Review: Effect Audio Maestro & Virtuoso

Effect Audio Vogue Series

Build Quality and Ergonomics:

I have always considered their cables to be well built. The EA UltraFlexi insulation does a great job at making the cables soft and pliable. It’s no surprise the Vogue series again features that. The cables are about 1.2 meters long, which is standard.

Both the Maestro and Virtuoso are nicely braided cables. The braid itself looks consistent to me. EA worked on the weight of their cables. They use now different hardware to make the Vogue series lighter. The Y-split and the chin-slider are super small, compared to the ones they use in the other line-ups.

You might see it on the photos. The connectors and plugs have a flat side. This makes sure to give your fingers additional grip when you work with the cable. On the 2-pin side I think this is very nice. I am not sure about the plugs, as these generally are big enough to grab.

There’s one thing I want to note about the new hardware. While it definitely supports the light weight, they also don’t come across as premium as the other hardware they typically use. Let’s take the plugs for example. On the new plugs there is a plastic part on the bottom. Here I have some left-over material standing away from the Maestro cable. This doesn’t look very nice and probably could have been avoided. The Virtuoso looks fine by the way. So I’m guessing the Maestro was just bad luck.

The new 2-pin barrels are nice in my opinion. The outer side has EA’s logo etched into it. The barrels themselves are made of aluminium. The same goes for the Y-split. It’s a tiny piece of metal, that just splits the cables and doesn’t add a lot of weight.

Effect Audio Maestro

Effect Audio Maestro

Sound:

The sound of cables is always a controversial topic. Some people say there is nothing to hear. Others, me included, think different. Sometimes it’s harder to really pick out the differences between cables. In my experience there mostly are subtle changes though. It depends a lot on the monitor and the ears that are used. There are IEMs that benefit more of cable-swapping than others. The best example in my opinion is Noble’s Katana. Probably the most cable-sensitive monitor I own. It always displays me the differences in the chain. It’s a reviewer’s delight. For that reason I fall back to Katana for every cable review I do.

Maestro

The Maestro has a typical copper sound. It gives nice body throughout the response and adds some weight to bass. You get a fuller low end, with slightly more extension into sub-bass. Lower mids are a bit more pronounced and overall there is extra warmth in the tunes.

What I really like about Maestro are vocals. They get a new layer of emotions and physicality. Singers seem more believable and I can connect to their story easier. I hear a richer tone in the midrange and treble section. The notes got a bit wetter and sweeter.

You also get a slightly darker background with better instrumental separation. The sound appears cleaned-up in comparison to the stock cable. Resolution has stepped up slightly and I hear a slim sound-stage expansion.

Overall the sound of Maestro is nicely organic and full with a hint of warmth. Suggested pairings would be the Noble Katana and Kaiser Encore, FAudio Symphony, Empire Ears Wraith and Zeus XIV, 64 Audio Tia Fourté or the HUM Dolores.

Effect Audio Virtuoso

Effect Audio Virtuoso

Virtuoso

My experience with SPC cables hasn’t been the best so far. But to be fair, it really depends on the quality of the materials. Good silver and good copper are the key.

The Virtuoso slightly elevates the lows, but keeps them tight. The body is not as big as Maestro’s but there still are enhancements. Virtuoso adds a bit of shimmer to the top-end. I also get higher clarity in the treble.

As mentioned before it comes down to good materials. My history with SPC cables wasn’t good. Mostly because of squeeky treble and a metallic timbre. The Virtuoso does not have that. Which is why I think the quality of the silver in it is higher than the average SPC cable’s. Virtuoso gives highs more room to breathe. Treble is clean and clear, but there is no pinch, which is good. It comes off as a bit more effortless if you will.

I hear a better extension on both ends. Virtuoso provides more air in the mids, which makes vocals seem a bit lighter. Instruments are separated better and coupled with that, imaging got sharper. The resolution is higher and the soundstage stretches a touch wider and deeper.

Suggested pairings would be the Jomo Trinity, Empire Ears Phantom, JH Audio Lola, 64 Audio Fourté Noir or AAW’s Canary.

Effect Audio Maestro

Effect Audio Maestro

Conclusion:

Effect Audio created the Vogue line-up for everyone on the go. The cables had to be as light as possible, and for that they worked on their hardware. The new Y-split and 2-pin connectors are great in my opinion. I would have wished for different plugs. When you want to get a product to a certain price-level you have to make compromises. In the end the plugs still work, so there shouldn’t be an issue to be fair.

The new Vogue series definitely has a unique proposition. Both cables I tested bring qualities that make them absolutely easy choices. The Maestro’s harmonic, emotional and sweet vocals is something I can adore. Virtuoso’s air and nimble-feet agility just makes it a pleasure to listen to with the right monitors.

Maestro and Virtuoso should be on the short-list for anyone who wants to start experimenting with cables. They are very fine entry-level offers and might just be the one to get you hooked on cable sound.

For me these cables are easy recommendations. Both for their unique qualities. Because of that, they will be added to the Best Accessories list.

4.3/5 - (71 votes)
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A daytime code monkey with a passion for audio and his kids, Linus tends to look at gear with a technical approach, trying to understand why certain things sound the way they do. When there is no music around, Linus goes the extra mile and annoys the hell out of his colleagues with low level beatboxing.

7 Comments

  • Reply February 12, 2020

    Kidd

    Hi Linus! Any chance you have tried these with the Billie Jean? Looking forward to hear how they paired up. Thanks!

    • Reply February 12, 2020

      Linus

      Hi Kidd,

      haven’t tried them together, sorry. But I can get to that later. Can’t say when exactly, because busy life (work and kids)… But I’ll make a note to not forget. 😉

      Cheers

      • Reply February 26, 2020

        Kidd

        Hi Linus! Have you had the chance to try em yet? Thanks!

        • Reply March 8, 2020

          Linus

          Hi Kidd,
          sorry for the late response. Been very busy the last couple of weeks. Life and all that. 😉
          I just tried the Billie Jean with the Maestro, and to my ears it sounds a bit leaner and fuller. It also does calm the treble a bit. To me it’s an upgrade to the original stock cable. Be careful when swapping cables though, the build quality of the Billie Jean is not the best, and you might damage them. Mine already have cracked shells due to that… So beware.
          Hope that helps. Sorry again for taking so long to respond.

  • Reply February 12, 2020

    Kidd

    Thanks Linus, I’ll write another comment as a reminder in 5 days. Does that work for you? Hahaha, sorry to trouble you as I’m kinda considering which cable to buy, AresII or any of these Vogue Series.

    Thanks Linus!
    Cheers

  • Reply February 17, 2020

    Steven Zore

    I bought my friend a nice birthday present; Shure SE 425’s, A Maestro cable, and my used A&K Jr… She flipped… Gave it to her at Canjam…

  • Reply August 1, 2020

    Joedirt

    Is the vogue line just as pliable and soft as the Ares II?

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