cable / HD650's soundstage

[brat]

Can any replacement cable influence the soundstage of the 650s?

 

[WK446]

I found the Stefan Equinox cable to greatly influence soundstaging and spatial characteristics. I have also listened to the Zu Mobieus cable, which I felt removed a certain veil from the stock cable but not in the soundstage. If anything, the Mobieus moved it closer.

 

[tom hankins]

Wether its improved soundstage or just so much more clarity that the depth of stage seems larger, the Zu cable improves the size of the sound to my ears. Also the Silver dragon has (no matter which system) always had the the widest stage of any of the aftermarket cables I have tried.

 

[akwok]

The Blue Dragon II made a HUGE difference in soundstage for the HD650, plus it retained the sound signature of the HD650, while improving on almost every aspect.

 

[ServinginEcuador]

I found that the Stefan AudioArt had a smaller soundstage than the stock cable, but that's the only advantage you get by staying stock. This was done with two identical pairs of headphones, one equipped with the AudioArt cable, the other stock.

 

[Glod]

The Cardas is widely regarded as the mate for the 600. I wouldn’t know, I have been using it fort some time with a 650.

I should begin with saying that I prefer a somewhat darker sound, as a compromise in making classical music sound "real" to me. The stock 650 does a much better job in this area than the only other phone I have extended experience from, the 595, which I find just a bit too bright. It (595) is also clearly more up front in the presentation. Perhaps not as some other phones I have read about, but at least relative the 650.

To the point

What the Cardas does, is to move you forward towards the stage and the orchestra. The midrange also gets more definition but not necessarily more naturalness IMO. The same with the treble. Mind you, these are not dramatic differences by no means, but still, quite noticeable.

With the bass it is different. Let me first say that I liked the bass of the stock 650 set very much, some think it is too thunderous, deep and prominent, I don’t. With the Cardas, I actually think it is quite the opposite: the lowest bass extension gets restricted till the point low level spatial details get lost. Some don’t mind that - I can imagine: They could not care less if they don’t hear that infra rumble of the passing lorry outside the concert hall. I do. If everyone during the recording even could hear that lorry, I want too

To me the bass of the stock is not eccentuated in classical music. When I first seriously listened to the Cardas after the burn in time (about 200hrs), I first thought the reverb in large concert halls was altered, as if they played somewhere else, I now think more and more it is due to the limited lowest bass extension and a shortened decay-time of notes in general.

In short. I don’t think that the Cardas has a very dramatic influence on the 650 as perhaps some other aftermarket cables have. But that I cannot say out of first hand experience. I do find, however, that it does limit the bass extension to some extend, and that influences the spatial experience: Perhaps some would describe it as the Cardas tighten the bass or focus it better than the stock, but that is not how I experience it. However, if you think the 650 is just a tad too dark and distant, the Cardas just might be a good upgrade for you.

 

[WK446]

ServinginEcuador:
I also found this to be the case initially.

I had bought my Stefan Equinox cable used and had expected it to be (obviously) fully broken in. On a whim, I hooked up the Equinox cable to my FryKleaner Pro cable burner open-ended, and used a female 1/4" to dual male RCA adapter. After 60 hours on the burner, the Equinox opened up dramatically. I also put the stock 650 cable on the FryKleaner for the same amount of time for experimental consistency.

I compared the stock 650 cable and Equinox cable on my own 650s using my SM3 with OPA627s and the headphone outs on my Benchmark Dac-1.

Dennis

Quote:

Originally Posted by ServinginEcuador I found that the Stefan AudioArt had a smaller soundstage than the stock cable, but that's the only advantage you get by staying stock. This was done with two identical pairs of headphones, one equipped with the AudioArt cable, the other stock.

 

[ServinginEcuador]

Dennis,

To give a little more background I put over 1200 hours of use on the AudioArt cables before doing any serious listening, and while it did narrow the difference it still was there when all was said and done.

If that FryKleaner does what you say I'll be buying one myself in the next day or so! I've read about how cable cookers work, and read some experiences like yours where it makes dramatic changes, so I'll keep an open mind and look into possible getting one myself. Thanks for the website and info.

 

[WK446]

No problem.

As I mentioned in a PM to you, my intention was not to discount your ears.

To be completely honest, I expected that there would not be a subjective difference. I am perhaps as surprised as you are. I am more a scientist than a believer in "voodoo," so I try to be objective.

You're most welcome.

Dennis

Quote:

Originally Posted by ServinginEcuador Dennis, To give a little more background I put over 1200 hours of use on the AudioArt cables before doing any serious listening, and while it did narrow the difference it still was there when all was said and done. If that FryKleaner does what you say I'll be buying one myself in the next day or so! I've read about how cable cookers work, and read some experiences like yours where it makes dramatic changes, so I'll keep an open mind and look into possible getting one myself. Thanks for the website and info.