Comparisons –
Kinera Orlog ($699): The Orlog offers a similar style of sound but tones down the colouration a few notches. The Orlog has more sub-bass focus giving it similar dynamics and slam but a cleaner and more separated mid-bass. The Hera is richer and more textured in this regard having a warmer tone and bassier overall sound profile. It has a slight advantage on dynamics and impact too. The midrange transition is more linear on the Orlog and its midrange is slightly more present. The Hera offers a bit more contrast and definition, it is also a bit more articulate. The Hera has more coloured male vocals, but its female vocals are more transparent.
It has slightly better clarity and resolving power. The treble is more present on the Hera, and it has better fine detail retrieval. The Orlog has a darker background with more contrast between its layers while the Hera has slightly more sparkle and better detail retrieval. The soundstage is larger on the Orlog aided by its darker background. The Hera has more depth instead and sharper directional cues while the Orlog has slightly better layering.
Effect Audio Cleopatra ($699): The Cleo is a legacy EA cable using silver conductors. The Hera has a slightly larger bass overall, sub-bass especially. The Cleopatra has a slightly warm and full mid-bass but doesn’t have as much weight and slam at the very bottom. This aids separation but can result in overly rounded notes on already warmer IEMs. The Hera is more powerful and structured with a slightly higher note definition to boot. The midrange presentation is quite similar as it is warm leaning on both. The Hera has slightly higher contrast and has a slight advantage with regards to male vocal definition as a result.
By comparison, the Cleopatra sounds a touch fuller and smoother here but has greater upper-mid presence. Accordingly, its female vocals are more present and clearly presented as compared to the more neutral Hera. The Cleopatra has a similar level of treble presence but has a greater mid-treble presence that can make it sound a little brittle at times. The Hera has a cleaner transient response and higher note definition even if its clarity isn’t as enhanced. The Hera also has more sparkle and headroom. The Cleo has the advantage mostly on mid-treble presence which will suit dark IEMs better. In terms of soundstage, the Hera sounds more open and complex.
Plussound EXO PPH ($999): This is Plussound’s hybrid cable using copper and silver both plated in palladium. Overall, the PPH showcases a vibrant style of sound similar to the Hera but with a more transparent character. The bass exemplifies this, as the PPH has similar sub-bass power but offers a tighter slam and a cleaner, more defined mid-bass. It has better separation, speed and detail retrieval. The Hera is richer and fuller in return. The midrange comparison is very interesting. The PPH has a more present, fuller lower midrange which gives it more bias towards male vocals.
The Hera has a more contrasted bass to midrange transition which gives it a more neutral note body and positioning alongside higher definition. The PPH and Hera have a similarly transparent upper midrange with the Hera being just a little more articulate. Within the treble, the PPH has a bit more bite in the lower treble and this gives it a more aggressive foreground presentation. The Hera has a bit more air above whereas the PPH has a cleaner background. However, the PPH comes back with more sparkle and top-octave energy. The soundstage performance is similar on both with the PPH edging it out with slightly more multi-dimensional imaging and better layering.
Verdict –
The boutique cable industry has moved in an interesting direction. Some seek to simplify, with certain flagships even making a statement with nothing but pure copper conductors. Conversely, some brands maximise the tools in their arsenal to deliver complex blends and a more unique sound profile suiting those wanting a bigger sonic impact. The Hera exemplifies the latter much like the flagship Zeus, using 3 metal blends to deliver a vibrant, dynamic, and powerfully voiced sound. Satin Audio has also made leaps and bounds with their build quality, nearing market leaders in terms of overall look and refinement. Arguably the few hand-crafted elements left behind such as exposed screws on the y-split add a charming and personal character.
I am also a big fan of fabric cables due to their unique look and superior durability. While it may not be the best choice in hotter countries, Satin Audio’s implementation is one of my favourites due to its excellent softness and flexibility. It should be noted that the Hera is a high-end design and has been priced accordingly despite Satin Audio first becoming renowned internationally for their shockingly cheap Titan-series cables. Though it may not meet the value of its predecessors, Satin Audio prove that their designs deserve no less praise and attention than the big players, with the Hera impressing in all regards and making a notable and positive sonic impact.
The Hera is available from Satin Audio (International) for $850 USD at the time of writing. I am not affiliated with Satin Audio and receive no earnings from purchases made through these links.
