In this feature, Nihal reviews the Effect Audio Ares II x Cadmus II AxC, a new blended aftermarket audio cable consisting of 4 wires from Ares II and 4 from Cadmus II.
Disclaimer: This sample was sent to me in exchange for my honest opinion. Headfonics is an independent website with no affiliate links or services. I thank Effect Audio for their support.
Click here to read more about the Effect Audio products we have previously reviewed on Headfonics.
This article follows our current scoring guidelines, which you can read in more detail here.
Effect Audio refreshed their popular Signature Series cables in September 2024. The second-generation cables introduced key upgrades in build quality, hardware, and wiring configuration, along with noticeable sonic enhancements, while retaining their affordable price point.
All three cables in the Signature Series have their distinct characteristics, each providing a different sound flavor.
Effect Audio loves experimenting by mixing different cables and creating an altogether unique sound flavor.
This is what they have done with the new Ares S II × Cadmus II (AxC) cable, which takes four wires each from the Ares S II and Cadmus II and merges their capabilities to create something exciting.
In this review, I will compare this new release with the Signature Series II cables and see if the marriage of the two cables has something new to offer.
Material & Geometry
The AxC cable borrows its material and configuration from the Ares S II and the Cadmus II cables. The Ares S II features a 26AWG configuration, blending two distinct types of copper in unique bundles, while the Cadmus II features a 26AWG silver-plated copper configuration.
These cables share a similar internal structure, using a central core surrounded by six multi-sized bundles. Both of these cables are merged to form the AxC cable.
The new cable shares similar construction and thickness, meaning that visually, one would be able to easily talk about the mix.
It adopts the same EA Ultra Flexi™ Insulation for flexibility and protection. The cable connects to the IEMs via a 0.78mm 2-pin connector. The termination adapter is the standard rhodium-plated brass straight plug type.
Design
The blend of two different wires, in theory, would look quite similar to the parent cables, but visually appears to be an entirely different and more beautiful one.
The strands of copper and silver, with their contrasts, make the AxC a visually more graceful cable. The outer sleeve has a soft feel and, together with a shiny appearance, gives a rich look.
The braiding is very accurate, with the twists very close to each other, yet not too much, so the flexibility is not compromised.
The AxC has similar elements, such as the termination adapter and the 2-pin connectors. The splitter design is also similar to that on the Series II cables.
It’s built from forged carbon fiber with elements of silver and some copper to give a glimpse of the blend of the two cables. Though the splitter looks slightly large, it does not add to the weight.
Effect Audio uses its proprietary ConX technology, which enables easy swapping of connectors and allows compatibility with a range of IEMs, including 2-pin, MMCX, and Pentaconn. You can choose the termination type when you are placing the order on their website.
Handling
The cable shares the build and feel of the Signature Series II cables. It does not have substantial weight to it, but I cannot label it a lightweight cable, as it does have a certain thickness to it.
After all, an 8-wire configuration is bound to have some authority. The relaxed braiding gives it some flexibility, thus making the handling easier. It does not feel heavy, but due to the thicker build, it does take up some space when you’re storing it.
Compared to the Eros II, it is still on the lighter side. With the AxC, you don’t have to worry about any tangling.
The memory hooks on the AxC are on the stiffer side, but do not put any added pressure on the ears when you are using them. The elements, such as the termination adapter, the Y-split, and the 2-pin, do not carry much weight.
Packaging & Accessories
The packaging of the AxC is exactly the same as that of the other Signature Series II cables, maintaining consistency. It arrives in a small black box, featuring engravings that combine the artworks found on the boxes of Ares S II and Cadmus II cables.
Inside, the cable is elegantly packed, coiled around a cutout, with the cable running along the center. The Y-split is nicely displayed in the middle, facing up, and the cable is positioned vertically from top to bottom.
Other than the cable, there are no other accessories included in the box. A carry case or pouch would have been a decent addition, but it is worth noting that none of the other Signature Series II cables included any, either.
Performance Impressions
The following sound impressions of the Effect Audio Ares S II × Cadmus II (A×C) Cable were completed using 64 Audio Fourte, MOONDROP Illustrious, and THIEAUDIO Hype 10 alongside my main source, Lotoo’s Paw Gold Touch.
Summary
When I first knew this new cable, I was very excited, as somewhere in my mind I had always wanted a fusion of the two cables: Ares S II and Cadmus II.
On their own, the cables are complete, but the thought of combining some elements of one into the other always seemed promising. Thankfully, the Effect Audio AxC cable nicely blends the essence of both cables.
It fuses the qualities of a classic copper cable, which imparts a rich bass and a warm midrange, while borrowing vibrancy and extra refinement overall, which the Cadmus II delivers.
If you have tried the cables, the Cadmus II offers improved clarity and openness over the Ares S II. The AxC cable achieves the best of both worlds with some additional enhancements.
