Head-Fi.org › Forums › Misc.-Category Forums › DIY (Do-It-Yourself) Discussions › Is this wire OK for an extension cable?
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:

Is this wire OK for an extension cable?

post #1 of 8
2/17/11 at 7:30am
Thread Starter 

I have some bulk of this wire

 

http://www.tycoelectronics.com/catalog/bin/TE.Connect?C=1&M=BYPN&TCPN=736159-000&RQPN=736159-000

 

I would like to make a 10 ft headphone extension cable with quality connections. Will this 22 AWG silver plated copper wire be OK? It is unshielded but would it really need to be shielded? If the wire is too thin, could I use two conductors per channel?

Reply
post #2 of 8
2/17/11 at 8:21am

1) 22awg is quite thick for headphones.

2) Headphone cable is generally (always?) unshielded.

3) This is twisted pair wire, you'll need 2 runs of it, I assume you will have sleeving over it, it may be quite heavy.

Reply
post #3 of 8
2/17/11 at 8:27am
Thread Starter 

I have never built a DIY cable for headphones before. Would I need only a signal and a ground wire? Or will I need two signal and a single ground? Is it a problem to use this heavier gauge wire? I will be using them primarily with my HD595s, or possibly my roommate with his HD650 and AKG K702. I previously used an excellent Grado extension cable my roommate had for his GS 1000, but he recently moved out and took the extension with him. That was quite a thick cable.

 

I am looking for any excuse to make a DIY cable with some of the parts I have.

Reply
post #4 of 8
2/17/11 at 8:41am

Well, you need 1 signal and 1 ground per channel.  I assume these are headphones with both left and right, so you'll need 4 wires (or 3 minimum as you can share the ground).

Not a "problem" using thicker wire, just a hassle of the weight.

Reply
post #5 of 8
2/17/11 at 2:15pm
Thread Starter 

The weight of the cable won't be too much of a problem. I just want to use my headphones while on the couch and watching my projector. I think I am going to go ahead with this because it sounds like it will be pretty sweet and good fun.

 

Is this good quality cable to use for this project? I believe it is silver plated copper. I like it because it is free. I would like to use some nice Furutech or Cardas connectors. I don't want to waste such good connectors on the cable if it is not good quality.

Reply
post #6 of 8
2/17/11 at 4:09pm

This cable will be just fine, 22 gauge is not too crazy, and it won't be so heavy that it will be unwieldy.  Just get some expandable sleeving to put it in and you'll be all set, or if you don't care how it looks, just run some electrical tape every so often to hold the pairs together. 

Reply
post #7 of 8
2/17/11 at 4:37pm
Thread Starter 

Thank you for the help. I cannot seem to find a female connector on Moon Audio or PartsConnexion. I am checking Mouser but I'd like to find everything in one place if I can (sleeve, connectors).

Reply
post #8 of 8
2/17/11 at 5:15pm

senn hd800, r10, and beyer t1 all have shielded stock cables.

Reply
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:
  Return Home
Head-Fi.org › Forums › Misc.-Category Forums › DIY (Do-It-Yourself) Discussions › Is this wire OK for an extension cable?