Review samples supplied by Driade
Retail Prices at the time of review for a stereo pair Driade Flow Reference 808 speaker cable with Flow Copper G banana connectors for all countries, including shipping:
2 meters € 1.500,-
3 meters € 1.600,-
4 meters € 1.700,-
The Flow Reference 808 is Driade’s new reference-level speaker cable, intended to inhabit the spot above the Flow 405 in the brand’s topmost tier and meant for those who seek the maximum in performance.
In evolutionary development, it’s often claimed that new products are a complete redesign. But in the case of the Flow Reference 808, we are truly talking about a huge leap. The Reference 808 is not just an evolution of the 405 but it actually employs radically new ideas. The only aspects of the 405 that remained unchanged are the bananas, the natural silk wrapping, the use of air as dielectric, and the crimping/soldering method. Everything else has been overhauled.
Technology
Made up of 800 strands in 8 bundles of 100 in which each of these bundles consists of 4 bundles of 25. All 32 bundles are wrapped around each other in a specific twist. The whole is then wrapped with natural silk so that the special twist of the bundles remains fixed and constant. The design is made such that all individual wires have the same length. To achieve this, a construction computer program has been developed that directly controls the wrapping machine that creates all the bundles. Other key aspects of the design are the use of air as a dielectric and a multilayer outer sheath with a high dielectric value. As Arnold tells me, there’s a whole lot more that goes into the design of this cable, but understandably, he can’t divulge it all.
The outer sheath is now shiny and smooth instead of matte and rubbery and in spite of containing more copper, actually slightly thinner in diameter than the 405. The cable is still very supple and very easy to use.
Listening – Ayon system
Let’s start with my Ayon tube system in the secondary room. Here, I also used the Flow 405 and it delivered a higher level of delicacy, fuller bass, richer harmonics, and a level of lushness that was highly seductive. But for this system, the 405 sounds just a little too smooth and relaxed.
But with the Flow Reference 808, not only is the sound so much more transparent than ever before, but the bass is also clearer and more articulate, and faster-paced. And arguably the best aspect of this cable is that it is beautifully linear and ruler-flat in its frequency response, yet not bland or over-controlled. Another surprising aspect is just how free-flowing and non-mechanical the cable sounds. This is something in which the Flow 405 also excels, but there, it comes along with a layer of creaminess that is not ideal for every system or personal taste. As I grow older, I find that I lean ever more toward utter neutrality, and this, the new Flow Reference 808 offers in spades, but importantly, along with fabulous liquidity.
Regular readers will probably know of my struggles to find the ideal cable for this seemingly simple system. The strange thing is that this system is forgiving and easy to enjoy, but still ruthlessly revealing of cables that are too far out of its comfort zone. For instance, cables that verge on the analytical side and that work great in the main system, just don’t work in this Ayon system. And vice versa, when cables have too much inherent smoothness or warmth, the system’s not happy either. But the Flow Reference 808 just effortlessly strikes the perfect balance. It doesn’t merely offer a range of tradeoffs but actually offers benchmark-setting precision and transparency, utter neutrality, fantastic articulation, and expression, combined with a free-flowing, non-technical, and fully natural delivery. As I have come to appreciate over the years, this is an incredibly tough feat to accomplish for any cable in any price class.
Its neutral stance means that the Flow Reference 808 is not as creamy rich and velvety as the Flow 405 but that doesn’t mean that the Flow Reference 808 is incapable of sounding smooth or rich. It will happily do so, provided that this is in the recording. It simply inhabits a perfectly neutral standpoint and it can swing either way.
A good way to measure a product’s success is the reluctance to remove it. In this case, I am so happy with the cable in this system that it’s a done deal: this cable must stay! Honestly, the results are so convincing that I feel as though I’m at the stage where I can sum it up and head straight to the conclusion.
But no matter how nice my secondary system sounds, the acid test is of course in the main system. But before I dive in, let me share a brief overview of my speaker cable history.
Speaker Cable History
Over the years, many speaker cables have come to visit in my main system. In the early years, I started with Transparent Ultra, then Reference, followed by Cardas Golden Cross, Analysis Plus, and some others that always seemed to verge too much to one side or the other. Ultimately, the cable that I stuck with the longest was probably the Transparent Reference XL. I always knew that it did not allow for the most articulate or expressive delivery, but it was quite neutral and very natural, and it seemed to work with a wide range of loudspeakers. During my Apogee times, I experimented with all sorts of cables but still couldn’t find the ideal cable. It wasn’t until many years later when I heard the Jorma No.3 that I finally felt that I found a cable that did all the good things of the Transparent Ref, in addition to improving on it in key areas that were important for my system, most notably bass control and -articulation, and overall expression. Its successor, the Trinity, provided further improvements in areas where the No.3 was lacking. Although only the brand’s entry-level cable, I found the higher-tier cables to sound too rich and voluptuous and the leaner Trinity’s balance to be ideal for my system. For several years, and throughout many more speaker changes, it remained my favorite cable. This brings us to the present when the Mad Scientist Black Magic speaker cables took me by surprise by bettering the Jorma’s in very nearly all respects. Sure, the arguably rather dry and direct Black Magic will not be ideal for every setup but its utter robustness and huge dynamic expression proved perfect for me.
