Synergy
Kinera Imperial URD
The Kinera Imperial URD is a multi-driver electrostatic hybrid universal IEM. The IEM has a driver configuration of 2 dynamic drivers, 1 Kinera-customized BA driver, and 2 Sonion electrostatic drivers.
The URD offers a generous bass response, characterized by its thickness. Both the sub-bass and mid-bass deliver a satisfying punch and impact.
While the midrange isn’t as forward as I prefer, the lower midrange is lush and full-bodied. The treble is well-controlled and extends nicely. Overall, the URD boasts a warm sound signature with a subtle U-shaped profile.
The synergy of URD with the LR-Nebula cable is really good. The bass has noticeable refinement, and there is a good addition to the sub-bass impact. The mid-bass gets nice refinement too. The overall bass is a lot more enjoyable.
The lower midrange exhibits nice clarity and enhanced resolution. Unfortunately, the cable fails to contribute to the lack of forwardness in the mid-range. Nevertheless, the vocals boast superior detailing and extension.
The soundstage experiences a noticeable upgrade with this cable. There’s enhanced depth and improved instrument separation, leading to an overall boost in technical performance compared to the stock cable.
LETSHUOER S15
The S15 is a 3rd generation 14.8mm planar driver universal IEM from LETSHUOER. By default, the S15 has a natural timbre with a sweet midrange. The bass has decent impact and punch. There is more mid-bass than sub-bass. The treble is non-spicy and quite controlled in nature.
The LR-Nebula cable has a positive impact on the overall signature of the already decent sound profile of the S15. The sound opens up substantially, and there is more spaciousness. The resolution is also improved, revealing more details.
There is a nice addition to the richness in the lower midrange. This is extended seamlessly to the upper midrange as well. In the upper midrange, this helps in eliminating the thinness that is present in the stock setting.
The midrange instruments, such as strings and piano, have better note weights. Mids are a bit forward with this cable. There is more evenness in the energy across the treble region. Overall, there’s a noticeable improvement in the extension and balance of the upper frequencies.
There is a notable enhancement in the soundstage, particularly in its height and overall spaciousness. Instrument separation is better, and the layering is notably improved, contributing to a more immersive stage presentation.
LETSHUOER Cadenza4
The Cadenza4 is a hybrid universal in-ear monitor using a 10mm dual-chambered beryllium-coated dynamic driver and 3 BA drivers.
The Cadenza4 has a neutral profile with a hint of warmth. Its sound remains largely uncolored. Mids offer very decent clarity combined with a natural timbre, presented in a slightly forward manner. The treble has a smooth and relaxed character.
The LR-Nebula cable brings a noticeable change to the mid-bass impact. The sub-bass remains nearly the same, with just a little more impact. The bass has more reverb. The bass on the cable deviates from the default neutral characteristic and is a lot more enjoyable.
The midrange exhibits a pleasing richness. On the default cable, there is a bit of thinness, which is eliminated with the LR-Nebula cable. The mids are now lush with good body, especially the lower mids. Instruments occupying the midrange spectrum have a significantly fuller presence.
The cable expands the soundstage with more height, while the width remains nearly the same. This expansion creates a greater sense of spaciousness and improves instrument separation.
Consequently, the midrange gains a richer presence and becomes more prominent. Additionally, there’s enhanced detailing and resolution, contributing to an overall improvement in audio quality.
Select Comparisons
Effect Audio Eros S
Technical
Eros S represents the only hybrid cable in Effect Audio’s Signature Series lineup. It is an Ultra-Pure OCC pure silver and pure copper Litz cable. The Eros S follows the trend of Effect Audio’s flagship cable series by using an 8-wire 26 AWG configuration.
Design
The design of both of these cables is poles apart. With Eros S, each of the 8 wires is coated in a matte, pearl grey jacket, braided, and bundled together, giving it a thickness that is a lot more than the LR-Nebula cable.
The splitter and cable plug feel robust and are made of high-quality materials. The splitter on Eros S is quite large.
There is a noticeable weight difference between the two cables. The LR-Nebula cable is much lighter and easier to use. However, the design elements on the Eros S are a lot more premium, and the overall build feels better.
Performance
Both the LR-Nebula and the Eros S enhance similar aspects of sound, namely the bass, midrange, and soundstage. The Eros S does the job better overall, except for the bass, where the LR-Nebula cable adds more character.
The Eros S does not add much to the bass punch, and the sub-bass is pulled back. The LR-Nebula Cable adds a nice body to the sub-bass.
The bass quality, however, is better with the Eros S, as it demonstrates better bass texture and layering. There is more addition of richness and lushness in the lower mids on the LR-Nebula cable.
Eros S does a good job when it comes to the upper frequencies. It reveals more details and maintains decent energy throughout the treble region. The LR-Nebula cable does not add to the brilliance of the treble and leaves it rather untouched.
The soundstage on Eros S is noticeably open. The Eros S excels in imaging and layering, offering better placement and layering for instruments and vocals. There seems to be more room for instruments in action on Eros S.
The LR-Nebula cable noticeably enriches the sound with warmth, a characteristic absent in the Eros S cable.
Kinera URD Stock Cable
Technical
The cable on Kinera URD features a blend of interwoven co-axial 6N OCC wires, including silver-plated OCC and Gold-Plated OCC wires. All the connectors and hardware are made of metal, including the chin adjuster and the two 0.78mm connectors.
The cable is modular and comes with three different termination plugs: 3.5mm, 4.4mm, and 2.5mm.
Design
In terms of design, both cables have quite different characteristics. The stock cable on URD feels better because of the hardware, which is sturdier. The termination plug is longer and heavier.
The LR-Nebula cable has a softer feel and is more flexible. The outer appearance of URD’s stock cable has a stronger silver and yellow visual compared to the copper hue on the LR-Nebula cable.
Both of these cables have different aesthetics, and it’s hard to choose one over the other.
Performance
While the cable on the URD has a nice shiny appearance, it takes a back seat in performance when compared to the LR-Nebula cable. The LR-Nebula cable brings a noticeable change and refinement to the sound on the IEM.
The stock cable of URD delivers a respectable bass impact, yet the LR-Nebula cable significantly enhances the lower end by introducing richer sub-bass and a more refined mid-bass presence. The layering and texture are elevated with the LR-Nebula cable.
The LR-Nebula cable does a better job in the midrange by pushing it a little forward. The URD cable does not add much to the richness of the midrange. In the treble region, both of these cables have similar things to do.
There’s a notable contrast in the technical performance, with the LR-Nebula cable significantly enhancing the soundstage and imaging. It delivers a more expansive, open sound with a better sense of spaciousness compared to the stock cable on URD.
My Verdict
The LETSHUOER LR-Nebula stands out as a decent copper cable tailored to enrich the bass and mid-range frequencies. With some IEMs that I paired the cable with, I found the synergy to be quite good, showing the potential performance when upgrading from a stock cable.
The brand’s approach to providing a nice user experience and high-quality sound is very well reflected in this release.
This cable presents a good argument for an upgrade, surpassing the performance of the standard cable included with a lot of IEMs. It’s a nice addition to any cable collection.
LETSHUOER LR-Nebula Specifications
- Material: 6 cores of 10×0.08mm strands 6N monocrystalline copper cable
- Plug: 3.5mm and 4.4mm Balance
- Connector: 0.78 Dual-Pin
- Length: 1.2m
