Audience SX2/Front Row Cables...has anyone tried or heard much of this new reference line?


I have been extremely satisfied with Audience Interconnect and Speaker cable for some time, natural/organic/neutral presentation that works with every component I’ve used, solid state or tube. I own Au24 SX XLR Interconnects and Speaker cables. I have also been impressed with Audience cables price to performance ratio. I just received an email of another breakthrough reference line, the Au24 SX2, which will actually be called the Front Row line.  Alas, pricing at $5100 per 2 meter Speaker cable is no longer readily affordable. I guess Audience is rapidly catching up in price to its competitors, now that they also enjoy name recognition and stellar reviews. However, they are wonderful cables!  Has anyone heard these cables or know much about them relative to SX line? If they’re as much a revelation over the SX as the email from Audience claims, I might have to start saving. I’ll wait for the reviews I guess.  Thank you to all!
audiobrian

Showing 11 responses by audphile1

This just says how subjective and system/room/listener dependent it all is.
I evaluated (all XLR) AU24SX, Kimber KS 1126, Analysis Plus Silver Apex, Nordost Tyr 2 against the AZ Absolute Copper I had at the time. With the amp upgrade I had excess bass with the AZ cables and was looking for something that’s better balanced top to bottom. 
The AU24SX had a hump in the presence region and some glare that caused fatigue. Nordost ended up winning the shootout and I now have Tyr 2 XLR throughout. 
And this is with AU24SX speaker cables by the way. I actually thought the AU24SX will be awesome synergy but it didn’t pan out that way. 

What’s the break in period with the FrontRow speaker cables? And what changes in sound can be expected throughout the break in?

Thanks duramax747 for the compliments and the info!

The FrontRow replaced AU24SX. I was kind of disappointed at first. Sound was dull and lacked air. Mids were congested too. They are coming around though. No changes in the bass which is one area where there is a definite gain in texture and depth over the SX, but definitely cleared up the mids so far. Treble is improving as well. 

Running signal thru them 24/7. Will wait few weeks to draw final conclusions. 

Jafant…

Tyr 2 XLR interconnects, Frey 2 power cords on amp and dac, Heimdall 2 power cord is on Aurender N200 streamer. Audience FrontRow speaker cables.
I just sold my Pass Labs separates few days ago. Simplifying my setup - moving to an integrated amp (want to explore something that’s new to me…always had separates). I have 2 sets of Tyr 2 XLRs that were used between DAC/pre and pre to amp.

 

Yup. Unbelievably awesome!!!! By far the best my system ever sounded. They managed to improve on already excellent AU24SX with better resolution, more focus and texture, while retaining that natural tone Audience is known for.
And to add, there’s very good synergy with my Nordost Tyr 2 XLRs. Overall I couldn’t be more pleased.

As a side note…I got these as a demo/open box. They didn’t have enough hours on them and it took over 100hrs to settle. I didn’t listen much just played the system round the clock at levels that wouldn’t disturb anyone in the house. So that’s pretty much it. 

@jafant I picked up Coda CSiB V1 and to say that I’m impressed would be an understatement!

@mclinnguy thank you!

I was afraid it would be a significant step down from my Pass Labs XP-22 and X260.8 but it’s not a step down at all! I’m extremely pleased with the sonics of this Coda amp

 

@fthompson251 

Nice! Glad to hear you like the amp! Keep me posted on USB cable please. Hope it arrives soon!