Sound –
The Orlog produces a rich, slightly smooth sound promoting overall coherence whilst retaining separation with a well-defined note presentation. As a result, the best pairings tend to be with leaner and brighter IEMs or V-shaped earphones if you desire a greater bass focus. This is achieved with a more robust sub-bass presentation and a slight uptick in the mid-bass granting a more structured, bolder note presentation. The lower midrange is brought a step forward providing richness to the midrange and a light warmth. While the rest of the midrange is mostly untouched, a smoother lower treble response does provide a denser sound with less emphasis on articulation. There’s a hint of additional sparkle and extension to the treble that helps to uphold openness and brings micro details forward. Finally, the Orlog enhances the perception of soundstage space by introducing a more laid-back positioning for treble instruments in addition to expanding raw dimensions.
If you want to augment the low end of your IEMs, the Orlog would be a good option to consider. This is the most immediate difference of the pairing, notably yielding a more weighted sub-bass alongside a slightly warmer but still nicely textured mid-bass. Separation is retained due to an increase in decay speed and a tighter note attack. Both factors contribute to a more defined note presentation which upholds mid-bass separation and texture all the while introducing greater dynamism and punch. As the mid and upper bass aren’t emphasized, this permits minimal midrange tonal colouration. At the same time, many other cables do more to increase mid-bass cleanliness and texture. The Orlog’s sub-bassy character means that, despite the increase in note definition, the mid-bass is not much more detailed than most OFC cables making it a mostly dynamics-focused cable.
Above, the most notable midrange changes come in the form of colouration from the surrounding frequencies. Resolving power is slightly improved as is layering, adding nuance to the presentation. A small bump to the lower midrange gives the sound a slightly fuller and more coherent voicing with greater room, contributing to the increased perception of layering. I found the increase in body was most noticeable regarding male vocals that enjoy a richer and fuller expression. As the upper midrange isn’t touched, the positioning and tonal cleanliness of female vocals are maintained. Vocals are slightly enlarged in general which affords a richer and more powerful midrange without excessive tonal colouration. Articulation is a touch smoother too so while I wouldn’t label the midrange as any more thick or veiled than standard, the Orlog does little in the way of improving clarity on the flipside.
The top end defines the sound in almost equal regard to the bass due to its smooth and dark character. This is mostly with regards to the mid-treble as the lower treble is smoothened to a much lesser degree. In so doing, crispness and detail presence are mostly upheld but there is a darker, cleaner background above that grants superior layering and organisation. This is, however, to the detriment of air and clarity so if you desire these qualities, this pairing may not suit. The Orlog suits earphones that have some brittleness or intensity in this region and serves to mitigate these qualities down. Above, extension is enhanced alongside sparkle which improves fine and micro detail retrieval despite the overall darker sound. Alongside a cleaner transient response, there’s a slight increase in foreground resolving power due to improved separation and note definition but a more damped overall presentation.
The Orlog nicely opens up the stage and the style of presentation heightens this impression. Notably, the more laid-back mid-treble creates a better sense of distance projection as the darker background enhances the impression of distance and enlarges room dimensions. Imaging is also improved by increasing the contrast between foreground and background layers. In so doing layers are granted superior delineation which makes the overall image more complex and multi-dimensional yet no less precise than before. Arguably separation is slightly improved over stock yet isn’t a defining trait of this cable due to its generally more coherent sound profile.
