Today, Nihal reviews the Luminox Audio Tri-Light, which is a high-end triple coaxial Litz wire audio cable designed for IEM owners. It is priced at $950.
Disclaimer: This sample was sent to me in exchange for my honest opinion. Headfonics is an independent website with no links or affiliate status. I appreciate Luminox Audio for your support.
Click here to read more about Luminox Audio Cables that we have previously reviewed at Headfonics
Please note that this article follows our latest scoring guidelineswhich you can read in more detail here.
Three Luminox Audio Lights Review
Summary
The Luminox Audio Tri-Light IEM cable shines with a distinctive shine. Crafted with triple coaxial Litz cables, it delivers a rich, warm and perfectly immersive sound experience characterized by a balanced and pleasing tonal quality of the paired IEMs.
Advantages
Impressive soundstage and micro details.
Good resolution and clarity in the midrange of the paired IEMs
Attractive aesthetics and construction.
Cons
Treble can be a bit spicy on some IEMs
Limited bass enhancement
Luminox is a Taiwanese brand with extensive experience spanning over 30 years in manufacturing aftermarket audio cables. They also provide OEM services to many other brands.
We've reviewed their flagship offering, the 'Luminox'cable, last year. This cable boasts several sophisticated and versatile features that make it a unique offering in the IEM aftermarket cable niche.
The Tri-Light is priced at $950 and is the next step up cost-wise from the flagship, but is still considered their 'Premium Line' offering.
Combines three different wire materials; Silver-plated OCC copper, OCC copper and silver-plated copper coaxial cables. So, like the flagship cable, this could be another potentially unique offering.
Read on to find out how it performs and compares to competing cables in my full review below.
Characteristics
The Tri-Light cable combines three types of conductors: silver-plated OCC copper, OCC copper, and silver-plated copper coaxial cables.
These three materials are arranged in a three-layer structure in a coaxial type architecture. Luminox calls it a TRI-COAXIAL cable design, the first of its kind to be implemented in an upgraded cable. The cable uses two different wire materials to wrap the wire core of a third material.
The innermost material of this arrangement is silver-plated OCC copper. OCC copper forms the middle layer and the outermost layer is silver-plated copper. Each of these layers is separated by insulating material.
The cable also features a patented pair-balancing technology, which is used to improve the overall sonic performance of the paired IEM. This technology stands out for regulating the current within the conductor, minimizing distortion and creating a quieter and denser background.
Design
The Tri-Light cable design strikes a good balance between premium looks and ease of use. Its robust construction is complemented by an elegant finish, offering durability and aesthetic appeal. Every component oozes top-notch quality, from the splitter to the 2-pin connectors and adapter plug.
The cable has a pearly white color, with a nice shine and texture. The cable comes in a 4-wire configuration with an attractive braided finish with no visible gaps. There is a slight firmness and the weight is substantial but doesn't feel bulky.
The divider has a cylindrical design with a rosewood cover and metal hardware on each end for a nice touch. The shape and size are normal and the weight is light. The brand name is engraved on the top end, where the left and right ends of the cable split.
The 4.4mm termination connector combines a rhodium-plated connector end and the body is lightweight rosewood. The wooden part is nicely finished with a tapered end where the cable comes out.
The connector, while looking large, is lightweight and comes in alternative termination options, including 2.5mm and 3.5mm termination plugs.
The 2-pin connectors on the cable are round and gray. They are marked L and R to distinguish between the left and right sides. The 2 pins are quite small but very well built.
Driving
The Tri-Light cable is a decent weight, but I don't think it's bulky considering the construction and quality of materials. The weight is distributed evenly and the fact that the splitter and adapters are not heavy makes the cable easy and comfortable to use.
The cable is not rigid, it is quite easy to roll up and store and it does not tangle. The good thing is that when you roll it up it doesn't unroll itself.
Overall, the cable is quite flexible without significant downward tension due to the weight of the cable. However, this tension is greater when you are on the move, so the Tri-Light is not an ideal cable to use when you are on the move.
The cable is missing a memory ear hook and cinch, which add a lot of comfort and ease. When worn over the ear, the cable becomes deformed after a while and needs some adjustment.
Packaging and accessories
Luminox Tri-Light comes in a wooden box. This box is lightweight and the brand name is painted on the top. The edges of the box may soften and the colors may gradually fade in the corners with prolonged use.
When you open the box, a small black bag appears and the cable is placed in a round cutout. Inside the bag, carefully packaged in a paper sleeve, are the instruction manual and warranty card. The interior of the box is lined with maroon velvet, which gives it a pleasant touch.
The case is designed solely to store the cable, lacking adequate space for an IEM. Also, the bag provided is quite narrow, so I would have preferred a larger box and case with ample space to fit everything comfortably.
Performance Impressions
The following sound impressions of the Luminox Tri-Light cable were completed using 64 Audio Fourte, Noble Audio Kublai Khanand Kinera Verdandi along with my main source, Lotoo's Golden touch of the paw.
Summary
As the brand mentions, the Tri-Light focuses on generating an organic sound with a better feeling of lightness. The cable works quite well to improve overall resolution and clarity with some notable improvements in imaging and instrument separation with the paired IEMs.
Doorbell
The Tri-Light goal is to reproduce an airy and effortless sound. It does a good job of delivering a consistently pleasing sound, preserving the original timbre while introducing an organic quality to the sound, which screams “more details and high resolution.”
The cable does not alter the original timbre much. At most, it adds a bit of warmth to the cleaner tuning of some of the paired IEMS, effectively softening the overall sound.
In the bass of the paired IEMs, the Tri-Light focuses more on quality than quantity, while refining the texture of the bass. Sub-bass depth seems to be affected and the mid-bass lacks some of its previous punch and impact.
Additionally, there is a noticeable increase in decay speed, so the bass extends further and loses the impact it would have had before.
The Tri-Light really shines in the midrange department. The midrange has a better clarity and resolution feel with a decent level of detail and more forward movement in the mids.
Every little detail comes out very well. Vocals take on a new organic richness, while instruments like strings and piano exhibit a fuller, more vibrant presence. I really enjoyed the intimate vocals on the track, as they seem to put the singers front and center, while the instruments provide an inviting backdrop.
Through the treble, there is a noticeable increase in width and clarity. Details are more pronounced and overall resolution is improved. However, the Tri-Light may not be suitable for IEMs with already crisp treble or those with a bright character, as it may accentuate harshness and sibilance.
Staging and images
The Tri-Light significantly improves the overall soundstage. When you change the cable on your IEMs, this is one of the immediate improvements you will notice.
There is more expansion of depth than width. The stage gains a more realistic and expansive quality, with an increase in width in both the front and rear areas, presenting a better sense of realism. This adds up to a more immersive three-dimensional audio experience.
The image is enhanced by Tri-Light, resulting in more precise spatiality for instruments. With improved staging depth, instruments and vocals are extended further, giving a better sense of precision in their positioning. Instruments get a more spacious stage and details sound clearer with more precise imaging.
Click on page 2 below to see my recommended combinations and selected comparisons.
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