Timbre
The AxC cable adds some richness and lushness to the sound with the addition of some warmth and heft in the lower end.
In the sub-bass, the depth increases, while the punch and impact in the mid-bass see some enhancements. The bass is more spread out but also gains some tightness.
The bass aspects, such as texture and layering, also see changes. The lower midrange gains some depth, which makes instruments such as bass guitar and cello sound more authentic. It also adds some richness to the vocals.
The midrange overall sees some additional clarity. There are significant refinements in the sound that bring forth some additional details. The upper midrange is well-extended and maintains a good level of energy.
The female vocals have additional sweetness, while the extension sees immediate improvement over many stock cables that I usually try. The treble region has a good sense of openness with a lot of sparkle.
The treble notes resolve well and have a nice presence in the mix. Unlike some cables where the treble dissipates quickly and has thinness around the edges, the treble notes on the AxC are very detailed and have good details.
Staging & Imaging
With a better treble profile than their parent cables, the AxC manages to outdo them in terms of staging and openness in the sound. It manages to add good depth to the stage presentation while adding some width.
The sense of openness also sees improvements. The additional refinement in the sound helps improve the imaging, with more accurate instrumental positioning.
The AxC cable also does a solid job at subtly bringing forth the micro-details. There is an improvement in space among the instruments, thus lending them more room to breathe.
Synergy
64 Audio Fourté
When I tried the Fourté with the Ares S II, it was less than an ideal pairing, which I could immediately tell. The Cadmus II is a sweet affair, as the pairing shines a lot: it enhances some richness, adds some vibrancy, and smooths out the treble a bit.
With the AxC, the pairing sees certain improvements over the Cadmus II. The bass becomes tighter and punchier. The effects are more obvious in the mid-bass region than in the sub-bass.
The cable infuses a touch of warmth in the midrange, just the right amount to keep it immersive and not overwhelming. The treble, which remains a bane for the Fourté, smooths out, cutting off the notorious peaks while maintaining the level of airiness and sparkle.
The resolution and detailing aspects show little improvement. In fact, some of the micro details are pushed a bit forward. The soundstage as a whole has increased depth, whereas the width does not improve much.
Overall, I feel the pairing retains more of Cadmus II’s character while borrowing the goodness of the Ares S II, making it a solid choice with the Fourté.
MOONDROP Illustrious
The day I first tried the Illustrious, I knew the stock cable was not an ideal one for it. The lean bass on the IEM would have been more authoritative if paired with a better cable, a hypothesis that the AxC strengthened.
Over the stock cable, the Illustrious, paired with the AxC cable, sees a lot of changes, which makes it a more complete IEM.
I find the immediate changes most noticeable in the bass and lower midrange region. Illustrious’s bass lacks slam, but the quality remains top-notch. When paired with the AxC cable, the sub-bass gains some depth, and the punch and impact in the mid-bass have some boost.
The tighter bass brings a freshness to the music that I missed with the stock cable. I find some heft in the lower midrange as well, which enhances the presence of instruments such as guitar and cello and adds some weight to male vocals.
In the midrange, the resolution sees some refinement. The notes are taller and carry more detail. Female vocals are more enjoyable. I find the midrange more prominent, and with the AxC, the overall musicality is improved significantly.
In stock form, the treble on the Illustrious is very smooth and well-extended. What the AxC helps with is the resolution and detail in the treble.
On some occasions, with the stock cable, the notes lose detail and sound thinner. With the new cable, they gain more detail and weight, helping with better extension and a more natural treble range.
The cable also helps in widening the stage, as the Illustrious by default sounds very open, but the stage depth is not ideal. There is a boost in overall instrument spacing, giving the instruments more room to breathe.
THIEAUDIO Hype 10
The Hype 10 has a boosted low end, a transparent and neutral-ish midrange, and a treble that asks for a bit more sparkle and a touch more air.
Over the stock cable, the Hype 10 benefits in the entire frequency range. The lower end has a tighter response, with a better mid-bass presence.
I would have loved to see more depth and rumble in the sub-bass region, but we do not get much help there. The texture improves a lot, making the bass response more detailed and enjoyable over the stock cable.
The midrange on the Hype 10 is forward and transparent while still maintaining its naturalness. The AxC adds some bits of warmth and refinement to the midrange. The overall stage spreads out and becomes more expansive.
In the upper midrange to the treble region, the extension is better, with some extra details and crunchiness kicking in. The finer micro-details, which are subdued on the stock cable, come out more vividly.
In the treble region, the notes are taller, and the overall resolution sees an improvement. The AxC induces some extra air and sparkles as well.
The soundstage expands in width, and even though the AxC does not impact the width significantly, it is certainly better than the stock cable. The images are sharper, and the spatial accuracy sees an upgrade.
With an expanded stage, the breathing space among the instruments and vocals increases. The handling of complex tracks is much better.
