I made an error in this video: both of these cables are approximately 4.5 feet long or 1.3m Sorry for the mix-up!

I don't know why I'm compelled to comment on this video almost a year after it came out. Maybe it's because I've noticed Apos cherry picking parts of this to negatively compare our product on their site. Either way, since it's pretty on-the-nose relevant to this video, I thought I'd go a little 'inside baseball' and provide more context! A couple years ago, Apos actually approached us about selling our cables on their site. We interfaced with them for a month or two trying to figure out the details on how it'd work. Long story short, we don't price in enough margin in our cables for Apos to view it as profitable enough to carry. So the deal got shelved at the time (I think considering it dead is now the more apt description probably 😂). Anyway, a few months after that fell through we saw that they launched the "Apos Flow" line of cables, which pretty much looked identical to ours (especially at the time). We're very flattered that they were so heavily inspired by our stuff. Although I will say it's a bummer to see them charging so much for it (but knowing how much profit margin they're looking for / needing, and what other companies charge simply because they can, it's not a surprise). Please don't take this as us saying anything about their cable, I've never tried them. I'm sure they're great too. We don't generally make a habit of comparing our product to others or making claims about our superiority to others; I just thought I'd share in a context where both products are being discussed in one place. Also, @passion for sound, thanks for taking the time! Dude was great dealing with us in getting his order created. Also, we definitely noticed the amount of positive comments regarding our product here, thank you so much. It is much appreciated. To the person who mentioned they'd like to see us offer a "premium" line. It's coming. And in keeping with our standard, it won't be absurdly priced either. Finally, I know our stuff is not necessarily THAT novel or unique that we have the right to cry foul anytime something similar looking comes out. Others besides Apos have done more egregious stuff than them (like copying our website's theme / verbiage to push product near identical looking to ours). I think we get bummed that so far in all of these cases, the opportunity is taken to charge $30 to $60 + more than what we do, and that seems a little excessive to us. Hope everyone's doing well! Thanks for reading if you did.

Hart Audio is the winner, hands down! I may have missed it but Hart can sleeve your cable in any color or pattern you want.

I just received a custom 6ft 3.5mm Hart cable for my Hiifiman 400se's, and I love it. I spent $50 combined on 2 different crappy cables from Amazon and they didn't last more than 2 months. The Hart's cost me $60 and the quality alone was worth it compared to the ones from Amazon.

Weather or not a cable makes a difference isnt my first question, my question is why are a few dollars worth of parts worth $150? It's not the amount of time it takes to manufacture the cable either. I feel the markup on cables, regardless of effect, is outrageous to the extreme. Just my opinion.

statement from Hannah at Hart audio on what the cables are made out of "FYI, we use oxygen free copper from Mogami for all of our cables. We don't mind telling people when they ask, just haven't gotten around to putting it on the site or anything. And we actually could build you a thicker / stiffer cable if you really are interested in that. It won't be as thick as the periapt one, but we can do the stiffer style through the custom shop."

I wanted to get the upgraded Meze cable for my empyreans but couldn’t spend that much in good conscience while companies like Hart and periaptcables exist. I may do a vid on this subject myself. Great take!

I just made my first order at Hart Audio. Thanks for the suggestions. I really appreciate your channel and your excellent and well thought out reviews. Keep up the great work!

I have 4 sets of Hart Audio cables for my collection of Hifiman, Meze, and Sennheiser headphones. Love those cables!

Hart Audio for me offers the best quality for the price, and the ability to mix and match cables with different ends lets me buy fewer cables.

I do like Hart Audio, their interconnect system is brilliant and the cables are very relaxed and tangle free. I had a QC issue with my balanced cable that they replaced and have had no issue since. A buddy of mine might have a QC issue with a cable he just received (could be the amp as well). So I also wonder about the quality of cabling their using but since their support was so helpful I'm happy to continue buying from them. I can justify the cost when they stand behind their product. I have no beef with cables or what they do to sound but damn.. does it get ridiculously expensive.

Hart Audio Cables uses oxygen-free copper from Mogami for their cables. According to Hannah from Hart cables.

Your videos are very professional, you do a great job !!! 🔥🔥🔥, could you please recommend the best sounding headphone cable under 200 bucks to me (I actually need a cable under 150 eur/bucks, but prices could be higher in Australia right)? I need something good for my Hifiman edition XS.

Thanks for doing this. Apos sent me a set of Flow cables for my channel. I think they are very nice, but I haven’t had the time to compare.

Thanks for this video. I've been on the fence about getting Hart Audio Cable and this helps greatly with the decision.

