[jmpsmash]

what a differential pair mean is that there are 2 conductors and the receiving device takes the difference between the 2 conductors as the signal. so a signal coming from the source device will be converted to a positive and negative version of itself and then passed to the positive and negative conductor respectively. mathematically: positive - negative = 2 positive

normally, since the cable is next to each other, the same noise is introduced into the 2 conductors, then the receiving device will cancel out the noise. mathematically: (positive+noise) - (negative+noise) = 2 positive

2 conductors sitting parallel to each other are not the same EXACT distance to the noise source though, esp if the noise source is close by, twisted pair fixes this. twisted differential pair, or just twisted pair, is better than 2 separate parallel cables because in a twisted pair, the average distance of the 2 cables to the source of the noise is the same therefore the strength of the noise is the same. mathematically, same as above, but just ensures the positive noise = negative noise as close as possible. the difference in distance is really small, but for things like microphone cable in concert hall or for long runs of ethernet cable the total difference can be significant.

Shield is another way to reduce noise, if the shield is properly grounded, it forms what's is called a Faraday cage and block the noise from getting to the signal cable.

 

[kingkikapu]

I'm curious how much wire you guys are putting in a good full sized headphone cable? I've got an 8 wire 24 awg stranded cable made. That works out to about 15awg.

What are you running?

 

[Allanmarcus]

I'm curious how much wire you guys are putting in a good full sized headphone cable? I've got an 8 wire 24 awg stranded cable made. That works out to about 15awg.

What are you running?

I have some 4 strand and some 16 strand. No sonic differences as far as I can tell. sonically, I think 24-28 AWG is all you need. Anything else is just for fun.

 

[jmpsmash]

I'm curious how much wire you guys are putting in a good full sized headphone cable? I've got an 8 wire 24 awg stranded cable made. That works out to about 15awg.

What are you running?

I recently put together a 8 wire. dual mono 4 wire, each with 2x 18awg copper and 2x 28awg silver. The 2 4x wire bundles are twisted together and wrapped in flexicord. I wasn't too sure about the ergonomics before I started but turned out quite OK. can't say much about the workmanship though as this is my first attempt. The sound was a bit thinner than I expected. Maybe next time I will skip the silver.

 

[legopart]

I used the thin one (I accidentally order only 1mm) 8 strands: 1.6m
1 strand for L+
1 strand for R+
3 strands for R-
3 strands for L-

and put it on XLR cable with option to use it with STR adapter (that connect the L- and R- to GND)
I believe that the signal wire had to be alone

I made another XLR cable from shilded one, each pair of cable shilded. 1.8m
R- and L- separately got the shield (it's improve the quality in my opinion), like on semi balanced cable

https://www.ebay.com/itm/4core-Copp...VYDrv_PnBH4008KErg:rk:1:pf:0&var=541077174101

really stran

 

[galangerz]

hi!! so I'm new to this and maybe this has already been answered here so if some guidance can be given that'd be much appreciated!!

one of my IEM cables has a faulty 3.5mm SE jack that cuts out sound when pressured is applied in a certain direction. I happen to have a cheap 2.5mm balanced cable and was wondering if it's possible for me to switch terminations myself (I'm mediocre at soldering).

most searches I've done usually has to do with larger terminations for headphones or other systems I'm unfamiliar with so I didn't know where else to look

any help is much appreciated thanks!!

 

[Allanmarcus]

hi!! so I'm new to this and maybe this has already been answered here so if some guidance can be given that'd be much appreciated!!

one of my IEM cables has a faulty 3.5mm SE jack that cuts out sound when pressured is applied in a certain direction. I happen to have a cheap 2.5mm balanced cable and was wondering if it's possible for me to switch terminations myself (I'm mediocre at soldering).

most searches I've done usually has to do with larger terminations for headphones or other systems I'm unfamiliar with so I didn't know where else to look

any help is much appreciated thanks!!

If you can unscrew the plugs and see the wires , you might be able to. Post pictures.

