So, after much deliberation, I got all of the Signature Series cables. Here are they in their full glory:
Looks striking, I have to say. This was one of the best decisions I have made in this hobby, as of yet.
Since I already posted my impressions about the Ares S and Eros S, not gonna spend any more words on them, as they perform identically. However, I would like to focus on the
Cadmus here, as I did not get to hear it before.
And frankly, Cadmus has blown me outta the water.
Normally what I have experienced in cheaper SPC cable is that it reduces the low-end emphasis and enhances upper mid and treble emphasis. However, that does not seem to be the operating philosophy of Cadmus. Rather, the Cadmus tightens up the low end such that it still slams equally hard, but the decay becomes a tad bit faster and the body of the note becomes a bit taut, which has an apparent cleaning-up effect on the low end. As an added benefit, the textures become a bit more prominent, bringing out a bit more details.
In the midrange, Cadmus enhances the realism of the notes. The notes now feel slightly better defined, have slightly more three-dimensional presence than before, and textures are also slightly more evident. Air improves slightly also.
Miraculously, in the treble region, Cadmus does not accentuate the peaks! Rather, it enhances the presence of the whole treble region uniformly. And this is where it differs from the other SPC cable. Cadmus is not about party tricks, it's all about refinement and enhancement. Quite frankly, I have not experienced such a matured-sounding Silver Plated UPOCC cable before, and suffice to say I am hella pleased with it. The fact that it comes with both mmcx and 2 pin means that my hunt for an SPC cable is permanently over!
The IEM I have chosen to pair it with is a Dual DD offering from IMR, Dark Matter. 11mm Wide band dynamic CNT ADLC Dynamic + 6mm CNT conduction motor. However, this 6mm CNT Driver is hard mounted to the body, such that it produces sound as well as transmute the vibration to the shell to slightly enhance the overall sound. In its stock sound, it is a legit basshead iem with clear midrange, and a somewhat reserved treble. Cadmus cleans up the bass while retaining the punch, makes the midrange more prominent, brings out the treble a bit more, and, I discovered this recently while comparing with an ISN cable, expands the stage a bit more while putting a bit more body on the notes - combined everything, it becomes a noticeably better version than before with the stock cable (the stock cable isn't bad, just the synergy isn't exactly perfect.)
However, there is one major caveat - the earhooks.
The earhooks are quite thick, definitely of a very durable silicone, but they are also very stiff and very small curvature. And because of this stiffness, it was putting considerable pressure on my ear and was pulling the iems out of my ears. I had to remove them, as you can see in the above picture, for better comfort and seal.
@EffectAudio @JordonEA I would very much prefer if you can widen the earhooks a bit more and make it a bit softer, to enhance the wearing comfort.
