Eletech Cassiel

Preamble​

SPC is a bit of the red-headed stepchild of cable materials in my reading. People love pure copper, pure silver or some hodgepodge of metal to create some Frankenstein alloy. SPC is usually connected with cheaper cables you find on Amazon from no-name brands but this is changing somewhat. Effect Audio (EA) Code 24 presented a more expensive cable with SPC and today’s review concerns their direct rival, Eletech’s entry into the SPC market. But can this cable shake off these preconceptions or is it to be relegated to the parts bin?

The Factual Stuff​

The Cassiel is a four wire cable consisting of 25.5AWG ultra high purity silver-plated OCC copper utilising a multi sized strand design and a Kevlar resilient core. The wires are cryogenically treated which intends to ‘enhance audio quality’ by ‘stabilising molecular structures’, ‘improving electrical conductivity’ and ‘increasing durability and reliability’. (All in quotes because I am not a scientist).

The Cassiel comes with Eletech’s signature milled hardware, enamelled strands and their “FlexiMax” insulation. The result of this is a rather handsome and lightweight cable.

These also feature Eletech Versa, their proprietary interchangeable connector system that allows you to swap between 2 pin and MMCX.

This cable is part of the Eletech Virtues series, consisting of Azrael (279 USD), Cassiel (329 USD) and Raphael (529 USD).

The Opinion Stuff​

Sound​

The effects of cable rolling on sound is definitely a controversial topic but I am a believer in its efficacy. The value of this exercise is up to you but I for one can discern subtle but noticeable differences in cables. Call it copium or confirmation bias, you wouldn’t be reading this if you were not curious or a similar believer.
All impressions are taken using a variety of IEMs including UM MEST MK2, UM Multiverse Mentor, CFA Supermoon.
All A-B comparisons were conducted utilising:

• Campfire Supermoon;
• iBasso DC04 Pro; and
• a Campfire Audio Smoky Litz cable as baseline.

Bass​

Low-end power is hardly the focus of the Cassiel, in fact it is the last thing on its mind as far as I am concerned. There appears to be a flattening out of the low-end here as it feels distinctly less powerful than the stock cable as well as its little brother, the Azrael. This is not all meant to convey an image of a bad sounding cable as the Cassiel seems to present a more detailed and textured low-end when compared to the stock cable. There is an excellent sense of detail in the Cassiel that is fun to listen critically to, providing a more textured bass note allowing the end-user to eek out greater detail than what they would have been able to do with a lesser cable.

Bassheads will lament the Cassiel but to me, it does a great job of extracting greater speed and detail from the bass notes.

Mids​

Moving to the mid-range, the Cassiel provides a greater sense of resolution to these notes and seems to bring forward female vocals to the front of the stage. This is not overbearing by any means but enhances a sense of staging with the singer being the forefront of the song. There is a sense of fatigue here but it is an improvement on the stock SPC cable. Lower-mids, especially those concerning male vocalists seem a bit too thin for my liking and as a result they feel less engaging and less naturally timbred.

Speaking of timbre, there is a harder edge to the notes here and they feel drier in comparison the likes of the Azrael. Some might like this perceived ‘enhancement’ in detail and speed but the naturality of the Cassiel is slightly off for my liking.

Treble​

The Cassiel doesn’t seek to boost the hell out of the treble in order to create what I call ‘faux’ detail but rather it does a subtle job of extending further out in to the air region of the frequency response and provides a more crystalline and sparkly nature to the notes in this region when compared to the stock cable. This combined with its staging (more on this in Technicalities) provides the Cassiel with an airy yet crisp rendition of percussion. Its presentation of the upper end is quite fun to listen to as it feels as visceral as crashing a cymbal in a large stage, there is a reverberation in the air that is palpable compared to the stock cable, Azrael and even perhaps Raphael.

Overall, the treble region is nicely done with the Cassiel, providing a more resolving and more engaging sound signature to this region.

Technicalities​

Where I stated the Azrael was a boon to the technical performance of the Supermoon compared to the stock cable, Cassiel takes it further with a greater depth to the stage. Harder-edged in its note attack, and with a greater sense of speed and dryness, the Cassiel seeks to heighten detail and resolution when paired with an IEM. It is quite fun to listen too but some may dislike the brighter and thinner tilt of the Cassiel. These benefits represent a noticeable difference from stock and even the Azrael as I felt that the Cassiel presented a better technical performer than either. I would likely not pair this cable with already bright or thin IEMs as the Cassiel would heighten these elements to the point of being fatiguing to listen to.

