By Juan C. Ayllon He probably doesn’t remember, but I first met the affable, San Diego, California-based Rob Fritz at his Audio Art Cable booth at my first AXPONA (Audio Expo North America) show in 2014. I enjoyed our chat and since then have received periodic marketing emails from him. Recently, when I saw his ad on their new HPX1-SE headphone cables, I asked to review them. As I am currently reviewing the Cypher Labs Prautes Headphone amplifier ($3,900) and the PS Audio BHK Signature preamplifier (at $6,000, it has an excellent, built-in head amp), this made perfect sense to me. When I mentioned to Rob that I own a pair of Fostex T50RP headphones, he was tactful. Acknowledging that it is a strong value for the money, he suggested that the Audeze LCD-3 ($1,995) and Sennheiser HD800 S ($1,699) might be better fits and, after I agreed, he reached out to their principals. Several weeks later, two pairs of Audio Art Cable HPX-1SE headphone cables, as well as the cans, arrive at my home. The Once Over The HPX-1SE cables I find two pairs of slender, coiled black mambas in the Audio Arts package. Stretching them out, I find that they’re two, 10 foot long pairs of Audio Art Cable HPX-1SE headphone cables. The Audeze version features a black Techflex no-noise multifilament cover, along with a aluminum Y splitter. Connectors are an Eidolic 6.3mm (1/4″) plug, with red carbon fiber barrel and their proprietary Audio Art Cable brand 4-pin mini XLRs with gold plated beryllium copper contacts. Starting at five feet length at $330, the 10’ length that I am reviewing with this connector combination lists at $380. (1) The Sennheiser HD 800S version of the cable features the same Techflex cover and an upgraded brushed aluminum Y splitter Connectors are an Eidolic 6.3mm (1/4″) rhodium plated TRS plug to Eidolic brand Sennheiser plugs(2) They start at $390 for a five foot cable, with this 10 footer listing at $440. The Audio Art HXP cable design features two paralleled cables with twin 28 AWG single crystal OCC Copper conductors in each PVC jacket, insulated with PE dielectric, with a braided silver-plated OFHC copper shield. The intention of this design was for both high resolution audio performance, enhanced application compatibilities, and rugged durability. Holding them in my hand, they have an understated elegance, heft a degree of stiffness that suggests these would be equally at home in a Mercedes Benz as my man cave.. The Audeze LCD-3 The American made Audeze LCD-3 Headphones come in a black, heavy duty plastic case that resembles a designer tool box. Encased in dark grey foam, the LCD-3 headphones are notably heavier than the Sennheisers at 630 grams and come with a black weave design 3.5 mm to ¼ inch to dual four pin mini XLR cable, a 3.5 mm to ¼ inch stereo adapter and a flash drive. Like the Sennheiser, they are an open circumaural design, but use thin membrane planar magnetic drivers. They combine steel, leather, attractive wooden earcup bodies with a black vented plastic outer wall and black leather covered ear pads. They brag a stated frequency response of 5Hz - 20kHz extended out to 50kHz, total harmonic distortion of less than 1 percent, efficiency of 102dB/1mW and 100 ohm impedance. The Sennheiser HD 800S Built in Germany, the Sennheiser HD 800S headphones, with its open transducer design, are encased in an oversized, semi gloss black cardboard box lined with a dark silky material, a matching bag housing two pairs of cables -- one with a quarter inch plug and another with a balanced input, a microfibre cleaning cloth, a manual and USB flash drive. The construction is a combination of plastic and mat black metal, with a microfibre covering on the ear cups . They have a stated frequency response of 4 - 51,000 HZ (-10 dB) and THD (total harmonic distortion of 0.02 percent (1 kHz Vrms). And they weigh 330 grams -- 300 grams less than the Audeze LCD-3s -- and are rated at 300 ohms impedance. Burn In After running signal through the proprietary and the Audio Arts HPX-1SE cables on and off for a week, my wife and I take turns trying them plugged into the PS Audio BHK preamplifier that