When pairing Cleopatra with an IEM, you must consider how the IEM sounds with its current cable. Then determine which traits you wish to highlight, and which to dim.
Empire Ears’ Legend X ($2,299, Review HERE) is a well-balanced monster. It does everything well. Remarkable, full bass. Detailed, dense vocals. Sweet, well-extended treble. It’s robust, clear, and vivid. There’s a ton of energy and attack already. Do you want more? For me? Not really. While I greatly enjoyed my time with the Cleo>LX pair-up, I was glad to put my 8-Wire Thor II Bespoke back on this IEM. What can I say, Pinky’s a mellow dude, and I dig the way these items play together.
However… the Custom Art + Drop (formerly MassDrop) FIBAE ME, or whatever it’s called now, ($819.99, Review HERE) is one of the warmest, smoothest monitors I’ve ever heard. It does not need a cable like Thor, and I much prefer Cleo. Anything to increase transparency, sharpness, and bite is welcome. In the grand scheme of things, cables don’t affect the sound that much, so I still get everything I love about the FIBAE ME, just tweaked to be a bit more vibrant.
The same is also true for the Custom Art FIBAE Black (around $500). There’s so much bass and musicality that a brighter cable can only help. It will not lead FIBAE Black far astray its natural character, but simply strengthen where it’s weakest.
There she is! The Effect Audio Cleopatra! What a cable! Hot Damn! Exclamation marks! Cleo’s greatness is beyond reproach. It’s so clear, so resolving, and so transparent, it doesn’t matter if you prefer brighter or warmer tones, you’ll like what you’re hearing. Cleo does her thing without any hint of offense. It’s just a remarkable cable and a technical feat. Effect Audio has outdone itself.
-~::Pinky_Powers::~-
