@@mddawson1 I do that for more expensive cables, not for these. I think these are cheap brass or copper with gold plating. These are really cheap and popular on Ali
@@MasterofPlay7 Dragons were expensive, fake valhalla too. In general, if a cable costs similiar amount of money as a separate audio device, then it falls into my "expensive" category. Then there is a drawer labeled "silly" for all prices comparable to car or house prices :)
I have the fake Valhalla 2 and really only bought cause they looked good and reviews said solid construction. did not expect any sound difference from my mid level wire world cables. blown away at the difference. they truly sound much better. I thought speaker cables did not make a difference I was wrong.
There could be some differences in sound due to the properties of different color dyes (which could slightly change the insulation properties). I think that was the reason for Kimber Kable changing it's TC series from black and blue to white and transparent...
Cables don't seem to draw the same outrage for fake product as you might have for a full counterfeit audio component or semiconductor, because I think people realize the basic model of selling high-end cables is based on lofty claims that are often scammish to begin with.
We do have a flame war here and there but it's more about cables in general than the ones I review being fake :) (I do however have reviews for genuine cables too)
@@k4syx Also if you want, I have found some credible looking reproductions of Kimber Kable and Goertz Alpha-Core speaker cables that you might be interested in. In the case of the Kimber, it's possible to have some similar effects because the braiding process of the conductors is what imparts the uniqueness to the cable, and otherwise the wires used internally are pretty normal. I think I'll try both of them.
I really appreciate your reviews. It is of particular interest the reviews of amplification. I am considering the burmester 933 amp on Ali Express. I need two because i will be bi amping. I have not found any reviews of it anywhere. I know you have looked at a lot of amplifiers from Ali and i appreciate that very much. Is there any chance you were considering a review of the burmester copy's? Again thank you for your reviews on these amplifiers.
@k4syx hi. I just watched it. I have amt tweeters on their own stands and a 10" textreme midwoofer in a 173 liter transmission line cabinet. It very quick and agile sound. I'm now wondering if the Dartzeel might be a better compliment being a natural open relaxed sound. The bumester seems like it maybe too much of a good thing with my speakers. I'm looking for relaxed enjoyment smooth sound. I welcome any thoughts. Once again thanks for your reviews. 🙏
Haha.. for relaxed sound .. fm255 +300a ..is pretty good .. but I need to improve the soundstage of this system .. I wait for the review of the fm701 ( so far 1200w).. if sound base is similar to 300a I guess I will be interested in considering fm701 based monblocks clone ... Kill two birds with one stone . I am thinking two monoblocks may be better biamps for me ? Less interference and noise please comment .. most of the good amp .. left and right are identical separated but same transformer .. separated power supply may have improvement Always they will be very handsome left and right foot warmer
@k4syx i need balanced connections. So i have narrowed it down to the 1.transaudii fm 801 circuit 2. Balanced G9 reference Goldmund 3. Balanced Dartzeel nhb-108 I made all my own interconnects and power cables and speaker cables using supra wires and connectors. Thanks for your responses.
How much do your aq dragons high current weigh? I am wonder if mine are a little light at 737 grams for one meter. Buy then again the guage isn't that big.
The reason Chinese do this, and they generally do it pretty well, with these hi-end fakes is due to their historical admiration (or I should say the Emperors admiration) for copying their ancient art, like paintings and pottery. Oh and money 😂
Yes, and money too :) But some of the fakes I've reviewed - I really doubt that they are fake. More like a side effect of moving production lines to China....
@@k4syx Yes. I lived in China and some things you can buy are authentic They are not going out the front door but out the back door. Therefore they are real but not approved.
@@bertroost1675 thats my gut feeling for AQ totl stuff. Seeing them inside and hearing them - I dot believe these are fakes. And who would set up a production line to make cables that will be sold in miniscule numbers (all things considered)
I have bought 3 pairs of fake Nordost Red Dawn some months ago from AliExpress and paid 155 euros shipping included. The material is good and the assembly is perfect. Mine have the Nordost brand on the tube shrinks. Even if they are not the original ones, my listening sessions tell me they sound very good, with an open and airy sound, maintaining a solid bass. For what they cost, for me they are a good bargain. Cheers to all audio lovers, from Italy
I think the secret lies with geometry, so maybe they will not be 100% as good as oroginals, but they will be just a decent thing on their own. Regardless of the colour and fake branding
@k4syx Subjective performance depends on... 1. Internal Geometry ( spiral or parallel strands. Variation in strand diameter like Cardas) 2. Metallurgy ( purity, plating) 3. Dielectric Teflon, pvc etc 4 external Geometry ( distance between ribbons) 5 Tolerances...Nordost build their cables to a fraction of a mm from optimal design. 6 Expectations based on price , branding or reviews. 7 Electrical compatibility. ..passive preamp hate high impedance, some amps blow up with high capacitance cables etc.
@@rontoolsie Exactly. The thing is which factors contribute the most towards final effect. Testing these fake cables and comparing them to real ones made me realize that geometry is probably the most important.