currently resides in my system for review purposes. Frankly, both the HD 800S and the LCD-3 sound amazing, but sport distinctly different sonic signatures, as well as weight. We rarely use headphones, and the weight of the Audeze is an issue for my wife, who finds them too heavy for her tastes. Hi-Fi Society A week later, I host a Chicago Audio Society meeting at my house with the main system playing downstairs while the dining room hosts a headphone listening station with both sets of phones linked up to the Cypher Labs Prautes Headphone amplifier and the Pioneer Elite DV-45a SACD player. The show’s a hit. When asked which headphones attendees prefer, the reactions are split down the middle, depending on their taste. It’s going to be a fun evaluation. Primed for a Vinyl Session Part I: I play several albums on the outstanding VPI Industries Prime Signature turntable that I am currently reviewing. Using the Ortofon Quintet Black MC cartridge, it’s connected to the VPI Viper phono stage with Straight Wire Virtuoso interconnects into the PS Audio BHK Signature preamplifier Larry Carlton “The BP Blues “ . Last Nite. Vinyl album. MCA Records, February 17, 1986. Audeze LCD-3 w their cables: The LCD-3s capture the masterful live performance at the Baked Potato in all its glory: The magic in Carlton’s soulful, expressive electric guitar lead and his dialog with longtime friend and collaborator, Terry Trotter, on keys, John Robinson keeping time on drums and Abraham Laboriel’s nuanced and muscular bass undergirding the band and, in a more quiet passage, plays with nuance as he swaps leads with Carlton. The trumpet solo by either Jerry Hey or Gary Grant (it doesn’t say which, but only that they comprise the trumpet section), comped by Laboriel and Trotter is scintillating. Then, as if to say, “You ain’t seen nothing yet,” Carlton comes back slowly, builds up to an intoxicating solo and, with the whole band in scorch mode, finishes with a flourish that leaves the crowd clapping and cheering. Audeze LC3 with the Audio Art HPX-1SE cable: They capture the masterful live performance at the Baked Potato in all its glory, it’s a very visceral experience. The magic in Carlton’s soulful, expressive electric guitar lead, Terry Trotter’s comping on keys, Abraham Laboriel’s understated, muscular bass -- which is fully articulated especially in its lower octaves -- undergirds the band. I find this presentation a smidgen more detailed than with the Audeze cables. Sennheiser HD 800S with its cable: This Sounds crisper and with a lighter, more trebly balance, yet with plenty of oomph on Laboriel’s bass. It’s just not as heavy footed as the LCD-3s, which are darker sounding by contrast. The ride cymbals sizzle a touch more on Acuna’s tambourines and Robinson’s ride and crash cymbals and snare and rim strikes. The crowd claps and cheers a touch more articulated. Sennheiser HD 800S with Audio Arts HPX-1SE cable: The 800S cans seem a smidgen fuller and grounded than before. Laboriel’s bass, Carlton’s higher register solo, Trotter’s gorgeous comping on keys seem more present, The Audio Art Cables spotlight and enhance the magic in this performance. Miles Davis. “So What.” Kind of Blue. Vinyl. Columbia, August 17, 1959. The Audeze LCD-3 w their cables sound so right. Winton Kelly’s piano lead in, followed by upright acoustic bassist Paul Chambers, and Billy Cobbs’ lilting drums cymbals, horns comping. Miles trumpet joins in. Wow. Magic. Add John Coltrane’s saxophone solo in its early, mathematical, frenetic rephrasing attack, followed by Julian “Cannonball” Adderley’s more melodic, rounder approach and you have a very special, intimate event. It’s transfixing and haunting. Audeze LC3 w Audio Art HPX-1SE cable: It’s as if you think it cannot possibly get any better and, yet, it does. The tone Miles trumpet, the sizzle on Cobbs’ cymbal, the sonorous resonance of Adderley’s tenor saxophone and the texture of Chambers’ bass shines a touch more. Sennheiser HD 800S with its cable: Details with Chambers upright bass seem a bit more forthright; the sizzle on Cobbs lilting cymbals more pronounced and Miles’ trumpet has