Jeremy Jo
I bought this the IKKO CTU01 replacement cable to try with IMR R2 Aten that was recently acquired from Drop. All my previously IEMs featured MMCX connections so this was my first experience with a 2-Pin (0.78mm) connection.I am happy with the build quality, clarity of sound (I guess good cable is cable you don't hear), and the custom look (multi-colored strains inside semi-transparent sleeve look pretty cool). In addition, I found the extra eartips that came in the packaging very useful - as a matter of fact, I replaced the stock eartip on IMR R2 Aten with one of the "short silicone tips."This cable is not without its shortcomings, however. I found the material to be a bit too stiff; especially on the part where the cable loops around the ear. Also, the sleeve material is not very smooth but rather sticky. All this results in the cable being a bit hard to roll up and tuck away for transport.All in all, though, I am quite satisfied with the purchase and would recommend it for someone looking to explore different cables for their IEMs.
mark wilkinson
i really like this cable, which is a good item for a good listening experience, definitely a good try.
William Whobrey
This review is for the Ikko ARC CTU-01 SPCOCC audio upgrade cable. .78mm pin to 3.5mm jack.This is actually my second review of this cable, as I wasn't aware that I had to choose the product in my account specifically in order to write a review for it. Same cable; different review; same opinion.This is a cable that may have appeal to people looking for different things from an audio cable.If your priority is a cable that doesn't get tangled easily and is free from microphonics, this might be the best choice. Why? The housing/insulation on this cable is a clear, glossy silicone. It is very supple and flexible. I have had no problems with tangles or microphonics with it at all.If your priority is a cable that looks good, then I can recommend it for that as well.This cable practically screams 'premium', with a very classy, elegant, minimalistic look. It is almost jewell-like in fit and finish. It even sports a chin slider that blends in with the barrel where the cable splits, for those who like such things.There are rubber strain reliefs at appropriate places. The jack is not bulky and ponderous, as so many others; instead being only slightly larger than the rest of the cable, as is the barrel at the split, and the .78mm pin connectors. These parts are metal with the same black chrome finish as the Ikko OH10 IEM's. They are pictured here with a pair of BLON BL-03 IEM's, which have the "gun" coloring. This is also the black chrome finish.If your priority in an audio upgrade cable is actually the audio quality, then I can recommend this cable wholeheartedly!I am using the BL-03's temporarily, while Ikko repairs a defect in my OH10's. Therefore, I was using the stock cable and tips from the OH10's with the BL-03's, as their stock cable was recommended against by many reviewers; and none of the tips that came with the BL-03's were to my liking.Going from the stock cable of the OH10's to the ARC CTU-01 was a big step up! It brought the sound of the BL-03's much closer to what I was used to from the OH10's. A dramatic improvement!As with all things audio, however, YMMV. There are multiple reasons for this which do not belong in a short review.Finally, Ikko has provided a variety of extra silicone tips with this cable.There is one pair of "double layer" tips, which are flanged, oddly 'squared off' at the top, and have a large bore.There are three pairs of "short silicone tips", which have a small bore and a short shaft.There are also three pairs of "balance tips", which are provided in a random color (mine are blue). These have a medium bore and a long shaft, which fit the BL-03's well.This cable is expensive, especially when compared to the many, many cheap cables with great claims to be found on Amazon.I have tried one of those cheap, braided cables which claimed to be made of the same SPCOCC material as this. It looked gaudy, with a huge jack that looked out of place, and an oversized bead for a chin slider. It was extremely supple, almost 'soft' to the touch. However, it actually diminished the sound quality of the BL-03's. Therefore, it languishes in its pouch, to be used for emergencies only.This Ikko ARC cable is the real deal, and worth the investment, in my opinion.UPDATE: After using this cable for some months, I noticed that the 'silicone' jacket has stiffened considerably. AFAIK, this is not a normal property of silicone, so I must have been wrong about the material.The cable is not so stiff that it can't be coiled up and stored, but it doesn't want to straighten out again, either.Also, the outer jacket broke off at the split where the chin slider sits, exposing the wire inside.Moreover, while the cable let the BLON BL-3's open up and sound fuller and with more detail, I found that I preferred the sound of the stock cable for the OH10's.I would still recommend the cable, especially for upgrading the BLON BL-3, but it may be advisable to apply something like Armor All or a vinyl conditioner about once a month to maintain suppleness.
Lilbukka
This cable doesn't pickup any additional noise from microphonics.
Mike F
Removed the stock cable from my SIMGOT MT3 which was pretty good in the first place. I did not like the colour so I went for the IKKO. It has sturdier more'industrial' build and design. Of course this is not inexpensive at $80 CAN, so you are getting a premium product. I purchased the 2.5mm balanced variant with 2 pin connection. Immediately the sound was enhanced coming from my FiiO M9. With the original 3.5mm 0.78mm 2 pin cable and connection I could push the volume up to 100-110. With the IKKO I can't push more than 90. The bass just kicks ass and they sound superb. Hope to see more choice in terms of colours and material.
J. Mulligan
I buy one for every new IEM I get.
Williem
Definitely sounds warmer and clearer than the lower end cables. Item has a snug fit around the ears.Item and connectors are very well made. Using this cable with my Fiio FH5 IEM. The investment is worth the cost.
JHY
The cable has good thickness and was not too heavy. However, the memory adhesive or whatever it's called was too big for my ear, so it kept falling out. If you can get it to work, then great cable.
JayK
Good fidelity and sturdy
D. G.
I usually don't spend more than $30 on an upgrade iem cable. I'm not a big believer in cable magic so I don't purchase cables expecting any improvement or change in SQ. I generally upgrade if the stock cable has handling issues or a right angle plug or if I am wanting a balanced cable or if the stock cable is just downright lousy.I have the OH1's and was looking for a replacement cable for them. The stock cable is pretty decent and I was fine with it but it has a right angle 3.5mm plug and I wanted a cable with a straight plug. I had no idea that Ikko had cables and I literally stumbled across this cable on Amazon. I took a chance and spent the $59. The only downside is that the wires are all contained within a single jacket which means that this cable is not as flexible as a the twisted/braided cables that are so common. That said, it's not so stiff as to be unwieldy. It does retain some memory but coils easily for storage and does not tangle.Most importantly, it appears to be a step up in overall quality compared to the budget cables. The 2 pin connector housings are smaller and look to be of higher quality than most of those used on the budget cables. The 3.5mm plug is also compact and looks to be of good quality as well. I have no way to verify it but I have some faith that the wire used within the cable is of the type and quality that Ikko claims that it is.All that said, I'm still not willing to make any grand claims as to changes in sound quality over the stock cable. I will say that I believe that I perceive some very subtle sonic improvements compared to the stock Ikko OH1 cable. But any perceived changes are too subtle to qualify or ... to make me much more of a believer in cable magic.I like this cable enough that I also purchased the MMCX/2.5mm balanced version for one of my other favorite IEM's. Stay away if you absolutely need to have a super soft and flexible cable and/or if you need to color coordinate your cable with your IEM's. But, while these aren't exactly cheap at $59, I believe that they are a step up in overall quality from the budget, sub $30 cables. To me, they are worth buying for my favorite pair (or two) of IEM's.