Hi HiFi-Zone, no.no.no, see, the red cable is for the right side and blue one for left. That is all and never change it 😀. I mean, i saw it into clear (silver) too, but that must be only for Centerspeaker..logo 😛
The real Red Dawns biggest sound difference is due to the individual wires being extruded not plated silver onto single strand copper.. these should really have no name connection with the real deal because the real deal would sound significantly better. The extruded silver process is very hi tech and the Teflon insulation coating happens at almost the same time as the extrusion process.. very technical and expensive. Only short lengths can be made at each time as well.. that's what you pay for with the original.. really technically groundbreaking for it's time and a guarded process.
Might be wrong but I was told by the nordost rep that the red dawn was the first in the line for extruded silver on copper.. blue heavon was plated...it was a long time ago.. early 2000s so my memory might be tricking me but the Teflon was the same as blue heavon.. and I think it's extruded Teflon on both... just the silver was the differing process and it was supposed to line the grain of the silver better then electroplating.. anyway...whatever..bit academic cause I can't afford red heavon these days anyway...@@Gochtoni
@@777gordini I think the secret lies mostly in the geometry, less so with materials used. Thats what I think i see reviewing all these fakes. Get the geometry right and you're set.
Do you check the connectors with a magnet for iron/steel? The blue speaker cable may be better for blues music. 😁
@@mddawson1 I do that for more expensive cables, not for these. I think these are cheap brass or copper with gold plating. These are really cheap and popular on Ali
@@k4syxwhat price to you is "expensive", what price range should we aim at?
@@k4syx I think I told you about my tem u speaker cables that have gold plated steel banana plugs. I have seen the same cables on ali.
@@mddawson1 I'll check these then for full review :)
@@MasterofPlay7 Dragons were expensive, fake valhalla too. In general, if a cable costs similiar amount of money as a separate audio device, then it falls into my "expensive" category. Then there is a drawer labeled "silly" for all prices comparable to car or house prices :)
I have the fake Valhalla 2 and really only bought cause they looked good and reviews said solid construction. did not expect any sound difference from my mid level wire world cables. blown away at the difference. they truly sound much better. I thought speaker cables did not make a difference I was wrong.
The same experience here.
And the same experience here, but for me it happened a few years ago and started with power cables.
Should we have some support group then? :D
😅😅
Me too... I actually noticed I grew a couple cm after buying the new cables too. Coincidence?
@@sdriza well that depends on the axis - was that height, depth or width? :D
Thanks for the work you are doing, sir
Looking forward to your listening test comparison review. Maybe also consider your AQ cables in the review too?
@@Reyfox1 I will. For all listening reviews I have a score table for this exactly!
There could be some differences in sound due to the properties of different color dyes (which could slightly change the insulation properties). I think that was the reason for Kimber Kable changing it's TC series from black and blue to white and transparent...
I will directly compare them head to head, but I'm 99.9999% sure these are the same and you can just get the ones matching your carpet :)
Cables don't seem to draw the same outrage for fake product as you might have for a full counterfeit audio component or semiconductor, because I think people realize the basic model of selling high-end cables is based on lofty claims that are often scammish to begin with.
We do have a flame war here and there but it's more about cables in general than the ones I review being fake :)
(I do however have reviews for genuine cables too)
@@k4syx Also if you want, I have found some credible looking reproductions of Kimber Kable and Goertz Alpha-Core speaker cables that you might be interested in. In the case of the Kimber, it's possible to have some similar effects because the braiding process of the conductors is what imparts the uniqueness to the cable, and otherwise the wires used internally are pretty normal. I think I'll try both of them.
@@hammer-and-thumb yes please, links wont get through here, but item names from ali will and I'll be able to look them up. Thanks!
I really appreciate your reviews. It is of particular interest the reviews of amplification. I am considering the burmester 933 amp on Ali Express. I need two because i will be bi amping. I have not found any reviews of it anywhere. I know you have looked at a lot of amplifiers from Ali and i appreciate that very much. Is there any chance you were considering a review of the burmester copy's? Again thank you for your reviews on these amplifiers.
@@PhlooredHi! I've actually reviewed one of the 933 versions and I liked our very much - check my videos!
@k4syx hi. I just watched it. I have amt tweeters on their own stands and a 10" textreme midwoofer in a 173 liter transmission line cabinet. It very quick and agile sound. I'm now wondering if the Dartzeel might be a better compliment being a natural open relaxed sound. The bumester seems like it maybe too much of a good thing with my speakers. I'm looking for relaxed enjoyment smooth sound. I welcome any thoughts. Once again thanks for your reviews. 🙏
Haha.. for relaxed sound .. fm255 +300a ..is pretty good .. but I need to improve the soundstage of this system ..
