So here I am with the upgrade cable from an eBay seller who does custom cables for various IEMs like TF10s, Westones, and IE80's. This is a braided 6 x wires 99.99% SPC with 24K gold plated copper pin connectors and WBT 4% silver solder. I'm quite happy with the build; simple, clean, and seems durable. There's one little issue with the connectors which I'll elaborate down below.
Now, I'll describe the changes in the H200 sound...
BASS: Lower frequencies are now less forward making the overall sound signature less warmer and closer to a more neutral sound. Bass drums sound a bit more clearer, snappy, and better textured. TBH, I like this change in the lows for most of the songs I listen to: Rock, Metal, Contemporary, 70's/80's Pop. The only time I wanted more Bass is when listening to modern EDM but as a consolation, the bass boost on my JDSlabs C5 is now more serviceable because of this. I used to feel the bass was too much when bass boost was on with the stock cables.
MIDS: This seems to be the least affected by the upgrade cable. Clarity in the MIDS is what I observed to be noticeable in the H200 with upgrade cables; the lushness in the vocals really stands out when listening to music.
HIGHS: The best thing about the upgrade cables is that they seem to get rid of the random harshness in the Treble region. The metallic shimmer that is occasionally heard is gone for the most part and sibilance is no longer an issue for me. Now, CLARITY... again this is what the upgrade cables are all about. Everything is now at another level when it comes to CLARITY and DETAIL. I just couldn't go back to the stock cable because I'm so immersed into the music when listening through the H200 with upgrade cable.
SOUNDSTAGE: The upgrade cable adds a bit more width and a lot more depth to the H200's soundstage.
SOUND AS A WHOLE: The H200 sounds VERY different with the upgrade cables. It's less warmer in the low end and a bit colder in the higher regions. The sound signature is leaning towards a more analytical sound with a bit of warmth. And that's not all... my favourite change in sound is the background. I now have this weird experience that when listening to music, the background seems to be a lot darker than it used to. It's like this void behind the music as if there's really nothing else around you. Just you and the music... I can't even explain it for lack of better word or I'm just not technically skilled in audio. Overall, I love the changes that the upgrade cable brings. It has opened up my mind and I now firmly believe that premium materials in cables can make a huge difference in sound.
CONS:
*Microphonics - people who can't deal with microphonics should stay away from this cable. I personally don't mind because I use a shirt clip AND I only use the H200 for critical listening at home.
*Cable - not as supple and manageable as the stock cable but not too rigid either. Plus there's a Sennheiser branding on the chrome plated housing of the 3.5mm jack.
*Connectors - the jacks are a bit bigger and longer than the ones on the stock cable. Bigger is a plus because they now fit tightly in the IEMs. Longer is not so nice because there is a gap between the jack housing and the IEMs (see picture below). Fortunately it is easy to remedy: O-rings! I got the o-rings from a body piercing shop; even got them for free! The O-rings will serve as a spacer.
I really hated that gap!
Now that's more like it!
CONCLUSION: This cable cost me US$75 shipped... a bit expensive because the supplier had to order the connectors in bulk because they originally didn't have them. So is the extra $75 worth it? If you have an H200, the upgrade cable is a MUST IMHO. Not only does it sound HEAPS better, but I think this is what the H200 should sound like right from the start. It's a shame that T-PEOS didn't originally consider SPC's as the secondary cable instead of the Red Stock Cable. That would have been the complete package!
Now, it's only a matter of time before T-PEOS releases their own upgrade cables. I hope they do it soon for the sake of all H200 owners because the sound is just amazing!
