the master when it comes to keeping the key-signature of your beloved monitor, but giving you the benefits of ultimate comfort. What the Linum does to the sound though, is enhance technical performance.
I noticed slight alterations in sound stage dimensions. The rooms were wider and deeper. The musicians were better separated and stood out more from a black background. The sound overall became cleaner to me. This is not to be confused with clearer. Cleaner as in better pronunciation and accuracy.
Linum SuperBaX
Pairings:
The Swiss like neutrality of the Linum cable makes it a very easy to pair with product. During the last couple of weeks I have used the SuperBaX with many different monitors, and none of them was a bad match.
FAudio – Symphony
The Symphony is a very balanced monitor with excellent price to performance relations. When I hooked up SuperBaX it kept the Symphony’s wonderful balance but enhanced imaging, layering and sound stage slightly. I also noticed a very gentle push of the lower frequencies, nothing dramatic.
JH Audio – Layla
A few weeks ago I have bought one of those EU4A adapters that let me hook up any 2-pin cable to my JH Audio monitors. I have spoken to Marcus of Headfonics about them a lot, and he always told me that a decent cable can bring the Layla’s to new heights. Right he was.
Linum SuperBaX
As with Symphony, SuperBaX didn’t really change much of Layla’s signature, but it really pushed her to new strengths when it came to layering, resolution, transparency and even imaging. The stock cable of Layla really holds her back, and that makes it somewhat fascinating that Jerry Harvey could create such a splendid monitor with such a crappy cable. With something of the quality of the Linum, you will completely rediscover Layla.
64 Audio – A12t
The A12t is my current favorite monitor of all 17 CIEMs I have. I love it for its wonderful sound with impactful lows, smooth mids and lively highs. The SuperBaX again keeps all of that in place, but adds a wider stage, enhanced transparency, better layering and imaging as well as a darker background. Plus it gives me the extreme Linum comfort. Awesome!
Conclusion:
Linum has always been a brand that interested me. Lieven has been praising their cables a lot, and now I can fully see why. Not only are they perfect for any monitor under the sun, but they’re also unbeatable for their comfort. I am not a person that wears glasses, except for shades during Summer, but I definitely think that the SuperBaX would also be an excellent choice for everyone who needs them.
There is only one thing I would change about the Linum cable, and that’s the option for recessed 2-pin sockets. I would have loved to use the SuperBaX with my Empire Ears monitors, which have semi recessed connectors, but the very small 2-pins of the Linum made me not go this route.
Other than that, I think the SuperBaX is 100% spot on and deserves every praise it gets. Please give a warm welcome to the newest addition of our Recommended Accessories list.
Linum SuperBaX
Relevant links:
Lieven’s review of the SuperBaX
Nathan’s Linum cables review
Ivan Parshenkov
I’ve read a lot of good things about Linum, regular BaX is definetly on my to-buy-ASAP list.
Could you get Linum Music and regular BaX for a review for budget-minded audiophiles?
Linus
Hi Ivan,
thanks fir your comment.
Check out Nathan’s article, linked at the end of the review, he wrote about them I think.
Cheers!
Phil
That’s the Noble Khan in the last photo? Also pardon me on this, but why would you not use the SuperBAX on EE IEMs? I don’t fully get what you mean re. the semi-recessed connector. Many thanks.
Linus
Hi Phil,
thanks for your comment.
Well spotted! Yes that’s the Khan. I wanted to sneak it in. You’ll be seeing more of it in future reviews and of course in the full length feature in a few weeks.
The reason why it doesn’t work well with the Empire IEMs is that the 2pins of the SuperBaX are too small body wise. They do fit in, but it’s more difficult to grab and to get them out again… the universal IEMs of EE have flushed sockets, so there wouldn’t be that issue. It’s only the CIEMs.
Ilistentomusic
I personally like it. Just pull out using the cable. I think they meant for it to he so small so it can conform better to the ear. Maybe they should provide 2 options.
Erik E
Hi Linus, I’m currently using the Superbax via the E4UA adapters on my JH Audio Roxanne ciem. I have noticed that the base quantity is significantly lower when compared to the stock cable. I listen with the pod’s dialed to 4 – fully open – it’s my guilty pleasure. Did you experience significantly lower levels of bass quantity with the SuperBax on your Layla’s?
Erik
Hi Linus, I’m currently using the Superbax via the E4UA adapters on my JH Audio Roxanne ciem. I have noticed that the base quantity is significantly lower when compared to the stock cable. I listen with the pod’s dialed to 4 – fully open – it’s my guilty pleasure. Did you experience significantly lower levels of bass quantity with the SuperBax on your Layla’s?
Linus
Hi Erik,
no, I did not notice that. My Layla pretty much stayed the same.
Sorry to hear that. Did you try other cables with the E4U adapter installed?
Cheers
Erik
Hi Linus, I’ve already ordered a new cable with 0.1Ω impedance, that should probably help. Since I wrote my initial comment, I’ve discovered that the bass quantity seems to increase when turning the dial counterclockwise as apposed to clockwise, i.e. max bass at 8:00 instead of 04:00. Do you recognize this? 🙂
Linus
Hi Erik,
sorry it took me a while to reply. Work’s a little crazy lately, not enough time for Headfonia comments. 🙁
Yes. I did notice that as well with my E4UA adapter. Guess they just set the dial the other way.
Cheers and have a great weekend!
Erik
Hi Linus, no apologies needed, I really appreciate that you took the time to reply to my messages. Another mystery solved 😀 Have a nice evening, cheers!
Cornel
Hello , please i really need an adwice …what cable is suitable and best compatibility with etymotic ER4XR ?
Best regards ,
Cornel
rob osbourn
Great review, thank you and i wanted to get your thoughts on whether this might be suitable for full size headphones, because i’m looking for something light-weight with uncoloured sound to use with my Stellias. Thanks again and keep up the good work.
:)Rob