Effect Audio Ares S 8-Wire ConX Cable Review
An 8-wire, 24 AWG earphone cable on the ConX connector system with a 2-pin connector included, listed at $237.15 with a crossed-out $279 and a 3.5 or 4.4 plug. It suits buyers who want the ConX connector concept the page describes.
Our verdict
Suits buyers who want an 8-wire, 24 AWG cable on the ConX connector system with a 2-Pin connector included and a 3.5 or 4.4 plug, at $237.15. Look elsewhere if you need a stated cable length or weight, or a price for the other ConX connectors. The main caveat is that the sound statements and the two comments quoted on the page are opinions, and every figure is the store's own.
- Best for
- Buyers who want an 8-wire, 24 AWG cable on the ConX system with a 2-Pin connector and a 3.5 or 4.4 plug.
- Skip if
- You need a stated cable length or weight, or a listed price for other ConX connectors.
Why 3.5/5: Limited by store terms that contradict each other, and by every figure coming from the store's own page, with no independent test of this model checked here.
The Ares S 8 Wires is an Effect Audio cable with what the page calls a ConX interchangeable connector, listed at $237.15 with a crossed-out $279. The page's specification section names UP-OCC Pure Copper Litz, a Proprietary Dual Geometric Design, EPO 24 AWG 8 Wires, EA Ultra Flexi Insulation and a Rhodium Plated Brass Straight Type Plug. The options give a 3.5 or 4.4 plug with a ConX 2Pin 0.78mm connector, and the page text states no cable length.
Specifications
| Spec | Page says |
|---|---|
| Material | UP-OCC Pure Copper Litz |
| Geometry | Proprietary Dual Geometric Design |
| Wires | EPO 24 AWG 8 Wires |
| Insulation | EA Ultra Flexi Insulation |
| Connector system | ConX Interchangeable Connector |
| Included connector | 2-Pin (ConX-ready with 2-Pin connector included) |
| Plug | Rhodium Plated Brass Straight Type Plug |
| Plug sizes (option names) | 3.5, 4.4 |
| ConX connector examples | 2 Pin, MMCX, Ear Connector, A2DC, IPX |
Options and pricing
Two options are listed, 3.5 ConX 2Pin 0.78mm and 4.4 ConX 2Pin 0.78mm, each $237.15 and orderable when the page was read. The page shows a crossed-out price of $279 next to $237.15. It describes ConX as an interchangeable concept in which a top-end connector clicks into the cable, names 2 Pin, MMCX, Ear Connector, A2DC and IPX as examples, and says the cable is ConX-ready with a 2-Pin connector included.
How it compares
The Effect Audio Signature Series II Ares S II 8 Wire Earphone Cable is $199 against $237.15 here, and its name marks it as a Signature Series II cable. The Effect Audio Signature Series II Ares S II x Cadmus II (A x C II) Earphone Cable is from $249.90 and its spec reads 26AWG 8-Wire High-Purity Upgrade Cable for IEMs, against the 24 AWG 8 Wires on this page. This Ares S suits buyers who want the ConX interchangeable connector named in its title at $237.15; the A x C II suits those who want its 26AWG label.
Shipping, returns and warranty
HiFiGO sells from hifigo.com and says every order leaves its warehouse in China, usually 1-3 business days after it is placed, and says its delivery times are estimates, not promises. Its shipping policy gives the United States 1-2 weeks (about 10 days on average) by Priority and 6-10 days by Premium, both with duties and taxes prepaid by the store; Canada 2-3 weeks; the United Kingdom 1-2 weeks; and Australia 10-15 days. Express couriers (DHL, UPS, FedEx) take 3-7 days, but then the buyer pays any duties and taxes. No shipping page names New Zealand, PO boxes are not accepted, and the free-shipping thresholds differ between the store's own pages, so check the cart. One of its two shipping pages adds that a lost parcel on an order above $50 gets only a 50% refund. A US buyer reported a $40 tariff charge in August 2025, after which HiFiGO said it had added a customs notice at checkout.
Read the return terms before you order. The homepage advertises 7-day returns. Both of HiFiGO's policy pages offer a 7-day dead-on-arrival cover (a replacement or a full refund, with the return postage refunded) and also describe 30-day returns, but a request made 7 to 30 days after delivery loses 30% of the MSRP as a restocking fee (10% more if the packaging is incomplete), plus shipping both ways and duties, and the FAQ on the same pages says there is no refund or exchange once 7 days have passed. One version recommends reselling an opened product locally. Custom IEMs and custom cables cannot be returned, no return address is published, and buyers describe sending items back to China.
Cables and adapters get three months of warranty from the order date, against one year for DACs, amps and IEMs; a note on the same page also excludes cables from returns for hygiene reasons, while the FAQ says a cable can come back in its original condition. HiFiGO decides between repair and replacement and the buyer pays the shipping. Claims go to [email protected], the only contact the store lists: its pages name no company, street address or phone.
