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Recable for Senn HD 280 Pro.

post #1 of 11
12/28/06 at 4:07am
Thread Starter 
So where do I start looking for possibilities to recable my Sennheiser HD 280 Pros? I'm using them with Ipod Nano 8gb>Tomahawk>ALO Cryodock>Senns.
What differences can I expect with an upgraded cable.
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post #2 of 11
12/28/06 at 5:04am
Don't bother. It'd be an incredible pain due to the single-sided cable and not worth it at all. Even in incredibly high-end cans the difference is incredibly miniscule and only noticeable with the highest-quality sources, amps, and media, and in something at the HD280 level, you wouldn't notice a thing.
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post #3 of 11
12/28/06 at 10:51am
Although I disagree w/Arainach's comment about recabling only making a "miniscule difference" (I've had several pairs recabled from budget cans to high-end 'phones and it always made a difference - not always for the better, though!), looking at your source + VERY high-end amp (designed with IEM's in mind, though ) + VERY high-end line-out cable - all feeding a pair of lower end Senns - confuses me.

Unless you've got some special emotional attachment to these cans (hey, I'll never sell my SR60's!!!), save the money recabling would cost you and put it toward upgrading your headphones. Your source, amp, & cable will appreciate it and your ears will thank you for years to come. zD
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post #4 of 11
12/28/06 at 11:51am
Quote:
Originally Posted by zombieDave View Post
Although I disagree w/Arainach's comment about recabling only making a "miniscule difference" (I've had several pairs recabled from budget cans to high-end 'phones and it always made a difference - not always for the better, though!), looking at your source + VERY high-end amp (designed with IEM's in mind, though ) + VERY high-end line-out cable - all feeding a pair of lower end Senns - confuses me.

Unless you've got some special emotional attachment to these cans (hey, I'll never sell my SR60's!!!), save the money recabling would cost you and put it toward upgrading your headphones. Your source, amp, & cable will appreciate it and your ears will thank you for years to come. zD

Question. What an earth in amplifiers design makes it "designed for IEM in mind"? Be headphone on ear, or in ear, amplification process isnt any different.
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post #5 of 11
12/28/06 at 12:21pm
the comment stems from the OP's tomahawk which was designed primarily for IEMs. meaning it has relatively low gain and designed to be very compact and have an incredibly low noise floor (sub-basement actually ) not that the tomahawk can't be used with regular 'phones. a number of head-fi'ers have mentioned how well the tomahawk drives headphones.

as per the OPs subjects: i'm not sure i understand what you mean by "where do I start looking for possibilities to recable my Sennheiser HD 280 Pros". if you mean a how to, take a look at the DIY board. lots of very good info there. i've done a number of recables myself and all have produced a difference. generally speaking (there are exceptions) recabling helps the bass become a bit more extended, mids a bit fuller and highs a bit clearer. don't expect a night/day change but there will be a difference. i will make one recommendation. the senns/tomahawk combo is plenty warm already. i would try silver wire rather than copper or silver plated copper.

good luck!
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post #6 of 11
12/28/06 at 3:24pm
Thread Starter 
To answer ZD's question earlier: I just got all the hi-end source equipment but have had the Senns for 3 years or so and have enjoyed them quite a bit. My first purchase is most likely going to be some decent IEM's(looking at UE superfi5.pro or shure E4) but I'm just curious about recabling in general. I agree my money would be well spent by saving up for new or even good condition used cans but the cable on the senns is just ridiculously long and annoying. I'm just getting started with all of this and figuring out where to go. I'll check out some of the DIY forums as well. Thanks for all the input everyone.
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post #7 of 11
12/28/06 at 5:40pm
MaZa, I was just quoting from the RSA website on the Tomahawk being designed for IEM's, and thanks to you, Warrior, for elaborating.

Biggie, you could just get that annoying cord shortened by a DIYer (check your PMs) and have a high-quality plug put on (like Neutrik, Switchcraft). That would cost you peanuts and you'd still have the Senns you've come to love.
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post #8 of 11
12/28/06 at 5:42pm
Thanks warrior. Makes more sense now.
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post #9 of 11
12/28/06 at 8:45pm
Recabling for sound is silly. Even really high end, balanced jobbies are borderline for making a difference in sound. However, the HD-280 cable is way to long and heavy for my uses. A shorter, lighter cable would be very welcome and extremely easy to do as the HD-280 is designed with a replaceable cable.
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post #10 of 11
1/17/07 at 1:40am
I'm bumping this thread to ask for some suggestions. I'm set to use a 280 in the bedroom, as the wife STILL doesn't like the other phones I've got to use there (AKG 271S, A-T W-5000; don't want to get rid of either, but they still leak a little too much for her at more than minor volume).

IEM's aren't as comfy for me, so they're out. I have 2 pairs of the 280's, both broken in nicely. I'd like to consider a recable for length, lightness (as gremlin mentioned), and/or to eliminate the coiled cable. Alternatively, is it easy or even possible to uncoil this cable without straining it? I could live with that....

In looking at the 'phone, I'm not sure how to disassemble it. The pads look like they are glued to the plastic mounting piece. Can they be removed to access the insides? I see some small screws, but they look more to remove the cups from the headband. I did a quick search and only found this thread, no others that talk about recabling 280's.

Any info, thoughts, or suggestions much appreciated.....

Thanks,

Todd - skullguise

EDIT: sorry, re-read the posts and will check the DIY forums.....
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post #11 of 11
8/24/07 at 10:03pm
i will be starting a HD-280 recable some time soon, i know they are nothing spectacular in terms of sound, but that cable that comes on them is just ridiculous. The curly cord is so heavy that it pulls the headphones off my head when i move, and i want a removable cord so i can have a short one for at the computer with a mini jack and a long cable for around my room with a 1/4 jack. I will be installing a mini xlr connector directly on the phones and then build two cables to attach, similar to what some of the akg phones come with. When i get around to doing this i will post some pics.
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