Review : Cardas Audio EM5813

Cardas Audio EM5813 Ear Speaker reviewed in The Absolute Sound by Chris Martens

Read the full review here : http://www.theabsolutesound.com/articles/cardas-audio-em5813-ear-speaker/

Conclusion :
In reflecting on the Cardas Ear Speakers, my reactions were on the whole overwhelmingly positive, though I do have a few nits to pick. First, I would encourage Cardas to offer the Ear Speaker’s signal cables with smooth outer jackets rather than the current coarsely textured fabric covers. The covers undeniably look cool, but in practice they rub and snag against your skin and clothing, sending unwanted noises onward into the earpiece housings. Second, I think Cardas should consider making the Ear Speaker’s signal cables detachable and user replaceable. Finally, I’d like to see the Ear Speakers come with a 1⁄4-inch TRS (tip-ring-sleeve) adapter, for the simple reason that these earphones are so good that users may want to try them with high-performance desktop amps whose only outputs are 1⁄4-inch jacks. Note, please, that the foregoing comments should be taken as a “wish list” for some final detail touches that could help make an already fine earphone even better.

In summary, the Cardas Ear Speaker is a brilliant high-performance earphone from one of the most respected manufacturers in high-end audio (and it is an achievement made all the more impressive by the fact that it is, after all, Cardas’ first earphone design). The Ear Speaker is an accomplished and downright enchanting transducer that makes listening to music captivating, illuminating, and just plain fun. The Ear Speaker should be considered a reference in its price class (and beyond) and—if your reactions are anything like mine—you may find that once you start playing music through them you won’t want to stop.