this probably just what everybody says from time to time. But I've just bought a an Ixos 1002 Gamma Encore cable after testing against the Quenex 1 and 2's as you might have read on my other forum. Well the auditioning session lasted nearly 4 hours before finally deciding to go with the Ixos. At first I didn't like the Ixos, then I tested against the Quenex 2 and it was hard to find which was best. I did listen to on the speakers for a while and the Ixos clearly won, but on headphones it wasn't as clear cut on some songs it sounded confused at first, but after exentending listening I realised it was just the extra treble detail. Anyway I have just read a couple of reviews on the net from HFC and Home Entertainment and both do not rate this cable well saying it has boomy bass and splashy treble. However I must have been right to prefer these over the Quenex right? I am happy with the sound, and to me the bass is not boomy at all, but my maybe its my crappy FFRC's taking all the bass away. I do find these cables better than what I had before and they only cost £25. I feel sorry for anybody that has to audition high end stuff, it must be a mamouth of a task. Iccendtly the Ixos cable got 5 stars from WHF, and so do my Eltax speakers and I do think they compare well to my mates old Tannoy M1's and they sound much better than the budget missions despite snobery. (the 700 comes to mind) I guess my point is should you let other people reviews influence your final audtion? I would say no, but just let them influence your audition list.