Value & Quality of Life​

Priced at 329 USD, the Cassiel is not a cheap item but the nature of its technical performance and its slightly bright signature are discernible differences to be experienced should you pair them with the right IEM. I feel that the Cassiel is a greater value proposition than its cheaper brother, Azrael.

Ergonomics on the Cassiel are similar to the Azrael in that both are excellent. Thinner guage wires, 4 wire construction and great earhooks result in a lightweight, malleable and manageable cable that will hold you in good stead for listening on the go.

Eletech’s Versa technology allows you to change connectors easily and retain their security when on the move. This tech is a better thought out system than EA’s ConX system and makes the Cassiel a good choice for those with a rather varied and large IEM collection. Versa is easy to manage, intuitive to use and when compared to Effect Audio’s ConX system, is a far better option. Utilising screw-down covers to ensure connector security is a much more well thought out idea rather than just using screw down connectors in the case of ConX. This is especially evident with MMCX as I have had instances where EA cables MMCX connectors have just fallen off. Utilising a screw down system with a rotating connector is not a great idea it seems.

Like the Azrael, the Cassiel has similarly chunky hardware that looks odd with the thinner wires and may prove cumbersome for some.

Comparisons​

Vs Cadmus S​

EA’s similarly specced SPC cable comes in at 199 USD and for the 100+ price difference is a hard value proposition to pass up. The Cadmus has some of the hallmarks of the Cassiel in that it heightens detail and has a slightly brighter tilt but the extent to which the Cassiel achieves this seems to be more prominent and more noticeable than the Cadmus. The largest difference however seems to be bass quantity in that the Cadmus retains a greater sense of power in this region.

Ergonomics have to go to Cassiel here as the wire feels more manageable and malleable than the Cadmus. The not-insignificant price difference may be a hard pill to swallow for some but I have to state that the Cassiel represents the better cable sonically and as such, I have to say that I would buy a Cassiel over a Cadmus despite the price differential.

Vs Azrael​

The Cassiel provides greater technical performance and a more balanced sound signature for 50 USD more than its younger brother, Azrael. The Azrael is a better cable for those looking to enhance bass quantity but the quality on the Cassiel is far better with the low-end being thinned out and more textured than the Azrael. The stage improvements and the heightened focus on upper mids may present some synergistic issues with certain sources and certain IEMs whereas the Azrael presents its most prominent feature in the form of booming bass. The Azrael is a safer bet I suppose, but the Cassiels’ performance is something I cannot ignore and as such will have to state that the Cassiel is worth saving an extra fifty bucks for

Vs Raphael​

The Cassiel has a wider stage compared to Raphael which is a bit of a surprise but the Raphael presents in a more engaging manner with a low-end boost that puts the Cassiel to shame. Whilst low-end detail is no longer easily discernible on the Raphael when A-B’d against Cassiel, it remains no slouch in terms of sheer resolution and I feel that the Raphael presents a more balanced approach in that is not as dry nor bright as the Cassiel. There is a greater sense of engagement with low-register vocals and there is a sense of great dynamic range. Raphael’s timbre is the most natural in the Virtues series and it retains treble performance which, whilst not as forward as Cassiel, remains a great performer nonetheless. The price differential cannot be ignored and for 529 USD you can have a more well rounded cable compared to the Cassiel that doesn’t suck the fun out of the low-end. In this regard, I feel the Raphael presents an overall improvement over the Cassiel unless you are actively seeking out a colder rendition of your music.

Conclusion​

The Cassiel may be seen by some as bright, sterile and somewhat dry. I see it as a technical performer that expands the stage in a visceral manner and presents music in a more airy and neutral manner. These factors present a good value cable for those looking to wring out as much detail retrieval and edginess out of their IEMs and when put in an ergonomic package combined with adaptability to various IEMs makes the Cassiel a good choice to have in your cable collection. I can recommend it but with the caveat that you shouldn’t pair these with an already bright and thin IEM.

