If the top model Discovery and Audience cables are any indication of their entry level cables, then I would go with Audience.
I lived with a system's worth of Discovery Essence (a few IC's) and an 8-ft run of the Essential speaker wire for about 4 weeks.
In my system, the Discovery seemed to restrict dynamics or damped something down in the presentation. The sound was good, but something critical was missing. In all other respects, the Discovery Essence / Essential combo was the best cables I have ever had in my system--and that includes some more expensive stuff from Xindak and Nordost.
The Discovery's tonal balance = dead-nuts correct, timbre colors = same; detail = revealing but not over-blown or exaggerated, perspective was just right--mid-to-back hall with the right proportions. Were it not for that feeling of restriction, the Essence and Essential would be the cables for me.
My system is now has Audience Au24 (including DIN phono) throughout. The Audience Au24 cabling sounds quite dynamic in my set-up AND it's cheaper than the Discovery stuff. Au24 is also perhaps more time coherent than Essence/Essential and more transparent and revealing over all, but the perspective can be a bit forward in some cases. The highs can be a little hot with the Au24; I think this may just be the result of the Au24 showing the faults of my speakers or speaker placement.
System = VPI TNT 3.5/SME V/Benz LP; Lukaschek PP-1(phono stage): Ayre CX-7; First Sound Presence Dlxe 4.0; Cary SLAM-100 monos; Coincident Super Eclipse; Silent Source Power cords throughout, Au24 Signal cables. Arcici Suspense Rack. PS audio power ports. Two 20-amp dedicated lines.
I lived with a system's worth of Discovery Essence (a few IC's) and an 8-ft run of the Essential speaker wire for about 4 weeks.
In my system, the Discovery seemed to restrict dynamics or damped something down in the presentation. The sound was good, but something critical was missing. In all other respects, the Discovery Essence / Essential combo was the best cables I have ever had in my system--and that includes some more expensive stuff from Xindak and Nordost.
The Discovery's tonal balance = dead-nuts correct, timbre colors = same; detail = revealing but not over-blown or exaggerated, perspective was just right--mid-to-back hall with the right proportions. Were it not for that feeling of restriction, the Essence and Essential would be the cables for me.
My system is now has Audience Au24 (including DIN phono) throughout. The Audience Au24 cabling sounds quite dynamic in my set-up AND it's cheaper than the Discovery stuff. Au24 is also perhaps more time coherent than Essence/Essential and more transparent and revealing over all, but the perspective can be a bit forward in some cases. The highs can be a little hot with the Au24; I think this may just be the result of the Au24 showing the faults of my speakers or speaker placement.
System = VPI TNT 3.5/SME V/Benz LP; Lukaschek PP-1(phono stage): Ayre CX-7; First Sound Presence Dlxe 4.0; Cary SLAM-100 monos; Coincident Super Eclipse; Silent Source Power cords throughout, Au24 Signal cables. Arcici Suspense Rack. PS audio power ports. Two 20-amp dedicated lines.