Black Rhodium Charleston DCT++ CS loudspeaker cables

REVIEW
Alan Sircom
Nov 02, 2021

Charleston’s specifications, though impressive in their own right, do not prepare you for the performance these speaker cables can muster. Naturally – given the dance-inspired name – they impart an excellent sense of rhythm to the sound, but the overarching impression is that of a detailed, precise and expressive performance, one that draws out the dynamic range in any system that would be commensurate with cables of the Charleston’s quality (and price point). The abiding sense of accuracy and balance to the sound is also evident from the first note played through the system.

There is a fine sense of precision to the overall performance of Charleston. Sounds are well presented in a three-dimensional space with excellent solidity. They rise out of a stillness that the Black Rhodium cable seems to impart over the sound. This contrasts well with some of the more overtly bright and forward sounding cables that can prove initially attractive, and yet, the cable is not so dark and brooding that it turns music into a dirge.

The overarching tales are ones of detail and rhythm, though. The depth and richness of the presentation is one thing, but it is underpinned by a solid core of detail and rhythm. As you delve deeper into the performance of Charleston (it’s complex enough to make that process like peeling an onion, revealing layer upon layer of extra information), you become made aware just how good the cable is at the everyday stuff of music, in most part because it deals with the harder stuff so well. It gives bass a freedom to play at powerful levels, yet is neither overblown nor too restrained. Similarly, the midrange is extremely clear and the treble clean, detailed and extended.

Oddly given the name, the rhythmic qualities of the cable are more ‘majestic’ and ‘precise’ than they are ‘danceable’. In other words, Charleston is exceptionally good at coping with the more complex rhythmic structures and difficult tempo of even the most ‘gnarly’ piece of music – the multiple time signatures of that most audiophile of jazz albums (Time Out by the Dave Brubeck Quartet on Coumbia) are given full attention here… making toe-tapping almost impossible given tracks in 9/8 and 5/4 time. A number of cables do not have the same ‘temporal clarity’ as Charleston and you can ‘stutter-tap’ your foot through the album. The fact it becomes more difficult here is a good thing… honest!

Returning to good, beaty 4/4 time and Black Rhodium’s Charleston aces it, and its deep bass detail helps define and underpin basslines and drumbeats. That’s when the dynamic range hits, too. In short, yes Charleston does live up to its dance-oriented name… but only when the music is inviting you to dance. In other words, this loudspeaker cable is one hell of a good communicator of detail!