DIY Cable Questions and Comments Thread

[buke9]

Less strands more stiff.

 

[ExabytE]

Thanks. I'll guess i'll try the 26awg one from the first link for iems and if i'll like it, 22-24 awg for headphones in the future.
I assume you guys use 4 wires for braiding to look nicer right? How long should be an individual wire to have lets say 1 meter(or 1 ft whatever) long finished cable after braiding?

 

[Whitigir]

Less strands more stiff.

Very true, especially for in ears. Headphones is ok with many types even Solid cores but for in ears, the more flexible the more comfortable

 

[SVTong]

  Thanks. I'll guess i'll try the 26awg one from the first link for iems and if i'll like it, 22-24 awg for headphones in the future.
I assume you guys use 4 wires for braiding to look nicer right? How long should be an individual wire to have lets say 1 meter(or 1 ft whatever) long finished cable after braiding?

It depends on how tightly you braid it, but I usually add 25% more length for a 4-strand braid.

 

[jchandler3]

Hey guys, another braiding question:
 
I'd like to try my hand at a 4-strand litz braid. I'm wondering if it's possible to create the Y-split by just stopping the litz pattern and start twisting the pairs. Does that look weird? Become loose? Fall apart? I can't picture what it might do.
 
Thanks!

 

[JohnRS]

Hey guys, another braiding question:

I'd like to try my hand at a 4-strand litz braid. I'm wondering if it's possible to create the Y-split by just stopping the litz pattern and start twisting the pairs. Does that look weird? Become loose? Fall apart? I can't picture what it might do.

Thanks!

Ive only just finished my first one but that's what I done and appears to be what others do.
Here is mine. I sleeved my individual cables but you get the idea.

 

[wgrish7]

Have any of you done a removable cable mod for earphones?
My earphone wires corroded.
Something like this:

 

[buke9]

Hey guys, another braiding question:

I'd like to try my hand at a 4-strand litz braid. I'm wondering if it's possible to create the Y-split by just stopping the litz pattern and start twisting the pairs. Does that look weird? Become loose? Fall apart? I can't picture what it might do.

Thanks!

That's no problem but I would put some heat shrink to keep it from unraveling or use a splitter like in the above cable. I did a 8 wire and 4 wire to the cups for my Ether C's and didn't put a thing on it the 4 wire braid keeps the 8 intact.

 

[Sakujin]

I'm also curious about the quality of those chinese ebay silver or copper wires for headphones, are they better or different in what way with ur stock headphone cables. Thanks in advance!

It's been a few days that I looked at the braided version but havn't found any review so this has kept me from trying them out.

Here are the ones I'm currently looking at:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Braided-Teflon-OCC-Copper-Silver-plated-wire-HIFI-DIY-audio-Headphone-cable-5M-/182413412534?hash=item2a78afc8b6:g:RY8AAOSwjDZYcIu8

http://www.ebay.com/itm/5m-high-purity-OCC-PTFE-cable-wire-For-HIFI-audio-Headphone-speaker-upgrade-DIY/191991732008?_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D2%26asc%3D20131003132420%26meid%3D473b8b37bf52415aa08351e392733c80%26pid%3D100005%26rk%3D2%26rkt%3D6%26sd%3D182413409895

http://www.ebay.com/itm/5m-High-End-PTFE-OCC-Silver-wire-Cable-For-HIFI-AUDIO-AMP-Headphone-Speaker-DIY-/201687024642?hash=item2ef57bc402:g:KdwAAOSw4DJYgeP4

 

[AudioNewbi3]

Good evening everyone,
 
Has anyone in this thread attempted to use a 3.5mm stereo jack for mono use?

I am currently making a cable for one of my headphones and noticed that I do not have any mono jack available......so can I use a stereo jack? 
If so, how should I wire it?

Below is a simple illustration of my potential cable

                                                                                        =================(3.5mm Mono Jack for left channel)
                                                      (wire)                         ||
(3.5mm Stereo Jack)======================== ||
                                                                                        ||
                                                                                        =================(3.5mm Mono Jack for right channel)


So I do not have any mono jacks available, can I use a stereo jack?

Thank-you

EDIT: If it is feasible, should I go for option A or B?


 

 

[buke9]

Good evening everyone,

Has anyone in this thread attempted to use a 3.5mm stereo jack for mono use?


I am currently making a cable for one of my headphones and noticed that I do not have any mono jack available......so can I use a stereo jack? 

If so, how should I wire it?


Below is a simple illustration of my potential cable


                                                                                        =================(3.5mm Mono Jack for left channel)

                                                      (wire)                         ||

(3.5mm Stereo Jack)======================== ||
                                                                                        ||
                                                                                        =================(3.5mm Mono Jack for right channel)



So I do not have any mono jacks available, can I use a stereo jack?


Thank-you


EDIT: If it is feasible, should I go for option A or B

I think either will work . I think in mono the connection is made at where the ring is on a mono plug but to be sure you can jumper the ring and sleeve together.

 

[Paladin79]

It depends on the brand of connectors (plugs and jacks). The spacing can be off between the rings between stereo and mono connectors. I have posted photos before showing the differences. Ever hear someone say I pulled the plug part way out and it started working? That is because the spacing between the rings was off slightly.

 

[PinkyPowers]

Yikes! I didn't realize the danger.

When I soldered my Meze Cable, I used 3.5mm TRS instead of mono. I used the tip and the shield, but left the ring unconnected. I didn't know which way to jumper it. Channel to ring, or ground to ring. The cable works beautifully, but I guess it could have been an epic fail. :eek:

 

[Allanmarcus]

Yikes! I didn't realize the danger.

When I soldered my Meze Cable, I used 3.5mm TRS instead of mono. I used the tip and the shield, but left the ring unconnected. I didn't know which way to jumper it. Channel to ring, or ground to ring. The cable works beautifully, but I guess it could have been an epic fail.

That is the risk you take with wood cups: fire!
 
Of course my cans have beryllium in them, so I need to be extra careful

 

[AudioNewbi3]

I think either will work . I think in mono the connection is made at where the ring is on a mono plug but to be sure you can jumper the ring and sleeve together.

 
 

  It depends on the brand of connectors (plugs and jacks). The spacing can be off between the rings between stereo and mono connectors. I have posted photos before showing the differences. Ever hear someone say I pulled the plug part way out and it started working? That is because the spacing between the rings was off slightly.

May I kindly have a link to the post which you have made?
 

Yikes! I didn't realize the danger.

When I soldered my Meze Cable, I used 3.5mm TRS instead of mono. I used the tip and the shield, but left the ring unconnected. I didn't know which way to jumper it. Channel to ring, or ground to ring. The cable works beautifully, but I guess it could have been an epic fail.

 

 
 
Judging from all the replies here, especially the one about different connector length, I guess the safest bet would be to just use the Tip and Sleve of the TRS connector.