PW Audio Monile

The Monile is part of PWAudio’s New Age series and is the entry-level cable in that category. Although there’s now an MKII version, the old version was purposefully chosen here to match 64 Audio’s U6t in terms of looks as well as test them balanced — an increasingly common output among audiophiles.

Disclaimer: the Monile has been ordered from MusicTeck at a small discount in exchange for my opinion and has been paid out of the author’s pocket


The object — The Monile is a 2-wire, 4 conductor (2 Positive Conductor and 2 negative Conductor as shielding) ultra purity 26 AWG copper and super purity 25.5 AWG silver cable with cotton sleeving and PVC preformed ear hooks. Although many pictures of the cable can be found online with kinks, this model came perfect, is supple, and an overall joy to handle. Its old-school Hi-Fi looks are an amazing match for the U6t.


Fit & Comfort — In spite of the steeply-angled preformed ear hooks, the Monile is extemely confortable.

The added height of the 2-Pin connectors compared to the angled 2-Pin connectors on 64 Audio’s new stock cable were also welcome for these ears. While cotton sleeving bring some slight microphonics compared to PVC cables, there’s nothing to write home about for static sessions.


Sound — Given the different implementation of single-ended compared to balanced outputs in DAPs and that 64 Audio’s stock cable is single-ended; the cable used as a baseline here was the SoftEars Twilight’s stock 4.4 balanced 6N oxygen-free copper cable.

Using the U6t with the default M15 module as a start, PWAudio’s Monile tightens the lows and brings the mids and highs forward. Compared to the Twilight’s stock cable, the Monile is more up-front/detailed whereas the Twilight’s stock cable is more open/relaxed. Comparing the two cables with the U6t’s more revealing MX module further confirms these findings with an emphasis on the mids and highs.

The Monile’s copper/silver mix feels like a better fit for the U6t than the Twilight’s stock copper cable. Moreover, the U6t clearly benefit from a balanced output. Switching over to SoftEars’ Twilight to compare the two cables, the aforementioned conclusions are unequivocal — the Twilight’s copper stock cable is more relaxed and is a better fit for the particularly detailed Twilight.

Files / Sources used: CD-quality FLAC bought from Qobuz & Tidal HiFi streaming / Uncapped Sony ZX-507 (Direct Source: On)


Conclusion — Cable can help bring subtle differences in tuning. Careful pairings are therefore key as one can find that a cable could emphasis the “wrong” part(s) of the frequency range.

Diligent research is therefore a must in order to ensure one gets what one seeks. In this case, PWAudio’s Monile terminated in 4.4 is an amazing cable which I wholeheartedly recommend if the aforementioned changes in sound are something one is looking for in a new cable to pair with their favourite IEMs.

Starting from the build quality, the Monile cables stand out with high quality of materials implemented and fine craftsmanship. A characteristic feature on the design of this series is the outer jacket, composed of layers of PVC and FEP with final sheathing made of soft cotton. It certainly is soft and flexible carrying no memory effect. The one here is the basic one made 2 strands, though each strand is already rather thick compared to multiple wires cables. The lower half is very tightly twisted, and unlike other braided/twisted cables it is very difficult to separate them. Metal parts are applied on both the plug and y-split section, where the wires inside are properly covered by extra plastic tubes or tape. The 2-pin connectors as well are metal with the extra round metal covers with red and black colored rings to differentiate the right and left sides. My only complaint would be about the cable slider not holding tight enough its position along the cable length.


Plastic tubes are used as fixed ear guides and they have a very sharp angle. They are still soft enough so ergonomics are very good, but for 2-pin cables memory wire might work better. The wire inside is a mix of copper and silver, 26awg for the copper and 25.5awg for the silver. Not that you’d see them anyway. Fortunately there is no cable noise here, a bit surprising considering this type of cloth sheathing is usually more prone to carry some noise over standard TPU coating.
Last but not least, the aesthetics may be considered as less important on a cable, but for some who are already investing on just an accessory it should look nice as well. The Monile may look plain, even boring, with an all-black color theme, but personally I find it rather elegant, more discrete than the flashy copper and silver mixes seen through transparent jackets. Still, having this kind of cloth sheathing it could allow the use of a variety of color not limited to the wire color inside. Just a suggestion to PW Audio.


Sound Impressions

Needless to say that finding improvements, or at least differences, when switching IEM cables is not easy at all. And in many occasions there are zero changes despite the ‘upgrade’ tag held for aftermarket cables. The wire material may or may not actually affect the sonic qualities of an earphone, though the difference in impedance rates can have some impact. While this is not the first PW Audio cable I’ve tried, compared to the previous ones this Monile model shows less effects on the overall tonality.

For this Monile cable I went through a variety of IEMs all with standard 2-pin connection. The list starts from earphones from the sub $200 budget, while most critical listening was done using higher priced models; it is an expensive $500+ cable after all.

The selected ones are the CustomArt Fibae 3, Hifiman RE2000, Dita Audio Twins and InEar ProMission X flagship. If anything, changes/improvements in sound were mainly hearable with the RE2000 and ProMission X, and a bit with the Hidizs Mermaid MS.

Players used were iBasso DX220, DX160, Shanling M6 and HiBy R3 Pro. And besides the obvious stock cables of each IEM, the PW Audio NO.10 and Dita Oslo were used for direct comparisons.

In a very general description the Monile would be as transparent, neutral and very clean. There is no coloration applied to the sound, if just a bit cooler tone, leaner through the midrange and with a very slight tilt towards the treble region. It gives a more audible layering and separation too. Also being terminated in a balanced 2.5mm plug takes advantage of the higher power of the sources, as well as better dynamics, cleaner background and more pronounced channel separation. The low-end remains practically unchanged in quantities or punch.

Compared the other PW Audio cable, the No.10, the small differences are more obvious. Starting with RE2000 which has an awful stock cable (and unforgivable for either its retail or current lowered price) and also seems to have non-favorable effect on the RE2000 sound, especially in the treble part. Whenever I try the RE2000 then the No.10 is the default cable to pair it with. It gives a smoother tone overall, thicker bass and more bodied midrange and more bearable treble. Switching to the Monile the bass is tighter and more layered, while the midrange is colder and leaner in result. The treble is like on the stock cable, but cleaner and more controlled. I still find the best synergy with the No.10 over the Monile when it gets to the RE2000 for its smoother and richer sound even giving up of the last bit of detail.

A similar effect is found with the InEar ProMission X, but less pronounced, and personally it is more favorable for the Monile. With the ProMission X having a tighter and more precise sound and better control in highs the Monile is a more favorable option as not to miss the amazing accuracy and micro detail of the ProMission. I liked the PMX most with the Shanling M6. Only on very specific tracks it shows a bit of sibilance, and with 2.5mm balanced and Monile cable it sounds noticeable less annoying and harsh without missing the bright signature of the PMX.

Lastly, next to the Dita Oslo cable, the differences are even more minimal than compared to the No.10. Bass is identical, but midrange a bit richer on the Oslo. Treble is similar is same in quantities, though the Oslo can give more openness and body on the treble.
The audio effects may hold a lower priority when it gets to extra cables and more a matter of build quality and ergonomics and the option to customize the cable to a desired audio player source. The PW Audio Monile cables start from $500 which is higher than the other of PW Audio cable series, but they carry impressive best build quality and finish, and probably durability as well, over other aftermarket cables.