On Trustpilot, HiFiGO had 4.6 out of 5 from 378 reviews when we checked on 2026-10-28 (91% five-star, 5% one-star), and it had replied to about 75% of negative reviews; Trustpilot notes the store has not invited customers to review recently. The one-star reviews mostly concern the short return window and the deductions on returns, items listed in stock that turned out back-ordered, slow email support and a tariff charge on a US delivery in 2025. HiFiGO says its products are genuine and come in the brands' retail packaging; it does not claim to be an authorized dealer.
What we liked
- The page lists EPO 24 AWG 8 Wires and UP-OCC Pure Copper Litz
- The page describes ConX as an interchangeable connector concept, with 2 Pin, MMCX, Ear Connector, A2DC and IPX named as examples
- A 2-Pin connector is stated as included (ConX-ready with 2-Pin connector included)
- A Rhodium Plated Brass Straight Type Plug is named in the specification section
Worth noting
- No cable length or weight appears in the page text
- The page names a 2-Pin connector as included and gives no price for the other ConX connectors
- The page text describes the sound only in opinion words (warm vocal, lush and emotive, powerful and dynamic)
Questions before you buy
What is ConX on this cable?
The page describes Con-X as an interchangeable concept that lets you click the top-end connector of your choice into the cable, with 2 Pin, MMCX, Ear Connector, A2DC and IPX as examples. It says the cable is ConX-ready with a 2-Pin connector included.
Which plugs and wire spec does it list?
The options give a 3.5 or 4.4 plug with ConX 2Pin 0.78mm at $237.15. The specification section names EPO 24 AWG 8 Wires, UP-OCC Pure Copper Litz and a Rhodium Plated Brass Straight Type Plug.
Does the page give a cable length?
No. The page text states neither a cable length nor a weight, and calls the build thick without giving dimensions.
Where does HiFiGO ship from, and how long does it take?
From its warehouse in China, usually 1-3 business days after the order. The shipping policy gives 1-2 weeks to the US by Priority (6-10 days by Premium), both with duties and taxes prepaid, 2-3 weeks to Canada, 1-2 weeks to the UK and 10-15 days to Australia. Express couriers take 3-7 days, but the buyer pays any duties.
Can I send it back if I change my mind?
HiFiGO gives 7 days to report an item that arrives dead, damaged or wrong. Its policy also describes 30-day returns, but requests 7 to 30 days after delivery lose 30% of the MSRP plus shipping both ways and duties, and the FAQ on the same page says no refund or exchange after 7 days. Ask [email protected] before you open the box.
What warranty does HiFiGO give on cables?
Three months from the order date for cables and adapters, against one year for DACs, amps and IEMs. HiFiGO chooses repair or replacement and the buyer pays the shipping. Claims go to [email protected].
Sources & verification
What this review is based on and the day we last read it. Specs and claims from the maker are the maker’s own; the verdict and the rating are ours.
From the store
- HiFiGO product page for this item: specs, options and price (the buy buttons go there)Specs, options and the listed priceRead October 28, 2026
- HiFiGO shipping policyShips from China in 1-3 business days; US 1-2 weeks by Priority or 6-10 days by Premium, duties prepaid; Express buyers pay dutiesRead October 28, 2026
- HiFiGO shipping and order tracking pageA second shipping text: Premium also for Canada and Australia, Canada free shipping from $99.99, lost-parcel rulesRead October 28, 2026
- HiFiGO refund policy7-day dead-on-arrival cover; 30-day returns minus a 30% restocking fee; its FAQ says no refund after 7 daysRead October 28, 2026
- HiFiGO warranty and refund policyWarranty by product class (1 year; cables and adapters 3 months); 30% fee for resealing an opened productRead October 28, 2026
- HiFiGO terms of serviceOperator named only as HiFiGo; governed by the laws of China; contact [email protected]Read October 28, 2026
Independent
- HiFiGO reviews on Trustpilot4.6 of 5 from 378 reviews (91% five-star, 5% one-star); the store has not invited reviews recentlyRead October 28, 2026
What we couldn’t verify
- The page's sound statements (warm vocal, lush and emotive, powerful and dynamic) and two comments the page quotes from others are opinions, not measurements.
- The page says it is ConX-ready with a 2-Pin connector included and names other connectors only as examples; it gives no price for them.
- The page text leaves out cable length and weight, and calls the build thick without dimensions.
- HiFiGO's policy pages contradict each other: 30-day returns with a 30% restocking fee in one place, no refund or exchange after 7 days in the FAQ.
- HiFiGO's pages name no company, street address or phone number; the only contact given is [email protected].
- HiFiGO's warranty page excludes cables from returns for hygiene reasons, while its FAQ says a cable can come back in its original condition.
Spotted an error or something out of date? Tell us and we’ll fix it and update the date.
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