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Josh, the Cable Guru: STE MIX W16 Hybrid Cable Review
Finally a new review from Josh Chan, who has since become a Jedi Master of cables. Since Josh discovered the influence of cables on headphone sound a few months ago, he has been meticulously testing every cable he can get his hands on and is even working on his own graphic overview of the tested cables! Thanks Josh for let us benefit from your wisdom! 😉👍
Introduction
The use of cables on IEMs is an interesting topic that receives a lot of attention, especially when wondering whether they actually have an impact on the overall sound of an IEM or not.
With that in mind, the experience of using cables with IEMs is highly subjective and depends on many different factors, including: IEM construction and materials (balanced armatures, dynamic drivers, electrostatics, etc.), source (DAP, music player, etc.), eartips (silicone, foam, etc.), cable construction and materials (copper, silver, gold, etc.), and one's own listening preferences (treble sensitivity, bass sensitivity, etc.).
In my personal experience and opinion, cables definitely and without a doubt have an impact on the overall sound signature of an IEM. This is evident in my own IEMs, such as those from Empire Ears, which I will focus on in my review. I don't measure IEMs with different cables and rely on what I hear and perceive.
However, the impact of a cable on the overall sound of an IEM varies depending on the factors mentioned above. It's not surprising if a cable has a significant, very small, or no impact on an IEM.
In the following review you will find detailed information about the following STE cable:
STE MIX W16 (Silver+Copper hybrid cable)
I will focus on how this cable affects the following IEMs:
- Empire Ears Odin (Odin) with standard cable (Stormbreaker)
- Empire Ears EVO (EVO) with standard cable (Genesis)
- Empire Ears Valkyrie Mk II (Valkyrie) with standard cable (Alpha IV Hybrid)
- Kinera Nanna 2.0 with standard cable
The following information is based solely on my thoughts, opinions, and experiences listening to IEMs with specific cables. I have not performed any measurements. I was fortunate enough to receive various cables from Tom/Audio Essence for testing.
In addition, Empire Ears known for testing their cables very carefully on IEMs before launch, so the improvement or deterioration in sound quality may vary from IEM to IEM.
Depending on personal sound preferences and what Depending on what you want to achieve, increasing or decreasing certain frequencies can be positive or negative. For example, reducing the treble can have a positive effect if you want to achieve a more relaxed treble reproduction.
Source and earplugs
For my tests I used the Cayin N6ii Ti with the R01 board as a DAP and source. To play music, I used the USB Audio Player app with the integrated Tidal function and Bit Perfect mode. For earbuds, I used the stock Final E earbuds on both IEMs.
Music
I listened to the following tracks to gather my impressions:
• Illenium – Fallen Embers (whole album)
• Hans Zimmer – Time (Inception album)
• Hans Zimmer – Why so Serious? (Dark Knight album)
• Alan Walker – Faded
• Dem Franchize Boyz – Ridin' Rims
• Aviici – Wake me Up
• Eminem – You Don't Know
Packaging&
Overall, the cable's packaging is very simple and unpretentious. The STE cable comes in a plain white box with a company card. A carrying case or other accessories are not included.
processing && Materials
The STE Mixed Cu + Ag cable (STE Mixed Cable) is made of the purest copper and silver and comes in a 16-core configuration. Despite the 16-core construction, the cable isn't bulky or heavy and sits comfortably on my ears. During my testing, there was no cable noise at all.
The cable's overall workmanship is very high-quality, and you can tell it's a premium cable. At first glance and upon touch, you can see that the braiding is evenly distributed and the cable itself feels soft.
The cable is very, very soft—one of the softest 16-wire cables I've ever encountered. Up to the Y-split, the cable is wrapped in black fabric. On the rest of the cable, you can see the copper and silver wires.
The end cap and Y-split are made of dark gray titanium tubing. The cable slider is made of black rubber.
Detailed sound impressions
The following sound impressions are based on my comparison between the standard cable of the IEM, the Stormbreaker (1299 CHF) and the STE MIX W16 Cable (499 CHF).
Overall sound signature of the Odin with the STE Mixed Cable
The STE Mixed cable produces a slightly mid- and treble-emphasized sound signature on the Odin. The bass is still deep and punchy. The mids and highs are still present and central to the sound signature. There was no sibilance or harshness. The soundstage is narrow in both width and height. The mids sounded crisp and clear, and the highs seemed relaxed.
Compared to the Stormbreaker, the STE Mixed cable on the ODIN reduced all sound frequencies. The biggest difference was the reduction in the width and height of the soundstage. Therefore, I still preferred the Stormbreaker cable on the Odin.
Deep bass and bass
The low end and bass were reduced. While there was still a strong bass punch, it was obvious that the sub-bass and bass weren't as deep and structured as the Stormbreaker.
Middle
The mids have been slightly reduced compared to the Stormbreaker, which might appeal to people who don't like the Odin's emphasis on the mids. They're still forward-firing, but not as far forward as on the Stormbreaker. The mids are very detailed and clear, but the reduced soundstage mentioned below makes the sound feel warmer overall.
Heights
The highs were more relaxed and less sparkly than the Odin. Similar to the mids, they weren't as forward compared to the Stormbreaker, but still more forward than neutral-sounding IEMs. This might suit those who prefer the Odin's relaxed highs.
Soundstage
The soundstage was significantly reduced with the STE Mixed cable compared to the Odin. The soundstage wasn't as wide and high as with the Stormbreaker. In my experience, this was the biggest difference between the STE Mixed cable and the Stormbreaker on the Odin.
