Replacement Cables for Senn HD 580 - Head-Fi: Covering Headphones, Earphones and Portable Audio

chaplndave · 04-23-2008, 09:40 PM

OK...I realize that there have probably been several threads for this topic...but honestly, I have been looking, and have not found any that would answer my questions:

My Senn HD 580s are probably about three or four years old. No problem with the stock cables, but am thinking about replacing them with some better quality cables.

I would like some suggestions for good quality cables that won't cost me an arm and a leg. I love good music, but I am not sure that my ears are good enough anymore at age 55 to really be able to hear the minute differences so many on the Head-Fi forums seem to be able to hear. I only wish that God has blessed me with such good hearing. So...good quality...not a six foot cable that is going to cost me $750...but something in the 8 to 10 foot range that may run between $100 and $150. I know, I know...you are all going to tell me that I will get what I pay for and that this may not be enough to buy a good quality cable. Sorry...I will keep watching for people selling a set of Cardas or APS cables for a reasonable price on the forum FS board...but I may be waiting for a while. Are there other boards/forums that would also have things like this for sale that I could watch. I do have an ebay account, but when it comes to quality cables they are not much help.

Thanks to all who will weigh in on this topic. And much thanks to BARQY, sub and HeadphoneAddict for responses to past inquiries. Please let me hear from you on this topic. Thanks again. Dave

RogerB · 04-23-2008, 09:50 PM

My suggestion is to buy the HD650 cable directly from Sennheiser. Much better cable than the stock 580 cable and I think I paid $12 for it a few months ago.

You just unplug your 580 cables and the 650 cables plug right in! No problems!

LostOne.TR · 04-23-2008, 10:06 PM

Hm...just a month or two ago, I saw quite a few cardas cables on sale in the FS forum within the prices you mentioned.

With the senn connectors out, maybe you could commission one of the DIY'ers to make you a cable?

chaplndave · 04-23-2008, 10:12 PM

Thanks RogerB and LostOne...I will keep my eyes open for a good cable.

Roger...more on the HD 650 cable. It fits the HD 580 with no problem? I will go to the Sennheiser site and take a look. Thanks.

For Roger, LostOne and anyone else...I keep seeing posts for "unbalanced" and "balanced" headphone cables. I have seen pics for the "balanced" ones...and was wondering if anyone could shed some light on what a balanced cable is and what you would plug it into. Pics would really help. Not that I am necessarily interested in a balanced cable, just curious. If I don't know much about them you can bet there will be many other Head-Fiers here on the forums in the same boat. Thanks to all...

1Time · 04-23-2008, 10:20 PM

I also recommend the HD650 cable for the HD580. It's thicker, more durable, and is reported to sound better. I never compared it with the stock cable. I think it costs about $17 or so with shipping.

chaplndave · 04-23-2008, 11:24 PM

Just ordered the HD 650 cable. Will see how that one sounds and holds up. The stock HD 580 cable, while it still works, is getting "a bit long in the tooth" if you know what I mean.

Thanks all for the tip. This may not be a Cordas or other "high-quality" cable, but it will work for now and the price was definitely right...$16.75 with shipping. I guess the one thing that kind of surprises me is that Sennheiser is known as a company that makes very high quality headphones and other gear. Kind of strange that they will sell you a cable for only $11.75 for such high quality cans. Interesting...maybe they know something we don't...

rapzoo · 04-24-2008, 06:11 PM

I agree that the 650 cable provides the most cost effective upgrade to the 580. It improves both the sound and the durability. If you find that doesn't satisfy you there are often used Cardas cables on the for sale forum that would fit in your price range. The Cardas mates quite well with the 580 and 600.

zipdisk · 04-24-2008, 11:00 PM

I bought the 650 cable for my 580s. Nicer looking and nicer sounding. BTW, if you buy the cable, you may also want to buy an adapter; the cable terminates with a quarter-inch jack, and does not come with an adapter.

chaplndave · 04-24-2008, 11:16 PM

Originally Posted by zipdisk

I bought the 650 cable for my 580s. Nicer looking and nicer sounding. BTW, if you buy the cable, you may also want to buy an adapter; the cable terminates with a quarter-inch jack, and does not come with an adapter.

Thanks for the tip...but the cable is already on the way. Hmmmm, do you think Radio Shack or another hi-fi store would have the adapter??? Looking forward to a sturdier cable. The HD 580 stock cable was pretty flimsy. Interesting, as I said before, that a quality hi fidelity production company like Sennheiser would equip their high end headphones with stock (read, nothing special) cable. I'll wait to see how the new cable sounds.

By the way, I am listening right now to my Senn PXC 450s plugged into the headphone jack on my laptop and it sounds really sweet. I know I am no expert, but the sound is incredible. Wonder what the difference will be once I get my Headstage Lyrix Pro USB amp???

zipdisk · 04-25-2008, 02:08 AM

I wouldn't think you'd have any trouble finding an adapter. Of course if you don't ever use a mini-jack then you don't need an adapter.