 

[galangerz]

If you can unscrew the plugs and see the wires , you might be able to. Post pictures.

if any more pictures are needed, let me know, I know these are not the best.

so the first should be the cheap balanced termination, I can see all the yellow wires being soldered in the middle, with the white wires split on each end.

the next pic is the furutech connector from a cable made by someone who runs an audio store near me. I can't see much past the hot glue but I guess you guys know more about furutech SE connectors.

I don't care about scrapping the balanced cable, I just need the connector.

I really appreciate the feedback )

 

[Paladin79]

https://www.woot.com/offers/astro-7-in-1-workbench-diy-work-station?ref=w_cnt_gw_dly_tl

Here is an interesting price for a versatile, portable work bench. They are on Amazon for $209 so this price is certainly reasonable. Often in the winter my shop gets pretty cold so I can set up one of these in another part of the house and use it when needed.

 

[rundeploy]

Hello, i want to make a custom cable for HD 6XX, but not sure about the wires connection. I have 4 Wires: 2 Red and 2 Black. On the TRS connector: Red1 goes to Tip (Left Channel), Red2 goes to Ring (Right Channel). Black1 and Black2 goes to Sleeve. And on the connectors to the headphone (don't know the name of those connectors) it goes like on this image:

Red1 (Left Channel) goes to the (+) Black connector and one of the Black1 or Black2 (any can go, right ? I'll choose Black1) goes to (-) of the Black Connector. Red2 (Right Channel) goes to the (+) Red connector and Black2 goes to (-) of the Red Connector, in this case.
Can anyone confirm, please, if all the described is correct ?

 

[ThanosD]

So guys, I recently built a single-ended 3.5mm 4core cable for my CIEMs, with mmcx termination at the IEMs' side. I intend to get a balanced source, and I would like to turn the cable to balanced 2.5mm. But I came across this picture:
Which termination should I choose? Which one is the most common? (The source will be the Zishan DSD DAP)

And another thing: I can see adapters for balanced cables to single ended. What would the wiring of such an adapter be? L+ and R+ on tip and ring respectively, and the L- and R- together on the sleeve of a 3.5mm 3pole jack?

 

[hakuzen]

So guys, I recently built a single-ended 3.5mm 4core cable for my CIEMs, with mmcx termination at the IEMs' side. I intend to get a balanced source, and I would like to turn the cable to balanced 2.5mm. But I came across this picture:
Which termination should I choose? Which one is the most common? (The source will be the Zishan DSD DAP)

And another thing: I can see adapters for balanced cables to single ended. What would the wiring of such an adapter be? L+ and R+ on tip and ring respectively, and the L- and R- together on the sleeve of a 3.5mm 3pole jack?

i think AK DAP in your table is the most common

 

[ThanosD]

i think AK DAP in your table is the most common

Yeah, that's probably correct. The guys from another thread measured a cable that was suitable for my application, and came to the same conclusion. Thanks!

 

[Pingupenguins]

https://www.head-fi.org/articles/diy-cable-info-and-resources.14308/

I use this all the time to pull up pin-outs. Scroll down to Headphone connectors and you should see all the designations for all the wiring. 2.5mm and Sennheiser (based on pin size)

Hello, i want to make a custom cable for HD 6XX, but not sure about the wires connection. I have 4 Wires: 2 Red and 2 Black. On the TRS connector: Red1 goes to Tip (Left Channel), Red2 goes to Ring (Right Channel). Black1 and Black2 goes to Sleeve. And on the connectors to the headphone (don't know the name of those connectors) it goes like on this image:

Red1 (Left Channel) goes to the (+) Black connector and one of the Black1 or Black2 (any can go, right ? I'll choose Black1) goes to (-) of the Black Connector. Red2 (Right Channel) goes to the (+) Red connector and Black2 goes to (-) of the Red Connector, in this case.
Can anyone confirm, please, if all the described is correct ?

 

[demevalos]

I'm looking to build a cable for my Tin Audio T2, which will be MMCX on the headphones side, and a 3.5mm on the other. I have the whole concept of building it down, except what to use as the flexible heatshrink on the headphone side, so I can wrap the cable around my ears and have it stay in place? What do you guys use?