Many audio brands are using mini-xlr connectors on their headphone cables. Audeze, Meze, ZMF, and Sennheiser all use the connector on at least one of their headphone models. And while mini-XLR is becoming more widespread, and is reliable and durable as a connector, high quality after market cables can still be tough to find. So if you want to upgrade to, let’s say, a 4.4mm balanced termination, where do you look? Well Strauss & Wagner has taken this use case into account with their new release. The Porto, which sells for $149.95, looks to provide a luxury cable for your luxury headphones. But does it sound the part? Let’s fine out.
What’s in the Box:
- Strauss & Wagner Porto Cable
Build Quality
The Strauss & Wagner Porto cable is crafted with a focus on both functionality and aesthetics. Its 8-core construction, using oxygen-free copper (OFC) silver-plated wires, offers a premium foundation for audio performance while ensuring physical durability. The cable’s sleek white finish adds to its visual appeal, giving it a modern and clean look that complements any high-end audio setup. Beyond aesthetics, the finish provides an added layer of protection, shielding the cable from wear and tear over time. Its braided design ensures that the cable is flexible yet sturdy, reducing the likelihood of tangling and minimizing microphonic noise caused by movement.
Attention to detail extends to the connectors, with dual Mini XLR connectors providing a snug and reliable fit with compatible headphones. The 4.4mm balanced termination at the other end is precision-machined to ensure seamless connectivity with high-end audio equipment, providing a stable and robust connection. The varying lengths, 1.5m, 2m, 3m, or 5m, offer flexibility in usage, catering to both desktop and larger studio environments, while the overall build speaks to the cable’s durability and reliability, ideal for audiophiles seeking long-term performance.
Design
The technical design of the Strauss & Wagner Porto cable focuses on optimizing audio clarity and balance. The use of 8-core OFC silver-plated wires in its construction plays a crucial role in delivering an elevated audio experience. Oxygen-free copper (OFC) minimizes signal loss and interference, ensuring that audio signals travel with the least resistance, while the silver plating enhances conductivity and detail retrieval, resulting in improved treble response and a more expansive soundstage. This combination allows the cable to capture even the finest nuances in music, ensuring that every element of the audio spectrum is reproduced accurately.
The balanced 4.4mm termination plays a key role in minimizing noise and crosstalk, ensuring a cleaner and more immersive listening experience, particularly with high-end headphones. The dual Mini XLR connectors work with a wide range of headphones from leading manufacturers like Audeze, Meze, Sennheiser, and ZMF, making the Porto cable a versatile upgrade option. The balanced design also aids in reducing distortion, especially in high-resolution audio setups, providing an optimal solution for audiophiles seeking enhanced sound quality and performance.
Sound Impressions
The porto is a mostly transparent cable, though it does offer sound characteristics that can help shape the sound of your headphone. In my testing, I found the Porto to have an emphasis on detail retrieval and resolving capabilities. I did my testing on the Audeze LCD-XC closed back headphones.
Low End:
The bass response on the Porto is linear and fast. The well-extended subbass offers punchy bass hits and tactile feel on stringed instruments like upright bass. Midbass doesn’t have much of an elevation, allowing things to stay neutral and tight. Listening to Radiohead’s “Nude,” Colin Greenwood’s bass guitar sounded smooth and detailed. I also noticed a nice sense of space in the low end that allowed for a more natural presentation of bass tones.
Midrange:
The mids here are crisp and clean. If headphones are a window into music, then this window is so clear that you might accidentally bump into it. Vocal details resolved quite well and instrument separation was fantastic. Layering in classical tracks like Berlioz’s Symphonie Fantastique was exceptional. Paired with the LCD-XC’s vibrant midrange presentation, I got a lush sounding but highly detailed overall sound.
Top End:
While the bass and midrange are detailed and present, I would consider the Porto to lean neutral-bright. The top end is splashy and, again, highly detailed. Cymbals resolved with ease and there were never any signs of sibilance. Even while being a little bright, it’s not too edgy, offering enough presence for a sophisticated sound signature without being overbearing.
Soundstage:
Soundstage is also quite good on the Porto. Since the LCD-XC is a closed back headphone, I was surprised to feel so engulfed by the music. But aside from the sense of soundstage and imaging, I was most impressed by the space in the track. There was room for every little detail. The soundstage never felt compressed or like it had any physical limits. Everything felt naturally placed across the audible spectrum.
Final Thoughts
The Strauss & Wagner Porto is a great addition to your mini-xlr headphone. It’s a great sounding cable that is effectively transparent and detailed. It offers a level of sophistication to an aptly paired headphone. If you need a mini-XLR cable for your Audeze, Meze, or ZMF headphones (all of which run warm for the most part), the Porto is a great place to start.
The Strauss & Wagner Porto is available at Audio46.
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