Firstly, I would like to thank ddHiFi for sending me their new BC120A “Clouds” cable for review.
*disclaimer: This sample was provided for the purpose of writing a review, no incentive was given to write a favourable review. All opinions expressed are my own subjective findings
Gear Used:
iBasso DX200 > ddHiFi BC120A > 64 Audio A6t / InEarz P350
https://www.ddhifi.com/productinfo/917991.html
Packaging and Build Quality
The Clouds cable comes in a small cardboard box, the box is brown and very eco-friendly taking up only enough space for the cable to fit in snugly. On the top you have the model and connector types shown in small tick boxes, on the back you have this along with the barcode too. Slide the top off and you’ll find the cable neatly wrapped in a plastic bag (recyclable) that is cushioned with paper filling. There is a warranty card which is printed on recycled paper and I really like how ddHiFi have been environmentally friendly when thinking about the packaging.
Build quality is superb, the cable uses silver plated OCC cable and has interwoven Kevlar cords for added strength, the cable is soft and supple which means it is comfortable in use too. The strain reliefs are metal which isn’t the best for longevity however if handled properly I can see this cable lasting a long time. There is no memory wire, however the softness of the cable means it goes behind your ear without any issue, this allows the cable to be used with earphones that have the cable straight down too.
Fit
This cable is extremely comfortable in use, there is no uncomfortable memory wire and it is soft and supple, this means it conforms to whichever wearing style you prefer without discomfort. It never gets in the way and is one of the better cables I have used in this regard. Thickness wise it is thick enough to feel well made and to last a long time without being overly cumbersome in use, it really is a good upgrade in sense of looks and feel, even without taking in to account the sound changes.
Sound
Personally, I am a believer in small changes from different cables, and if picked correctly you can fine tune your setup to your personal preference with an upgrade cable. This cable isn’t expensive, it isn’t made from fancy exotic materials; instead it is a well-built silver-plated OCC cable that aims to provide a good looking, and slightly cleaner sound over most stock cables. 64 Audio customs already come with an SPC cable, and the sound differences here are not night and day, however I did find the BC120A to provide a slightly better separated sound with cleaner edges to notes.
There is no noticeable drop in the body of the sound, the low end is still full and hasn’t lost any of its signature impact, however in the midrange things get a little bit clearer than the stock cable. For example, I noticed electric guitars sound a bit crisper, and the vocals sounded a little clearer. The treble is largely unaffected too, this is great as it isn’t a cable that adds extra brightness and doesn’t thin out the sound, instead offering a little more refinement around the edges and a tiny bit more air up top.
Conclusion
The ddHiFi BC120A Clouds cable is an affordable replacement cable, it isn’t made of exotic materials and doesn’t intend to impart much of a sound signature of its own on your earphones. It is very comfortable, well made and has a clean sound that pairs well with most IEM’s. It is an easy recommendation to those looking to replace a broken stock cable, or those that simply want a more comfortable and better looking cable too.
Sound Perfection Rating: 9/10 (affordable, well made and great sounding cable)