Audience, an American brand, prides itself on making handcrafted audio products. Cables are an important offering, and the audience’s commitment to scientific principles is reflected in their cable design philosophy, marking it as a highly functional audiophile product. Currently distributed by (Pai Mei Audio) in Hong Kong, they sent us a pair of Au24 SX RCA speakers for review.
Lightweight Design Philosophy
When it caught on with the audience, packaging became surprisingly simple, moving away from the large, rigid boxes favored by other brands. While most cable manufacturers opt for a higher, tighter packaging, the Audience cables are surprisingly light and flexible. This feature is deeply connected to their basic principles of cable design.
Inside the box, we found a product catalog in Chinese. (Pai Mei Audio) has been promoting the Audience in Hong Kong for a long time and has already produced a Chinese catalog, cleverly naming it “” (Àotèshī) for easy recall among audiophiles. At the bottom of the catalog, the RCA connectors of the main attraction, the Au24 SX RCA connectors, were visible. The cable itself seemed thin and flimsy.
The catalog also provides an overview of other products for the audience, electric heaters being another important product area. (Pai Mei Audio) may introduce this to the market in the future.
On the side of the catalog was a link to the Au24 SX RCA with a certificate of authenticity from the manufacturer.
In the lower left corner, a signed thank you note from audience owner John McDonald added a personal touch.
The Audience Au24 SX RCA cables are thin and lightweight, standing in stark contrast to the heavy and thick cables common on the market. Designers adhere to a few key principles in cable design. Once we’ve figured this out, the reason for Au24 SX’s brightness will become clear.
Quality and Production Excellence
Au24 SX uses pure copper 6N OCC conductors and premium XLPE (cross-linked polyethylene) as the insulation material. XLPE is created by cross-linking PE (polyethylene), changing its structure to improve material strength, durability, and electrical performance. This process reduces internal heat resistance and improves reliability and longevity.
Every part used in Au24 SX receives an individual cryogenic treatment (CYRO) before assembly. After the cable is collected and tested, the entire finished cable receives a second cryogenic treatment. This dual cryogenic process improves the physical strength of the cable components.
The Au24 SX offers a variety of connection options, including RCA, XLR, S/PDIF, AES/EBU, phono, and speaker cable termination. The RCA connectors in the review sample use a solder-less connection method, which eliminates the ability of solder to alter the inherent sound characteristics.
Coaxial Conductor Geometry
Audience cables feature coaxial conductor geometry. This design consists of an inner ring of stranded copper conductors and an outer ring of stranded copper conductors, separated by insulation. On closer inspection, one can see that the inner and outer rings are tied differently. This countermeasure balances the magnetic field effects of current flow, effectively suppressing noise without the need for extensive shielding.
As a result, Au24 SX avoids heavy shielding, as the audience believes that shielding materials can hinder the dynamic flow inside the cable.
Audiences refer to this method as “Perfect Lay Geometry.” It is not a braided or twisted configuration, yet it provides a wide area, which reduces the weight of each conductor strand.
Reducing Eddy Current Resistance
Audiences believe that using light weight conductors provides two important benefits. First, it reduces the resistance caused by eddy currents. Eddy current generation is directly related to the weight of the conductor; large conductors are more prone to produce opposing magnets when current passes through them, resulting in increased resistance and power loss. The audience also produced a video description of their composer to illustrate this point.
Reducing the Skin Effect
Another advantage of the audience’s choice of multi-strand, small gauge conductors is the reduction of the skin effect. Physically, when alternating current flows through a conductor, it tends to be concentrated around the surface of the conductor instead of evenly distributed throughout its entire length. This condition is known as the skin effect. The skin effect increases resistance as the alternating current frequency increases, resulting in reduced transmission efficiency.
The frequency with which the skin effect is greater is related to the diameter of the conductor; larger diameters affect lower frequencies. By using smaller diameter conductors, the influence of the skin effect is shifted to higher frequencies, which may be above the audible range.
This is why some designers use Litz wire construction, where multiple strands of wire are twisted together in a certain way. This system improves the uniform distribution of the electromagnetic field, resulting in an even more current distribution throughout the fibers compared to using a single conductor, with a larger diameter. The goal is to minimize the impact of the skin effect.
This explains why the Au24 SX is light and thin. The audience’s unwavering commitment to these design principles is evident – all aimed at one goal: to reduce inhibitions to reflect the current flow. The aim is to facilitate fast current transfer with minimal loss and to minimize any factors that may alter the signal.
