Refined technology and design
Odyssey is Eletech’s first-ever triple-fusion alloy cable, blending a ‘golden-ratio’ mixture of gold-silver alloy (GSA), gold-copper alloy (GCA), and silver-copper alloy (SCA) into a 24awg, 4-wire, 7-core multistranded Litz design.
Breaking these down into their base elements, GSA is used to enhance clarity, transparency, and detail retrieval, along with a wider soundstage. GCA blends in organic warmth while smoothening the treble frequencies, and SCA balances out the overall sound, ‘combining the clarity and speed of silver with the warmth and body of copper‘.
All three alloys are mixed in the ‘golden ratio’, another classically-inspired design element that seeks a perfect balance of elements by dividing the largest and smallest elements into neatly divisible segments. This wire topology was first attempted with Iliad, and has now been adopted by Odyssey to carry over its predecessor’s spaciousness balanced with a hint of added warmth.
As with most other Eletech cables, the wires themselves are sheathed in Eletech’s clear FlexiMax insulation, which means the various golden, silver and copper strands are clearly visible. This is my least-favourite aspect of the design, since the repeating silvery/copper pattern is not quite as sleek and clean-looking as the flagships, in my opinion.
Minor visual quibbles aside, Odyssey’s hardware is both unique and beautifully-made. The dark silver-tinted custom Y-split is CNC’d to perfection, with inlaid shield and helmet symbols denoting Odyssey’s lineage from Iliad and Aeneid. The custom 4.4mm plug has also been expertly crafted, and in my experience, Eletech’s connectors are some of the best-fitting in the business.
Odyssey is available with fixed aluminium alloy 2-pin and mmcx housings that naturally expel EMF noise. I opted to have my Odyssey sample fitted with Eletech’s modular connector, Versa, instead, trading off fractional sound quality ‘improvements’ for the versatility of being able to use the cable with multiple IEMs and their various connection formats.
What you can always count on with Eletech cables is optimal functionality, comfort and ergonomics. The 4-wire braid is light, supple and kink-free, and completely devoid of microphonics when worn. The ear guides feature Eletech’s new ‘angular’ shape that seeks to better-balance the IEM weight behind your ears, though I’m not sure whether I prefer this to the more traditional curved design, especially with larger earpieces.
There’s also a slim inline chin-slider that works well with Odyssey’s thinner wire gauge to provide even more stability, should you need it. Overall, you’ll struggle to find a better made, more easy-wearing cable that still manages to pack in some hefty hardware and a generous wire count.
Packaging and accessories
This is where Eletech usually sets itself apart from other cable makers, and Odyssey is no different. Consistent with the packaging of the flagship Parnassus cables, Odyssey is presented in a solid wooden box with a hinged lid, covered by a neatly-die cut, silk-screened sleeve.
Removing the sleeve reveals a dramatic maritime scene from The Odyssey printed on the lid, and another scene printed on the inside of the lid with an inspirational quote from Homer’s poem. A plexiglass plaque featuring Odyssey imagery and a list of the cable’s specifications is the first thing that greets you inside the box.
Underneath, you’ll find the cable neatly wound inside a square-shaped case in brown leather, with Eletech’s trademark quality stitching and golden zippers. While I quite like the shape of this case, being more practical than the usual round cases, I find the leather used here is a bit monotone compared to some of the more textured and colourful cases that came before. A matching brown leather cable clip and an engraved metal serial number card complete the package.
There’s no question the elaborate presentation enhances what is already an impressive-looking cable, and adds to its premium appeal. Anything less might be more practical, but far less memorable.
