After my recent review of the In-Akustik Referenz NF-4005 Air Balanced XLR interconnect, their distributor in Malaysia, D&A Analogue Hifi (M) Sdn Bhd sent me the similar series, Referenz LS-8005 Air Speaker Cables (retail at Euro €20,000 per 3 meters pair) for review.
The Referenz LS-8005 has the similar impressive design,…similar materials used which were not ‘cheap‘ (they only used “pure and oxygen-free copper in their AIR cables), meticulous Handmade manufacture,… rigorous Quality Control,…and with the following features:-
1)”Point-to-point Air Helix” for authentic sound,
2) Air (through the use of ‘Special Clips‘) as the ultimate dielectric minimized capacitance,
3) 32 Cross Link Super Speed waveguide with an enormous total Cross-Section of 38 mm², for a balanced sound,
4) Smart Nesting of the conductors that almost completely eliminated magnetic fields,
5) BFA banana & spade lug 360° adjustable, of Tellurium copper with Rhodium coated (better than Gold coated),
6) Grounding option to divert interference, and
7) Pressed contacts (1.5 tonnes) instead of the use of solder or ferrules to ensure optimum signal transmission.
The Referenz LS-8005 maybe be bulky but flexible enough even to accomodate the tight spot installation,…which was necessary in my case.
I connected the Referenz LS-8005 between the Vitus Audio MP-M201AF mono amplifiers and the Magico M2 loudspeakers. The rest of the audio system remained the same, as used in the review of the Referenz NF-4005.
As pre-warned by the distributor that the Referenz LS-8005 was brand new, therefore some ‘efforts and patience‘ were required to run in for optimum performance.
To my surprise, after (but) a few days of usage, the Referenz LS-8005 started to improve (tremendously) in performance,…
the Sound Quality Opened Up! and became Lively!
From then on, I started my serious listening to the Referenz LS-8005 to check their claim in Referenz Speaker Cables that “lose the least of the original sound” (Holger Wachsmann, In-Akustik Product Developer).
“LOSE THE LEAST OF THE ORIGINAL SOUND”…
I started serious listening to the Referenz LS-8005 with my usual go-to vocal tracks that I believed to have known well.
However, listening to Kit Chan singing ‘Bridge Over Troubled Water‘, I found her vocalization was slightly different,…it was paced and spaced that allowed her rendition to be filled with (intended) emotion. I favored her ‘intentional pause‘ in between the word in the lyric to emphasize the gravity and meaning of the lyric. That was the level of transparency of the Referenz LS-8005 in presenting a song that I thought I knew,…
with the Different Facets of Artistry and Layers of Emotional DETAIL.
The instruments were presented with weight, anchorage, dimensions and bloom,…within a believable and sizable soundstage and soundscape. Each note was delineated, spaced and differentiated with the appropriate volume and energy.
I could easily recognized and appreciated the Note,…therefore enjoyed the FLOW of the accompanied Music.
Listening to the track, ‘Rebound A‘ by the percussionist Ms.Kuniko Kato at her percussion instrument was a pleasant revelation. The Referenz LS-8005 presented the pause and space between the notes played, thus revealed the minute nuances, timbres and the wide dynamism of the instrument,…which showcased vividly the grasp and artistry of the percussionist.
In addition, the Referenz LS-8005 exposed the recording venue through the audible reverb from each pitched and unpitched note played, and…
the Sensation of AIR surrounding that Instrument, and to the Recording Venue’s Ends.
I was impressed with how closer the Referenz LS-8005 brought the outstanding Italian Virtuoso, Mr.Salvatore Accardo and his artistry at the violin to my audio den. Whether be it individually and/or collectively;…the artist,…the play,…the control of the bow at the strings of the violin,…vibration of the strings,…the vivid dimensions of the instrument and,…the air/ atmosphere of the recording venue,…
that amounted to the PRESENCE and WEIGHT of the Performance.
I was gobsmacked when listened to Mr.Eiji Oue conducted the Minnesota Orchestra played ‘The Snow Maiden: Dance of the Tumblers‘,…
it was EXPLOSIVE!…,with DYNAMIC and VOLUME of Low and Tight BASS!
and,…Resolution in (even minute) Details of the orchestra; the Musicians and their respective Instruments. The orchestra was presented with space and air between the Groups of Musicians,…
thus displayed the GRANDNESS, SCALE, DISTINCTNESS and ORIENTATION of more than ‘Hundred of Musicians‘.
“NOT MAGIC BUT A GREAT CABLE”
I agreed totally with the above statement made by Holger Wachsmann that the Referenz LS-8005 was ‘Never‘ intended and/or designed to be ‘A Magical Conduit‘…that magically add element(s) to the signal to make the Audio System/ Loudspeakers to sound ‘MAGICAL‘.
However, the Referenz LS-8005 was…
A GREAT CABLE/ CONDUIT for the Resolution of the Musics,
that included the Details, Flow, Air, Presence, Weight, Grandness, Scale, Distinctness, Orientation and,…Explosive Energy, Dynamic and Bass!