more of an edge, as does Coltrane’s and Adderley’s tenor saxophones. Again, it’s an airy, ambient, dryer, more detail balanced presentation. Sennheiser HD 800S with Audio Arts HPX-1SE cable: The 800S seems a touch weightier. The treble is still there, but it’s as if someone boosted the bass a notch or two and the midrange a few. It’s still the same magical performance, but ever so slightly enhanced. You’ve Been Served Part II: The Lampizator DSD Komputer music server is paired with the Cypher Labs Prautes Headphone Amplifier, which provides an excellent, detailed but more classical vacuum tube sound than the PS Audio BHK Signature preamplifier. Lyn Stanley. “Making Woopie”. The Moonlight Sessions, Vol. 2. DSD 128. Native DSD Music download. A.T. Music, 2017. This 2016 Global Award winner and uncrowned champion of AXPONA comes across vividly with her jazz vocals. The Audeze LCD-3 with its cable: The brush on the snare, then the cymbal. The upright acoustic bass. Hendrik Meurken’s harmonica and then the breathy vocals of Lyn Stanley. The electric guitar, the tap of Ray Brinker’s drumstick on the ride cymbal are all palpable presences. It’s a warm, analog sounding full presentation, yet detailed and nuanced. Great recording! Audeze LC3 w Audio Art HPX-1SE cable: A touch more grounded, enhanced in its detail and forward. The lilting of the cymbals with the drumstick taps are more noticeable as with the sense of atmosphere, the black backdrop and slight effects her vocals. Sennheiser HD 800S with its cable: There is a slightly lighter feel about the presentation -- less weightiness, more atmosphere and detail. Her voice is equally the drumsticks on cymbals shimmer more, I get a sense of the recording space with a slight echo from the room. Sennheiser HD 800S with Audio Arts HPX-1SE cable: Again, the vocals, bass, and overall presentation has a more solid, palpable presentation. Whereas Sennheiser’s cables presented a more airy, lighter imaging, the HPX-1SE’s is notably fuller, deeper and present. Stevie Ray Vaughan. “Tin Pan Alley.” The Essential Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble. WAV file. Epic, October 2002. Audeze with its cable: The drum roll gives way to Vaughan’s buttery intro on guitar accompanied by Chris Layton tapping on the high hat and rim slap on the snare with his drumstick and “Uncle” Tommy Shannon on electric bass leading us into this intoxicating, slow blues ballad. The details are clear, crisp, full bodied and a touch on the warm side. The bass is robust, the tone of Vaughan’s Stratocaster guitar spot on. Stevie’s vocals raspy vocals well articulated, a slight echo from the toms being struck giving a hint of the space this was recorded in. The tap on the ride cymbal rings resonnant. Overall it’s very engaging. Audeze LCD-3 with the Audio Art HPX-1SE: The difference is subtle, with a touch more detail and definition on the electric bass, the snare rim slaps and Vaughan’s guitar. It’s more articulated. I hear a little more breathiness in Vaughan’s vocals, which sound a smidgen warmer now. The slam on the toms, the sense of space seems enhanced. Sennheiser HD 800S with its cables: Overall it sounds a touch softer in its overall presentation, less in my face; it’s airy, rife with detail, dryer sounding than the Audeze. The resonance of the tom drum being struck seems a bit more detailed. Vaughan’s voice seems very articulated in detail and texture. It, too, is a very compelling and articulate presentation. Sennheiser with the Audio Art HPX-1SE: Again, it sounds similar, but a smidgen fuller. Details, everything sound amazing. The overall presentation retains the taught, characteristics, yet warms it up a degree or two. Peter Gabriel. “Shock the Monkey.” Back to Front. FLAC file. Real World Records, June 23, 2014. Audeze LCD-3 with its cables: From the initial four count of drumsticks struck together by drummer Manu Katche, Tony Levin’s bass, David Sancious’keys and David Rhodes’ acoustic guitar joining in, the audience gasp of recognition and claps to four/four time, to Peter Gabriel’s vocals, the drum kit and the ambiance of the concert hall, it’s