Photography by @riverground

Disclaimer

Eric is a good friend of mine. As such, I would never lie to him or anyone about my true opinions and experiences with his products. This is out of respect for his constant desire to not only improve his products, but to create the best experience for Eletech customers. Eric has always taken everyone's feedback for its full value since long before Eletech. But to clarify any potential confusion, I don't work for or have any business obligations with Eletech, I volunteered at their table during CanJam NYC out of my own enthusiasm. This cable was provided to me free of charge for my honest opinion.

Introduction

I seldom write reviews, probably has something to do with imposter syndrome and also just not having the time to be as diligent as I should. Contrary to my preferences in gear, I prefer to just turn off my brain and enjoy the music. However, this is my first time doing a cable review. As far as the controversy of cables go, I trust my ears. If you don't trust my ears, then I don't know why you're still reading this. Despite my experience, I must admit I do feel crazy sometimes reading back on my own cable impressions. But as soon as I start listening, it's very easy to pick out the differences. As always, everything I am experiencing is entirely subjective and relative to the price range. And if you're new to cable reviews, everything I am describing is not a night and day difference, they are subtle changes that are being scrutinized for the purpose of the review.

With that out of the way, Cassiel is a silver-plated copper cable that runs for $299. It is part of Eletech's Virtue Series and the second most affordable cable in the catalogue, next to the copper sibling, the Azrael. The little SPC cable that is the Cassiel, packs a lot of value and exceeds expectations all around. It is a worthy successor to the previous Virtues SPC, the Prudence.

All comparative listening was done with a CIEM Aroma Jewel and an RME ADI-2 DAC FS, a relatively clean chain. Regretfully, I wish I had more time to go and pair it with other IEMs.

Ergonomics

In case you didn't know, Eletech actually designs the manufacturing specs for all their cables. They're not just buying pre-existing wire from the manufacturer and branding it as their own. Which is why I find it even more impressive that they manage to get such great sound while still being extremely satisfying to handle.

I'm at my desk all day so I'm not one to care much for cable ergonomics, but the Cassiel is a VERY soft and supple cable. I'd already handled it before at CanJam but I was still surprised when I received it in the mail. It does not get tangled and there is not much memory wire-like properties. I can wear it all day long and not feel the weight of the ear hooks. It's got this matte-like finish to it which seems to help minimize microphonics. I don't even go out with my IEMs that often but the freedom I feel while wearing this cable makes me want to more often.

Sound

All of the descriptions here are compared to the Jewel's stock cable. Yes, I used the Jewel's stock cable for weeks to write this review.

Lows

I think for most people, bass isn't the first thing that comes to mind when thinking of SPC cables. However the bass enhancements are exactly what makes this cable so great.

Cassiel provides a notable boost to the quality of bass. For example, I would compare being able to hear the note being played on a bass guitar whereas with the stock cable, you're just feeling the rumble. The stock cable has higher concentrations of the rumble so it sounds "bigger", but the Cassiel allows it to open up and breathe so it's less compact, giving you a great sense of space and air, making it sound "big" in a different way. So you do lose a little bit of that sub bass rumble quantity in exchange for the added texture, clarity and air. For me this is a worthy tradeoff, but it'll come down to the synergy of the pairing. I think this cable would go very nicely with a warm-bright IEM. However, the Cassiel is a relatively warm cable itself so it's not like the sub bass has all vanished; it's just a little more clean. You also get a tighter, punchier impact with snappier decay. I found that some snare drums sounded a bit dull due to this quicker decay, but kicks and toms sounded very natural. The stock cable sounds comparatively more bloated in the mid bass to lower mid region, but the Cassiel cleans that up perfectly.

Mids

Mid tonality sounds organic, just as it did in the lower frequencies. But if you're used to a warmer, thicker sound, then perhaps the Cassiel will lean towards sounding digital to you.

Plenty of clarity in the lower mids as mentioned, with a perfect amount of bite coming from instruments without sounding tinny. My favourite guitar tones sound just right with great energy. The attack on everything from percussion to guitars to vocals are quick, crisp, and realistic in weight without the sharp edge often associated with lower quality SPC cables.

Vocals aren't nasally and sound crystal clear. You get a fuller, smoother, richer vocal experience, especially with male vocals. This does give the perception of intimacy as well. The unique textures of everyone's voice as well as the nuances of each breath is enhanced. You can pinpoint exactly where harmonies are coming from and pick out every individual voice with ease.

