What Hi-Fi? Verdict
For harsh, bright-sounding systems, the Bay C5 could be an antidote
Pros
- +
Warm, rich sound
- +
Good, stylish build
- +
Good for bright sounding systems
Cons
- -
Imperfect timing
Why you can trust What Hi-Fi? Our expert team reviews products in dedicated test rooms, to help you make the best choice for your budget. Find out more about how we test.
For harsh, bright-sounding systems, the Bay C5 could be an antidote.
The smooth-matte jacket surrounding the interconnect is matched by the cable’s polished, glossy take on music.
Performance
Play Tom Odell’s I Know and his vibrant piano-playing sounds rich and full of warmth, as does his vocal.
Thankfully, all that silky richness from the Van den Hul doesn’t suffocate or stifle a system’s ability to sound dynamic and exciting.
There’s still enough tension and drama to be drawn from Like A Dog Chasing Cars from the Dark Knight soundtrack. As a listener, you’re still moved and engaged by what the cable imparts.
Verdict
Our only criticism is that the Bay C5 doesn’t have a great grip on track timing.
Even music with a simple beat – such as John Newman’s Running – can sound confused. The different elements don’t knit together, with the track seeming to trip over itself.
