A glimpse through the keyhole:
a test listener’s experiences with the LS-4004 AIR

We are delighted to present another exciting report from a test listener! Martin Z. carried out exhaustive tests with the in-akustik Referenz LS-4004 AIR loudspeaker cable and gave us his impressions. In his report, he focuses on a range of listening tests using different sources and shares his striking experiences with us.

Brief interview

Martin, can you tell us how old you are and how long you have been involved in high-quality music reproduction?
I was born in 1969 and have been an avid hi-fi enthusiast for 32 years now

Which components do you have in your system?
Spatial Europe No.7, T+A PA 3100 HV, Leben CS 600, Bauer Audio DPS 3 with Bauer tonearm, SME 15 with SME 5009, Clearaudio Balance V2, Naim Uniti Atom Headphone, Eternal Arts KHV, Focal Stellia, Sennheiser HD800, Tascam DA 3000, McIntosh MR71, Marantz SA 10, in-akustik 2404 AIR as RCA, XLR and phono cables with SME connector, HMS Energia RC 4-3, Habst Silver USB, etc.

What were your reasons for choosing these components?n
My system has simply evolved in this way over the years.

What is particularly important to you in terms of the sound of your system?
I want a sound that is open and direct.

Why did you decide to try out the LS-4004 AIR?
As mentioned above, I already own some 4004 AIR cables. I had also listened to an LS-4004 AIR, but didn’t think it was significantly better than the BUZ cable, which didn’t put me off it though. I was very interested to see if the next development step would surprise me and make me reconsider my decision. For 5 years, I had the LS-4004 connected up between my Devialets as dual-monos and Sonus Faber Guarneri. It was a great match. Many thanks for last Tuesday’s interesting webinar with Mr. Wachsmann!

Martin's listening report.

Listening test LP Mozart Requiem - Dünedin: Enormously clear and differentiated trebles, great bass foundation. The different singers’ voices are amazingly audible individually and come together to create a tremendous whole! Confutatis and Lacrimosa are a revelation

Listening test DSD download 2.8 MHZ Bertice Reading - "Confessin That I Love You" 2020: Impressions similar to above, everything extremely clear, but also what I suspect to be tape hiss. This was not audible with my other cable, and I'm not sure I want to hear it at all (a matter of personal taste, of course). I notice that I can reduce the volume slightly with the 4004, as it "feels" louder. This is probably due to the higher information density.

Listening test CD Gianmaria Testa - "Altre Latitudini" 2003: Everything is perfect, as you would expect from such a recording. Several other SACDs, CDs and downloads confirm the impressions described above. With extremely "treble-heavy" pieces, it becomes a bit tiring for my taste, but this might change if I listen for a longer period! All in all, a great cable! Nothing is missing! The stage is even wider than with my regular cables. Thank you very much."

All in all, a great cable. Nothing is missing. The stage is even wider than with my regular cables. Thank you very much."

Read the full listening report