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HD-650 stock cable on HD-580

post #1 of 12
8/5/05 at 5:13am
Thread Starter 
I just bought this cable to replace the stock HD-580 one (hate its flimsy connectors). I noticed the HD-650 stock cable has tighter bass and more details. Mids are more prominent/forward, details are still there (albeit rather in-yer-face). However, there seems to be some loss of "sweetness", reduced sense of space/instrument separation and a rather uninvolving sound. It's almost akin to replacing the bowl pads on a Grado to the flats (there was no piercing high in the first place though )

Can I expect this to improve with more usage on the cable (aka burn-in)? Or would I be better off looking at one of the aftermarket cables?

Cheers!
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post #2 of 12
8/5/05 at 7:41am
Nope. I concur that the stock 580 sounds more "sweet" and airy. The difference between them is almost the same as the difference between oehlbach replacement cable and the stock.
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post #3 of 12
8/6/05 at 4:19am
Thread Starter 
Would I be better off getting one of those aftermarket cables then? Most of them are prohibitively costly (in context of how much the HD-580 itself costs).

Cheers!
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post #4 of 12
8/6/05 at 8:09am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Zorander
Would I be better off getting one of those aftermarket cables then?
I went from stock -> oehlbach (didn't like) -> headphile. Although everything depends on your systems synergy with the hd580 and different cables too.

Headphile is the best of those three for me, although treble goes up and bass seems to diminish a bit. Depends on your preference will you like it or not.
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post #5 of 12
8/6/05 at 9:03am
My cable collection consists of Zu Mobius, Silver Dragon (older and newer variant), Headphile BlackSilver (modified and shortened), Oehlbach (shortened), shortened stock HD-650 cable and a few homegrown designs. My current all-time favorite (with the HD 650!) is the BlackSilver -- due to its relaxed and unobtrusive characteristic with good focus and resolution, a smooth tone and a sweet brilliance. It's not the most detailed and textured of the bunch: Zu Mobius and Silver Dragon offer higher «precision»; but in my setup it offers the best sonic balance.

Now that I've realized that you're talking of the HD 580, I had to edit my former text which was about the HD 650. If you have highest audiophile aspirations, you may want to go the Silver Dragon route. Otherwise I'd recommend the BlackSilver with its smoothness and unobtrusiveness. The Mobius may be the ideal complement for the HD 650 in most setups (IMO), but not necessarily for the HD 600, so I guess this applies to the HD 580, too, although I could be wrong, considering its characteristic from memory. Beside the lower price, the Headphile cable also offers the advantage of higher wearing comfort (less stiff and microphonic) than the contenders.

However, all of the above cables (maybe with the exception of the Oehlbach) offer a significant improvement over the stock cable IMO.

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post #6 of 12
8/7/05 at 9:42am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by JaZZ
My cable collection consists of Zu Mobius, Silver Dragon (older and newer variant), Headphile BlackSilver (modified and shortened), Oehlbach (shortened), shortened stock HD-650 cable and a few homegrown designs. My current all-time favorite (with the HD 650!) is the BlackSilver -- due to its relaxed and unobtrusive characteristic with good focus and resolution, a smooth tone and a sweet brilliance. It's not the most detailed and textured of the bunch: Zu Mobius and Silver Dragon offer higher «precision»; but in my setup it offers the best sonic balance.

Now that I've realized that you're talking of the HD 580, I had to edit my former text which was about the HD 650. If you have highest audiophile aspirations, you may want to go the Silver Dragon route. Otherwise I'd recommend the BlackSilver with its smoothness and unobtrusiveness. The Mobius may be the ideal complement for the HD 650 in most setups (IMO), but not necessarily for the HD 600, so I guess this applies to the HD 580, too, although I could be wrong, considering its characteristic from memory. Beside the lower price, the Headphile cable also offers the advantage of higher wearing comfort (less stiff and microphonic) than the contenders.
I am particularly interested in getting more open-ness from the phones, and secondly, a more natural/fluid sound. It would help too if the cables can still hold its own when I upgrade to a higher Senn someday (yes, I am in love with the Senn sound, as compared to the Grado). Price/value is of importance as well. Which of those cables do you think will fit the bill nicely?

Thanks!
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post #7 of 12
8/7/05 at 12:36pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Zorander
Which of those cables do you think will fit the bill nicely?
I'd say the Headphile is your best bet.
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post #8 of 12
8/7/05 at 1:53pm
Seconded. Especially considering price and comfort.

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post #9 of 12
8/8/05 at 6:36am
Thread Starter 
Out of curiosity, what is the difference between the BlackSilver and BlackMax? Both are priced equally (even if the latter is claimed to be "currently on discounted price").

Cheers!
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post #10 of 12
1/16/06 at 6:48am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by JaZZ
My cable collection consists of Zu Mobius, Silver Dragon (older and newer variant), Headphile BlackSilver (modified and shortened), Oehlbach (shortened), shortened stock HD-650 cable and a few homegrown designs. My current all-time favorite (with the HD 650!) is the BlackSilver -- due to its relaxed and unobtrusive characteristic with good focus and resolution, a smooth tone and a sweet brilliance. It's not the most detailed and textured of the bunch: Zu Mobius and Silver Dragon offer higher «precision»; but in my setup it offers the best sonic balance.

Now that I've realized that you're talking of the HD 580, I had to edit my former text which was about the HD 650. If you have highest audiophile aspirations, you may want to go the Silver Dragon route. Otherwise I'd recommend the BlackSilver with its smoothness and unobtrusiveness. The Mobius may be the ideal complement for the HD 650 in most setups (IMO), but not necessarily for the HD 600, so I guess this applies to the HD 580, too, although I could be wrong, considering its characteristic from memory. Beside the lower price, the Headphile cable also offers the advantage of higher wearing comfort (less stiff and microphonic) than the contenders.

However, all of the above cables (maybe with the exception of the Oehlbach) offer a significant improvement over the stock cable IMO.
Resurrecting this thread as I'm now interested in knowing which cable is considered the most flexible and unobstrusive of all.

I had the Silver Dragon for a few months but ended up selling it due to its relative inflexibility (to the stock cable), its tendency to 'tug' at the headphone whenever I move my head and my constant babying of the expensive-looking cable, all of which ended up distracting me from truly enjoying music. I switched back to the stock cable and realised that it is a more balanced-sounding cable (compared to the SD cable which seems to have a V-shaped equaliser effect). I decided that the stock cable is what I perfectly want, though as befits the Headfi curse, I am still wondering if there is any cable out there that gives more clarity without sacrificing the wonderful balance of the stock cable and also without being ridiculously inflexible/heavy.

From what Jazz mentioned, the Headphile cable might be what I am looking for. How about those from [AK]Zip and RnB? Are there any other cables I am missing out?
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post #11 of 12
1/18/06 at 3:58am
Thread Starter 
Bumpie...
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post #12 of 12
4/24/06 at 10:51am
Thread Starter 

To users of the Headphile Senn cable

As I mentioned, I had the SD cable for some time but did not like the way it changed the sound balance towards the brighter side. I have gone back to the stock cable and frankly am loving the sound. Regardless, I am still curious if there is any cable out there with strong sonic resemblance to the stock cable and yet improves upon it without being so radical like the SD cable (and I assume, the Zu Mobius).

I'm looking to get the Headphile Senn V2 and would like to hear more impressions from those who have heard it. If it does indeed get close enough to my sonic objective (above), I will shoot Larry an e-mail. Suggestions on alternatives are welcome, of course.

Cheers!


p.s. Does anyone know if the Headphile Senn V2 is silver-cored or copper-cored?
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