The FiiO LL-RD 2024 cable was kindly provided free of charge in exchange for an honest review. The price of the cable is $199.99 and you can buy it from here.
FiiO LL-RD 2024
The FiiO LL-RD 2024 is a headphone upgrade cable designed for headphones with dual 3.5mm interface on their ear-cups. It is constructed with high-end audiophile grade pure silver as its conductor material. The cable consists of 400 cores across 4 strands, with a total cross-sectional area of 24AWG. The use of monocrystalline silver wires with a larger cross-sectional area effectively reduces resistance and minimizes signal transmission loss, ensuring fast and reliable signal transmission.
The FiiO LL-RD 2024 features a coaxially braided design. It consists of 4 main strands, each containing 6 smaller strands with 14 wires in each. Moreover, a unique smaller strand made up of 16 wires is incorporated into each main strand, resulting in a total of 200 cores for both positive and negative poles per main strand. Additionally, the shielding layer utilizes a similar braiding technique with the same core count to protect the conductor wires from external interference.
The cable measures 1.5 meters in length and features interchangeable 3.5mm single-ended and 4.4mm balanced plugs. While a 4-pin XLR adapter is not provided, you have the option to purchase the FiiO LX-4.4M XLR adapter separately for $9.99. The package doesn’t include a 6.35mm adapter or a storage pouch.
Build quality and handling
The cable is expertly crafted for durability, featuring high-quality aluminum plugs and a sturdy center splitter. While slightly weighty and rigid, it remains tangle-free. Microphonic noise is minimal, ensuring a pleasant music playback experience.
The headphone connectors have a cylindrical shape with a 9.4mm diameter at the end. They can be used with a variety of headphones such as the FiiO FT3 & FT5, the Focal Clear Mg, and different HIFIMAN models including the Arya Organic. However, they may not be compatible with certain models like the HIFIMAN HE400SE. It is recommended to verify the reception plugs of your headphones before purchasing the cable. Flat plugs should work fine, but if they are hollow, you need to measure the inner diameter to ensure a proper fit.
My thoughts about cables
I have an open mind when it comes to cables. I do use aftermarket cables and rely on my ears, but I don’t always notice audible differences regardless of the quality or cost of the cable. There are many factors at play, including the placebo effect (which is an important aspect of the hobby), so my evaluation is purely subjective and not scientifically validated. It’s not guaranteed that you will reach the same conclusions if you test the same cable in your audio system.
Listening impressions
The FiiO LL-RD 2024 cable is highly transparent, devoid of any distinct sound signature, ensuring that it does not alter the frequency response of your headphones. A bright headphone will retain its brightness, while a warm headphone will maintain its warmth. The sound will remain consistent, without any added brightness or warmth.
The FiiO LL-RD 2024 is designed to improve clarity and definition, offering a noticeable enhancement in overall resolution. With this cable, the sound becomes smoother and less sharp, particularly in the treble region, adding a touch of refinement. Additionally, there is an increase in separation and layering, resulting in a wider and deeper soundstage. Detail retrieval is superior compared to stock cables, making the entire audio chain more transparent and revealing. It is worth considering if you prefer a system that is not overly critical. Moreover, I observed enhancements in bass dynamics, impact, and layering.
(Silver needs time to reveal it’s potential. Thus I have burned the cable for 150 hours. The cable is compared with the stock cables of the Focal Clear MG, HIFIMAN Arya Stealth and FiiO FT5 using the FiiO R9 as the source)
In the end
The FiiO LL-RD 2024 offers exceptional value with its high quality construction and delivers the sonic qualities of pure silver without breaking the bank. This well-crafted and modular cable is a significant improvement over standard cables in terms of durability, appearance, and handling while it could serve as the final touch needed to perfect your audio setup.
Copyright – Petros Laskis 2024.
+ Neutral and transparent
+ Will not affect frequency response
+ Resolving and refined
+ Improves separation and definition
+ Enhances soundstage and dynamics
+ Very well made
+ Good handling and low microphonics
+ Modular design with two plugs
+ Pure silver at an affordable price
- The audio system might become too revealing
- A bit heavy and thick
- No carrying pouch and 6.35mm adapter
- 1.5m length only suitable for portable use
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