Arachne Audio Cables

In a discreet workshop in Estonia, Albert Lacueva (Barcelona) and his team dedicate their talent to the creation of impressive cables for headphones and musical instruments, as well as their customization. Here is a small sample of their work.

On a previous occasion, I mentioned that beyond the opportunity to enjoy audio equipment that impresses and captivates me, the other great value of the Et Sona project is the people I have met because of it. This time is no exception, as Albert Lacueva, the genius behind Arachne Audio, has proven to be an attentive, polite, and approachable person, to whom I am infinitely grateful for his kindness toward me.

That said, I feel more than committed to clarifying that, following an initial contact on my part driven by curiosity about his work, we have developed a fluid conversation regarding his excellent craftsmanship and topics related to the world of audio. This interest led to an understanding and, a few weeks ago, I received a package from Estonia. Inside were three headphone cables with impressive build quality and attention to detail.

These cables, designed from the almost infinite web of possibilities that Arachne Audio offers, arrived quickly and with a presentation that rivals what I have seen from brands offering their products at multiples of Arachne's cost. I must confess that I felt a bit overwhelmed by the sheer number of options; I chose a couple from their "inspiration" section and left the rest in Albert's hands. Let's get into the details.

Construction

Of the three cables, two are for my Sennheiser headphones, the 660S2 and the 490 PRO PLUS. The third is a cable with 3.5mm terminations for headphones that do not use proprietary connections like Sennheiser. I regret to say that, for the moment, I do not have any headphones of this type on hand, but I am sure we will be able to test it soon.

Both belong to the Aranea series, whose main characteristic is their braided construction. By using 2 or 4 strands (depending on the configuration), the possibilities for color combinations are even greater, allowing us to have not only a high-quality cable but also a level of personalization that few brands, other than Arachne, offer. For proof, look at the photographs in this section and, of course, the inspiration section of the Arachne Audio website.

The connectors, from Neutrik or Furutech, are of high quality and, depending on the grade, result in price variations. The cables are customizable or, as we mentioned earlier, made to order. Therefore, the user can choose the length, colors, terminations, and connectors. When I tell you that the options are almost infinite, I am not exaggerating.

In any case, the construction and details are top-notch; I find new details almost every time I connect or handle the cables. The logo on the connectors, the splitters, the quality of the braid, etc. To say I am impressed is an understatement. And believe me, I have seen cables up close.

The Sound

The cable for the HD660S2 was connected almost immediately upon arrival. The terminations fit correctly into the headphone connectors, with firmness and a good feel. I connected it to the FiiO K19 and let it "burn in" for a considerable amount of time, listening intermittently during the process.

From the start, I don't usually expect improvements in terms of sound with headphone cables. But I'll come back to that in a moment. Let's be honest: the stock Sennheiser cables are good, but their plastic finishes do not match the quality one expects. So, right from the outset, there are improvements in quality, finishes, feel, and, of course, aesthetics.

However, something curious happened when I moved on to the HD490 PRO PLUS, as the cable in question, finished with a balanced XLR connector, allowed me to take advantage of the K19’s output. Consequently, an improvement in the sound perceived through the headphones was indeed noticeable. Clearly, this is due to the absence of noise that usually characterizes balanced outputs, as well as the higher power delivery. However, these advantages would not be properly appreciated without a quality cable, which is exactly what the Arachne is.

Shortly after the FiiO K19, I was lucky enough to receive a pair from LAiV audio’s Harmony series: the DAC and the HP2A headphone amplifier. In this configuration, I once again made use of the Arachne cables. With the HD490 Pro Plus and its balanced connector, the sound was second to none. The Arachne cables felt on par with the quality of the LAiV set, which is saying a lot, and their striking colors provided a fun and attractive touch to the matte black of the HP2A and the Singaporean brand's DAC.

The HD660S2 cable, even without being balanced, also presented an excellent soundstage and performance from the HP2A's 6.35mm output. Overall, I must say I am more than surprised and satisfied with the samples that were kindly sent to me. The music was transmitted with clarity, presence, and outstanding presentation. At no point did any of the three cables fail, nor did I experience any losses, cutouts, or anything of the sort.

What’s more, I have been using the HD660S2 cable a lot, even taking it on trips a couple of times. After spending long periods in planes, trains, taxis, and a backpack, I haven’t had a single issue. Arachne cables are VERY resilient.

Something else is clear. Arachne Audio cables, manufactured with high-quality materials such as oxygen-free copper (OFC) and excellent insulation, combined with the cable braiding technique, allow for better interference rejection. How do I know? Between the tubes of the Icon Audio HP8 MKII and those of the DOUK Audio P-10 PRO (the latter much more than the former), they are slightly susceptible to picking up interference.

By the way, with music, the result has been wonderful. Even using the headphone output of the McIntosh C504 (which is quite good, by the way) and listening on vinyl to Mika Hary’s Deux Faces—one of the latest releases from LowSwing Records—the fine balance between Mika's voice and Haggai Cohen-Milo's double bass provides an interesting contrast. Thanks to the Arachne cables, I have been able to listen through headphones from my desk without having to turn on the rest of the equipment, a true joy.

On the other hand, taking advantage of the LAiV Audio combo, I have been putting in many hours with the headphones and cables. Specifically the Sennheiser HD490 Pro Plus, as the balanced XLR output seems exceptionally good to me. One of the albums I have enjoyed immensely is Tracy Chapman’s self-titled debut. It is a masterpiece.

The songs are all excellent: "Talkin' Bout a Revolution," "Fast Car," "Across the Lines"... Shall I go on? With the intimacy that headphones provide (yes, even open-back ones), I have been listening to the album on loop for a couple of days, discovering new nuances and textures with every listen. Yes, the LAiV Harmony units are excellent, but who is to say the sound doesn't also benefit from the Arachne Audio cable? Equipment of this level deserves a custom-made cable.

Conclusions

Having seen and heard them, I will proceed to deliver my verdict. Arachne Audio cables come with my highest recommendation. Why? Because they have it all: quality, design, functionality, 100% customizability, great durability and, above all, they allow us (thanks to all these attributes) to have the exact cable we want, exactly how we want it, and wherever we want it. What more could one ask for?

If you are thinking about a custom-made cable for your beloved headphones, I wouldn't waste any more time; head over to the Arachne Audio website. You will have zero problems, zero disappointments, and many, many joys. I guarantee it.