Affordable 3.5mm to 3.5mm cables that offer noticeable improvement?

[Kanto]

Audio newbie here. Up until recently, I didn't even realize that headphones with detachable cables existed, but now I'm interested in buying a set of headphones that does that (and I've read that the stock cable isn't great). Are there any really good 3.5mm to 3.5mm cables that are preferably under $30? Apologies if this is a common question. I looked through the forum but I didn't see any similar threads.

 

[liamstrain]

Depending on length, Blue Jeans cables should be able to make you one for that price. Or you can always DIY. 
 
I do not, however, think you will find any that will give you a noticeable improvement in sound at any price. Unless your current cable is damaged. 

 

[William007]

I don't really believe that cables make a huge difference, however when i finished my 3,5-3,5 interconect for my sansa- e5 i noticed the mids increased a bit. Might be one huge placebo but i liked it.

 

[Kanto]

Interesting. I was under the impression from a lot of posts here that cables can make a large difference when it comes to sound quality. I've seen a lot of people saying they were going to replace their stock cables with Beats cables and such. Does everyone agree that cables don't make a huge difference or is that a disputed issue?
 

 

[liamstrain]

Quote:

Interesting. I was under the impression from a lot of posts here that cables can make a large difference when it comes to sound quality. I've seen a lot of people saying they were going to replace their stock cables with Beats cables and such. Does everyone agree that cables don't make a huge difference or is that a disputed issue?
 

 
I think even among those people who feel cables do make a difference, it is a relatively small percentage of sound quality. (e.g. headphones, source, and recording account for 90-95% of sound, and the cable can make up some portion of the remaining percentage). 
 
There are also a large number of us who dispute that headphone cables can have any audible affect on the sound at all. 

 

[Kanto]

Hmm, if cables make such a small difference or no difference at all, why are so many cables so expensive? Seems silly to spend tens or hundreds of dollars on something like that unless you've got a super expensive set up to begin with.

 

[liamstrain]

You'll have to ask a true believer on that score. I'm sure one will chime in soon enough. 
 
There are many good reasons to use better or custom cables - everything from usability, durability, and of course, aesthetics - but sound quality is not one of them.

 

[Dyaems]

try this kind of cable/copper strip =)
 

 
 
yep it is a copper strip

 

[sidejam]

I'm glad I used the search and found this thread. I recently bought the V-Moda Crossfade LP2 headphones and wondered if changing the cable would improve the sound. After a bit of searching, I tried these cables from Monoprice:
 
http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10218&cs_id=1021816&p_id=9297&seq=1&format=2
 
I'm not sure if it made things sound better or not. But, it definitely did make it sound a bit different. Is there anyone that makes a good quality cable like this for a reasonable price? Preferably about 4 feet in length. Or is this something that is going to be need to be custom made? I know this may sound a bit dumb, even if it doesn't make a huge difference in sound quality, I still like the look of a nice cable...