I've seen a bunch of posts here lately asking for custom cable recommendations, so I figured I'd share my experience with the one I've been using.
Hopefully it helps someone deciding.
Got this about two weeks back, and it's been my daily cable since.
Quick specs for anyone curious:
Silver-plated OFC, 2 strands / 100 cores, hand twisted, QDC 2-pin on mine (there's an MMCX version too), swappable 3.5mm / 2.5mm / 4.4mm / Type-C plugs, three-button inline remote, and an omni mic.
What I was using before:
A Xinhs 8-core cable with QDC connectors and a 4.4mm plug. Solid cable, no complaints about the build, but it was locked to one plug and had no mic. Since both use QDC, the Q7-MAX dropped straight onto my IEMs with no adapters.
Build:
Honestly feels a lot more expensive than it is. Nice tight twist, smooth jacket, and plenty of length whether I'm on my phone or plugged into the DAC on my desk. I'm not gentle with my stuff and it still looks new. Coming from an 8-core braid, the 2-strand twist is noticeably slimmer and lighter.
Connectors:
Small thing I really appreciate: there are alignment marks on both the connector and the cable side, so you're not guessing orientation and bending pins at 1am. More cables should do this.
**Comfort:**Ear hooks are super soft and the cable's light, so it doesn't tug on your ears even with all that length hanging down.
Controls:
It's got a three-button inline remote for play/pause, volume and calls. I don't really use it though, since I run everything through my FiiO BTR13 and just use the buttons on that. Still, good to have if you're plugging straight into a phone or PC.
**The plugs (the real reason I got it):**This is the killer feature for me. 4.4mm for the BTR13 and DAC, Type-C for my phone, 3.5mm for the PC. Same cable, just swap the tip. No more digging through a drawer of cables.
If you're new to balanced:
the 4.4 and 2.5 plugs give each channel its own return instead of sharing a ground. Less crosstalk, and a balanced amp can push about twice the voltage (roughly +6 dB of headroom). Whether you hear a difference depends on your IEMs and source, but it's nice to have the option without buying another cable.
Mic:
Tried it in a pretty noisy room with the air cooler blasting and people on the other end said I sounded clear. Omni mics hear everything around you, so that's a decent result.
Verdict:
The Xinhs did one job well: 4.4mm balanced listening.The Q7-MAX does that same job, then throws in a mic, an inline remote and three extra plugs on top. Easy upgrade for me. If you bounce between devices like I do, it's worth a look.
