As for the sound, which in my mind is the most important thing - Wow, this is one magic cable indeed! I did really like the FT, but I wasn’t blown away, not did I feel that it really compared to the Orphy. It was decidedly smooth, laid back, and while it had a nice sense of space and a big stage, the technicalities were just not on the same level, nor was the sense or energy and timbre. I can attest that after just a few minutes with the FTS it is a huge step up from the FT. Like a really big difference. Not only is the tuning different, the technical abilities and capabilities of the FTS are far and away above the FT. I don’t know what that shielding does, but it really adds something magic, on the same plane as the illustrious Orpheus. For those that are just skimming I will say it straight out, the FTS competes directly with the Orpheus and Centurion in terms of abilities, micro details and control. The same pitch black background. The same sense of dynamics. Notice that I didn’t say it was better, or even the same, but in terms of pure resolution and details I feel they are in the same class for sure. This is quite different to the original FT which I felt was easily outclassed here, so kudos to that magic shielding upgrade!

Upon first listen, I noticed right off the bat the air and space in the high end. For those that have not heard the Orphy, there can sometimes be a feeling that the high end is stunted, or too rolled off, compromising some of that air and openness. Not so with the FTS. The high end is wide open, with incredible levels of air and presence. The background is stunningly black, and transients are clean, crips and musical. Bass is tight, punchy and well controlled, similarly to the Cent and Orphy. While the FTS is a slightly brighter more open offering, never is it overly critical, analytical or sterile. It holds that copper warmth and weight, though the weight is not on the level of Orpheus, which depending on your tastes could be a good or bad thing. The stage is enormous, giving a full 3D presentation, with sound coming from all around you, especially above and behind. This is a very, very high resolution cable -perhaps even to a fault -but more on that later. In terms of tuning I would say the FTS lies in the middle of the Cent and Orphy, though leaning closer to the Cent’s clearer, more treble focused presentation, over the Orphy’s mid bass and mid featuring. Compared to the FT there is a lot more energy, all over. Especially the increase in treble energy and bass control are the two most outstanding points over the FT. It also has more sparkle, more details, more resolution, more bass control, more of everything.

To start the bass is phenomenal. Tight, punchy and with amazing levels of control. While it has less quantity than the Orpheus, the quality is the same. You are greeted with a level of control and speed that is remarkable, and every bit as good as the Orphy or Cent. It might even be faster and more punchy than Orphy actually, similar to the Cent in this way. Compared to the FT the bass is a huge step up in control, timbre, feel and punch. The FTS reaches deep, with great timbre and depth. There is less of a mid bass focus compared to Orpheus, focusing more own sub bass instead, letting its more neutral linear qualities shine through, starting in the lows and reaching all the way into the heavens unaltered. For those that consider themselves bass heads, the quantity might leave you wanting a bit more, but it is in no way lacking in the low end. I did occasionally wish for slightly more thump and rumble, especially on tracks that don’t feature bass prominently, but as the quality was always top tier, I enjoyed the clearer more open presentation instead of getting all held up in the “lack of rumble”. Again, for 99% of tracks I found the quantity to be great, and the quality is top tier in every way. Once more, if you are comparing the FTS to FT, the bass is just a lot better in ever way here, from the punch and control, to the unfettered reach and timbre. Bass on Cent and FTS is very similar, in both quality and quantity. FTS has perhaps slightly faster bass than Orpheus, which has more warmth and body to it, but the Orpheus bass envelops you, while the FTS is more held tight.

The midrange is lovely, incredibly detailed, and with startling resolution. While the tuning is linear, with the mids less forward and featured than the Orphy, they are great and clear. Again very similar to the Cent in this way, though decidedly more copper sounding, less intense and more warm and euphoric, at least as compared to Cent. This is where the FTS and FT are more closely comparable, tuning wise they are very similar here, but the FTS has a large increase in resolution, micro details and transient speed and attack. Vocals and instruments alike benefit greatly from the FTS’s resolution - honestly I think it may outperform the Orphy in pure resolution, but perhaps that is because they are less colored and linear. While the Orphy stretches out the stage on the mids, giving them incredible space, they are still very smooth and organic where the FTS takes a step again in the direction of Cent and makes them more energetic. There is a sense that you hear absolutely everything, with the small sacrifice of the utterly musical midrange of the Orphy, which can be overly midrange heavy for some, and more relaxed and analog, and perhaps more musical too. The FTS is linear mids at their best. While they do compare to the Cent’s bristling resolution, I find myself preferring the FTS midrange over the Cent by a decent margin. It bridges the gap between the two other cables, proving in a sense the best of both worlds if you had a problem with either. I’m not saying this is the perfect midrange, I would still give that to the Orpheus, but for a linear presentation of midrange I would say this is as good at it gets. Overall in the mids the FTS is more energetic, biting and crisp here, while the Orph goes for more of that analog vibe. In terms of weight, I still find that the Orph gives more body, thwack and grunt to drums and guitars, while the FTS and Cent are both leaner here, giving possibly more space but missing some of the glorious body. Vs the FTS, the Cent is similar, but more bright, possibly slightly more revealing, and less warm. The FT is similar but less resolution and details, less bite, less energy, though the tuning is roughly the same.

The high end is where the FTS really shines. There is amazing amounts of air and sparkle, with shimmering wispy details floating up into space. Comparing to the FT, there is a good amount more treble energy, while the sparkle is also increased. When I first started to listen I found the top end to be engaging, highly detailed and very impressive. But during longer listening sessions I did find the FTS to be slightly fatiguing in the high end. Depending on the pairing this could result in some IEMs being slight hotter on the top. For those that prefer a more energetic sound, this could win over some Orphy owners, as it is more engaging and open, giving the sound more bite and sparkle too. I found the sound stage in the top end to be magnificent, sound swirling all around, seemingly without end. I would attest that the high end might be closer to the house sound of Eletech cables, giving that sense of sprinkled gold flakes to the high end. While the FT did have great sparkle and high end, this just takes it up a few levels, especially in the energy department. To compare, the FTS and FT are similar here, where again the FTS has more sparkle, more bite, a good deal more energy and resolution. The Cent and FTS are pretty similar here too, while the FTS has the copper sound, Cent has that hybrid somewhat brighter sound. FTS and Orphy are quite different here, as the Orpheus is more subdued and analog in this region, rolled off even, especially compared to FTS and Cent. Where they differ the most is the energy infused to the high end. While the FT has great top end, it is decidedly more relaxed, whereas the FTS is very energetic here, possibly to a fault for some. There is an uptick around 8k or so that gives a lot of bite. If you’re using a bright IEM and don’t like too much treble energy this might not be the best pairing for you. Same goes for the Centurion, they both bring a good amount of treble energy and can cause some high end discomfort to those that might be prone to treble fatigue or sensitivity.


--------------- Click here for detailed post ---------------