I did find that certain tracks had some dryer sounding female vocals, which seems like a tradeoff for the added clarity, but this might also come down to the IEM pairing. This dryness I'm describing is still very smooth, so there is no unbearable sibilance or harshness.

Highs

Unlike some other entry-level silver cables, the energy up top is well refined and doesn't reach the point of sibilance. Surprisingly, I have the least to say about the highs. Just like the lows and the mids, the name of the game here is clarity. My emphasis is on refinement. High frequencies are tamed with this cable without sounding too dull or losing out on any energy. The balance of smooth tonality along with detail retrieval is top notch. I get plenty of air and extension with a natural decay. Usually my complaint with SPCs has to do with aggressive higher frequencies, but the Cassiel passes with flying colours.

Technicalities

Cassiel's got a very black background, considering it's not wrapped in a million layers of shielding. Notes are textured, well defined and have realistic weight whereas the stock cable sounds uncontrolled all around, especially in the bass and treble. Imaging is extremely precise and great layering, closing my eyes I could imagine exactly where I was in the space of the music. Everything is separated appropriately, allowing for details to be heard easily. There's not as much depth but it's a noticeably wider and more holographic with maybe a smidge increase in height. Dynamics was a huge one too because I'm not particularly one to pay much attention to that sort of thing, but the extremities sounded less compressed with the Cassiel to me.

Comparison

Seems only appropriate to compare to Effect Audio's equivalent budget SPC offering, the Cadmus 4W which currently goes for $199. That is $100 cheaper than the Cassiel. Cadmus' 24AWG vs the Cassiel's 25.5AWG makes the Cassiel the slimmer cable, which handles less rubbery than the Cadmus in general. I found the Cadmus to be cumbersome in comparison, but in practicality they're both perfectly fine. You should also take ConX and TermX into consideration; there is the added benefit of convenience if you have multiple IEMs or sources, however there is always the possibility that these connectors are degrading the sound quality. I don't know for sure, that's up to you to decide.

Cadmus has more sub bass rumble, a bigger attack but quicker in decay, while Cassiel is bouncier and punchier with a more natural airy decay. Like when comparing to the Jewel's stock cable, Cassiel wins out in details; it's far easier to hear the actual notes being played in the lower frequencies. The attack on bass guitar can clearly be heard AND felt.

Cadmus is less refined in the vocals and has a different sort of positioning in presentation. The Cadmus very much draws attention to the vocals, but mostly in volume, and it's the same with other instruments. It jumps out at you in a way that could end up fatiguing, or as an engineer might describe, "doesn't sit right in the mix." The Cassiel's mids are more relaxed in comparison, but edge out in texture and tonality. I did not experience that dryness in female vocals with the Cadmus, but I did experience a bit of sibilance with the IEM pairing.

Cassiel extends further and has more air in the top end. It is smooth and I keep saying this but very refined, whereas the Cadmus can be a little sharp and splashy (especially with cymbals). Just like the mids, Cassiel is notably less fatiguing in the higher frequencies.

The Cadmus has more height and depth than the Cassiel but Eletech's offering may edge out slightly in width. Staging accuracy and layering is no contest, Cassiel wins out on this in my opinion. The dynamics of the Cadmus are more compressed in comparison.

To summarize, if you want a more traditional sounding SPC, the Cadmus is for you. If you want something unique while still staying true to its properties, then give the Cassiel a try. Depending on what you are looking for, the price difference is justifiable.

Conclusion

One of the things I've always respected from Eletech is that they put the same amount of effort and care into ALL of their products, no matter the price level. Despite being the entry level line, these cables are not just afterthoughts in the catalogue. They are still meticulously designed with the same knowledge and experience gained from their flagships. I really love how these cables give a little twist to the traditional expectations of their materials as well, providing a unique but affordable entryway into to IEM cables.

The Cassiel is no exception. In my experience, copper cables are far more popular at the entry level. Even when I was first getting into cables, the thought of SPC was a little scary, which is why I much preferred the Fortitude to the Prudence in the previous Virtues line. This time around, I think Cassiel is one of the best value SPC cables on the market. It is very approachable and pairs well even with relatively a more "boring" IEM like the Jewel. So if you've been looking for an entry level but premium quality SPC cable, the Cassiel delivers all the way in both performance and value.

Introduction