Listening – CH-Precision System
After the addition of the Black Magic cable in my main system, I was convinced that any other cable would face a tough challenge in bettering the current synergy. After all, while the objective quality of a cable is extremely important, synergy is what ultimately makes or breaks a system.
That said, I have also been so utterly impressed with the Driade Flow Link Reference 808 XLR andf RCA interlinks that I ordered 2 pairs and made them my favorite go-to cables for use with review products. The only cables that provide even better performance in my system (and are permanently in use between the CH Precision components) are the AudioQuest Fire RCA’s. At more than four times the cost of the Driades, I’d say that’s only fair.
Given the above, you’d think I should know better but still, to be perfectly honest, even after the success of the Flow Reference 808 speaker cable in the secondary system, I still did not expect them to be as impressive as they would soon prove to be.
Only mere moments after connecting them, I was perplexed by the utter absence of deleterious effects. Try as I might but I just could not find anything to criticize the 808s. Now, I noticed that not only did the cables not set a foot wrong, but they scored very high marks across the board!
Bass control, tightness, articulation? Check. Speed, agility, attack, expression? Check. Linearity, transparency, low-level resolution? Check, check, and double-check. But the list goes on. The cables are also delightfully delicate, fluid, airy, and highly refined, but without introducing any rounding and with no restraint. Oh, and they are ever so neutral, yet effortlessly natural and decidedly non-mechanic. Just maybe some ears might find them to be on the lean side, but that’s because, unlike many other cables, the 808s just don’t editorialize the sound in any way. More to the point, they do not enhance the bottom end, they do not add body or “tube”-like richness, nor do they bring any other colorization to the table. Yet, the 808’s also have an alluring naturalness about them. They manage to refrain from any influence to the point of being nigh on invisible while letting the music speak for itself. This, to me, is the ultimate goal for any audio cable.
Comparisons
A great reference for resolution and transparency is the FoilFlex speaker cable. Indeed, when compared with the Driade 405, the latter puts in a richer and smoother performance, but it cannot achieve the same levels of detail and openness. The Flow Reference 808, however, can! And it does so while also offering more 3D substance and deeper soundstaging.
Of course, there was no escaping a comparison with my long-standing favorite Jorma Trinity cables. Even after all the above, I was still kind of expecting the Jorma to improve on the Driade in certain areas. But, honestly, I can’t say this was the case. What’s more, in some of the Jorma’s key strong areas, the Driade Flow Reference 808s managed to turn in even better performance. While the Jorma had long been the unbeaten King of bass control and -articulation, the Mad Scientist Black Magic showed it to actually still be slightly round and soft. Subsequently, the Driade simply keeps up with the Black Magic in terms of precision and control, if not with the same amount of relentless force. But it does also offer fantastically refined and airy treble, easily on par with the Jorma.
In conclusion, the Driade Flow Reference 808 has impressed me so deeply that not only will I use it as my favorite cable in the secondary system, but it has also secured a spot just under the twice as costly Black Magic, at the very top of the HFA Awards list.
Conclusion
The new Driade Flow 808 speaker cable has every right to be labeled “Reference”. As such, it is meant for those who wish to obtain the most neutral sound with the highest level of resolution and transparency, delicately balanced with airiness, refinement, and fluidity. This cable dots all the audiophile i’s, but importantly, it also possesses the kind of free-flowing presentation that makes the music sound like actual music, rather than an electronic representation of it.
Wholeheartedly recommended and a new personal favorite!
More Driade
Flow Link Reference 808 XLR and RCA interlinks
Flow Link Reference 808 XLR and RCA follow-up Review
External Links
Manufacturer and worldwide distributor: Driade
Flow website: theflowcable
Hi Christian ,
i woder could be The new Driade Flow 808 speaker cable good match for my speakers Audiovector R1 Arette ? If you do not know them , sonds somwhwre like Martens.
If not , what can be better cable for it ?
Regards , Igor
There is no best cable for any product as it depends on personal taste and entire system synergy. The Flow Reference 808’s are extremely neutral yet natural. They do not color the sound or make it sweeter than it is but they also do not add edge, they do not add nor take away. If that sounds like your kind of cable, then by all means go for it!
Hi Christiaan,
I can fully appreciate that to answer all questions is impossible and I won’t simply ask what sounds best which I’m sure you are asked repeatedly. However one question I find difficult to resolve relates to cables. I have spoken to you before about the Nuprime AMG STA and your comments were very helpful.
My main system consists of : Matin Logan ESL15A, Nuprime AMG STA x2,
Antipode’s K50, Aqua Formula XHD and in about 6 months time hopefully the Aries Cerat Impera Reference pre amp. Now the perplexing question relating to cables. The reviews of the Driade 808 speaker cables, 808 interlinks, and Jorma AES/ EBU look like just the ticket but without having access to the various cables in the market place to try them it’s difficult to know exactly how the cables will perform for any given system. I imagine it’s an impossible question as every system is different and every user has their own likes and dislikes. I’m just concerned that one or more of my preferred cable choices are at complete odds with one or more parts of my set up due to their own characteristics. Everything I have purchased so far has been based on your reviews and they are all absolutely perfect for me. Equally the cable reviews convince me they are the best choice but are they compatible with the set up. It would be such a shame to spoil what I believe to be a fairly good set up for the sake of one wrong cable..