Hey Lachlan, I bought a balanced cable for my Audeze X cans from an American company calling themselves "Audiophile Ninja". There price was US$78 plus postage for a nine foot cable, worth a look.

Love the videos! Keep up the good work!

Just wanted to say I'm new to the channel but I've watched a few of your videos before subscribing. I'm new the the hobby and bought the DX7 Pro. Wanted to say I love the content a reviews you're very fair and honest about the ups and downs of headphones making it so I'm not feeling the desire to spend insane amounts of money on everything. I was thinking of going flows but I really like the interconnect system on the harts so I think I'm gonna go with them.

I recently got a black Apos Flow 4 pin XLR cable for my Drop Hifiman 5XX to upgrade over the stock cable. I didn't expect a big improvement, but it was a lot better than using the stock 3.5mm with 6.3 mm adapter SE option on my amp. It kind of felt like I got new headphones. Also because of the extra power of XLR I can use a lower volume and get "punchier" sound than my stock. It's nice to know it performed a little better than the Hart Cable. But I think it's very cool that Hart gives you extra adapters as part of the package, which adds a lot of value. I have 0 adapters at the moment a problem I need to correct.

Here in my country (🇵🇭), there is a local cable maker, Connext Audio Cables, that makes modular system cables with interconnects (except XLR though) like Hart Audio Cables. Cable material is a shielded star quad wire; the split is paracord sleeved. Had mine customized (2 meters) for around $60 and I am using it on my Arya. Found it good for price and use. The lower end of the cable has a bit of stiffness but far less so than the stock Arya cable. Eventually aiming to get Hart Audio Cables.

I bought both the Hart and Apos cable for my Klipsch HP-3s and listened to both for a few days before reading or watching any reviews as to not bias my thoughts. After watching I do have to agree for the most part with your review. Short overall conclusion: both cables and the stock cable on my Klipsch HP-3s all sound excellent. The only real reason the get the Hart or Apos is the build - in which case its about the features. Apos is soft and premium while Hart is modular. Cant go wrong with either. I do personally prefer the Apos because I love the premium feel. Long Review/Thoughts: From a build quality perspective, the Apos Flow is more premium feeling than the Hart or Stock cable on my HP-3s. It’s so soft, relaxed and supple. I can only describe as feeling like a nice thick shoelace. It just flows (pun intended) in any way that you manipulate it with no kinks - truly a very good cable to touch and work with in your hands. The Hart cable is also good. It is very different but is comparable in quality to the stock cable for the HP-3s (which is a very nice cable to be honest - it is just not the right length for me). However, the Hart cable does not feel as premium feeling as the Apos. The Hart feels like there is some empty room inside the paracord that is not filled so it ends up feeling more hollow. It is also stiffer than the Apos which is weird considering the Apos is a decent amount thicker. Don’t get me wrong I’m not saying it is stiff, just stiffer than the super supple Apos cable. The one thing that the Hart cable has going for it is the interconnect system which is pure genius. It is such a convenient feature that I do miss it on the Apos. From a sound standpoint… I’m going to be honest and say that I personally don’t hear any real difference. I did initially think that the Apos did a better job at sound separation but I think that was me wanting to believe that it did a better job lol. Its almost impossible to do a real ABX test with the cables since I had to take of my headphones, detach the cable, reattach the cable, then unplug and replug into my amp and then put the headphones on my head again. This takes me at least 20 seconds do perform and by then I cannot tell remember accurately enough to conclude a real perceptual difference. Additionally it’s impossible for me to position the headphones 100% the same on my head each time consistently and this will also affect the sound - likely more than the cable itself. I will have to say that if Hart stepped up the build quality to match the Apos it would be a no brainer end game cable. I can only imagine how nice and convenient a Apos quality cable would be like if it had the interconnect feature. If Hart ever reads this long comment, please consider making a premium line! A slightly more expensive but premium feeling cable with the Hart system! I have no doubt it would destroy all competitors.

This review came right on time, looking for a cable replacement. Thanks!

Great Review Lachlan, I went w/ the XLR cable w/ my Empyrean's and I'm using a cheap amazon interconnect XLR to 6.35mm SE until I get my Soloist. I was wondering if you have noticed any issues w/ transient reflections while using headphone interconnects? Do you think the Apos Flow cable would be unadvisable to pair w/ the Empyrean's considering the quality gap as mentioned in the vid or would it be comparable to the stock cable? The Empyrean stock cable ergonomics are not particularly very good and I would like something a bit better until I can decide on a higher end cable. Btw, really love your T-Shirt.

