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Headphone Cables - Less Debated?

post #1 of 12
10/18/09 at 2:48pm
Thread Starter 
There's currently another debate raging in the Cables, Power, Tweaks, etc. forum on whether or not cables make a difference. When this topic usually comes up, it is usually regulated only to the discussion of interconnects, power cables, and extension cables. While there is a big demand for after-market headphone cables, there is rarely any discussion on whether or not headphone cables make a difference. We usually hear from the people that do change their headphone cables claiming an improvement, but little is said claiming that headphone cables don't make a difference.

For example, Senns (580, 600, and 650 in particular) are popular as far as replacing the headphone cable for something more expensive and of a higher quality. However, I don't think I've ever heard anyone say you could build a replacement headphone cable out of paperclips and it would sound just as good.

Is there any reason why there seems to be less of a debate as to whether or not headphone cables make a difference as compared to cables such as interconnects? Is the value of a good headphone cable less debated or is it just my imagination?
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post #2 of 12
10/18/09 at 3:10pm
Please feel free to add headphone cables to the exalted company of interconnects, power cables and extension cords.
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post #3 of 12
10/18/09 at 3:45pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by zotjen View Post
For example, Senns (580, 600, and 650 in particular) are popular as far as replacing the headphone cable for something more expensive and of a higher quality. However, I don't think I've ever heard anyone say you could build a replacement headphone cable out of paperclips and it would sound just as good.
You probably could make a paperclip or coathanger cable that would work fine. I put both the Cardas and Blue Dragon on my HD-600 and HD-650. Also switched those around with the stock cables.

Not a lick in difference sonically with any cable. They all measured about the same on the DMM and showed no difference on the 'scope.

The controversy has died down somewhat. I think everyone either believes that there are magical, mystical forces beyond all human comprehension and defy every attempt at understanding, or the cable industry is a patent lie that parts fools from their money.
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post #4 of 12
10/18/09 at 4:04pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Uncle Erik View Post
I think everyone either believes that there are magical, mystical forces beyond all human comprehension and defy every attempt at understanding, or the cable industry is a patent lie that parts fools from their money.
Not necessarily fools, but people who have been misinformed and are emotionally invested in the wrong answer, and therefore not only have a steep learning curve but also a steep interference curve to overcome. It's really quite a complicated subject when you come down to it, albeit with a very simple answer.
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post #5 of 12
10/18/09 at 4:31pm
I may be the only person in existence who acknowledges that there is no proof cables do anything, can admit that I do not hear a difference, and yet still buy $50 cables for their cosmetic attributes
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post #6 of 12
10/18/09 at 5:40pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by El_Doug View Post
I may be the only person in existence who acknowledges that there is no proof cables do anything, can admit that I do not hear a difference, and yet still buy $50 cables for their cosmetic attributes
Count me in. I have been admiring the handiwork of some of our more talented cablemakers in the 'post your cables' thread in the diy forum. Some look downright elegant. Enough so that I will soon buy a soldering iron and start to make some of my own; but it is for the cosmetic value, not because I have any expectation the cable will turn my msc75's into HD800's.
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post #7 of 12
10/18/09 at 6:29pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by El_Doug View Post
I may be the only person in existence who acknowledges that there is no proof cables do anything, can admit that I do not hear a difference, and yet still buy $50 cables for their cosmetic attributes
I think that a lot of people do that. I like the look of the more expensive cables and I have no problem dishing out around $50 for something that I find aesthetically pleasing.
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post #8 of 12
10/18/09 at 6:43pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by El_Doug View Post
I may be the only person in existence who acknowledges that there is no proof cables do anything, can admit that I do not hear a difference, and yet still buy $50 cables for their cosmetic attributes
Nope, you're wrong there.

I specifically bought a set of Blue Jeans cables so I could have matching cables with Techflex. They look nice.

I loved the Cardas Sennheiser cable. Really, I did. I didn't hear a flyspeck of difference, but man, does it look and feel nice. I could almost recommend it just because it's a nice cable.

One of these days, I'll put together a set of custom cables, maybe with fancy cloth covering or something. I want the setup to look good.
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post #9 of 12
10/18/09 at 8:00pm
I built myself a set of cables for my 650's and my 990/250's using belkin pureav 18ga speaker wire. The cost of the wire was $19.95 for 100ft so split the jacket and that's 200ft to work with. I bought some $5 neutrik 1/4" connectors and the cardas sennheiser hd6XX connectors for $16/pair.

Would I say it was worth the money I have invested? Heck ya. Would I pay for a fancier cable? Not a chance. I can hear a difference from the stock cables with both phones but it's not drastic enough to warrant spending any more than I did, IMO. I also like having a sweet looking set of braided copper cables.


I've been meaning to take some pics of my butchery, I mean handiwork. Here are a couple pics of my first attempt at a litz braid. You can laugh all you want cause I can't hear you.
LL
LL
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post #10 of 12
10/18/09 at 9:33pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Uncle Erik View Post
... I think everyone either believes that there are magical, mystical forces beyond all human comprehension and defy every attempt at understanding, or the cable industry is a patent lie that parts fools from their money.
Just because you did not hear a difference or an improvement should not evoke such a negative comment. It did not work for you and that is great since you saved a lot of money. But some of us have heard a difference when we have swapped cables, enough to buy them.

I have tried a lot of cables w/ the HD580/600/650 in all price brackets. To me the best sounding was from RAL, but I would not order from them due to the poor reputation they have earned. A pity because it was to me the best sounding cable, however I found one cable that IMO came really close for a lot less money, the BlackSilver from Headphile.

So in a nutshell the end user will have to listen for himself/herself and make a call. BTW, I am not a Senn person and although I have owned the HD580/600 three times and listened to it countless of times I do not own them since I do not care for their sound signature.
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post #11 of 12
10/18/09 at 9:45pm
I hope that I hear a difference (haven't really tested one way or the other), but I'm not above making my own cables because they just look so much nicer, and are so unique.
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post #12 of 12
10/19/09 at 9:16am
Quote:
Originally Posted by mrarroyo View Post
Just because you did not hear a difference or an improvement should not evoke such a negative comment. It did not work for you and that is great since you saved a lot of money. But some of us have heard a difference when we have swapped cables, enough to buy them.

I have tried a lot of cables w/ the HD580/600/650 in all price brackets. To me the best sounding was from RAL, but I would not order from them due to the poor reputation they have earned. A pity because it was to me the best sounding cable, however I found one cable that IMO came really close for a lot less money, the BlackSilver from Headphile.

So in a nutshell the end user will have to listen for himself/herself and make a call. BTW, I am not a Senn person and although I have owned the HD580/600 three times and listened to it countless of times I do not own them since I do not care for their sound signature.
Then he's right isn't he? If it only works for specific people then it's either rubbish or some magic.
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