Earbud Recable Help Needed

[xluben]

I have a pair of EX71's which I would like to attach a 4', Y-style cable to. I have cut the EX71's off their original cable (leaving about 3-4" inches, and I stripped the ends. I see one copper and one red wire from the right earbud and one copper and one green wire from the left earbud. I also cut the old drivers off the cable I wish to use and stripped the ends of that one. I see one copper and one red cable from one side and one copper and one blue cable from the other side.

I have tried touching the cables together, but cannot get sound to come out of either of the earbuds. I was hoping I could just connect the cables and cover the junction with some heat shrink tubing. This plan does not seem to be working too well.

What am I doing wrong here? I don't think there's any way I can get to the back of the EX71 drivers to be able to solder directly on to them, but will my wire connecting (kinda like speaker wire) actually work?

 

[nikongod]

you may have to scrape/burn some enamel off of the strands.

 

[xluben]

Should I be making contact with the metal wiring or the cloth like string inside the wire? Neither seems to be working at all.

 

[ayt999]

did you get rid of the enamel? it is the nonconductive (and usually colorful to identify the various channels and grounds) covering for the wires so the signal and ground wires don't short out. use a lighter or something to melt it off to expose the wire inside. after that all the wires should be the same color, copper.

the string is nonconductive and is there for reasons other than carrying the audio signals. structural integrity and similar reasons.

 

[xluben]

OK, now it's all starting to make sense. The different colored wire strands are not only for identification, but also to insulate the wires. I was wondering how two strands could seem to be touching, but not create a short. I also figured the string was there for structural integrety with the wires being so thin.

So, all I have to do is strip the wires, heat up the exposed ends to melt off the coloring and then I should be able to make a connection?

Sounds good, now I have to try and put this together without making it look horrible.

 

[CoppellStereo1]

I know this is an old thread, but I didnt want to start a new one. Did this ever work? I am wanting to re-do the stock cables on my sony ex-81, or does anyone have any suggestions?