I wait for the review of the fm701 ( so far 1200w).. if sound base is similar to 300a I guess I will be interested in considering fm701 based monblocks clone ... Kill two birds with one stone . I am thinking two monoblocks may be better biamps for me ? Less interference and noise please comment .. most of the good amp .. left and right are identical separated but same transformer .. separated power supply may have improvement
Always they will be very handsome left and right foot warmer
@@Phloored Dartzeel clone is better, no question about it, but also two times the price :)
@k4syx i need balanced connections. So i have narrowed it down to the
1.transaudii fm 801 circuit
2. Balanced G9 reference Goldmund
3. Balanced Dartzeel nhb-108
I made all my own interconnects and power cables and speaker cables using supra wires and connectors.
Thanks for your responses.
Thank you. I would agree that both cables are the same
How much do your aq dragons high current weigh? I am wonder if mine are a little light at 737 grams for one meter. Buy then again the guage isn't that big.
LOL honectly cant tell you, my wife would kill me if she would catch me using our kitchen scale for weighting one of my cables ;)
Got the $50 coupon last night for my Dragon Zero's plus another $12 off with some coupons and coins. Thank you!
You're welcome!
I'm also stocking up my fake AQs :)
@k4syx do you know how much the 1 meter power cables weigh?
@@Pete.across.the.street Nah I wont be allowed to use our kitchen scales for y cables, and other scales I have are not precise enough :/
The reason Chinese do this, and they generally do it pretty well, with these hi-end fakes is due to their historical admiration (or I should say the Emperors admiration) for copying their ancient art, like paintings and pottery.
Oh and money 😂
Yes, and money too :)
But some of the fakes I've reviewed - I really doubt that they are fake. More like a side effect of moving production lines to China....
@@k4syx Yes. I lived in China and some things you can buy are authentic They are not going out the front door but out the back door. Therefore they are real but not approved.
@@bertroost1675 thats my gut feeling for AQ totl stuff. Seeing them inside and hearing them - I dot believe these are fakes. And who would set up a production line to make cables that will be sold in miniscule numbers (all things considered)
If it’s not expensive I don’t want it 🤣🤣🤣
I more like if its not expensive (and it works!) then I want it! :)
I have bought 3 pairs of fake Nordost Red Dawn some months ago from AliExpress and paid 155 euros shipping included. The material is good and the assembly is perfect. Mine have the Nordost brand on the tube shrinks. Even if they are not the original ones, my listening sessions tell me they sound very good, with an open and airy sound, maintaining a solid bass. For what they cost, for me they are a good bargain. Cheers to all audio lovers, from Italy
I think the secret lies with geometry, so maybe they will not be 100% as good as oroginals, but they will be just a decent thing on their own. Regardless of the colour and fake branding
@k4syx
Subjective performance depends on...
1. Internal Geometry ( spiral or parallel strands. Variation in strand diameter like Cardas)
2. Metallurgy ( purity, plating)
3. Dielectric Teflon, pvc etc
4 external Geometry ( distance between ribbons)
5 Tolerances...Nordost build their cables to a fraction of a mm from optimal design.
6 Expectations based on price , branding or reviews.
7 Electrical compatibility. ..passive preamp hate high impedance, some amps blow up with high capacitance cables etc.
@@rontoolsie Exactly. The thing is which factors contribute the most towards final effect. Testing these fake cables and comparing them to real ones made me realize that geometry is probably the most important.
Hi HiFi-Zone, no.no.no, see, the red cable is for the right side and blue one for left. That is all and never change it 😀. I mean, i saw it into clear (silver) too, but that must be only for Centerspeaker..logo 😛
Lol yes that makes perfect sense! :D
Isn't there a Maoist Opera titled Red Dawn? Just sayin'...
I think there was also Patrick Swayze movie with the same title xD
Comparable audioset i suppose 😅
Why did you not show the authentic and compare it w what you are saying "FAKE ".
I dont own the real Nordost Red Dawn. So cant compare, Im just judging them for the sound quality they have on their own - regardless of branding
What's the difference. Nordstrom is terrible
All in all... ;-)
It's only fake if you're using a brand new ..
What a shame , with double the wires at double the price they'd be twice as good.
Then get a Valhalla or Odin clone.
The real Red Dawns biggest sound difference is due to the individual wires being extruded not plated silver onto single strand copper.. these should really have no name connection with the real deal because the real deal would sound significantly better. The extruded silver process is very hi tech and the Teflon insulation coating happens at almost the same time as the extrusion process.. very technical and expensive. Only short lengths can be made at each time as well.. that's what you pay for with the original.. really technically groundbreaking for it's time and a guarded process.
The teflon is extruded not the silver
Might be wrong but I was told by the nordost rep that the red dawn was the first in the line for extruded silver on copper.. blue heavon was plated...it was a long time ago.. early 2000s so my memory might be tricking me but the Teflon was the same as blue heavon.. and I think it's extruded Teflon on both... just the silver was the differing process and it was supposed to line the grain of the silver better then electroplating.. anyway...whatever..bit academic cause I can't afford red heavon these days anyway...@@Gochtoni
@@777gordini I think the secret lies mostly in the geometry, less so with materials used. Thats what I think i see reviewing all these fakes. Get the geometry right and you're set.