The Audioquest Coffee HDMI Digital Cable

Roy Harris has posted a review of the The Audioquest Coffee HDMI Digital cable ($595) at Audiophilia. His conclusion:

The terms natural, balance, mid to rear hall, smooth, and somewhat distant have been noted as the salient affects of the cable upon the sound of my stereo system.

One of the challenges of any reviewer is facing the fact that the sound of a recording is unknown. Those present at the recording session may be more familiar with the sound of a recording than a reviewer or listener, regardless of the opportunity to audition the disc on a variety of stereo systems. While the experience of a reviewer may reveal some consistent sonic attributes, variations in sound will be heard at different venues. The personnel at the recording studio can hear the musicians live, but, as they analyze the recording it will be auditioned through electronic equipment which will produce some distortions and therefore present a particular perspective of the sound of the music, and thus the definitive sound of the recording will never be known. Reviewers and non-reviewers who own a copy of the performance , i.e., a recording, can develop some level of confidence regarding its sound which is probably true.

I refer to the above paradigm for two reasons. First, as an observation which should be considered when evaluating equipment for various reasons, e.g., reviewers and potential purchasers of equipment, to realize the risk of making judgments in absence of complete information, while alleging familiarity. There is a risk in making an error when relying on that which is probably true. Second, in the context of my experience listening to the Holly Cole CD, with its audible sibilance.

I cannot be sure to what extent both the recording and the HDMI cable contributed to the slight exaggeration of sibilance. It is possible that the cable was partly responsible in reducing what sibilance was on the recording, accurately provided a conduit of what was on the recording or added some SPL to the upper midrange.

What was heard on the first selection was in contrast to the absence of any peak in the upper midrange observed on the other four recordings. Thus, I would opine, albeit based upon a small sample, that the cable favors truth over beauty, but not exaggerations in any frequency range.

At no time was their a perception of unpleasantness, and as I remarked, one could listen to a variety of recordings for long periods of time without experiencing any fatigue. At no time did the music sound analytical, but maintained that rare combination of resolution without any negatives associated with the term.

You can read the full review here.