[xxxreyxxx]

hi guys, i'm planning to upgrade my kz zs5's cable but i'm so confused about it cause of many variant of the cable so do you guys have recommendation which one should i chose ?

 

[Superluc]

hi guys, i'm planning to upgrade my kz zs5's cable but i'm so confused about it cause of many variant of the cable so do you guys have recommendation which one should i chose ?

https://aliexpress.com/store/produc...108.1000016.1.3706dca2wUaaYD&isOrigTitle=true

 

[Pruikki]

This is some form of futuristic English?

I bet its not comfortable to wear out your ears... Instructions unclear, Ears worn off...

 

[riffrafff]

hi guys, i'm planning to upgrade my kz zs5's cable but i'm so confused about it cause of many variant of the cable so do you guys have recommendation which one should i chose ?

This one is working for me, so far.

https://www.gearbest.com/headphone-accessories/pp_712517.html

 

[paulindss]

Can anyone Tell me, listening to koss porta pro are similar to listening to a earbud, or open back headphones in terms of ayriness and soundstage ?

 

[xxxreyxxx]

https://aliexpress.com/store/produc...108.1000016.1.3706dca2wUaaYD&isOrigTitle=true

whats differentf from silver cable ?
does it provide better sound quality?

 

[govie]

whats differentf from silver cable ?
does it provide better sound quality?

From what I have read in this thread and reviews online is that a different cable is not noticable in soundquality with the zs5 and zs6. The only reason they took another cable was iirc that the memorywire was annoying for some people.

 

[ivo001]

whats differentf from silver cable ?
does it provide better sound quality?

Better flexibility and comfort and less cable noise (microphonics).
Sound is the same.
I like the looks of the black one that I got on my grey ZS5.
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/New...&terminal_id=ca265a0eed6f42ff9409333d0070a86e

 

[hakuzen]

hi guys, i'm planning to upgrade my kz zs5's cable but i'm so confused about it cause of many variant of the cable so do you guys have recommendation which one should i chose ?

i got one cable at least of every kind of replaceable ones for KZs.
My fav one (best conductivity, light and comfortable) is:

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/KZ-...ord-3-5mm-3-pole-Jack-for-KZ/32788061546.html (the clear one!)

note that this one is completely different to the one sold by gearbest: note the black rings in the plug (vs white rings in gearbest's); conductivity is double than gearbest's. it works with KZs ZST, ES3, ZS5, ZS6, etc. and sits flush.

next candidate is:

(you can find it in some places).

in theory, the wire with wider total section (if same material) should have better conductivity (less resistance). but this has a bit worse conductivity than the posted above. however, it's about double conductivity than the other cables (stock and replaceable).
when used with ZS5/ZS6, you can trim all the protruding white plastic to make them sit flush. and you may also want to remove the rigid ear guides.
premium look, the softest one, less microphonic, but it's bigger and heavier than the posted above.

 

[riffrafff]

i got one cable at least of every kind of replaceable ones for KZs.
My fav one (best conductivity, light and comfortable) is:

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/KZ-...ord-3-5mm-3-pole-Jack-for-KZ/32788061546.html (the clear one!)

note that this one is completely different to the one sold by gearbest: note the black rings in the plug (vs white rings in gearbest's); conductivity is double than gearbest's. it works with KZs ZST, ES3, ZS5, ZS6, etc. and sits flush.

next candidate is:

(you can find it in some places).

in theory, the wire with wider total section (if same material) should have better conductivity (less resistance). but this has a bit worse conductivity than the posted above. however, it's about double conductivity than the other cables (stock and replaceable).
when used with ZS5/ZS6, you can trim all the protruding white plastic to make them sit flush. and you may also want to remove the rigid ear guides.
premium look, the softest one, no microfonics, but it's bigger and heavier than the posted above.

Hi. I'd be interested in knowing what resistance readings you're getting on the wires in your top picture.

 

[Superluc]

Better flexibility and comfort and less cable noise (microphonics).
Sound is the same.

