Best picks

Effect Audio A x C II 8-Wire Cable Review

An 8-wire, 26AWG cable that the page describes as a combination of the Ares S II and Cadmus II cables, listed from $249.90 with a 3.5mm or 4.4mm plug and a ConX 2-pin connection, with two options named 2Pin+MMCX. It suits buyers who want that ConX setup.

3.4Editorial rating: 3.4 out of 5Editorial rating · research-basedUpdated October 28, 2026
From $249.90Price checked October 28, 2026
Check price at HiFiGO

Our verdict

Suits buyers who want a 26AWG 8-wire cable that the page describes as a mix of Ares S II and Cadmus II wire cores, on the ConX system with a 2-pin connection and a 3.5mm or 4.4mm plug, from $249.90. Look elsewhere if you need a stated cable length, an explanation of the options' prices, or sound claims backed by measurements. The main caveat is that the page's genre and sound statements are opinions, and its options and features list disagree on included connectors.

Best for
Buyers who want a 26AWG 8-wire copper and silver-plated copper cable on ConX with a 3.5mm or 4.4mm plug.
Skip if
You need a stated cable length or a listing whose connector and price details agree.

Why 3.4/5: Held back by a features list that stands in for a specification list with no cable length, by the store's own terms contradicting each other, and by figures that are the store's own with no independent test checked.

The A x C II is an Effect Audio cable that the page describes as a combination of its Ares S II and Cadmus II cables, listed from $249.90 with a crossed-out $294. The features list names a 26AWG 8-Wire setup using UP-OCC Pure Copper and UP-OCC Silver-Plated Copper wire cores, Dual-Variant Quantum Copper Technology, and a ConX connector system with a 2-pin connector by default, in 3.5mm or 4.4mm plug options. No cable length is stated in the page text.

Specifications

SpecPage says
Wire setup26AWG 8-Wire
Wire coresUP-OCC Pure Copper and UP-OCC Silver-Plated Copper
Core designHigh-Purity Copper with Central Solid Core and Silver-Plated Copper with Central Solid Core
TechnologyDual-Variant Quantum Copper Technology
Strands and coresMulti-Sized Strands and Multi-Sized Core Bundles
InsulationEA UltraFlexi Insulated outer coating
ConnectorsConX 2-pin by default (the features list says 2-Pin Included Only)
PlugEffect Audio's Standard Rhodium-Plated Brass Straight Plug
Plug sizes3.5mm and 4.4mm

Options and pricing

Four options are listed, all orderable when the page was read: A x C II - 3.5 conX 2Pin and A x C II- 4.4 conX 2Pin at $269 each, A x C II - 3.5 conX 2Pin+MMCX at $294, and A x C II - 4.4 conX 2Pin+MMCX at $249.90. The page shows a crossed-out price of $294 next to $249.90, on that last option only. The features list says only a 2-Pin connector is included, while two options are named 2Pin+MMCX.

How it compares

The page describes this cable as a combination of the Ares S II and Cadmus II. The Effect Audio Signature Series II Ares S II 8 Wire Earphone Cable is $199 and the Effect Audio Signature Series II Cadmus II 8 Wire Earphone Cable is $299, against $249.90 to $294 here. The Effect Audio Signature Series ARES S 8 Wires Earphone Cable is listed at $237.15 with the spec line ConX-ready with 2-Pin connector included. The A x C II suits buyers who want the copper and silver-plated copper mix the page describes and an option named 2Pin+MMCX.

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 features list names a 26AWG 8-Wire setup with UP-OCC Pure Copper and UP-OCC Silver-Plated Copper wire cores
  • The page lists a ConX connector system with 2-pin by default, and two options are named 2Pin+MMCX
  • 3.5mm and 4.4mm plug options are listed, with an Effect Audio Standard Rhodium-Plated Brass Straight Plug

Worth noting

  • Cable length and weight are not stated in the page text
  • The features list says only a 2-Pin connector is included, while two options are named 2Pin+MMCX
  • The 4.4 conX 2Pin+MMCX option is $249.90 while the 4.4 conX 2Pin option is $269, and the page text does not explain the pricing
  • The sound and genre statements are the page's opinions with no measurements

Questions before you buy

Which connectors does the A x C II list?

The page says the cable has ConX swappable connectors with a 2-pin connector by default, and that users can purchase other connectors such as MMCX. Two options are named 2Pin+MMCX, while the features list says 2-Pin Included Only.

What wire spec does it list?

The features list names a 26AWG 8-Wire setup, UP-OCC Pure Copper and UP-OCC Silver-Plated Copper wire cores, Dual-Variant Quantum Copper Technology, and Multi-Sized Strands and Multi-Sized Core Bundles.

Which plug options are listed?

The page lists 3.5mm and 4.4mm termination plugs and an Effect Audio Standard Rhodium-Plated Brass Straight Plug, and the options give 3.5 or 4.4 with conX 2Pin or 2Pin+MMCX.

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

  • Effect Audio Signature Series II Ares S II x Cadmus II (A x C II) Earphone Cable product page: specs, options and priceSpecs, 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 features list says only a 2-Pin connector is included, while two options are named 2Pin+MMCX; the 4.4 conX 2Pin+MMCX option is $249.90 and the 4.4 conX 2Pin option is $269, with no explanation.
  • The page's sound and genre statements (warm, lush mids; clarity; suitability for rock, electronic and hip-hop) are opinions with no measurements.
  • A cable length and a weight are both missing from the page text.
  • 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.

Share this review