Review of the Effect Audio Dionysus Cable

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

Design and build: the refinement of black

The Dionysus belongs to the second generation of Effect Audio’s “Signature” series and features a black coating on its conductors, similar to the Eros S II—a model I unfortunately have not had the chance to try. What I can comment on, however, is the texture and level of reflectivity of the cable reviewed here.

The Dionysus’ jacket has a slightly rough feel, and the black color barely reflects light. It gives the impression of a deep black, adding a touch of refinement and sophistication to any setup it is connected to.

The rhodium-plated copper 4.4mm plug features subtle lines that add a sense of elegance, combining the matte black finish with the shine of rhodium metal. The Effect Audio TermX modular plug system is not used here; the 4.4mm connector is fixed.

The connector barrel is finished in matte black. Here, you can swap between several connectors, including 2-pin and MMCX, thanks to Effect Audio’s ConX modular system. The connectors are secured by a screw mechanism and tightened with a wrench included in the kit.

Finally, there is a beautiful all-black Y-split, which features carbon fiber at its center with gold flakes manually embedded, giving each cable a unique appearance.

The Dionysus uses eight wires to carry the electrical signal. Each conductor is 1.2 m long and uses 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] Litz wire is made up 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 experience 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 with the fabric of my T-shirt.

I always like to draw attention to how the Effect Audio team shapes the section of the cable that goes behind the ears. There is a clear concern here to ensure the cable makes a pronounced curve as it leaves the 2-pin connector barrel and bends toward the head, allowing the cable’s weight to be distributed between the ear and the side of the head, preventing discomfort caused by pressure from the cable’s weight.

How does the Dionysus sound?

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

Without a doubt, the foundation of this “intensity” lies in how the low frequencies are presented. The mid-bass is significantly elevated, making bass reproduction very full-bodied, with a lot of weight that spreads across the entire soundstage. At the same time, there is excellent response in the bass and sub-bass, adding plenty of texture to instruments such as drums and bass guitar.

Despite this strong focus on the low end, the mids remain present enough to contribute harmoniously to the music. However, there is a slight recession in the midrange, and it is noticeable that string instruments and vocals sit a bit further back. This characteristic gives a subtle impression of a larger soundstage.

The treble still offers enough sparkle to avoid sounding dull, providing a good sense of definition for cymbals and violins. There also seems to be a slight lift in the upper mids, helping to maintain a good level of nuance in the presentation.

Overall, I felt that the Dionysus delivers a “thick” and “intense” sound, with plenty of impact and weight in the low end, while retaining just enough treble energy to achieve better tonal balance (the 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 provided by the Dionysus allows the listener to dive even deeper into the melody of each track, feeling every note with great intensity.

It is not an inexpensive model, but it is also not among the most expensive. Priced at US$429 on 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.