 

[hakuzen]

ATTENTION: this post is not being updated anymore.
go to https://www.head-fi.org/threads/resistance-of-cables-pics-comments-and-links.907998/
to watch last updated lists.


DC RESISTANCE AND IMPRESSIONS OF SOME CABLES FOR KZs (BELOW $40, approx., MOST BELOW $25)

resistance, in mΩ: left, right, groundL [, groundR] or L+, R+, L-, R- (balanced), and [weight], in g.

for more expensive cables, mmcx, and others, and more detailed info and pics, check:
DC resistance of some cables (below 400mΩ, average)

measured with high precision multimeter.
low resistance is symptom of quality of wires, plugs, and solders (together with total thickness of the conductor, of course).

notations:
wire material: spc= silver/tin/alloy plated copper; ofc: oxygen-free-copper; <num>c=number of cores
color: silver= white/silver; copper= orange/pink; brown= brown/dark copper; gold= yellow
chinese jack style (metallic): eid= eidolic; oyde= oyaide; furt=furutech
2pins: curved=angled plug; tA=0.75; tB=0.78; tC=curved for zsn available

"upgrade" (separately sold):
(065) jc ally 5n ofc/tpc 4c (copper,cheap furt,tC).........88/86..89/89..90/82..92/93..[36]
(065) jc ally 5n spc/ofc 4c (dark blue,cheap furt,tC)....84..184..80..107..[34.4]
(066) jcally 5n tpc 8c (black,cheap furt,tC)..................249..130..126..126..[29.2]
(053) hck ct1 ofc 8c (brown,slim plugs).......................110 average (115 mmcx) many measured
(053) hck tdy1 spc 8c (silver,slim plugs)......................134..163..132..148 (silver plated)
(052) spc 8c (gold,eid).................................................96..99..91..104
(051) spc 8c (grey,eid)................................................128..128..126..138..[27.4]
(052) spc 8c (silver,eid)...............................................134/126..127/126..129/127..129/129
(052) spc+ofc 8c (silver+copper,eid)...........................135/131..131/132..190/184..208/240
(052) spc 8c (copper,eid)............................................180..average (many measured)
(052) spc 8c (brown,eid).............................................188..188..185..185
(060) hck ct3 ofc 8c (brown,furt).................................206/210..206/204..200/205..486/195
(055) spc 16c (silver,oyde)..........................................221..218..221..232
(070) spc 16c (pink,eid)...............................................240..240..237..252
(063) hck tdy3 tpc 16c (black,furt)...............................223..226..225..230
(062) hck ct2 ofc 16c (brown,furt)................................402..259..239..244
(054) lz 6n frozen copper 8c (brown)...........................240..240..240..300
(155) "silver" spc 8c (silver,eid)...................................256/254..258/249..245/245..260/246
(050) spc 8c (black,oyde)............................................260..270..260..260
(059) kz spc 8c (silver+gold,oyde,tC)..........................281..278..250..255..[17.9]
(057) hck spc 8c (silver,furt)........................................310..303..302..319
(061) hck tdy4 spc 8c (black,furt)................................350..average..(many measured)
(056) trn spc 6nocc 8c tA (black+silver,cheapBal furt).423/414..219/216..289/244..150/223
(056) trn spc 6nocc 8c tA (yellow+silver,cheapBal furt).429..289..265..137
(056) trn spc 6nocc 8c tA (yellow+silver,cheap furt).....454..219..135..267
(058) kz spc+ofc 8c tA (silver+copper,oyde)................216..213..479..503 (diff wires)
(058) kz spc+ofc 8c tB (silver+copper,oyde)................541..552..222..220 (diff wires)
(031) kz curved spc 4c (silver/transp,jack black rings).350/360/400..350/370/390..350/370/400
(050) spc 8c (gold,oyde).............................................346..636..374..443
(014) kz zsn spc 4c (copper,tC)...................................415..425..445..595
(038) kzx4197 spc 8c (silver,metal plugs)....................430..avg (many tested, green/blue patina)
(042) trn curved spc 4c (silver,thick coat,metal)..........570..520..520
(015) kz zsn spc 4c (silver,tC)......................................607..630..653..648
(030) kz straight spc 4c (silver)....................................670/700..670/700..670/700
(040) kz straight ofc spc 4c (grey,thick coat)................690..700..680
(032) kz curved spc 4c (silver,jack white rings)............630/760..600/620..610/830
(034) spc (orange,transparent plugs)..........................700..700..700
(035) spc (grey,transparent plugs)...............................640..790..660
(043) trn curved spc 4c (black,thick coat)..710/720/710..730/750/750..700/730/860..730/740/740