This approach goes against the market trend that thicker audiophile cables are inherently better. It shows the audience’s strong conviction in their design philosophy.
The Au24 SX RCA cables we reviewed include a sleeve on the cable body that indicates the model and brand. The Audience brand name is also printed on the connectors.
Smooth, Rounded, Engaging and Fatigue-Free Sound
We integrated Audience Au24 SX RCA connectors between our source and integrated amplifier, acting as an analog signal bridge and the only connection in the system. Starting with Janis Ian’s *Folk is the new black*, we quickly noticed that the strings provided a smoother, more rounded sound, softening any sharp edges. This was especially noticeable in the lyrics. For example, on the opening track “Danger Danger,” the guitar riffs showcased this quality.
Although it retains the fine tuning, Janis Ian’s voice has acquired a shine, similar to the smoothness of baby skin. Moving on to the sixth track, “Standing in the Shadow of Love,” with its more pronounced rock flavor, the bass and kick drum in the lower frequencies are provided with a relaxed but firm foundation. The whole song was incredibly smooth and fun, increasing musical engagement.
Punchy Low Frequencies, All Balanced Harmony
While the previous album was catchy, its dynamic range was mediocre. We switched to audiophile integration *sound compass 2017*. The opening drum beat of the fourth track, “Hit The Road Jack,” immediately revealed a deep and pounding mid-bass. The saxophone has retained its smooth, rounded, and soft character. This track also featured a wide and deep soundstage.
Piano, vocals, and drums successfully demonstrated the balanced and consistent performance of the Au24 SX RCA in different frequency ranges. On track 11, “Sarasate: Habanera,” Michael Rabin’s violin performance highlighted his mastery of technique, detail, and rhythmic control. Strings effectively conveyed these musical elements. Finally, track 12, “Chabrier: Espana,” unfolds within a large musical space.
The occasional deep drums, clear and soft strings, and strong brass instruments are all done with exceptional fidelity by the cables. They presented a powerful contrast and flow like a narrative, which is a true example of the synergy of great music, great recording, and the right playing equipment.
Unique Natural Live Performance
Switching to Eric Clapton’s live recording, *Unplugged*, the applause from the audience was perhaps the most genuine I’ve ever heard. The Au24 SX RCA cables excelled in capturing the mysterious quality of nature in sound reproduction. Some equipment can make the audience clap and ambient sound with an over-recorded or harsh quality, but this was completely absent here. Rather, it was so natural that it drew attention to it.
Throughout the recording, every aspect of the guitar and instrumentation, as well as the vocals, was very enjoyable. The sonic decay was surprisingly natural, with no enhanced clarity or uneven emphasis. It allowed complete immersion in the music, removing any distractions regarding sonic imperfections. After careful listening, it’s clear that these are cables you’ll appreciate.
Multi-Layered Depth for Immersive Listening
Playing *Named for a Song*, the entire album continued to exhibit a smooth and rounded sonic signature. The notes from the speakers have a natural and balanced quality, promoting an extended and easy listening. In the third track, “Dream,” sung by Carla Lother, the guitar playing on the right was clearly defined, accompanied by a deep and powerful bass on the left. Carla’s soft and gentle voice floated above.
The overall soundstage presented unique and natural layers of depth. The eighth track, “Hell or High Water,” by Sara K., again showcases the depth and breadth of the soundstage. The performance unfolds across multiple layers, each instrument taking its own place, yet blending seamlessly into a cohesive whole.
Top-Tier Cables, Undoubtedly: Details
The receiver may not be familiar to some audiophiles, but based on the manufacturer’s design philosophy and our listening experience, it is a brand that deserves a lot of attention. The Au24 SX RCA connector, in my opinion, embodies the essence of the brand: understated but great, focused on priorities, and perhaps overlooked in a market full of flashier products.
However, for audiophiles looking for the ultimate in natural sound reproduction, the audience should not be ignored. They may offer exactly what you want – a return to the fundamental pursuit of musical purity. The Au24 SX RCA cables are unmistakably high quality.
**Details:**
* Conductor Material: 6N OCC Pure Copper
Insulation: XLPE (Cross-Linked Polyethylene)
* Geometry: Coaxial “Perfect Lay Geometry”
* Connectors: Solderless RCA
* Treatment: Double Cryogenic Treatment