a very palpable, visceral presentation from this extraordinary, live recording. Audeze LCD-3 with the Audio Arts HPX-1SE: The tapping of Katche’s drum sticks sounds fuller, the dynamics and presence of the crowd, Gabriel’s vocals -- the whole recording is enhanced a few notches in definition and immediacy. It’s damning! Sennheiser HD 800S with its Cables: The clicking of Katche’s drumsticks seems a little thinner, but the crowd’s gasps of recognition more clearly defined and enhanced with detail. Clearly, the Sennheiser is more analytical and less in my face, wringing out every last detail in percussion, drum kit and overall presentation. The bass has a fullness, but the timbre of Rhodes’ acoustic guitars is extremely defined. Sennheiser HD 800S with the Audio Arts HPX-1SE: The clicks of Katche’s drumsticks seem fuller, as with the air of the venue, the kick drum. Details abound as before, but sound beefier. Gabriel’s and background female vocalists, Jennie Abrahamson and Linnea Olsson, are more natural and fully articulated through the midrange. It warms and livens up the overall presentation a smidgen. Yukiko Miyazaki. “Garota de Ipanema.” Cristal Bossa Tokyo. Native DSD Music DSD 128 download. VIVID Productions Co., Ltd., 2015.
Audeze LCD-3 with its cables: Acoustic guitar full bodied, with the squeaks of strings straining as new notes are hit are very present, intimate and true, as is Miyazaki’s vocals, which are pure and pleasant, covering this Astrud Gilberto classic with aplomb. Audeze LCD-3 with the Audio Arts HPS-1SE: The detail of the guitar, the squeaks of guitar strings more pronounced, and Miyazaki’s voice are dialed up a notch in this lovely Bossa Nova classic. It’s intoxicating and altogether musical and lovely. Sennheiser HD 800S with its cables: The delicacy of detail and nuance are very present and balanced. Whereas the Audeze is more forward, this is still intimate and equally enticing, but in a different way. The soundstage and atmosphere is more obvious here. Sennheiser HD 800S with the Audio Arts HPS-1SE: Still delicate, but a little fuller presentation. Miyazaki’s voice and the acoustic guitar are fuller through the lower midrange and upper bass range. The guitar has a smidgen more weight to it. Great recording, great presentation! Concluding Remarks Both the Audeze LCD-3 and Sennheiser HD 800S headphones perform admirably, providing balanced, detailed and dynamic presentations. The LCD-3 presents a boulder, fuller and heavier image, while the HD 800S is more detailed, atmospheric and analytical. In the end, as with patrons at the Chicago Audio Society meeting I held, it boils down to taste and preference. It’s like comparing a Ferrari with a Porsche. Clearly, both are outstanding choices. When you consider that you're getting state of the art performance at their respective price points of $1,995 for the LCD-3 and $1,699 for the HD 800S, you can't lose with either one. The Audio Art Cable HPX-1SE cables enhance the performance of both over their stock cables, adding detail and body. At $380 to $440 (depending on which version you get) for a 10 foot cable length, it’s a no-brainer. Equipment Used:
End Notes 1. A Neutrik ¼” TRS plug substituted for the Eidolic would be an HPX-1 Classic, with a list price of $350 for 10’, and $300 for 5’ (+$10 / foot for additional length). 2. The Eidolic Sennheiser plugs shown on the webpage are a new model, and what they would use going forward at the price quoted. . The 10’ length cable you had, with this connector combination would carry a list price of $440, with pricing starting at $390 for a 5’ cable. A Neutrik ¼” TRS plug substituted for the Eidolic, and a Lemo HD-800 connector set would be an HPX-1 Classic, with a list price of $395 for 10’, and $345 for 5’ (+$10 / foot for additional length). Note: These cables are not on the Audio Art Cable website currently. They’ll be available on their forthcoming website, but for now, only though email or phone for a quote and to order." and that you also currently listing the HPX on AudiogoN, at 10% off, with FREE shipping.
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