Josh, the cable guru: satin audio Perseus (p) review

Satin Audio - Perseus in Detail - Review

overview

The Satin Audio Perseus marks the beginning of a new cable series from Satin Audio called "Warrior Series". The The cable is expected to be officially available in January 2022. We would like to thank Satin Audio for the opportunity to test the cable in advance!

The Perseus is a truly impressive copper cable. Not only did it exceed my sonically high expectations, but it also represents the new quality standard for copper cables in the $500 to $1,000 price range.

The Perseus cable has a EXCELLENT Value for money and should complement everyone's IEM collection!

I've tested many cables in the past, but none caught my attention as quickly as the Perseus. But what does the Perseus do? Overall, it offers more. ENERGY into your music - it brings more musicality and engagement.

His strengths lie in

(1) increasing the sub-bass depth and bass quality
(2) the smooth and detailed bass and
(3) the expansive sound staging.

The bass structure is a focus, and the Perseus is very good in this area. The low bass is enhanced, but not to the point where the IEM becomes a bass cannon, which was not the original intention.

As for the mids, they are still forward-firing and come with a high level of detail.

The highs are not exaggerated, but not too relaxed either.

The combination of fantastic sub-bass, bass structure and detailed mids makes the Perseus an absolute insider tip and a cable that captivates the listener and keeps them enthralled with its music.

Many IEM manufacturers like Empire Ears create their own custom cables for their IEMs, which they test and refine extensively. I've tested many Empire Ears IEMs like the ODIN, and I can tell you that the Perseus is the first cable to truly challenge their custom cables. It has a positive effect on the ODIN, for example. an incredible achievement!

The following information is based solely on my thoughts, opinions, and experiences listening to my IEMs with specific cables. I have not performed any measurements. Furthermore, the effect of cables varies from IEM to IEM due to their components, various factors such as the source, eartips, and, most importantly, one's own perception of sound and sensitivity to certain frequencies. The purpose of my review is to share my own impressions and findings with you.

Summary in one minute

Below you'll find the overall effect of the Perseus on the IEMs I paired it with, compared to their standard cables. For example, the effect of the ODIN was compared to that of the Stormbreaker cable. Note the following key:

• Green arrows indicate an increase, either in quality or in quantity
• Orange arrows indicate a decrease, either in quality or in quantity
• Blue bars indicate no change
• The plus/triangle sign indicates a significant increase or decrease to.

Depending on your sonic preferences and desired results, boosting or cutting certain frequencies can be either positive or negative. Reducing the treble, for example, will have no negative impact if you want to achieve a more relaxed treble response.

Source and earplugs

For my tests, I used the Cayin N6ii Ti with the R01 board as DAP and source. For music playback, I used the Cayin Music app and the USB Audio Player app with the integrated Tidal function and Bit Perfect mode. For earbuds, I used the stock earbuds (z.B. Final E) and Spinfit CP155 earplugs. My favorite combination was:
- Empire Ears ODIN + SPINFIT CP 155s + Cayin N6ii Ti w/ R01 + Satin Audio Perseus cable

Music

I used a combination of local FLAC files and music streamed from Tidal. I listened to the following tracks to gather my impressions:
- Joel Adams - Please Don't Go [Pop]
- Illenium - Good Things Fall Apart [Pop/EDM]
- Petit Biscuit - Drivin' Thru the Night (Jai Wolf Remix) [Pop/EDM]
- ONE OK ROCK - Listen [Pop/Rock]
- ONE OK ROCK - I Was King [Pop/Rock]
- ONE OK ROCK - Stand Out Fit In [Pop/Rock]
- Shawn Mendes - Senorita [Pop]
- Shawn Mendes - Lost in Japan [Pop]
- Hans Zimmer - Time [Orchestral]
- Hans Zimmer - Why So Serious? [Orchestral]
- Andrea Moti - I didn't tell them why [Jazz]

Packaging and presentation of the cable

The Perseus is in a bombastic wooden box delivered and is safe in a hockey puck-like The case is made of leather, and the lid is embossed with the Satin Audio logo. The case is a comfortable and compact size, large enough to transport your IEMs on the go.

