Sound

Swapping directly in from near-field speakers - and I felt like I wasn't missing out on "speaker experience." Stereo imaging, soundstage, clarity, and dynamics were still intact.

Usually, when I put these headphones on, it still sounds and feels like I'm listening to headphones. With the Lazuli Nirvana - the boundary disappears.

This headphone cable reminds me of Danacable's line of speaker cables. It doesn't quite have a "sound" per-say. It just feels unimpeded. Transparency, clarity, and focus are some of the many obvious traits of this headphone cable. It's informative and clean yet very coherent and musical. Without any comparisons, I already felt that the Lazuli Nirvana struck the perfect tonal balance.

The Sound of Nirvana

Dave Matthews Band's American Baby was encompassed by tight lines from guitar plucks, snappy attacks off drums, and insightful dialogue. Macro and micro dynamics have an engaging perspective and are sonically scenic. Shimmer and warmth are also appropriately colored within the strums of strings and the impact of a kick drum. As the brass comes in towards the end of the track, there's grip, texture, and proper timbre. No matter how involved it gets, the Lazuli Nirvana has no problem layering out the musical pieces with rhythmic confidence.

In Ben Harper's Steal My Kisses, the Lazuli Nirvana struts its stuff by accurately timing out the resonant overlays of cymbal splashes - and the intricate technique of Rahzel Brown's beatboxing. There's plenty of contrast and air between the performers and their instruments - all laid out on a pitch black backdrop.

This recording usually sounds overly warm and blended on headphones - which I thought was just the nature of the recording. However, the Lazuli Nirvana extracted lower level nuances and textural cues while preserving the tonal quality and focus of the individual elements. And it does this so effortlessly. These traits encourages a revisit of your favorite tracks - which is always a good thing.