Comparisons
SilverFi IEM-R2 vs. Rhapsodio Golden ($700)
At almost twice the price, this comparison might seem more unfair than it actually is. There is a difference in performance according to price, but both cables are so different, they offer their unique flavor. As such they each have their own place and purpose within a collection, and are among my absolute favorites.
The Golden has a slightly warmer bass response, though not being overly enhanced in quantity by comparison. The IEM-R2 ‘s mid-bass however is more controlled, resulting in less warm air and accordingly a cleaner and airier stage. The Golden has a forward midrange, and creates slightly thicker notes, though the difference is not great. The main difference is between their midrange tone; the Golden’s is brighter. This comes at the cost of naturalness, but adds a bit of liveliness to the presentation, even though it is artificial. Here is where the two cables come to different means of conveying detail; the Golden has more apparent clarity due to the brighter tone, while the IEM-R2 has the superior resolution. Instruments are not only better defined, the R2 has an advantage in separation due to the higher resolution and airier stage. Both share articulate treble, but the Golden’s is slightly more prominent compared to the smoother treble of the IEM-R2. The Golden versus IEM-R2: pop culture versus audiophile refinement.
SilverFi IEM-R2 vs. Labkable Samurai III ($875)
LabKable’s new Samurai consists of an exotic mix of silver, gold and platinum. The Samurai has a very balanced signature, and sparkles and shines based on great resolution and transparency rather than a brighter treble response. The R2’s midrange is slightly more forward and warmer, sounding more emotional and pleasing than the Samurai. The Samurai’s however is crystal clear, and gets a sense of purity due to a lack of coloration; it can neither be classified as warm or cold.
The Same holds for its treble, which conveys detail without sounding harsh. The balance between treble, bass and midrange is overall very good, and the Samurai really just lets the signature of the ciem shine through with great transparency. While the R2 is equally transparent and resolving, it adds its owns touch to a signature. When you’re listening to the R2 combined to a ciem, you’re actively enjoying the influence of both components. The Samurai on the other hand just tries to let the ciem be its best, without getting involved.
SilverFi IEM-R2 vs. Rhapsodio Wizard OCC Copper 8-braid ($1000)
The Rhapsodio Wizard combines high resolution with clarity to bring out the highest level of detail, definition and separation. Its mid-bass is enhanced and gives the signature an overall warm tone, with more warm air than the IEM-R2. But R2 creates thicker notes; the Wizard has its emphasis on the upper midrange, rather than the lower and center midrange of the IEM-R2.
The Wizard’s treble is articulate, clearly defined and highly detailed, but gives a slight coloration to the upper midrange, making it brighter. The IEM-R2 has a smoother treble response, resulting in a more tonally accurate and uncolored midrange. So while the Wizard sounds warmer due to its mid-bass presentation, the IEM-R2’s midrange is fuller, inherently warmer and more natural, compared to the leaner and brighter midrange of the Wizard. This results in a more natural sound for the IEM-R2, compared to a more detailed and articulated sound of the Wizard.
SilverFi IEM-R2 vs. Wagnus Frosty Sheep ($1000)
Both the Frosty Sheep and IEM-R2 are exceptionally high performing cables. Overall, the Wagnus’ focus is on definition and accuracy; it has a slight edge in midrange resolution. The IEM-R2 in turn has greater transparency, giving it overall a more realistic and natural tone. While both have a clean stage and truly excel in separation, the Wagnus has a slight advantage over IEM-R2 in imaging, feeling more pinpoint precise in the exact spatial localization. But again, differences are very close.
While both have a very neutral and uncolored midrange, the SilverFi has warmer and more forward lower frequencies. Its mid-bass has slightly more impact with better resolution, and its midrange is more forward and inherently warmer, although both have a clean atmosphere. Accordingly, the IEM-R2 creates slightly thicker notes, while vocals have more depth. Not to say the IEM-R2 is a thick sounding cable, it remains very close to neutral. Both cables have smooth treble, with the IEM-R2’s being slightly smoother, and the focus of the Wagnus’ treble being on precision. Overall, the IEM-R2’s signature can be considered slightly midcentric, but most of all, incredibly natural. The Frosty Sheep has a relatively more neutral signature, feeling a bit more accurate, but less emotional.
Concluding thoughts
With its silky flat braid and red and blue finish, the IEM-R2 both looks and sounds like nothing else I’ve come across. Priced at $1295, the IEM-R2’s MRSP is exorbitant by anybody’s standard, even the most hardcore cable enthusiast as myself. Priced at yet another level higher than already expensive $1000 cables, this is also reflected in the quality of its sound. It only took a few seconds to realize I was hearing something really special.
Unfortunately, there are some cable manufacturers that don’t deliver the quality they promise by their marketing credos, but there are also a lot of good ones. There are even a few that stand out from the rest, but there’s none like SilverFi. SilverFi cables deliver a sound that is special, combining a truly natural sound with high performance.
While this might be expected from its price, its smooth, natural and romantic tonality is somewhat unique and consistent over the SilverFi line up. I first came across SilverFi through my close friend and fellow reviewer, who lent me his IEM2 cable (the first in line, priced at $389). While it isn’t as highly resolving or transparent as the R2, it was the first time I heard a sound that was so beautifully natural, and nothing I had come across in all the silver, copper or mixed alloy cables I had owned before. This was a sound I had to own for myself, and naturally, we always want the best. So I contacted Sezai, and we eventually settled at the IEM-R2, as the R4 was still under development and admittedly, not quite within my personal budget. But who knows, there’s always room for improvement, or as Sezai would say – this journey to audiophile nirvana ends.