The cable comes with a leather cable tie and an authenticity card. Overall, the cable is very well made, and the packaging matches the cable's high-quality appearance.

Materials, craftsmanship and user-friendliness

The Perseus is a pure copper cable and comes with a special shielding. The copper is "woven" in a way that gives the cable a unique sound. It is manufactured in a similar way to how a coaxial audio cable is manufactured.



The cable's color scheme is rose gold, which I think looks quite unusual. The cable is quite stiff and not as pliable as other satin audio cables like the Athena. During use, the cable almost remains in a "state" because it's only half wrapped. This has its advantages and disadvantages.

For one thing, it means the cable is quiet and generally free of cable noise. However, it also means the cable doesn't sit gently over the earlobes during use. The Y-split ring is therefore important to ensure a comfortable and snug fit. The standard cable has a Y-split and a plug in dark silver and rose gold, which fits well with the overall theme.



The cable ring is a dark gray metal tab that provides a minimum of support. The cable connectors are dark silver with a Satin Audio logo and black and red markings for left and right.

In terms of usability, the cable is very well suited for IEMs and headphones. While it's not as supple as other IEM cables, or as I would prefer, it's not overly stiff either. The cable is also quite lightweight, making it suitable for use for hours. The braiding is quite compact, and the overall cable feels and looks high-quality.



Satin Audio offers the ability to customize the cables you purchase, including the Perseus.The connectors are available in a variety of configurations, including 2-pin and MMCX, and the connectors range from 2.5 mm to 4.4 mm. There's also the option of using standard satin audio connectors, standard Pentaconn, or Pentaconn OFC connectors. OFC stands for Oxygen-Free Copper and is used in high-quality cables.

Price/performance ratio

At the time of writing, the Perseus is available for CHF Available for $739. Compared to other cables on the market, this is excellent value considering the high sound quality it offers with certain IEMs. In my opinion, the Satin Audio Perseus offers excellent value for anyone looking to slightly improve V-shaped IEMs.

Cable sound impressions & IEM pairings

What kind of music does the Perseus suit?

To begin this section, let's discuss what kind of music the Perseus would be a good fit for. The Perseus is a copper cable that brings energy to an IEM. The Perseus is a copper cable that energizes an IEM by adding sub-bass and bass texture. Therefore, this cable is suitable for those who listen to music with average to above-average bass presence and a focus on instruments. For example, pop, EDM, R&B, classical, and rock are the perfect genres to pair with the Perseus. If you listen to lighter music with an emphasis on vocals or softer instruments (e.g., jazz), this is also a very good cable for that type of music, although you might find the bass presence a bit overpowering.

Empire Ears ODIN

Overall sound signature of the Odin with the Satin Audio Perseus cable
The ODIN's standard cable is the Stormbreaker, which I believe is a 2-conductor cable from PWAudio from the 1960s. This is a pure copper cable. The Perseus cable enhances the sub-bass, maintains the bass structure, and brings the mids slightly forward. There's no significant change in the treble or soundstage. I found the Perseus very pleasant on the ODIN, and it definitely gave the sub-bass and mids that extra "kick" I prefer in my music.

Comparison with the Odin with the Stormbreaker cable

With the Stormbreaker, the ODIN maintains its balanced yet detailed sound signature. Furthermore, it offers fantastic bass texture and deep bass depth when needed. Compared to the Stormbreaker on the ODIN, the Perseus adds even more energy to the music I listen to and perfectly matches my sound preferences. Compared to the Stormbreaker, the Perseus adds more sub-bass while maintaining the same overall bass texture. The mids are just as detailed and smooth, but more forward. There's no significant change in the highs. Is the Perseus or the Stormbreaker better for the ODIN? That's a matter of personal preference. If you prefer a more balanced sound, the Stormbreaker is a better fit. However, if you want an "extra" sub-bass and a mid-range kick without compromising the ODIN's other qualities, the Perseus is a better fit.

