HIFIMAN HE-400s Cable Help!

[Zacharygoo2]

I'm new to the Headphone world, so I really don't know much about cables.  
 
My first decent pair of headphones was the HIFIMAN HE-400s.  When I got these headphones and realized that they had a braided cable, I got quite disappointing because all of my previous headphones with braided cables have had SO many problems with the cable, while my rubber cables have lasted me several years.  Of course, this cable was no different, and after 4 months of owning the headphones, the right ear started going out and I realized that the cable started to become undone at the connection point to the headphone.  
 
I shopped online for a replacement, only to be greeted by a $129 replacement cable from HIFIMAN, and I was not about to spend anywhere close to that amount.  I instead bought some random 3.5mm male to 2*2.5mm male cable from sennheiser that was closer to $10.  This cable didn't end up working, and I have no clue why.  
 
So I guess I have two questions, how come the sennheiser cable did not end up working, even though all the connectors were the same, and where can I find a cable that does work, and that isn't half of the cost of the headphone themselves?

 

[Dulalala]

I don't think Sennheiser even sells that sort of cable for $10. Where did you buy it? It could be fake and/or defective.

 

[Zacharygoo2]

I misunderstood what I was buying at the time.  The cable is not by sennheiser, but is instead a replacement for a sennheiser pair of headphones.  
https://www.amazon.com/Genuine-Replacement-SENNHEISER-HD212-Pro-Headphones/dp/B008JH9WRI

That is the cable I ended up buying, and I did purchase it from Amazon.

 

[Zacharygoo2]

If the only reason it wouldn't work is because of a defective cable, then I should probably return it.  However, I would still like to know where I can find a cable that will work for my headphones that doesn't cost so much money.

 

[buke9]

I was misunderstood what I had purchased.  It is not from Sennheiser, but instead made as a replacement to Sennheiser headphones.  The cable is currently $20, however I bought it for $11.38. Its name is "Genuine Replacement Cable for SENNHEISER HD212 HD212-Pro HD477 HD497 eH250 eH350 Headphones" however there are reviews claiming that it is not genuine.  The reviews are mostly positive, and has 4 1/2 stars from 50 reviews.

 
If the only reason it wouldn't work is because of a defective cable, then I should probably return it.  However, I would still like to know where I can find a cable that will work for my headphones that doesn't cost so much money.

My HD 700 cable works on the 400S's.

 

[Zacharygoo2]

Is this the cable that came with the headphones?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-Replacement-Audio-upgrade-Cable-For-Sennheiser-HD700-HD-700-Headphone/161743404378?_trksid=p2141725.c100338.m3726&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20150313114020%26meid%3Dd1960d0f2c5f460db1ee0a7662ab901b%26pid%3D100338%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D21%26sd%3D181785749413

Do you think those would work?

 

[buke9]

Is this the cable that came with the headphones?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-Replacement-Audio-upgrade-Cable-For-Sennheiser-HD700-HD-700-Headphone/161743404378?_trksid=p2141725.c100338.m3726&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20150313114020%26meid%3Dd1960d0f2c5f460db1ee0a7662ab901b%26pid%3D100338%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D21%26sd%3D181785749413


Do you think those would work?

That is not a HE cable just a replacement cable for HD 700 but it will work on the HE 400S though.

 

[magicalmouse]

Hi, my cable broke after six months and i found a better made replacement here (UK)

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Sennheise...=e1c0123869f842ba8eeeaa873efd3af4&pid=100102&

This guy makes all sorts of cables for popular headphones, i bought a silver/copper one for the hd650 which was excellent and cut through the sennheiser veil, the he-400s is copper and a super replacement for the oem one which is hard to find and will probably break after a few months - the OEM seem to have poor strain relief where the cable joins the headphone.

As my cable was under warranty Amazon gave a refund on the cost of a new oem one but their system was unable to order me one.

 

[ProtegeManiac]

If the only reason it wouldn't work is because of a defective cable, then I should probably return it. However, I would still like to know where I can find a cable that will work for my headphones that doesn't cost so much money.

I use the HD600 version of this cable. Shielding is a little stiff but I don't really care for that. If anything, the TRS plug at the amp end is nothing like the Neutriks I normally use, but I got this for under $20 and it has a 3.5mm plug with screw in 6.3mm plug.

https://www.amazon.com/NEOMUSICIA-R...8&qid=1497166882&sr=1-1&keywords=HE400S+cable

 

[Old Dirty Puppy]

I own a pair of HE400s and I had the same problem with their over price crappy cable. After the right ear cup connector started giving me problems I bought a 20 dollar cable from Amazon that worked just as well as the orginal.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B06Y...X236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=he+400s+cable

Also if you are into DIY it's not that hard to make your own cables. On Ebay I was able to get Hifiman 2.5mm connectors for cheap, and I used 26 gauge speaker wire for my cables. So far I've made a 6 foot 6.5mm cable and a 6 foot balanced 4 pin XLR cable.