Null Audio Premium Upgrade IEM Cables impressions

General Information

I am not very good at describing my audio experience, but I’ll give it a go.

I was fortunate to be a participant in the Null Audio Cable tour organized by @Barra and here are my impressions of the cables sent out to be auditioned.

Of course, it being the most expensive, I had to try out the Vitesse Silver first. All my comparisons were with my 64 Audio U18t and its stock cable.

Vitesse Silver

The first thing that got my attention with the Vitesse Silver was how smooth and flowing it sounded. The highs had a shimmer to it that just flowed like warm melted butter, and actually had less sibilance than the stock U18t cables. Then what I noticed next was its deep and wide soundstage, it just sounded bigger than the stock cable. Voices had more texture and seemed more natural as well. The Silver was faster with good snap and slam and not just the highs but throughout the frequency range, but yet smoother as said before. Separation and imaging was cleaner with more air around instruments.


Vitesse copper

The Vitesse copper was somewhat similar to the Silver, but less of everything I described above. It had a smaller soundstage, slower with less snap, a little rolled off in the treble and not as smooth and buttery as the Silver. To me it didn’t sound coherent, I’m not sure how else to describe it.


Lune silver plated copper

The Lune was my fav because I actually preferred its signature to the Silver as well as it is at a better price point. It was also not quite as smooth and buttery, but that’s ok with me because it seemed to provide a little more sharpness with more perceived detail and excitement. It, like the Silver, excelled with “air” between instruments, space of the acoustic, slam with good flow. The Lune seemed a little more organic and natural than the Silver to me.


Arete

I don’t have much to say about the Arete. It seemed very similar to the stock cable that comes with the U18t with a small soundstage, less separation, a little rolled off treble, but yet seemed a little harsh compared to the other Tour cables.


U18t Stock cable

As mentioned above, very similar to the Arete.


One thing I did not like about the Null cables was the straight plugs. My preference is for plugs with a 90 degree bend. That seems safer especially when going mobile. With straight plugs it just seems like they stick out more and may be prone to catch on something making it easier to break the plug or the socket they plug into. However, I think you can order cables with 90 degree angle plugs from Null Audio.

After experiencing good after market cables I am struck with how much more enjoyable my IEM’s are with them in the chain, and I am seriously considering buying the Lune. Thanks to Null Audio and @Barra for putting this together and making this tour possible.

Latest reviews

OpiateSkittles

100+ Head-Fier
Pros: Excellent build
Light weight
Attractive price
Detailed sound
Accessories
Cons: Minor cable memory
Non-split MMCX connectors
Ear guides
Hey all. I noticed a lack of reviews for Null Audio products on the web, so I decided to do a short one now that I received my Ethos IV. Now, until recently, I wasn't a cable believer at all, so please bear with me on this review. I've done several reviews of other products, but I don't have a format for cables yet. :)

I purchased the Ethos Mk. IV with my own money direct from Null Audio via their website. I am not affiliated with them in any capacity.

Unboxing and accessories:

The Ethos arrives in a white cardboard box with a magnetic clasp. Inside is a fairly large zippered case, within which are the cable, cable wrap, and a plastic ownership card. The case is quite large, and seems rather sturdy. I would find it cumbersome if only carrying one set of IEMs but, as it so happens, it works wonderfully to carry my E1DA 9038S and its respective cables, in addition to the FDX1 attached to the Ethos. Effectively, this holds my entire IEM setup, so I enjoy it quite much. The ownership card is a nice touch and, all in all, I am pleased with the unboxing experience.

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Build:
The Ethos is constructed of silver-plated UPOCC copper in a Litz 5 configuration. It is a twist, rather than a braid. The positive and negative conductors are separated within the same sheath and twisted around each other in a helix. Due to this setup, the cable is on the thin side, but it doesn't seem fragile at all. The rose/chrome Luka hardware is of high quality, yet quite lightweight. It doesn't have that flashy, "premium" look like a lot of pricier cables, but it is subtly attractive.

One small gripe is the use of the older-style non-split MMCX connectors. When I first connected them, they were quite loose on my FDX1, but I was able to tighten them with the adjustment ring.

My only other complaint regarding build is the ear hooks. While they are actually quite pliable and seem fine, I had requested that my cable be shipped without them. In a sense, this is really a QC/CS issue and not a build issue but, for a product that is custom built per order, I think it's relevant to list in this section.

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Sound:

I tested the Ethos from my Samsung Galaxy A20, using UAPP, and an E1DA 9038S. My JVC FDX1 are the only IEMs used in this review, so my comparisons will be made to the **** 6 core SPC cable I had on it before.

Compared to the ****, the Ethos seems to tighten up the bass and improve treble clarity while leaving the mids more or less the same. Everything in GoGo Penguins self-titled LP just seems more crisp and well-defined. The uppermost treble has become more apparent (something I find lacking in the filtered FDX1) and separation is improved. Similarly, the lowest bass notes seem to be tightened up, while reaching the same degree of extension. All of these changes are rather subtle, but indeed noticeable.

At $70, I think this is a sweet spot for cables. The workmanship of the Ethos IV is top notch, and it sounds fantastic. I just wish their customer support were a little more attentive.
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CantScareMe
CantScareMe
Beware of ordering from Null Audio. I placed an order of two lune cables on 31st July, paying via PayPal. It's the 14th August and I've not heard from them. No response to numerous emails and web portal messages I've sent. No invoice, no order acknowledgement and no correspondence. Simply vanished after taking the ££££.
I launched a PayPal case two days ago and they haven't even responded to that!

If you want to go ahead and get scammed by (yet another dodgy) cable manufacturer, Null audio is the place to go!
OpiateSkittles
OpiateSkittles
@CantScareMe
I can believe it. I tried to contact them about sending my cable with ear hooks when I requested otherwise, and they have completely vanished. No response at all to multiple e-mails. I'm happy I got one good cable out of them but my business will be moved elsewhere next time I need a cable.
CantScareMe
CantScareMe
The vanishing scam. That's Null audio in a nutshell.

They haven't responded to even paypal and it's a fully escalated case (where it's paypal contacting them not me).

I wonder what they'll say and do. Probably will try to pull another scam knowing them...

Comments

CantScareMe

1000+ Head-Fier
Beware of ordering from Null Audio. I placed an order of two lune cables on 31st July, paying via PayPal. It's the 14th August and I've not heard from them. No response to numerous emails and web portal messages I've sent. No invoice, no order acknowledgement and no correspondence. Simply vanished after taking the ££££.
I launched a PayPal case two days ago and they haven't even responded to that!

If you want to go ahead and get scammed by (yet another dodgy) cable manufacturer, Null audio is the place to go!
 

holsen

Headphoneus Supremus
Hey, I see all these comments about order confirmation problems. Can anyone Comment on what's happened? Did you get your cables, refunds, confirmations? What happened?
 

timechaser

New Head-Fier
I have been trying to get in touch with them via email and phone and no one's home. I am in Singapore and stay close to where their office is supposed to be. So in half a mind to pay them a visit. Wondering if I tally up the gripes and take them over?

For those who want to order: I ordered the arete two-ish years ago and got them to add a mic.

Cables are black indicating corrosion, 9n both left and right, the 3.5mm connector has to be twisted to find the sweet spot and the right mmcx connector is loose as of today.

For a company which prides itself on being scientific in it's approach (see website), this unresponsiveness is pretty bizarre.

So good luck to all who want to order from them...
 
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