[KrooLism]

I'm currently running my 650's with a Cardas cable upgrade.

I recently put the stock cable back on so it's a little more portable. When I got back home, I decided if I can tell the difference between the two cables through the Grace M902.

So far, I think that they sound extremely similar. On exceptional loud volumes, the Cardas cables seem to give a little more impact and clarity, but at low volumes, I don't think I could tell the difference if I shut my eyes.

Is this common? Is there a piece of music I can try so I can differenciate the two cables? Can other people notice a substancial difference in cables?

Tested on FLAC / CD / 320kpbs MP3 (Jazz, Acoustic Rock samples)

 

[mcpig]

I don’t own, nor have I ever heard the HD 650. I did re-cable my Grado SR 80s with a HD 650 stock cable. It is a good quality cable and more flexible than a Grado cable.
I am impressed with it so far.
The wire is multi-strand, but each individual wire is thinly insulated so that none of the wires contact any other wire in the cable. This is called Psuedo-Litz (Litz-like) construction. The flat appearance is odd but offers separation to each channel.
It seems to me that this is a well-designed cable using excellent materials and it would be tough to beat.

 

[kramer5150]

I for one couldn't tell a difference with my HD580/HD650 cable when I compared it to different cardas cables. So you certainly aren't alone, though you might be in the minority.

 

[chesebert]

had cardas. There is a difference but make sure your amp is up to the job. the difference is: the instrument/singer feels more real with cardas. minor but noticeable and enjoyable

 

[JLai]

You'd probably notice a bigger difference going from copper --> silver instead of copper --> copper.

 

[cantsleep]

a little difference; laid back to more laid back.

try silver wires on senns if you want really want to notice the difference in cables. but again, it might not be of your taste.

 

[ShadowVlican]

Quote:

Originally Posted by kramer5150 /img/forum/go_quote.gif I for one couldn't tell a difference with my HD580/HD650 cable when I compared it to different cardas cables. So you certainly aren't alone, though you might be in the minority.

actually i think it's safe to say we are the MAJORITY (those who can't tell the difference)

 

[Davesrose]

Since I'm building a setup just for the HD650s, I've read that Cardas really doesn't do a whole lot for the 650s (so probably not really worth the price). Cables that I hear to bring out a brightness (for good or bad), are Zu mobius, Silver Dragon, and Blue Dragon (Blue being prefered by some to be less harsh).

 

[Uncle Erik]

I didn't hear any difference in the cables, either. The thing that gets me is that the aftermarket cables cost as much as a good pair of headphones. If you really want a different sound, different headphones will give you that.

 

[daveDerek]

i've tried blue dragon v2s, cardas, and an unbranded cable on my 600s and 650s using a couple of different amps (gilmore, h5, creek, heed) and there were real diffs amongst the group. more time spent with them makes certain things more apparent. (details at a later time).

 

[Vul Kuolun]

Interesting read:

http://www6.head-fi.org/forums/showthread.php?t=192802

 

[RedLeader]

the only time I've been able to tell a difference is between the stock HD25-1 steel cable and a nice... cardas copper I think it was. It wasn't a huge difference, but there was a bit of one for sure.

 

[PhilS]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ShadowVlican /img/forum/go_quote.gif actually i think it's safe to say we are the MAJORITY (those who can't tell the difference)

Did someone do a poll? Or is this just an ipse dixit (i.e., it is so becuase you say it is so)?

Seriously, I don't think anybody has conducted a study to determine the actual numbers, but there are certainly many, many people on this forum who believe that they hear differences, and in varying degrees of magnitude. I certainly heard the difference between the stock HD 650 cable and the Silver Dragon. I agree that the difference can be subtle to many.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Uncle Erik /img/forum/go_quote.gif I didn't hear any difference in the cables, either. The thing that gets me is that the aftermarket cables cost as much as a good pair of headphones. If you really want a different sound, different headphones will give you that.

There are a number of reasons people might want to keep a particular headphone, but slightly tweak the sound with an aftermarket cable. It's too facile to say that the appropriate solutioin in evey instance is to buy a different headphone, though I would agree that some folks may tend to go the cable route when they really should be looking at a different phone.

 

[vapman]

*waiting for patrick82...*

I've heard the 580/600/650 with all different kinds of cables, but cables make such a minute difference that it really isn't worth the money to me. I suppose you would notice a difference if you were working with a long length of cable (over 30~ feet) between different kinds of cable, but your headphones and your amplifier would really need to be extremely detailed for you to be able to hear a difference with cables.

For most of us, I believe that you can definately hear a difference in a crap cable and a decent cable, but after a certain point when you start using decent cable, there's really no change in sound.

 

[aphex944]

Quote:

Originally Posted by mckickflip /img/forum/go_quote.gif For most of us, I believe that you can definately hear a difference in a crap cable and a decent cable, but after a certain point when you start using decent cable, there's really no change in sound.

Yeah, I've experienced this first hand AB'ing a very cheap cable against a Radio Shack Gold series cable. There was a very distinct audible difference between them. However, I also AB'd the RS cable against much fancier cables, and couldn't hear a difference. I think at most different materials will colour the sound slightly(silver vs copper), but I don't see a well-made $10 cable being a handicap in a system.