Impact Audio is not a model that is acquainted to most, however go down far alongside the audio rabbit gap, and also you encounter boutique distributors that promote extremely differentiated merchandise. On this case, it’s audio cables; Impact Audio is a model that makes high-quality audio cables, and the Code 24 is the most recent product.
What makes its cables stand out, you ask? Properly, numerous it’s right down to the standard of the development, and the supplies used. There’s additionally the design of the cable itself, and having used a number of dozen IEMs, I am but to come back throughout a cable that appears wherever pretty much as good because the Code 24. The caveat clearly is that the cable prices a ridiculous amount of money — it retails for $799 — and whereas it positively makes a distinction to the sound high quality and is constructed to final, it is not focused at a mainstream viewers.
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Earlier than we get to the design, a high-level overview of the development of the cable itself: the Code 24 makes use of 16.5AWG gauge wires with UP-OCC silver-plated copper Litz materials, and every wire makes use of a mix of multi-size strands — 13 on this case. The core of the cable is what Impact Audio calls a Trio-Flex Pure Stable Core System, and this comprises three wires made out of the identical UP-OCC silver-plated copper Litz materials.
Masking all of that is an EA UltraFlexi insulation that offers the Code 24 an honest quantity of resilience in every day use. Clearly, numerous thought and a focus went into the development of the cable, and it’s noticeably bulkier than most traditional cables.
However the defining attribute of the cable needs to be the design. The wealthy blue hue mixed with the barrels and gold accents offers the Code 24 a definite presence, and I can confidently say that that is the best-looking cable I’ve ever used — photographs do not do it justice. The cable has a hybrid design that is braided till the splitter, after which straightens out on the connectors.
Speaking about connectors, the Code 24 has a 4.4mm plug as customary, however you may get an interchangeable connector that provides 2.5mm and three.5mm choices. On the opposite finish, you get a normal 2-pin connector, and Impact Audio bundles a ConX connector set that features MMCX as nicely. It is simple sufficient to change between the 2, and the flexibility means you need to use it with any IEMs.
The cable has a normal 1.2 meter size, and due to its building, it’s heavier than simply about every other IEM cable I used. Fortunately, you do not discover the heft in every day use, however I would not advocate utilizing these on the street. On that observe, Impact Audio features a decent-quality carrying case with the Code 24, and it securely holds the cable together with IEMs and has internal pockets to accommodate the connector attachments.
I used the cable with a half-dozen IEMs, together with the likes of Elysian Acoustic Labs Pilgrim, Fiio FA19 and FX15, Thieaudio Status LTD, and Letshuoer Cadenza 12 amongst others. I paired it with the Fiio K19 and M23, and what was instantly noticeable was the elevated low-end; the Code 24 delivers a richer bass with higher presence and noticeable influence, and also you get a higher texture that is simply pleasurable.
The mids stay impartial however with added readability, and vocals specifically sound nice — there’s added weight and physique to the combination that creates a way of event. There is a trace of sparkle to the treble that provides a bit of heat, however there is not any sibilance or harshness.
There’s terrific decision all through, and the soundstage feels expansive; Impact Audio did an excellent job with the technical particulars. I am going to admit that I used to be skeptical of the Code 24 as I did not assume it might make any tangible distinction to the sound high quality — however I used to be mistaken. The cable clearly provides numerous nuance and dynamics that you simply simply do not get with bundled cables, and that is significantly true of high-end IEMs.
Finally, the Code 24 is aimed toward fanatics seeking to get probably the most out of their IEMs. Justifying the worth is tough, however in case you’ve already invested in top-of-the-line IEMs and need one thing that can make a real distinction to the sound, the Code 24 is a good alternative.