[Luvya]

I am entertaining the idea of replacing cable. Since it's said on the box that the cable are replaceable...I wonder how easy is that?
Any cutting or soldering involved? Or does it depend on the aftermarket cable?

 

[ServinginEcuador]

It is quite easy to remove the plugs near the headphones: just grab them with one finger on the front and one on the back and give steady pressure straight down. It will take a little bit of force as they are in their pretty tightly, but just pull on them and they'll pop right out. MAKE SURE to observe the pin on the connector that is slightly larger around than the other so that you can put your replacement cable back in without damage to the connector!! Once you remove the plug for the first time make a note of which one was larger so you don't forget.

As to the soldering, no! All of the replecement cables come with a pair of the same, or very similar, connectors to pop back into the Senns. Cardas, Equinox, etc. are all this way - made to be popped in with minimal work or stress!!!

 

[Luvya]

Wow, that is great help. Thanks.
Now, only if I have $200 to spare.....mmmm..

 

[ServinginEcuador]

Do a little search on Cardas smurf and Equinox and see what people are saying about them. Basically, if you like that Sennheiser sound, the Equinox just makes everything better. If you want to make some improvements to its sound, the Cardas is the cable of choice.

Any way you go will make a big difference, it's just a matter of which direction you want to go!!

 

[Luvya]

Wow, I just unplug the cable! That was quite easy to do..
Mmmm, I don't know..but I don't think the stock cable is cheaply made....I mean at least it's gold-plated

 

[Luvya]

Quote:

Originally posted by ServinginEcuador Do a little search on Cardas smurf and Equinox and see what people are saying about them. Basically, if you like that Sennheiser sound, the Equinox just makes everything better. If you want to make some improvements to its sound, the Cardas is the cable of choice. Any way you go will make a big difference, it's just a matter of which direction you want to go!!

So what exactly is the difference between Equinox and Cardas? Could you speak from your own experience? I read Kelly's review, and he says the Cardas makes the high a little brighter...Mmm..I dont like phones that are too bright...so Equinox sounds like a safe bet at least...no?

 

[Duncan]

Quote:

Originally posted by Luvya Wow, I just unplug the cable! That was quite easy to do.. Mmmm, I don't know..but I don't think the stock cable is cheaply made....I mean at least it's gold-plated

It is?

Mine was just nickel plated from begining to end

 

[Born2bwire]

I have a feeling that the gold plating was to solve the channel cut out problems. Somebody said that it arose from corrosion, but I haven't verified this myself.

 

[Luvya]

Quote:

Originally posted by Duncan It is? Mine was just nickel plated from begining to end

Mmmm, I haven't seen one with silver-plated..
Guess I learn something new everything

btw..mine is gold-plated from foot to head

 

[Eagle_Driver]

Quote:

Originally posted by Duncan It is? Mine was just nickel plated from begining to end

Quote:

Originally posted by Luvya Mmmm, I haven't seen one with silver-plated.. Guess I learn something new everything btw..mine is gold-plated from foot to head

That just goes to show you that Duncan's HD580s are older than Luyva's. Sometime in the year 2000 or 2001, Sennheiser had upgraded the connectors on the HD580s and HD600s to "fix" the dreaded intermittent earpiece-connection problems so common to those models (and the HD525s, HD535s, HD545s and HD565s, as well).

 

[ServinginEcuador]

Quote:

Originally posted by Luvya So what exactly is the difference between Equinox and Cardas? Could you speak from your own experience? I read Kelly's review, and he says the Cardas makes the high a little brighter...Mmm..I dont like phones that are too bright...so Equinox sounds like a safe bet at least...no? [/B]

About $40!! Just kidding. I have only owned the Equinox cables myself, but said what I had read before. When compared to the stock cable the Equinox made quite a difference in the sound. I found it gave the Senn 600s a little more forward sound, the highs got better, and the lows picked up a bit. When I returned mine, yes I returned them, and hooked the stock cables back up I really no longer liked the cans. It made a big difference in the sound.

I don' think the Cardas make the 600s too bright as I listened to a set with them this last weekend and they sounded great. Didn't compare a stock set-up against the Cardas, but really liked them. Not too bright in the least.

I plan on trying out a comparison of stock/Cardas this weekend, but I'll post it only if it happens!! Not sure yet if I can work that out before leaving for CA. Then again if it snows too much here we might not make it back!!!

As to why I returned the Equinox - ergonomics. The long cable relief coming out from the headphones was about 2.5" long and every time I turned my head it got in the way and hit my shoulders. And due to the increased weight of the cables it was difficult to keep the cable from catching and getting in the way of my feet and chair, and last the extra weight and the way they "Y" together just below your neck made it imperative to have the cables dangle exactly straight down or it pulled awkwardly on one earpiece or the other!! For that reason alone it would be worth it to try the Cardas first. I personally would not buy them again.

 

[Duncan]

Quote:

Originally posted by Eagle_Driver That just goes to show you that Duncan's HD580s are older than Luyva's. Sometime in the year 2000 or 2001, Sennheiser had upgraded the connectors on the HD580s and HD600s to "fix" the dreaded intermittent earpiece-connection problems so common to those models (and the HD525s, HD535s, HD545s and HD565s, as well).

Another way to tell mine are older...

On the diaphragm istelf, on the bulbous area... is a number 1... this, to the best of my limited knowledge (there is a thread about it somewhere) is the product run number... so mine, on face value look like they are 'original' HD580s from the mid '90s

Roll on two weeks time when I get the HD600s

 

[ServinginEcuador]

Quote:

Originally posted by Duncan Roll on two weeks time when I get the HD600s

Sweet!! Hope you really like those cans. Isn't it nice to be able to swap those Cardas over for use on the flagship 600s??

 

[Duncan]

Quote:

Originally posted by ServinginEcuador Sweet!! Hope you really like those cans. Isn't it nice to be able to swap those Cardas over for use on the flagship 600s??

Sure is!!

What is even better, I'll be able to do quite an accurate A/B of the Cardas / Stock cable seeing that the HD580s are 95% of the HD600s... I feel a Cardas Cable review coming in the not too distant future

 

[ServinginEcuador]

Quote:

Originally posted by Duncan Sure is!! What is even better, I'll be able to do quite an accurate A/B of the Cardas / Stock cable seeing that the HD580s are 95% of the HD600s... I feel a Cardas Cable review coming in the not too distant future

Great!! I'm sure lots of people are wanting to see if they can save about $100 and get the 580s instead of the 600s!! Just make sure you're careful with the receptor ends in the cans!! Wouldn't want you to ruin a set of cans just to get a review in now would we. It will also be nice to see if the Cardas makes more, less, or the same difference in the two cans. Interesting........