Subbass && Bass

The sub-bass increases, giving the ODIN a bit more depth. The bass is more or less the same, and the Perseus was able to maintain the same bass texture as the Stormbreaker. Overall, there's still a strong bass punch and rumble, but it was obvious that the sub-bass was deeper compared to the Stormbreaker.The Perseus won't turn the ODIN into a bass cannon, and that's not the goal, as the ODIN wasn't built for that. Instead, the Perseus adds the perfect amount of extra sub-bass for my preferences, and it was a welcome effect of the cable.

Middle

The mids are pushed further forward compared to the Stormbreaker, which suits people who prefer to emphasize their instruments and vocals. The mids are still very detailed and clear, and the overall sound is more engaging. I really liked the Perseus' effect on the mids on the ODIN.

Heights

There are no significant changes in the highs, tending more toward a slightly sparkling side. For my taste, this is perfect, as I like the sparkling nature of the ODIN and thus the energy that the Perseus brings to the overall sound. For those who found the ODIN highs harsh on the Stormbreaker, the same "issues" may still exist. I also didn't detect any sibilance.

Soundstage

The soundstage is just as wide and high as the Stormbreaker. In my experience, this perfectly complements the Perseus's additional sub-bass and midrange.

BONUS - Music Track: In "Hans Zimmer - Why So Serious?" and "Joel Adams - Please Don't Go," you can feel more sub-bass and just as much bass texture compared to the ODIN. In "Please Don't Go," the initial bass drop of the drum has great depth and texture. Similarly, in "Why so Serious," where the bass reverberates heavily in the middle of the song, the sub-bass depth is exquisite and pleasing on both tracks. However, in "Andrea Moti - I Didn't Tell Them," a jazz piece, the lightness of the trumpet and female vocals is somewhat reduced by the presence of the sub-bass. In this case, I would prefer the ODIN, but only slightly. The mids are more forward, which is evident in "Please Don't Go," where the piano and male vocals are placed further forward. The midrange of "ONE OK ROCK - Listen" sounds fantastic and is very detailed, especially on the electric guitar in the first verse. You can hear that the vocals and instruments are well-placed. The guitar texturing on "Illenium - Good Things Fall Apart" is super detailed and enjoyable to listen to from the very first seconds. The vocals in pop, rock, and EDM tracks sound fantastic and free of sibilance. In all the tracks I listened to, the highs were particularly present and bright, but not too harsh or exaggerated. The soundstage was wide.

Empire Ears Valkyrie MK II

Overall sound of the Valkyrie MK II with the Satin Audio Perseus cable
With the Perseus, the Valkyrie MK II retains its V-shaped sound signature. The biggest effect, however, is the improvement in detail and midrange quality. The Perseus pushes the sub-bass a bit deeper without compromising the bass structure. The highs are still as sparkling as they were with the standard cable. I really enjoyed the effect the Perseus had on the Valkyrie MK II.

Comparison with the Valkyrie MK II with the Audio Alpha IV hybrid cable

The standard cable for the Valkyrie MK II is the Effect Audio Alpha IV Hybrid, a copper and silver cable. The Perseus cable increases the sub-bass, preserves the bass structure, adds more detail to the midrange, and expands the soundstage. The highs remain the same compared to the Alpha IV Hybrid cable, producing a more vibrant sound.

Deep bass && Bass

The low bass increases and gives the Valkyrie MK II even more depth.The bass has remained more or less the same, and the Perseus has also retained the same bass texture. The Perseus transforms the Valkyrie into a larger bass cannon, perfect for those who want to push these IEMs even further.

Middle

The mids are slightly more forward-firing compared to the Alpha IV Hybrid, which is a nice upgrade. They're even more detailed and more audible at the lower end of the midrange, where most instrumental tracks reside.

Heights

There are no significant changes in the highs, which are more on the sparkling side. This corresponds to my preferences and the overall signature of the Valkyrie MK IIs. I didn't detect any sibilance.
Soundstage: The soundstage is wider and has the same height. This was also a welcome change from the Alpha IV hybrid cable.

