King Cobra Hex
Betweeen all the cables associated with hifi, I find that speaker cable is the one that can really make a different on my system. Second would be interconnects, third is digital cable and last is the power cable. In the past few months, I was given the opportunity by a fellow hifi enthusiast, Mr. Muhsin to test out 4 different speaker cables, designed and tweaked by himself based on Japanese Vintage cable stock. It took me some time to listen through these 4 cables to really understand and experience the different musical presentation by each design.
The 4 cables that were provided are:
- Euphorix Cobra (Twin)
- Euphorix King Cobra (Hex)
- Euphorix Tube Master (Solo)
- Euphorix Cobra (based model)
The Background
Euphorix cables are based on Litz cable design which is particular type of multistrand wire used in electronics to carry AC at radio frequencies. The design can reduce the skin effect and effect losses in conductors used at frequencies up to 1 MHz. However, there are cables out there that claims to have a Litz design but actually is more of a 'Litz woven' rather than a true Litz cable. A true Litz design by definition has only enamel insulating the cable strands. No plastic or other material are used for insulation; they are just like transformer wire (magnet wire). For an example, the popular Kimber 8TC/12TC uses Litz weave but each cable strands are insulated by plastic/PTFE sheath. Euphorix cables use 100% cotton or air/PTFE tube for internal damping to reduce dielectric effect.
The individual cable strands in Euphorix cables are made of extremely thin high purity copper. They are designed so that the strands continuously criss-cross at 90 degree angle to achieve low inductance. The cables strands are wound into a round shape to ensure that the cable strands are symmetrical. The electrical flow is similar to a solenoid that conducts both clock-wise and anti-clockwise directions.
A comparison of high-end speaker cables done by Nelson Pass shows that these cables, in their NOS state, has an ideal flat impedance curve.
Tube Master
Cobra
Cobra Twin
The Session
I only picked 3 tracks to test these 4 cables. The review here is mainly evolves around the one that I feel gave the biggest change to my set up. I do find that all 4 cables have similar character but at different level of finesse. The main character across all 4 cables are liveliness, huge staging and coherent across different spectrum.
- Take Five - Kenichi Tsunoda Big Band
- Enter Sandman - Metallica
- Easy On Me - Adele
Take Five
The first track that I played was the upbeat Take Five version by Kenichi. With the Euphorix, the overall presentation opens up more which provided more excitement to listen to this upbeat track. It somehow injects a certain liveliness to the experience and can really get you engaged. The level of engagement however differs frm one cable to another. The most extended level of engagement is the King Ciobra Hex to me. This is followed by Cobra Twin, Cobra and Tube Master.
The bass on this track usually sounds mellower compared to the original version by Dave Brubeck. With the Euphorix, the bass was more evident and sounded more hard hitting. The overall sound stage also expanded vertically and horizontally. I experienced quite a mesmerizing listening atmosphere that was really engaging and enveloping across my living room.
The ride cymbal sounded really crisp and the sound of the ringing when the tip of the drumstick hits the ride was just at the right level. Usually this can sound a bit drowned in compared to other instrument. The saxapohone was another part I really enjoyed how the Euphorix reproduced the sound. Melodic, airy without any ear-pinching levels.
Enter Sandman
How about on some heavier music? This is where I find the Euphorix can be aggressive as well.
The drum intro really showed me what the Euphorix can do. The thumping of the toms, kick pedal and the sharp and solid sound of the snare were spot on, just the way I like to hear them.
The sound of the shredding guitars of Kirk sounded a little bit harsh for me as it started too sound a little bit bright. This made the whole presentation of the music sounded a little bit meshed up. Can be a little bit chaotic if you know what I mean.
Vocal was another highlight for me. James vocal sounded really energetic and authoritative. Suits the song really good. The Euphorix managed to surface the vocal to sound like the artist is really in front of you.
Easy On Me
The last track, I put on Easy On Me just to recheck ona few things mainly on the impact of Euphorix on vocal reproduction and also brightness. This track proves a few things. The Euphorix again surfaced the strength in the artist vocal. Adele vocal sounded energetic just like in the track above. Even when she was pushing for a certain high pitch section, it still sounded sweet with minimal harshness. I guess the harshness above most probably is an instrument related harshness rather than vocals.
The piano also sounded really melodic with a pinch of really good low end frequency sound. It really blended well the vocal that brought out a full engaging and enveloping experience on my system.
How Much Will It Cost Me?
Euphorix cables pricing
- Minimum length 1 m
- Can be ordered and priced in increments of 0.1 m
- For international customes, please add 10% for financial charges
- Muhsin accepts direct bank-in for local customers and direct bank ransfer, Paypal and Payoneer frm Internatiocal customers
...then add your choice of termination
- Connectors are charges at actual cost. Prices may change depending upon exchange rates, delaer price and shipping
- As the cables are custom made to your requirements, buyer may request other preferred brand or type of terminations. The cost will be bourne by buyer.
The Conclusion
There is something special with the Litz cable design. Euphorix approach with this can really opens up hifi sytems to make more things audible. It somehow manage to project the music presentation with livelier sound stage and quite balanced across different sound spectrum. Yes, occassionally I do experience some brightness that was a bit high but overall, I do feel Euphorix is generally neutral in sound and does not amplify one frequency over another.
The level of openess, staging and coherence however get less obvious when I move from one cbale to another. Below is how I can summarize the level of impact of the 4 cables to my system:
1. King Cobra Hex - best overall sound.
2. Cobra Twin - similar character but with less impact on my system
3. Tube Master - somehow does not really fit in my SS amp. It still retains the similar character like the Hex but sound a little bit restrained.
4. Cobra - Not much impact on my system but I do still hear that neutral sound effect.
If you are interested to know more or put an order, you can contact Muhsin via email euphorix.cables@gmail.com
