Which earphones would be your top choice to pair with this premier upgrade cable? Influenced by Alan Zhong, upon receiving this cable, I promptly connected it to my preferred earphones, the flagship Khaos by NG AUDIO. Throughout my experience, I exclusively utilized this cable with the Khaos model. Not only is the Khaos my personal favorite, but it also provides exceptional power and performance. The robust combination of this high-quality cable with the Orpheus shielding lived up to my expectations. When it comes to NG AUDIO earphones, many of my pairings align with Alan's recommendations. I've also paired the Eurus+ with the 1950S shielding, while the Titans are well-suited for the Metropolis. Typically, I follow a ratio of approximately 1:3 for the price comparison between the cable and earphones, meaning a RMB10,000 IEM can be matched with a RMB 3,000 upgrade cable. However, this guideline may not apply to products I particularly cherish, such as the Orpheus shielding, as there are no earphones in its price range. The synergy between high-quality cables and earphones goes beyond mere theoretical discussions. With a diverse array of cables and earphones, the pairing possibilities extend beyond price considerations. Sometimes, combining a RMB 5-6,000 IEM with an RMB 8-9,000 upgrade cable can yield exceptional results without feeling excessive. Conversely, with earphones in the lower price range, such as those priced around one or two thousand yuan, the original cable may already deliver outstanding performance. For example, models like the SoftEars Turii and the Dita and Eletech collaboration Illusion fall into this category. When deliberating on an upgrade cable, the initial impression on your ears plays a significant role. Instead of immediately swapping out the cable upon receiving new IEM, take some time to listen to the original cable for several hours, or even up to a dozen hours. If certain aspects of the sound could benefit from enhancement, then consider exploring alternative cable options accordingly. Much like Khaos, an all-encompassing flagship IEM, finding a well-rounded upgrade or one tailored to personal preferences would be ideal. The Orpheus Shielding embodies such a comprehensive upgrade. In comparison to the regular Orpheus, the Orpheus Shielding features a slightly sturdier cable. However, the Shielding version offers a notably darker background and an overall refined sound profile. Users of Khaos with the original cable reported concerns about vocals lacking smoothness and sweetness. Upon transitioning to the Orpheus Shielding, noticeable improvements in Khaos' vocal performance emerged, rectifying these previous weaknesses. The bass texture is enhanced, providing a greater sense of depth and atmospheric presence. Mid-range vocals exhibit improved emotional rendering and overall smoothness. What sets the Orpheus Shielding apart is its ability to maintain a bright high-frequency response while enhancing the mid and low ranges. This balance is particularly beneficial as it ensures Khaos' high frequency remains vibrant without being overly sharp. Regarding classical performances, users can expect a more expansive soundstage, heightened dynamics, and a grandiose atmospheric presence. Overall, the Orpheus Shielding demonstrates commendable sound quality by effectively boosting the mid and low frequencies while avoiding any suppression of the high frequencies. This well-rounded enhancement across all three frequency ranges solidifies its status as a premier copper cable in the market. While there are claims of other copper cables surpassing the Orpheus Shielding, I have limited exposure to them. If you are intrigued by these alternative cables and the Orpheus Shielding, I recommend auditioning them both to determine which aligns best with your auditory preferences.

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