i feel like recabeling my ksc75, help wanted

[kuzzz]

so yeah what do i need to get started? i want the cable to be some kind of braid
but i dont have a clue what wire i need. flexability is very important i dont dont want them to break 'cuz i use them all day, the plug has to be 90° dont but know what plug to get either.. contact pressure has to be high so the plug doesnt get out of the jack that easy, price isnt that important but dont overdo..
thx for your help

 

[MoonHawk]

Im a fan of the Neutrik NTP3RC right angle connector. Relatively small and good quality. For cable I suggest mini canare starquad L-4E5C. Just strip off the shielding down to where you want the "Y" and take the twisted pairs up to the earpieces and cover them with some kinda tech-flex.

 

[Sherwood]

You probably won't like this answer, but I'm throwing it out there:

Don't bother.

That's not to say that recabling doesn't improve the sound of the KSC 75, because they sound much better with decent cables, but decent cables are usually a thicker gauge than is useful for cans that hook onto your ears. I've recabled to 22 and 24 gauge, and neither is anywhere near as portable as the stock KSC, which seems to be a big concern. To achieve a similar level of portability, you'll need to use 28 or even 30 AWG which, in my eyes, removes a lot of the benefit of recabling.

If you must, though, you'd do well with silver plated copper and a 90 degree neutrik plug. Those are reasonably cheap, durable, and the most attractive DIY plugs I know of. I don't know immediately of any EU distributors for parts, but a search should turn up plenty of information.

 

[rwest1389]

I'm just beginning to think about recabling, and have no diy experience, but is it possible to use a westone cord to recable?
http://www.westone.com/cgi-local/Sof...html?E+scstore
I love its strength, flexibility, and feel. I'm not sure if it would be an improvement in sound, but is it possible/feasible?
Thanks for enlightening a noob.

 

[CAvanessia]

I recommend eBay seller navships. He sells silver plated copper wires that are VERY good quality. very cheap also (around $10 for 50 ft).

I used to have mini starquad on the ksc75s with a high quality switchcraft 90 degree connector. This was very robust but very heavy!!

I purchased 26 gauge wires and did a 4-wire braid. it is less flexible than the stock wires but definitely will not be a problem in my opinion. this is MUCH more flexible than the mini starquad. If you want, you can purchase 30 gauge wires from navships. This will be very good.

I would suggest the neutrik right angle plug and the silver plated copper wires for portability.

 

[threEchelon]

Neutrik plugs are thin and can slip out of loose jacks like those found on iPods. Switchcraft plugs are very firm and will not slip out.

Recabling with thin wire, such as 28 and 30 AWG (solid 30 AWG even), is fine. Larger gauges are excessive for headphone cables and are both heavy and inflexible. You already want a thin cable, so keep it that way.

 

[threEchelon]

Quote:

Originally Posted by CAvanessia /img/forum/go_quote.gif I recommend eBay seller navships. He sells silver plated copper wires that are VERY good quality. very cheap also (around $10 for 50 ft).

Not when you can get 500' for under $25 including shipping.

 

[CAvanessia]

where can I get 500' for $25?

I would like to get some more if they are the same as the SPC from navships

 

[Sherwood]

The navships wire doesn't seem to be color coded, and it's seven conductor. Do you have to test every strand with an MM to determine which is which?

 

[CAvanessia]

that's the only way that i know

 

[Sherwood]

Well inefficient methods FTW, I guess...

Personally I dig how heavy my 20 AWG modded 75s are. Makes me feel like I'm doing something illicit just wearing them. Probably just me. In fact, thinking about it makes me feel a little like Patrick.

 

[kamal007]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sherwood /img/forum/go_quote.gif Well inefficient methods FTW, I guess... Personally I dig how heavy my 20 AWG modded 75s are. Makes me feel like I'm doing something illicit just wearing them. Probably just me. In fact, thinking about it makes me feel a little like Patrick.

the one that you're selling?

 

[threEchelon]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sherwood /img/forum/go_quote.gif The navships wire doesn't seem to be color coded, and it's seven conductor. Do you have to test every strand with an MM to determine which is which?

It's stranded wire. The strands are bare and touch each other, so they're all carrying the same signal.

 

[threEchelon]

Quote:

Originally Posted by CAvanessia /img/forum/go_quote.gif where can I get 500' for $25? I would like to get some more if they are the same as the SPC from navships

Random ebay sellers have much lower prices than navships, and all teflon coated silver plated copper you buy is pretty much the same quality.

There are websites that sell entire lines of silver plated copper, but I don't know what their prices are, since I've never asked for a quote. Here's a website that has an extensive lineup: http://www.lappusa.com/sect12contents.htm. The different types of PTFE Hook-up Wire have different insulation thicknesses.

 

[Sherwood]

Quote:

Originally Posted by kamal007 /img/forum/go_quote.gif the one that you're selling?

To be precise, the ones I've already sold.

Quote:

Originally Posted by threEchelon /img/forum/go_quote.gif It's stranded wire. The strands are bare and touch each other, so they're all carrying the same signal.

It was my impression that they were independently insulated strands, not one seven stranded conductor. If it's just seven strands, that's not terribly useful unless you're going to pull it apart and insulate them, and why would you bother?