Yes! Love the content Big Hart Audio fan

Great review and still very relevant! If I wanted to move one notch up from the Apos for something to replace the good sounding but terrible feeling Susvara cables, what might you recommend?

Another great video 😃 Cool t-shirt btw

Sennheiser cables arent nearly long enough for my pc playing bluetooth keyboard and mouse tv setup so i got a 15 foot cable from them. Nobody else sells cables that long for senny connection

yes cable does matter toward sonic. Awaiting for Arya review....

Great info. Recently got Hart cables for LCD-X 21's, and loved the ergonomics and adapter system. I really wanted to love these cables. But after a day or too, I felt like something was off. It didn't even occur to me it might be the cables: I honestly was a skeptic about cables having any effect on the sound. But sure enough, I switched back to the stock Audeze cables (which are pretty good for stock cables honestly), and that fixed it. The Hart's seemed to flatten the sound stage. The effect was far less noticeable on my other headphones, but pretty apparent in the LCDs. I even blind A/B'd them (with some help from my son switch cables behind my back) and could pick them out. I'm very interested now to try the Flow's. They use OCC copper (like the audeze cable), and are just about the cheapest OCC cables I've seen. Hart audio said in an interview they use OFC cable, currently sourced from Mogami. They are vague on the specific model so they can remain flexible on sourcing.

Would love to see a review on the Gu Craftsman Cables he has 3 different ranges available on Amazon the 6N Litz Single Crystal Copper, 6N Litz Single Crystal Silver, and the 7N Litz Single Crystal Copper and Silver Hybrid Weave cables. And to me they seem reasonably priced for cables of that quality and having atleast a 19 core wire

Add Audiophile Ninja to your next cable review. Superb, affordable headphones, and company owner Jeremy goes the extra mile every time to ensure his customers are happy.

I've thought about getting the Hart cables for my Clears but the shipping to Australia always puts me off.

Nicely Done. Big fan of Hart Audio & they are good people to work with 👍👍. They also have custom colors you can go nuts with for a slight extra cost. If you had to guess how much more in price it would cost HiFiman to include a similar cable as Hart Audio's for the Sandaras ? $20-30 more maybe. Thanks

I have to admit that I'm partial to Hart Audio cables. Those interconnects are so convenient, the case makes it easy to take everything I might need with me between locations, and the cables as a whole are quite nice. Have I heard better cables? Sure, I've even made better cables. Would those better cables ever leave my home studio? Only if I'm giving them to someone else.

Love your shirt!! ❤ Do you have a Discord and if so is there a gamer group within your community?

I am new to audio, and so far I did not manage to find a difference in cables. That doesn't mean there is no difference, just that I personaly I did not found a difference between stock cable and 100€ dekoni cable, or between generic usb or 200€ ifi USB cable. Once I will get to my end-game system, I will try again to see if I will hear any difference. In any case whatever I will or not hear is up to me, and I do not understand why anyone will get so angry about what other people like to use or not.

Currently using NewFantasia 3.5 TRRS-2.5 6N OCC with my Sundara 2020 and am happy. I don’t find them to be bright sounding.

Having made cables for commercial sale, you are absolutely correct about silver plated copper cables. They have exaggerated treble and in my opinion don't sound pleasant in the long run unless the manufacturer uses some manufacturing technique to knock down the exaggerated highs. Pure OFC or OCC copper wire is what i prefer. However 99.99 pure silver wire is another situation, sounding very nice, detailed and natural. Needless to say, pure silver is more expensive.

The real star of this show is your shirt! Hahaha... I need that shirt.

Hi, I noticed that the Apos's balanced cable (with a 4-pin male XLR option for the amp) compatible with Hifiman Arya uses dual 3.5mm "TS" at the ends while cables from many other companies (like Moon audio) use dual "TRS" ends in their cables for the same kind of Hifiman products... Do you think I should buy dual "TRS" ends or dual "TS" ends for a truly balanced cable, or both kinds would work fine?

Have you tried Hart Audio cable with HD800s? How do you contrast it with stock cables?

I just ordered a Hart cable. I love their custom colors and such. However I was curious if length in single ended matters for sound quality? Say the difference between 3-4 feet and more like 9-10 foot ones. My Ananda cable is unruly and I decided to get something more manageable but kept the length at 8 feet just for convenience. My DT 1990 Pro has a long cable (9 foot I believe) I use too and never really thought about length mattering in single ended cables till I saw everything seems to be shorter from these companies by default.

