Head-Fi.org › Forums › Misc.-Category Forums › DIY (Do-It-Yourself) Discussions › lightweight 3.5mm extension cable
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:

lightweight 3.5mm extension cable

post #1 of 8
7/11/10 at 11:35pm
Thread Starter 

Need the help of head-fi members: Planning on building a 3.5mm extension cable about 1-2 ft.

 

Background on my situation:

One day the right side of my Yuin PK2 went dead. I determined it was due to the plug, so I thought it would be a great project to replace the plug since I like my PK2 so much and didn't really want to buy another one (even though I'm not a DIY-man myself). Anyhow, turns out it's harder than I thought, because the wires were painted on the inside. It was my first time soldering as well. Finally, got it to work though a lot of frustration i.e. burning paint off. However, the cable is really short now, because I tried so many times.

 

So, I looked online for an extension cable but couldn't find one to my liking. I didn't want a cheap one that would break in a couple of weeks and most of them were too long for my liking. Some were of low quality, and I care about sound quality too (I'm here on headfi ain't I, haha). Therefore, I decided it's DIY time again.

 

I have some questions:

1. I can't seem to find female 3.5mm plugs. Are they called something else?

2. What kind of cables do I use?

 

Need some recommendations:

1. Quality lightweight cable suitable with the light PK2 and IEM

2. Quality female and male plugs/jacks

3. Any tips/experiences

 

Also, I welcome sites that have what I need, because I'm not a natural DIY-guy.

 

As I was writing this I found this site called KV Connection that seem to have want I need. They have this: 18 Inch Premium kVc Studio Gold Series 3.5mm Stereo Right Angle Male to Female Cable: http://www.kvconnection.com/product-p/k-35r35fn-18i.htm that uses neutrik plugs. Interesting.

 

Any experience with this company?

Open to other companies too that offer good cables or custom/premade cables that are not too expensive.

Still, open to DIY cable.

 

Thanks to all.

Reply
post #2 of 8
7/14/10 at 11:28am
Thread Starter 

BUMP, still need help.

Reply
post #3 of 8
7/14/10 at 2:21pm

On the one end you need what is called a cable jack, like this one.

 

http://www.markertek.com/Cables-Connectors-Adapters/Audio-Connectors/3-5-2-5mm-Mini-Connectors/Neutrik-USA-Inc/NYS240BG.xhtml?NYS-240BG

 

For the male plug, I recommend Switchcraft highly.

 

http://www.markertek.com/Cables-Connectors-Adapters/Audio-Connectors/3-5-2-5mm-Mini-Connectors/Switchcraft-Corporation/35HDNN.xhtml?35HDBAU

 

I usually use 35HDBAU, black case gold plug.

 

I'll try to find some suitable wire and come back.

 

The issue with cable jacks and IEMS is they're so darned heavy they want to yank the IEMs out of your ear.

 

The wire used in that one at the top is this, I believe. http://www.markertek.com/Cables-Connectors-Adapters/Bulk-Wire-Cable/Bulk-Audio-Cable/Mogami-Wire-Cable-Corp/2697.xhtml?2697

 

Buy all three and see if its cheaper than getting it all put together. I bet it is. Shipping from markertek can be crazy though. Luckily its in my neighborhood so I do local pickup.


Edited by revolink24 - 7/14/10 at 2:25pm
Reply
post #4 of 8
7/14/10 at 2:33pm

Alternative/additional terms to use while searching for "female 3.5mm plug":

  • TRS jack
  • cable mounted
  • free hanging
  • in-line
  • 1/8"
  • stereo phone jack

 

You can leave out the screw-on barrel cover on your plug and jack, and use heat shrink instead. Not as sturdy or attractive, but it'll weigh a lot less.

 

I have not used them before, but KV Connection looks all right. They have custom assembled adapters, which is nice if you don't want to solder anything yourself. Markertek is less expensive though.

Reply
post #5 of 8
7/14/10 at 4:29pm
Thread Starter 

Hmm, it seems that they don't make many cables up in the 25+ awg range. I seem to only find that mogami cable, but nothing else. I wonder where companies get their iem cables from.

 

And also, markertek has awesome prices but sucky shipping rates. 12 bucks is a lot when you are just purchasing a couple of plugs. sad.

Reply
post #6 of 8
7/26/10 at 9:52am

I made an extension for my Shure SE310 IEMs using the connectors revolink showed you. Instead of using mogami I just took 3 of the conductors out of a cat 5 cable (stranded) braided them with a flat litz braid. It is just waht I had laying around. I've got them sleeved with paracord and they work well for me.

 

I don't notice a huge difference in sound quality between my stock cable (that broke), my source material isn't fantastic for it either though.

 

The cable isn't quite as light as the original and it is somewhat stiff, but I think that it has more to do with the conductors I'm using. You might try a different cable than what I used and braiding it yourself. I am pretty happy with what I've got though.

 

I know this is a somewhat old thread but I figured I'd add my two cents.

Reply
post #7 of 8
7/26/10 at 1:29pm
Thread Starter 

using a cat5 cable, hmm, interesting.

so, i'm guessing we can pretty much use any sorts of cable right, just as long as we solder correctly?

Reply
post #8 of 8
7/26/10 at 2:45pm

I chose cat5 because I have a ton of ethernet cables sitting around my house unused so I figured it would be good for experimentation.

 

I can't speak to its sounds quality compared to the silver teflon coated conductors people use around here but I'd say it sounds just as good as your standard cables, if not better.
 

I also used it to make a replacement cable for my AKG 240s/271s and they both sound great with it.

 

There are a lot of threads on here talking about using cat5 if you do a search. A lot recommend finding teflon coated, stranded cat5 if you find it; mine is PVC coated stranded and seems to work fine.

 

It might be worth giving a shot if you have some spare ethernet cables laying around.

Reply
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:
  Return Home
Head-Fi.org › Forums › Misc.-Category Forums › DIY (Do-It-Yourself) Discussions › lightweight 3.5mm extension cable