Review of the Effect Audio Dionysus Cable

The Effect Audio Dionysus is a cable that departs from convention in several aspects. While most cables adopt a transparent jacket that allows the copper or silver conductors to be seen, the Dionysus features a matte black coating. At the same time, it introduces changes in the sound signature that convey a sense of intensity I have never experienced with other Effect Audio cables, delivering an engaging and immersive presentation.

Design and Construction: The Refinement of Black

The Dionysus belongs to the second generation of Effect Audio’s “Signature” series and adopts a black coating on its conductors, similar to the Eros S II model, which, unfortunately, I have not had the opportunity to experience. What I can describe, however, concerns the texture and the level of reflectivity of the cable reviewed here.

The Dionysus coating has a slightly rough texture, and its black color reflects very little light. The impression it conveys is that of a deep black, adding a sense of refinement and sophistication to any setup to which it is connected.

The 4.4 mm plug, made of copper plated with rhodium, features subtle lines that enhance its sophisticated appearance by combining the matte black finish with the shine of the rhodium metal. Effect Audio’s modular TermX plug system is not used here; the 4.4 mm connector is fixed.

The connector barrel is painted in matte black. At this end, it is possible to switch between several connector types, including 2-pin and MMCX, thanks to Effect Audio’s ConX modular system. The connectors are secured by a threaded mechanism and tightened with a wrench included in the kit.

Finally, there is the beautiful Y-split, entirely finished in black, which features carbon fiber at its center with gold flakes inserted manually, giving each cable a unique appearance.

The Dionysus uses eight wires to conduct the electrical signal. Each conductor is 1.2 m long and employs the following materials:

• Gold-plated silver litz wires [1]
• Solid central core made of a silver–copper alloy
• Silver litz wires
• Copper litz wires

[1] A Litz wire is composed of many thin, individually insulated strands that are twisted or braided together.

Is the Dionysus Comfortable?

Yes, the Dionysus is a comfortable cable. Even with eight wires instead of the traditional four, I did not feel any discomfort in my ears due to the “extra weight.” In addition, the Y-split is lightweight, and I did not notice any noise caused by friction against my T-shirt fabric.

I always like to draw attention to the way the Effect Audio team shapes the section of the cable that goes behind the ears. There is a clear concern in ensuring that the cable forms a pronounced curve as it exits the 2-pin connector barrel and bends toward the head. This design distributes the cable’s weight between the ear and the side of the head, preventing discomfort caused by pressure.

How Does the Dionysus Sound?

When I first used the Effect Audio Dionysus, I immediately perceived a strong sense of intensity across several frequency ranges. Over time, it became clearer what was responsible for this sensation that made the music so engaging.

Without a doubt, the foundation of this “intensity” lies in the way the low frequencies are presented. The mid-bass is significantly elevated, making the bass reproduction very full-bodied, adding substantial weight, and spreading across the entire soundstage. At the same time, there is an excellent response in the bass and sub-bass regions, providing a great deal of texture to instruments such as drums and bass guitar.

Despite this strong emphasis on low frequencies, the midrange remains sufficiently present to contribute harmoniously to the musical presentation. However, there is a slight recession in the mids, and it is noticeable that string instruments and vocals are positioned a bit further back. This characteristic creates a subtle impression of an expanded soundstage.

The treble still exhibits enough sparkle to avoid sounding dull, providing a good sense of definition for cymbals and violins. It seemed to me that there is a slight lift in the upper mids, which helps maintain a high level of nuance in the overall presentation.

Overall, I felt that the Dionysus makes the sound “thick” and “intense,” with strong impact and substantial weight in the low frequencies, while still preserving a touch of brightness in the highs to achieve better tonal balance (distribution of bass, mids, and treble).

Conclusion

The Effect Audio Dionysus is an extremely beautiful cable that, in my opinion, conveys a strong sense of sophistication and refinement regardless of which headphones it is paired with or which Digital Audio Player (DAP) or DAC/amp it is connected to. At the same time, the sound delivered by the Dionysus allows the listener to immerse themselves more deeply in the melody of each track, experiencing every note with remarkable intensity.

It is not an inexpensive model, but it is also not among the most expensive. Priced at US$429 in Effect Audio’s online store, it can be an excellent choice for use with high-end in-ear monitors (IEMs), further enhancing their capabilities and making the act of listening to music even more enjoyable.