Hi Lachlan! Have you ever tried the KK balanced cables? Right now i have the KK, the Apos Flow, Youkamoo and the New Fantasia balanced cables to swap between. The KK cable sounds absolutely incredible. The New Fantasia is making my ears bleed. The Apos Flow is nice but i don't find it nearly as good as the KK cable thus far. Going to give it several more hours before totally determining though. The KK sounded great right out of the box and i have only a few more hours on that than i do the Apos. I ordered it through Amazon and have until January 22nd to return it with the recent (this time of year) promo. Highly recommend giving that one a try if you haven't. It is $60 and full name is KK (HH-V). Listening with MacMini>ZenDac>Xduoo MT604>Ananda's. Really sounds nice. That New Fantasia though.....yikes! Tinnitus wonders they are.....hah. Wanted to do a round up of some cables since i have this long of window to listen before returning any. Thus far it is the KK, Youkamoo, Apos Flow and New Fantasia in that order for these ears. Pulling for the Apos to get better as i do like the red color (easy to see) and feel of it very much. The KK feels equally as nice if not better however. IMHO. Cheers :)

I have just got the Focal Clear. I need a cable, terminated in 4.4 pentacon, what would you suggest ???, thanks.

Just bought the He400se. Glad it came with the upgraded cable that comes with the 400i. No need to upgrade I guess.

Was the shipping to Aus on the Hart cables expensive? That interconnect system is so clever.

Hart allows the versatility to connect an infinite number of phone combos, with any termination I'll run across. I have straight terminations and 90 degree terminations. From Sennheiser 600 to Ananda, all the way to 2 pin IEM's. Custom colors to custom, one-off terminations. I've got them all.

Hart do cables in all sorts of lengths plus custom option, if you think you are going to h et into these excellent cables buy the connector kit if you are going for different headphones, the shipping cost will get expensive if you buy them peacemeal.

Hi Lachlan , Been on the Apos link for headphone cable, having trouble working out what one i need. I have the Emotiva GR1, and looking for a balanced 2.5mm DAC end for the Hidiz S9 Pro and dual 2.5mm into the Emotiva headphone. Can you help me workout which one i need? Either Hart Audio or Apos Flow

I'd definitely get Hart Cables if the shipping to Singapore didn't cost USD$36

Lachlan, I'm a little confused. You seem to be stretching those cables from hand to hand with your arms outstretched. Generally our wing span is equal to close to our height. Seems like they are about two meters long unless perhaps you are one meter tall?

" so feel free to pick and choose the information you want and disregard the stuff that you don't" so cables are like a religion then.

Hi Lachlan, I was wondering if you know anything about and have have any opinions on Koala Audio Cables?

honestly after the whole shebang of Joe Skubinski JPS labs cable fiasco on head-fi and Jude's intervention on re-branded Eupen cables i'm reasonably understandably averse

My flow just arrived. I should say they arrived long enough ago to deeply Listen to a brilliant recording of Beethoven’s seventh Symphony, and some Béla Bartók, and some Mobie and some stones. If I disagree with you at all it is that you I undersell them.

I clicked on the link, selected duo 3.5mm for my headphones and tried to purchase the interconnect kit in order to have different connector types to my amps but can’t seem to be able to choose the interconnect. Am I missing something?

I didn't see that Sundara cable on the Apos site.

I agree with your take on cables that they do indeed make a difference. The issue for me is the increase in price point contrasted with the diminishing marginal improvements. People will go by a used Utopia for $2K USD and then a Dana Lazuli cable for $1.5k USD which IMO starts to get into snake oil territory. The differences, cost, and specific materials /quality are all sort of a mystery for what you get .

song name at 4:55?

what's the Korean song called in the intro part of the video?

Never heard of these companies when searching for a balanced cable for my Sundaras to Jotunheim 2 😞 Got a 5' Surf cable with the proper terminations for $100 and no extras. I still don't feel ripped off. Kit sounds awesome and is well constructed.

Wow I was actually fairly surprised to hear your impressions of how the hart audio cables sound matched my experiences entirely. They are actually fairly decent cables, still better than your average cable that many mid range headphones often ship with. Hart audio cables do deliver on the money spent for sure. I've been tired of people in the audio realm trying to say that cables don't matter in the audio chain, because they really do, and this is a prime example.

Sir, I need the affiliate link for that shirt.

Passion for Fashion 🤣🤣

Why not include cheap cables such as Openheart?

Very much appreciate this video! Did not know of these. Although, my wallet does not thank you

Forza Audio Works. The Best.

You should make a Passion for Snake Oil t-shirt! 😋

I got those beat. Amazon, $12.

Still peddling snake oil I see