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HELP: Idea for exchangable headphone cable

post #1 of 12
1/21/08 at 2:18pm
Thread Starter 
Edit: I changed the title from "Any SQ loss with plug and jack connection?" to the current title because I felt that it was more representitive of this thread.

I'm thinking of doing something crazy, and if its a dumb idea, please let me know before I screw up my headphones!

Problem:

Sometimes, I love the 10' cable comming out of my HP, but other times it just bothers the hell out of me and I would be perfectly content with just having a 3' cable.

Solution Idea:

I want to recable my HP so I have 2 jacks connected to the 2 cables directly leaving my drivers. Then attaching 2 plugs to the cable I want use for that moment.

Is this a bad idea?? In a few min I'll try to include a drawing or something to help explain it better, but if you understand the concept w/o a pic, then please comment. Thanks so much!!

Also, for wiring, how does AWG affect SQ? I have a tendency to think that a larger diameter wire lends to higher SQ, but I'm sure I'm wrong.
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post #2 of 12
1/21/08 at 3:12pm
phono plug-jack connectors are really poor - the notched tip makes it difficult to use better contact geometries - giving relatively high and unstable contact resistance

and the stereo connectors short the amplifier while plugging/unplugging

shared ground contact also limits channel separation - although only in a measurable sense - audible crosstalk between closed back supra-aural headphone drivers is often larger than "bad" amplifier/TRS jack-plug/cable crosstalk

I'd use 4-pin XLR for a custom inline headphone cable connector
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post #3 of 12
1/21/08 at 4:04pm
Thread Starter 
This is basically the idea...
LL
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post #4 of 12
1/21/08 at 4:11pm
My suggestion would be to install a 3' cable on your headphones and buy a 6-7' extension. Connectors are known for introducing noise into the system, so the fewer connectors the better. Also, I can see those connectors in that location getting annoying as they hit your face or pull on the cables.
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post #5 of 12
1/21/08 at 4:23pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by dgbiker1 View Post
My suggestion would be to install a 3' cable on your headphones and buy a 6-7' extension. Connectors are known for introducing noise into the system, so the fewer connectors the better. Also, I can see those connectors in that location getting annoying as they hit your face or pull on the cables.
I thought about the annoyance factor all night last night and wondered if it would be too much.. Would you think that I could just buy a stock D5000 cable and then just cut it about 2' below the Y, add a male 3.5mm and then put a female 3.5 on the end of the rest of the length of cable making it the extension? I'm doing all this to my denon d2k, btw.
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post #6 of 12
1/21/08 at 4:37pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by TwinFinnley View Post
I thought about the annoyance factor all night last night and wondered if it would be too much.. Would you think that I could just buy a stock D5000 cable and then just cut it about 2' below the Y, add a male 3.5mm and then put a female 3.5 on the end of the rest of the length of cable making it the extension? I'm doing all this to my denon d2k, btw.
Yea that's pretty much what I was thinking (2' seems a bit short though, how long is the Y?). Make sure you get good 3.5mm plugs & jacks though, not junky ones.
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post #7 of 12
1/21/08 at 4:53pm
Thread Starter 
The Y itself is over a foot. Could you point me to a good 3.5mm jack? I can't seem to find any. Thanks!

Edit: also, am I going to be losing much SQ by doing this tho??
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post #8 of 12
1/21/08 at 6:03pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by TwinFinnley View Post
The Y itself is over a foot. Could you point me to a good 3.5mm jack? I can't seem to find any. Thanks!

Edit: also, am I going to be losing much SQ by doing this tho??
I really like Amphenol (though you never hear about them on Head-Fi), but I think they only make RCA, XLR, and 1/4" plugs & jacks. As far as 3.5mm goes I've had good luck with Switchcraft panel mount jacks, but I don't know of any good in-line jacks.
With a good connection though, you probably won't notice any effect on SQ. Just be sure you properly shield the cables.
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post #9 of 12
1/21/08 at 6:27pm
Switchcraft make good inline 3.5mm jacks, and Canare are another very popular brand, but quite a bit larger than the switch. You could try Neutrik too, they look almost identical to Switch just cheaper (i don't know about differences in SQ).
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post #10 of 12
1/21/08 at 11:11pm
For what it's worth, I've seen posts in the cable gallery (I believe that's where I saw them), in which people set 1/8" jacks right into the cups of grados where the cables originally left, and simply plugged cables into those. I'm sure it'll only get easier on other kinds of headphones.

I obviously can't speak to the sonics.
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post #11 of 12
6/23/10 at 11:56am

Hi there,  I just read your article, and find myself to be thinking the same thing!  I am going to re-cable my D2ks with Mogami 2534 for balanced.  They have already been Markl Modded.  Now it's time to get them balanced before my new Little Dot MVII+ amp gets here!

 

I am looking at doing what AKG has done with it's cables.  It uses a mini-xlr which is attached to the headphone housing.  Thus, you can switch it out with any others.  It is a great connection, shouldn't introduce any external noise, and will be very practical.

 

I hope this helps a little bit,

Matt

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post #12 of 12
6/23/10 at 12:13pm

Holly old thread!

 

I dont think there is enough room on a Denon headphone for a mini-XLR, Lemo, or similar connector. I thought about it with my D5000 for a while but gave up. Even a 1/8" TRS may be a hopelessly tight fit.

 

The stock Denon cable can be reterminated balanced with a 4-pin or 2*3-pin. I would look for how other people have done this.

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