The DHC "Symbiote" OCC Copper IEM Cable
Currently available exclusively in black. We may bring back clear later. If you want a clear cable we recommend the Symbiote SE or SE Hybrid.
For UE (Ultimate Ears), JH (Jerry Harvey), Westone, Fidelity (Livewires), and Shure SE535 & SE435
Like a symbiotic relationship in nature, the "Symbiote" IEM cable provides a balanced and harmonious bond between the earpiece and source components.
The Symbiote JH/UE/Westone type cables are no longer being made as overmolded-plug cables. With all overmolded cables on the market today they are made of a plastic that is nearly rigid but not quite. They can break in the hands of the most active customers although this is not an issue for most...and this is not good enough for DHC. We have a new and sexy metal plug we install ourself - this will be the toughest JH/UE/Westone IEM cable on the market!
The new type JH/UE/Westone cables will be available in any custom build that you request, as the cables will be made on-demand like our Shure cables, rather than in batches...which will make the wait times shorter - and cables of any length, color, sleeving type, or whatever else you can dream up are now a possibility.
Available in any length, with optional extension cable
Available in transparent-black insulation
Available with a variety of different terminations
JH/UE/Westone cables now more durable than ever
All cables can be had in any color/length/sleeving combination...
NEW: 1' IEM cables with a 3' extension!
Reviews:
Head-fi review thread:
I've had my DHC cables attached to my Westone ES5's for about 16 weeks now. I've probably burned 20 hours a week through them, or about 320 hours in total. I've had such a blast going through my music and hearing things I've never heard before. On a bad note, I've come to the realization that most of my music has been horribly mastered. I hear doors shutting, voices in the background and even dials and switches being manipulated.
For me, at least at this juncture, I can't definitively say whether I feel burn-in is real. I have listened to so many sources that it's just too difficult to say one way or the other. But what's absolutely clear to me is that my DHC cables help me to hear every note, artist nuance and unfortunately, every freaking artifact. Even still, I wouldn't trade any of it for my previous state of ignorant bliss. Tonight I sampled all my cables including stock, single-strand silver and TWAG V2's. I've packed them all away and my DHCs are back in the game.
Review 2:
"The sound is more transparent, and you can hear better separation of the instruments, cymbals now are more audible. the stock cable i always find the sound is a bit too bright for my liking, and now the sound is much more "warm" and "musical", and also less fatigue for longer listening sessions."
Review 3:
"I am a firm believer that Double Helix Cables has a winner with it's Symbiote cables. Instead if trying to rationalize how the DHC cables could increase the speed of the transients, deepen and tighten the bass as well as clarify the highs, I submit to you that the cables, themselves, are inherantly neutral. Rather, the other cables I have mask the crisp, hide the deeper and smooth the tighter. Peter is marketing these cables as Neutral, and I believe him. I love neutral, but not because I am bland. I have no problems EQing my music if I feel it's needed. But I don't want my amp, source, DAC or whatever to color the music. Let me make that decision on the fly. I think Peter's cables help me do just that, by simply getting out of the way of the music."
Review 4:
One of our focus group testers said:
"Even before 10 hours burn-in, the DHC cables sound markedly better than stock. And Westone has a fantastic cable, as far as stock cables are concerned. The closest analogy I can make to compare the Westone cables and the DHC is this: Consider looking through a window that's a little dirty. If you've ever seen the windshield of a smoker's car, you'll have the right idea. Using the Westone cables is much like sitting in a car looking through that tar-infused glass. These cables make the music sound like that windshield has been cleaned. No bug guts on the outside, no smoke on the inside. My ES5's are supposed to reach down to 8hz, and although I probably can't hear that low, I can tell the bass is more controlled, and goes deeper."
Design:
Our JH/UE/Westone design has been produced and tested, and are a great success. We are having them overmolded for permanent, high-quality earcup connectors similar to those of the stock cable, molded directly to the wires. No memory wire required - we simply use a little bit of heat to permanently shape the cables so that they will stay wrapped around your ear. Shure cables can be had in any length while the overmolded JH/UE/Westone cables can be had in a 4' length with an optional, matching 3' extension cable. The cables are made of our sleek and flexible "Nucleotide" cryo-treated OCC copper wire with much of the same customizability of our other popular headphone cables.
We have awesome Shure SE535 and SE435 IEM cables as well as Livewires (now known as Fidelity Customs) cables. These are made with high-quality beryllium copper & teflon gold plated connectors which we attach by hand and reinforce thoroughly for maximum durability. As these cables are assembled entirely by us we can customize anything from length to sleeving, while the overmolded UE/JH/Westone cables can only customize the termination.
WARRANTY - Please read.
The Symbiote IEM cable has a special limited lifetime warranty. It is covered against any non-accidental malfunctions for 90 days after arrival - just ship us the cable and we will cover labor, parts, and shipping from us back to you. This covers any possible manufacturing defects inherent to the cable and lets you make sure it is in good working order. After that, it is on you to take good care of the IEM cable, as in our experience IEM cables have a harder life than our other cables - like the stock cable or any other it can wear out if it is abused, but it can last a very long time if treated with care. The Symbiote has lifetime coverage of labor for repairs - simply cover the raw materials cost of parts and all shipping charges - if the cable needs to be repaired after that. This is much less than the cost of a new cable if you manage to completely wear out a Symbiote cable, but we will not be responsible for normal wear & tear.
Specs:
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Made of our uber-comfortable cryo-treated 24awg "Nucleotide" stranded OCC copper wire for super-clear, super-neutral sound. Ultrapure copper + cryo treatment + continuous casting of the wire --> ultimate realism.
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Beautiful round braiding pattern
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Custom lengths now available for the new custom metal connector UE/JH/Westone cables. Overmolded plugs are being phased out as they are less durable. Also, any length for Shure SE535 or Livewires (email us for lengths beyond 6'). Also available as a 1' cable with a 3' extension, or a 4' cable with a package deal on a 3' extension.
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Soft, compact, and comfortable - you won't notice it's on
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Tiny, clear silicone band as a cinch/choker (optional)
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No bulky memory wire required - the cables are heat-shaped to permanently lock them in a shape that fits comfortably around your ears
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Includes choice of various terminations - DHC black aluminum 1/4"or 1/8" plugs, Neutrik XLR, balanced portable connectors for RSA and iBasso.
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Shure SE535 and Livewires cables feature durable teflon & beryllium copper industrial-grade connectors, installed by us
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JH, UE, and Westone IEM cables are made with a custom metal-body epoxy injected plug that will last a very long time...
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Package deals on perfectly matching interconnect and other cables for use with your IEMs
This product was added to our catalog on Wednesday 11 May, 2011.