Empire Ears Legend EVO



Overall sound of the Legend EVO with the Satin Audio Perseus cable
The Perseus cable had no significant impact on the overall sound of the Legend EVO. Just like the Genesis cable, the bass is still very deep, and the bass structure is excellent. The mids are still slightly forward, and the highs are a bit relaxed. The Perseus is a great alternative to the Genesis cable.

Comparison to the Legend EVO with the Genesis cable

The EVO's stock cable is the PWAudio Genesis cable, a pure copper cable. As mentioned earlier, there are no significant changes at any sound frequency with the Legend EVO, allowing the Legend EVO to retain its original sound signature. The fact that there's not much change should be viewed from two different perspectives: First, it might not force you to upgrade from the Genesis cable, and second, it demonstrates that the Perseus has superior sound quality to compete with the Genesis, which is a custom cable for the Legend EVO.

Subbass && Bass

There are no significant changes to the sub-bass and bass. The sub-bass is still very deep and part of the overall sound. The bass structure is of very high quality.

Middle

The mids are still forward-facing and carry the high level of detail to instruments and vocals.

Heights

The highs haven't changed significantly and still seem relaxed. I didn't detect any sibilance.
Soundstage: There's no significant change in the soundstage. In this respect, the soundstage is still wide and high, just like the Genesis.

Kinera Nanna 2.0 Pro

Overall sound of the Kinera Nanna 2.0 Pro with the Satin Audio Perseus cable
The Kinera Nanna 2.0 Pro (Nanna 2.0) sounds slightly V-shaped with the Perseus cable. The bass is deep, and the bass structure is fantastic. The mids are forward-firing and offer great detail. The highs are still relaxed, but border on sparkling. The soundstage is about average.

Comparison with the Kinera Nanna 2.0 Pro standard cable

The Kinera Nanna 2.0 Pro comes with a silver-plated copper cable. The sound of the Kinera Nanna 2.0 is a mild V-shape with a front midrange and relaxed highs. The Perseus retains the general sound signature of the Nanna 2.0 and slightly increases the bass depth and soundstage. In terms of midrange, there is more detail and clarity.
Deep bass &Bass: The low end is slightly deeper, and the bass is the same as with the standard cable. The bass structure is still of high quality.

Middle

The mids are forward-firing and the Perseus adds more detail and clarity.

Heights

The highs haven't changed much and still seem relaxed. However, on some tracks, they tended toward the sparkling side. I didn't detect any sibilance.

Soundstage

With the Perseus, the soundstage felt a bit wider, but had the same height as with the standard cable.

Improvement points of the cable

flexibility

Physically, the cable is quite stiff and not very flexible. This means it doesn't bend or shape well during use. In fact, the cable remains partially coiled during use. It appears as if the cable has only one "state" and maintains it. This is due to the fact that, unlike other cables, the cable has an extra shielding covering the conductors.

Perhaps this could be improved by changing the braiding or the structure of the jacket to make it more flexible. Additionally, the cable doesn't always sit comfortably on the ears during use, but this is easily remedied by using the cable ring correctly. However, this could also be seen as a positive. Because the cable is more or less in one "state" and stays in one place, there's hardly any cable noise. Furthermore, the cable isn't as easy to coil and requires a cable tie to hold it in place.

cable ring

The cable ring is rather thin, and while it does its job, it could be thicker or have more weight to better hold the cable. This is especially important because the cable isn't very flexible and doesn't wrap smoothly around the ears when using IEMS, so the cable ring is a key component for a good fit. Furthermore, a thicker cable ring would improve the overall appearance of the cable.

connectors

The connectors at the end of the cable, which connect it to the IEMs, look rather generic and are the same ones used on all Satin Audio cables. This could be improved with different colors (e.g., rose gold) or finishes (glossy metal) to better match the overall theme of the cable. However, the quality of the connectors is very good.

Conclusion

All in all, the Satin Audio Perseus cable is a fantastic cable and sets a new standard for sound quality in cables in the sub-1000 CHF/USD price range.

It made a great impression on my IEMs, positively changing/improving certain frequencies, especially in the sub-bass and mid-range.

Satin Audio has truly developed a remarkable cable.If you can get over the lack of flexibility, this is a cable you can't miss for anyone's IEM collection!

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