Once again thank you for all your good and fascinating reviews. It’s the only site to get, in my opinion, an unbiased and honest viewpoint.
Kind regards,
Barry
Hi Barry, while I am flattered that you place so much confidence in my reviews, I’m afraid the “ideal” cable for you will depend on your personal preferences and also ties in with seating position and any potential room peculiarities. All I can do is to describe the reviewed products as well as I can and compare them to others so that the reader hopefully knows how to interpret my conclusions. That said, since your system is comprised of components that I all know well, I think it is safe to assume that the respective cables that I mentioned will also work well for you. I have no reservations concerning the Driade Flow (Link) Reference 808 cables other than that they are so very neutral and un-editorial that it might take some getting used to when coming from cables that sound intrinsically full, fat, warm, or rich. For me, this is perfect because I want to hear precisely what is in the recordings and I don’t want cables to change this or make it prettier or more romantic. The same is true for the Jorma, albeit in a stronger manner. Whereas the Driades remain fluid and refined, the Jorma can cross over into sounding dry in some sAetups (not mine). Please check with the manufacturers to be certain, but I think they offer a grace period. Should you not like the cables, then I think they can be returned within a certain timeframe.
Hi Christiaan, thank you for your comments. i fully appreciate its a very personal choice as to what sounds right for me and my set up. The suggestion that i might be able to return them if they don’t sound right is one that i will explore. As an end user its very difficult to choose as there is nowhere that stocks everything and getting several separate suppliers to agree to allow me to try before I buy would be fantastic. I will give it a go.
Thank you, Have a Happy Christmas and good listening for 2023.
Barry
Hello,
I want to buy speaker and rca cables. I’m looking for a combination that gives me… great depth , without losing the other qualities. What would be your recommendation.
I was thinking of the Driade Flow 808 line.
Thank you
Depth (assuming you mean soundstage depth) is a function of precise phase behavior and perhaps in part also enhanced by tonal body/saturation, although that can also make a cable sound less open and transparent. The Driades are very accurate and sound wide open. Honestly, I know of no better cables at the price than these.
Christiaan Hi,
1. In your experience what kind of soundstage perspective does the Diode Flow 808 provide vs Cardas Golden Cross, more of middle of the row concert hall G-H, or on the forward side?
2. What about the tonality, and what I call “realness” of the sound vs Cardas Golden Cross if you still have those in you aural memory of course.
Any other observations vs Cardas G C would be greatly appreciated!
By any chance have you compared these Driade 808 speaker cable to the Cardas Clear Beyond speaker cables?
Warm holiday wishes!
Driade Flow 808 I would say offers a middle to front hall perspective. Realness is relative… To me, Cardas GR and GC sound thicker, warmer, and rounder than strictly realistic. Cardas Clear is a little more neutral but to me still very much a typical Cardas cable. I haven’t heard the Clear Beyond but I imagine it will not deviate in terms of company sound. The Driade sounds cleaner, faster, tighter, and more transparent to my ears. If you’re used to Cardas, however, and/or consider it neutral, then you may find Driade a little lean or desaturated. In that respect, it’s relative.
Hi Christiaan, I currently have a Jorma dualité hp on my main system, I’m looking for a hp cable for my secondary system, I’ve tried the Jorma trinité which I find a bit thin, do you think Driade Flow 808 is closer to dualité on this subject? thanks , Philip
Good question. I can understand you finding the Trinity relatively thin compared to Duality. I feel that the Driade 808 performs on a higher level than the Jorma Trinity and Duality. It has a similar sound as the Jorma Unity, which is precise and articulate, saturated but not creame. I feel that it is balanced perfectly but some people find it relatively lean. I don’t feel that way about it myself, but neither the Unity nor the Driade 808 are as creamy, rich, or extra-smooth as the Duality. If that extra richness is what you are looking for then the Driade may not be ideal. That said, I would still recommend trying it. You may be pleasantly surprised:-).
Hi, Christiaan-
I own a pair of the Reference 808 speaker cables and they do sound wonderful. I have done comparisons with a few other speaker cables that I have owned and always came back to the Reference 808’s. Though I wonder, what is the wire gauge? They are so thin that it makes me think there is not much wire under the sheath… Do you have any additional insights to further cable specifications?
On a separate note, have you ever reviewed AVM Audio components?
Thank you very much for your insights and reviews, they are always helpful.
Hi Stephen, Alas, I do not know the wire gauge of the 808 but thickness in cables often comes from insulation and sleeving. So, it could be argued that the 808’s lightweight nature is not necessarily saying much about the amount of copper used.
In any case, like you, I also keep coming back to them:-)
I have reviewed two AVM components, pls see my review on this site.