The silver-plated copper Cadmus in-ear monitor cable is one of the "entry-level" cables in the Signature series from Singaporean brand, Effect Audio. The brand is known for their pricey, luxury cables, but they do have more "affordable" cables available such as this Signature line that consists of the copper Ares S, and this SPC Cadmus that I will discuss here.
While still pricey at $199, it is significantly lower than their hundreds to kilobuck+ cables. The Cadmus features the Effect Audio ConX connectors which allow for screwing on different connector types to use with 2-Pin, mmcx, and other IEM connector types.
In this quick impressions review, I will be looking at the Cadmus with both mmcx and 2-Pin ConX connectors that I bought myself. The set was $214 USD, and is available at various online retailers such as MusicTeck, Bloom Audio, and Audio 46, where I purchased these, as well as directly from Effect Audio.
I first want to mention that my belief in cable changes is quite minimal. There is the effect of output impedance which can change some sensitive IEMs, but I tend to favor more towards usability and visual appeal, along with build quality, and general preferential desires than anything really technical.
The Cadmus is a 4-wire SPC based cable that also now comes in an 8-wire edition that is a bit thicker. I have not tried the 8-wire version yet. The 4-wire Signature series versions were also reviewed by AD member, CorgiFalls previously at the launch of the product. The braid of this is elegant and simple. I like the jacket on these cables, as it is quite soft and supple and this makes it both lightweight and easy to manage and move around despite being thicker than some other cables I own.
The cable features gunmetal gray metal connectors and splitters. The 4.4mm rhodium plated-brass Pentaconn jack has a silver and gunmetal metal housing that has flats trimmed into it to give a grippy surface. It's a sleek and subtle look that I actually quite like.
The y-split has a similar brushed aluminum look with a carbon-fiber faceplate in some sort of funky beveled geometry that is unique, and large, but not heavy. Sometimes y-splits that are large can be quite bulk and annoying (see Fearless cables).
Effect Audio also includes a round pouch to store the cable. It can technically fit smaller IEMs, but putting the cable with the IEMs on can be a bit of a pain. I prefer to use other cases to use with my IEM+Cable, and so while I like the fact they added this carrying case, I wish it was larger to be more usable or at least, easier to put your gear in and out of it.
Sound Impressions
I did find the Cadmus cable to provide a little bit more of a quick and incisive attack, with more focus on clear defined edges. Perhaps this can lean out the sound just slightly, but gives a more technical presentation without being bright or anymore artificial with my Odin and Viento.
ConX
The ConX connectors is the real difference here from other cables I own. The ConX design allows users to swap in and out different connector types for different IEMs. In my case, I have a set of mmcx connectors for my Hidition Viento, and a set of 2-pin connectors for the Empire Ears Odin. I can then, in theory, share the same cable without having to detach the ConX from either IEM. This could prolong the IEM connectors life, as each pull of the mmcx can wear on its durability, and each insertion and removal of the 2-pin can potentially increase the size of the hole if misplaced in.
I will say that the ConX works great for 2-pin. It is really easy to attach and reattach my Odins by twisting them on and off the cable, and for this method, I think this is a great new idea from Effect Audio.
The mmcx connectors were another story. While, in theory, it should work the same, I found it was not so great. The problem here is that mmcx, by design, can freely turn while attached. This can potentially lead the ConX cable to detach itself from the base cable threads fairly easily. To combat this, Effect Audio provides a wrench to tighten the connector.
This wrench has two tiny cones on each side that cup into the hole slots in ConX allowing you to grip and torque it down. This is great, except the wrench is not a normal half circle. Instead, it is fully circular, meaning to make it work, you need to have the cable or the connector detached to set it in correctly. So, the only way to properly do this with mmcx, is to remove it! What's the point then? Sure, I can still save on a cable, but I don't get the full benefit....
Just to be clear, on the 2-pin version, since it is held static, free of self-movement, the unwinding of the ConX connector by itself was never a problem for me. I did not need to use the wrench to torque it down and was able to to hand tighten fine.
Overall
Effect Audio cables are expensive. This one, along with the copper Ares S are closer to the realm of affordability, though still quite vastly expensive compared to other cables you can buy on Amazon or Ali Express. That said, given that I have spent hundreds of dollars on cheaper cables, I do find that the Cadmus has the best build of any of other cables I've owned.
The connectors feel and look more premium, and the cable braiding as well. The material is very nice to the touch, and is soft and supple, and lightweight. These are important to me more so than any perceived sound changes or budget price point. I still can't tell if this is worth the price tag, but searching out and buying/testing a lot of cheaper cables takes time and energy, and a lot of worse cables add up to the same price as buying a slightly more expensive cable that you know what you get.
So while I have tested cheaper, good cables, I have also tested and used much more expensive BAD cables ($1500 PW Audio Stormbreaker, anyone?). The Cadmus is a nice cable, and the ConX connector is a good idea for 2-pin users, but I'd take more caution with mmcx design, unless you plan to not ever change it out.
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