The following sound impressions are based on my comparison between the standard cable of the IEM, the Alpha IV Hybrid (299 CHF) and the STE MIX W16 Cable (499 CHF).
Overall sound of the Valkyrie MK II with the STE Mixed Cable
The sound signature of the Valkyrie MK II with the STE Mixed Cable produced a distinctly bass- and mid-heavy, or V-shaped, sound. The low end is deep and powerful, and the bass is punchy. The mids are forward-facing and very detailed. Vocals and instruments sounded fantastic and were very detailed with plenty of texture. The highs felt relaxed. There was no sibilance or harshness. The soundstage was narrow, not wide.
Comparison with the Alpha IV Hybrid Cable
In my opinion, the STE Hybrid cable is a great match for the V-shaped sound signature of the Valkyrie MK II. It allows the Valkyrie MK II to maintain its refined V-shape signature with deep sub-bass and crystal-clear, slightly forward mids. Compared to the Alpha IV Hybrid, the low end is reduced, the bass is equal, and the mids and highs are less present.
The soundstage is narrower and not as wide. I still prefer the Alpha IV Hybrid cable on the Valkyrie MK II, although the STE Mixed cable is still a very good alternative for reducing the mids and highs compared to the original Empire Ears setup.
Deep bass && Bass
The low bass is still deep and very similar to the Alpha IV Hybrid cable, although it doesn't go as deep. The bass is very similar, but at times it was a bit more powerful with a shorter decay.
Middle
The mids sounded great and matched the overall V-shaped tuning of the Valkyrie MK II, but were not as forward compared to the Alpha Hybrid IV cable.
Heights
The highs were more relaxed and not as forward compared to the Alpha IV Hybrid cable. I read somewhere online that people perceive a certain harshness in the high frequencies. The STE Mixed cable helps to mitigate these issues, if anyone has experienced this harshness.
Soundstage
The soundstage was reduced and was not as wide or high.
The following sound impressions are based on my comparison between the standard cable of the IEM, the Genesis (399 CHF) and the STE MIX W16 Cable (499 CHF).
Overall sound of the Legend EVO with the STE MIX W16 Cable
The Legend EVO's sound signature with the STE Mixed cable produced a very bass-driven sound, coupled with pronounced mids and highs. The bass was deep and punchy, not overpowering the mids and highs. The mids are still present and retain their high level of detail and smoothness. Vocals and instruments sound fantastic. The highs are relaxed, with no hint of sibilance or harshness. The soundstage was narrow.
Comparison with the Legend EVO with Genesis cable
With the STE Mixed cable, the Legend EVO retains its bass-heavy characteristics, but reduces the overall soundstage and slightly reduces the mids and highs. In my opinion, the influence of the Weapon X-Bone Conduction Driver is also reduced. reduced. Overall, I preferred the Genesis cable on the EVO.
Deep bass && Bass
The low bass is still very present and deep, but it doesn't extend as far as with the Genesis cable. The bass is more or less the same, and the Legend EVO still retains the same bass structure. Another notable difference was the Weapon X's lower impact. In my experience, I felt I was missing that extra "thump" and 3D effect that were more noticeable with the Genesis cable.
Middle
The mids sounded great, but compared to the EVO with the Genesis cable, they weren't as present. You can feel the mids now being pulled back and more evenly distributed across the frequency response curve.
Highs: The highs, like the mids, were a bit more relaxed and not as forward as with the Genesis cable. The highs themselves still felt relaxed.
Soundstage
The soundstage was reduced and was not as wide and high.
Overall sound of the Kinera Nanna 2.0 with the STE MIX W16 Cable
The Legend EVO's sound signature with the STE Mixed cable produced a very bass-driven sound, coupled with pronounced mids and highs. The bass was deep and punchy, not overpowering the mids and highs. The mids are still present and retain their high level of detail and smoothness. Vocals and instruments sound fantastic. The highs are relaxed, with no hint of sibilance or harshness. The soundstage was narrow.
Comparison with the Kinera Nanna 2.0 with standard cable
The STE Mixed cable had the biggest impact on the sound of the Kinera Nanna 2.0 compared to all the other IEMs I tested above.
Compared to the standard cable of the Kinera Nanna 2.0, the STE cable builds on the foundations of this cable and makes The Nanna 2.0 was even better. The bass was boosted and more detailed, and the mids and highs were a bit more forward and super detailed.
In my opinion, the STE MIX W16 Cable and the STE CU W16 Cable the Kinera Nanna 2.0 had the most positive impact. I have the STE CU W16 the STE MIX W16 preferred because it offers an even larger soundstage and a slightly deeper sub-bass.
Subbass && Bass
The sub-bass is more extended and goes deeper than with the standard cable. The same applies to the bass, which is still powerful, but with more force and authority. The overall bass structure is still very detailed.
Middle
The mids have moved a little further forward and have gained in detail.
Heights
Similar to the mids, the highs are also a bit more forward and sparkle a bit more.
Soundstage
The soundstage has increased in both height and width compared to the standard cable.
Conclusion
The STE MIX W16 It's an excellent cable, both sonically and aesthetically. The overall build quality of the cable is excellent and leaves a premium feel. With the Empire Ears IEMs, the STE Mixed cable reduced the soundstage somewhat and controlled the mids and highs.
The Kinera Nanna 2.0 has STE MIX W16 The bass was boosted and the soundstage was definitely opened up a bit more, which was a very welcome adjustment for my taste. I preferred using the STE Mixed cable on the Kinera rather than the Empire Ears IEMs.
Therefore, I am happy to give it an overall rating of: 8/10
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