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Review of Lunashops replacement cable with in-line remote for ATH-IMxx headphones.

This is a review of Lunashops replacement cable with in-line remote for Audio Technica ATH-IMxx series headphones. http://www.lunashops.com/goods.php?id=4344

After my last review of Lunashops silver-plated audio replacement cable for ATH-IMxx series, I would like to look now into another replacement cable with in-line remote for calls and music controls when connected to your smartphone.

Available at a faction of the OEM in-line remote cable cost (only $20 shipped), this is another high quality cable for those who are on a budget and don't want to sacrifice the performance. Arrived in a plain small ziploc bag, it was carefully packaged and taped in a bubble wrap and mailed inside of a small bubble-padded envelope to ensure safe delivery. Cable itself is a little bit longer than stock, 1.3m, but uses the same OFC copper wires as OEM and similar color-coded 2-pin connectors with red designated for a right side. Furthermore, each connector is labeled with corresponding L/R marking and L one has a dimple to id it in the dark.

The cable has a soft cotton braided net shielding which resembles shoe lace, and it actually feels very nice to the touch and when placed over the ear. Just make sure to keep it away from velcro, it will pull it apart :) At first I was a bit surprised that cable cinch wasn't included, but once I tried these on, I found it wasn't even necessary since the soft nature of the cable shaped naturally around my ear. It also makes it easy when you need to wrap the cable for storage. For anybody who has IM01-04 and IM50-70, you know very well that between memory wire loop and heavy duty cable you need a large headphone case for storage, especially if you want to keep the shape of memory wire. Here, you can use any compact small headphone case. The 3.5mm plug has TRRS gold plated connector, and the housing of the plug is straight with a small diamond cut ring area toward the end (enhances the grip when you pull the connector out) and also a strain relief.

Of course, the star of this cable is in-line remote with microphone which also serve as y-splitter for the cable. The mic opening and multi-function button is on the same side, with a button being slightly raised and easy to locate by sliding a finger without even looking at remote. The button has functionality to pick up and hang up a phone call with a single click, and also to control the music playback with a single click for Play/Pause, double click to skip next and triple click to skip previous, all tested successfully on my Note 2. Long press starts Google NOW. In addition, there is a switch to ensure compatibility with different smart phones. As some of you might aware, common multifunction button in different headphones work well with Galaxy, LG, HTC, and iPhone, while sometime it doesn't work as expected with Moto, Sony, Nokia, and some others. This switch ensures full compatibility with all smart phones. Another important point, though remote/mic is located farther away from your mouth down by y-splitter location, the mic has an excellent sensitivity without a need to raise remote to your mouth. The reason I'm bringing this up because Pistons headphones cable has remote/mic in the same location, and I always have to bring it up to my mouth for people on the other side to hear me. This cable doesn't require that.

As you can see, cable has a great build quality and robust remote/mic functionality. So how about the audio quality? I have tested it on IM03 and IM50 comparing to stock cable, and can tell you with 100% certainty - the audio quality is IDENTICAL! Don't expect an enhancement since this is not silver plated cable, but rather OFC replacement cable. But the fact that adding remote/mic inline didn't affect the sound quality means a high quality workmanship since the continuity of the wire was interrupted to add the remote/mic while sound quality still remained unchanged. Also, I sensed no microphonics effect.

Overall, for $20 this is a fantastic cable that enhances functionality of your Audio-Technica ATH-IM series headphones, helps to get rid off memory wire (for those who are not fans of it), and adds call and music playback control when used with your smartphone. Unfortunately, there is no volume control, but considering how volume control varies between Android and iOS and even between different Android phones, looks like Lunashops decided to use universal remote control to cater to most of the smartphones. I definitely recommend this cable!

Here are the pictures.

With IM03

With IM50