Shielding the 0.5
I have already mentioned improvements in bass extension, grip and overall timing in
the 0.5 by shielding it (with aluminium tape and braided wire) and in this respect the
Duelund behaves like any other wire. So we can also expect the shield to lower
background noise further and improve image separation, which it does. But there is a
fly in the ointment as there so often is with shields, in that something is lost and with
the Duelund it is that smooth and even mid-range. With the Shield, the 0.5 (I haven’t
tested the 2.0) has better timing, a more extended bass but now the breath from a
singer’s voice is not as clear or natural and the upper frequencies, whilst never hard
are nevertheless brighter. The decision whether or not to shield is not a difficult one
for me as Duelund’s biggest advantage is that natural and smooth mid- to upper. The
thicker Deulunds on the other hand provide better bass, dynamics and timing anyway
whilst retaining that lovely mid range although the price you pay is some loss of
upper frequency energy. Now who is going to try a combination of both?