Paired with Kinera Urd
Kratos is probably the best upgrade cable you can get for Kinera Urd. The changes and improvements Kratos brings are surprisingly drastic. First, the dynamics of the sound get noticeably strong and lively, as if breathing life into the sound. The lows and mids are the ones that are getting the major upgrades here. Resolution of the low-mids increases and more crystal-clear. Textures get refined and cleaner in tone, making the details reveal better and effortlessly.
I must mention that the bass gets the biggest change. The bass gets bold, with stronger slam and tightness. Kratos introduces fullness to the lows that Urd was hiding behind its stock cable. Ultra-low extension gets obvious improvements, bringing out cleaner and deeper rumbles that also scale larger in size than before. Since vocals also gain transparency as well as some thickness, the mid-range gets fuller in scale but also make sure to involve some air and openness for the upper headroom, bringing a well-balanced improvement. This is an awesome match that brings Urd to come very close to Verdandi’s performance.
Paired with Noble Audio Katana
Another benefit of matching multi-BA driver IEMs with Kratos is how Kratos makes the sound more universal and coherent. With the initial copper cable Katana’s low/mid/high each sounded detached from each other (which would still be a good thing for those who want tacky separation). Kratos makes these divided ranges more flowing and harmonic, filling up these “frequency potholes”.
Meanwhile, the crucial advantage is that Kratos does this without smudging the separation details, as Katana’s clean analytical features are kept as they are. Another positive effect is the fuller and wider soundstage. Kratos brings out a more expansive headroom, pushing some extra meters beyond the initial soundstage Katana had.
Compared to Rhapsodio Pandora Dwarf
Pandora has a more “aggressive” tuning. I don’t mean that it’s harsh or rough in resolution. Pandora Dwarf gives quite a significant change in sound signature – in a very natural way. Pandora Dwarf can stay natural while causing such a change as the timbre is perfectly respected but with significantly higher density and transparency.
Pandora Dwarf doesn’t overdo this transparency to the point of degrading the timbre or making it bright or harsh, though only to the point of making the sound more open-ended and airy. The trebles are noticeably crispier and more refined, yet are lesser in body. Meanwhile, Kratos has warmer, smoother upper-ends, overall having a more gentler approach to sound. Lows and mids are relatively less tight than Pandora Dwarf but with fuller and creamier nuance.
Compared to Ego Audio Tequila (Review link)
A partner company of PW Audio, Ego Audio is another custom cable brand with extensive tuning skills. One of the product families includes Tequila, which has a darker sound signature with a quieter background than Kratos. Its overall nuance is also creamier and smoother than Kratos. Having a more feminine sound signature, Tequila better shines details on the finer grain and strands of bass and vocals.
However, Kratos holds the higher ground in treble clarity and transparency, along with airier vocals and stronger dynamics. Kratos’ stronger force of power makes the sound more agile and tighter strikes for the lows and highs. Lastly, Tequila has more condensed, slightly lower-centered vocals whereas Kratos has uplifted vocals, making them more airy and flowing-like. Kratos also has a bit more transparency on the vocals, though Tequila has better density.
Let the Copper Power open up your potential.
Just like its name as well as its tuning concept, Kratos is a gentle powerhouse that energizes your lazy earphones to wake up, get healthy, and sprint to show its hidden potential. The good part is that Kratos never overdoes the sound, nor does it alter the IEM’s originally intended sound signature. So the timbre remains original and organic but now with better clarity and purity. The liveliness of the sound gets significantly boosted, so that the vibration of the bass kicks is more heart-ringing, and the instruments sound with more liveliness and density. Most importantly, the staging gets meaningfully expansive.
This one would be an efficient cable that is great for bringing out maximum performance for an affordable cost, which works particularly well if your IEMs sound calmer and thinner than you’d like. If so, try pairing Kratos with it… you’ll be surprised by the true power that Kratos will graciously allow your IEMs to possess.