Cable Asylum: REVIEW: Onix Master Cable by Rick

Model:	Master
Category:	Cable
Suggested Retail Price:	$495.00
Description:	2.5 Meter single run with Spade terminations
Manufacturer URL:	Not Available
Manufacturer URL:	Not Available

Review by Rick_S1 on September 10, 2001 at 11:33:13
IP Address: 24.25.9.43

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Onix Master Speaker Cables

The bottom line is that I REALLY like these speaker cables and think that they are an exceptional value at their price. Read on for the details...
Every once in a while, you find a company that offers an excellent product for a very modest price. If you're lucky, you find an exceptional product for a very modest price. Examples in my experience that come to my mind are Quicksilver Audio, Musical Fidelity, BMI power cords, Denon (tuners), Audio Alchemy and Swans Diva speakers.
I now have another brand to add to the list: Onix cables.
My background: I have had several speaker cables in my system over the past twenty+ years: The original Monster Cable (at the outrageous cost of a dollar a foot in 1981!), Tara Labs original cable, Audioquest Type 4, Audioquest Midnight 3, BEL the Wire SS24, and Analysis Plus Oval 9.
My stereo system is fairly, but not overly revealing, so I can spot differences in components or cables (a list of my gear is at the end of this review). I prize neutrality above almost all else, so that no specific frequency range leaps out at you, or conversely is missing. But I still like to hear as full a frequency range as I can, given the recording. Not overblown though, I don't want my music to sound bloated, sketchy or too compressed (music like Santana's Supernatural are fun on my car stereo, but I can't enjoy it at home). I also like to hear detail, but not etched detail. And last but most important, the gear has to be musical. I need to feel the music in my bones and for it to pull me in emotionally and mentally.
Review Details: First of all, I try to break-in gear, including cables before doing any serious listening. I find that time and time again the sound does change with a good break-in. I use the Sheffield/XLO Test & Burn-in CD, alternating with rock on the radio, for my break-in. I break-in speakers for about 100 hours before any serious listening, and cables for about 36 hours. Everything else is in between those time frames.
I tried the Onix Master Speaker cables with my recently-purchased Swans Diva 6.1 Loudspeakers. My reference speaker cables were the above-mentioned Analysis Plus Oval 9 cables. The Oval 9's are a very good cable. Very neutral and detailed, with very good frequency response. My reservations with them are that they are a little slow on transients and that the soundstage is not quite as wide or deep as I had experienced with other cables. Also, the highs are not as extended as I would like and the bass not quite as deep. They basically get most things right, though.
The Onix Master cables brought the sound of my system to another level, while keeping all of the benefits that heard with the AP 9's. The Sound of the Master's is very neutral, with a slightly forward soundstage. It puts you in the front third of a concert hall, as opposed to the behind the middle, which I found to be the location with the AP's. The frequencies are more extended than the AP's, with controlled, deep bass. My new speakers can go down to about 27hz, and the Onix Masters gave me the goods in the bass department. They deliver the highs as well, very extended with a good sense of air at the top end. The Onix cables are an excellent, synergistic match with the Diva speakers. The upper bass and mid-range frequencies were all present without calling attention to themselves. The soundstage was deeper and wider than with the AP's. Best of all was the speed. Transients had the proper attack, and quiet sections were properly quiet. Instruments, such as cymbals in jazz or rock recordings shimmered like they were supposed to. The AP Oval 9's dulled their sound a little. Instruments like trumpets had the proper "bite". This, to my mind, is indicative of the speed of the speaker cables, when the rest of the system is up to it. These cables are very musical and work well with any type of music that I tried: Classical orchestra, opera, recitals, folk, jazz, classic rock, etc.
They look good as well. They are professionally made with a grey outer sheathing and the cables are separated about 6" from the ends into covered black and red legs. They are terminated in solidly made gold-plated spades. The cosmetics and termination options are my only areas of concern, but these are only quibles. Cosmetics first: the brand label is just a gold-colored sticky label, near the terminated ends. It is similar to some of those return-address labels that you can buy mail-order, but smaller. I would prefer a silk screened label, or a covered one that looks nicer.
As far as my issue with terminations, like Henry Ford's Model A (only in Black), the Masters only come in small spades. I would prefer an option of banana plugs or larger spades.
But these cosmetic and termination options would cost more... More options means that different models have to be kept in stock, and that raises the price of stocking, as well as the price of manufacturing. For what I get for the price, I can live without fancy labels and different termination options. They do come in a nice zippered bag though!
At the beginning of this review, I mentioned that these cables were an exceptional value. I bought a 2.5 meter pair for $495.00 plus Shipping and Handling. This may not seem exceptional at first, but from what I've listened to over the years, these cables can successfully compete with speaker cables costing up to $2000. If you are looking for speaker cables, listen to these. You won't be disappointed.
They are only sold online though AV123.com from Louisville, Colorado. The people there are very excited about these cables, with good reason. They are shipped overnight and come with a 30 day trial period. These people are very dedicated to selling excellent audio at very good prices, and are very honorable to deal with. In an unrelated incident, I had a problem with the finish of one of my Diva 6.1 speakers, which they also sell, and they did everything in their power to remedy the situation. I was very satisfied with the outcome. Excellent Service +++!
FYI, remember my reference to Audio Alchemy above? One of the principles in AV123.com is Mark Schifter, who was one of the founding partners and guiding lights of Audio Alchemy.

Product Weakness: Manufacturer labels, only small spades for terminations. No banana plugs, etc.
Product Strengths: Transparent, Extended frequency response, smooth, detailed, price.

Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier:	Musical Fidelity A3cr
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	Musical Fidelity A3cr
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	Audio Research CD2, Luxman PD375 tt
Speakers:	Swans Diva 6.1
Cables/Interconnects:	Above, ICs: Onix Grand Master, Bel "The Wire", DH Labs Silver Sonics, Kimber PBJ
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	Classical, recital, jazz, Classic Rock, Bluegrass,
Room Size (LxWxH):	18 x 11 x 8
Room Comments/Treatments:	none, but asymetrical room
Time Period/Length of Audition:	2 months
Other (Power Conditioner etc.):	Monster HTS 3500
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner

Product Weakness:	Manufacturer labels, only small spades for terminations. No banana plugs, etc.
Product Strengths:	Transparent, Extended frequency response, smooth, detailed, price.