stock curved type:
(014) kz zsn stock spc 4c (copper)............................415..425..445..595
(014) kz zsn stock mic spc 4c (copper).....................395/423..1011/1249..401/494..647/711
(006) kz es3 stock mic...............................................660..660..660..680
(008) kz zsr stock mic................................................640..640..880
(017) kz as06 stock (braided)....................................775..797..784..811
(012) kz as10 stock mic (braided) .............................876..876..903..905
(002) kz zst stock mic.................................................950..870..870
(009) kz zs10 stock mic..............................................850..1220..940..780
(011) kz zsa stock mic (braided).................................876..1179..862..764
(016) kz zsn stock spc 4c (brown)..............................961..701..825..771
(016) kz zsn stock mic spc 4c (brown)........................2260..1161..831..815

stock straight type:
(007) kz zs6 stock.......................................................700..600..390
(004) kz zs5 stock.......................................................660..630..380
(013) kz zs4 stock mic.................................................689..767..686..701
(019) cca c10 stock (braided).....................................816..818..831..818
(000) kz zs3 stock mic.................................................840..840..840
(018) kz zs7 stock mic (braided).................................1165..1133..1159..814

Spoiler: pics, impressions, and some links of upgrade cables for KZs

065. jc ally 5n painted ofc/spc 4c (various colors,cheap furt,tC)
structure: 0.08mm*63(22AWG)*4c pvc sleeve. 500D fiber yarn, to absorb moisture.
they say copper is plated, and then painted. various colors and combinations available. some versions come with a nice small soft fabric zipper pouch.
superb conductivity, due to thickness of cable.
the jack is low quality, though (it's the same than cable 056, trn). this could explain the soldering issues in some units (small space, some threads of positive signal cores are not well soldered).
zsn termination (c-type) is intended for QDC and BQEYZ: pins are inverted polarity respect KZs,
colors are nice, but i'd prefer to achieve it by coloring sleeves, rather than painting conductor.

copper 5n ofc/spc? not painted?: 88/86..89/89..90/82..92/93..[36g]

dark blue painted 5n spc: 84..184..80..107..[34.4g]

4 colors painted (these are the plugs i got with dark blue cable; cheap look)

gold painted 5n spc
...

possible wire used: http://www.lunashops.com/goods.php?id=6229 (not accurate structure, doubtful quality)
or: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/-/32945488579.html (more accurate structure, doubtful quality)
(although conductor quality doesn't match; it's probably 4N or 5N ofc, like jc ally claims)

links:
silver:
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/-/32957936506.html
silver+gold:
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/-/32960771422.html
gold:
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/-/32958004749.html
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/-/32959362129.html
dark blue:
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/-/32957229163.html
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/-/32959322283.html
silver+dark blue:
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/-/32957125438.html
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/-/32957189326.html
4 colors:
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/-/32959266536.html
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/-/32957113799.html
copper (not painted?, more expensive):
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/-/32954964343.html


066. jcally 5n painted tpc 8c (black,cheap furt,tC)
structure: 0.07mm*25(27awg)*8c [2c/signal:24AWG]. 500D nylon. 0.4u plated thickness. anti-oxidation protective paint. pvc sleeve, various colors.
nice conductivity. but i don't like this kind of cheap furutech styled jack (one signal core is not well soldered; small space for solder?).
softer and more flexible than 065.
good enough for not very resolving iems.
zsn termination (c-type) is intended for QDC and BQEYZ: pins are inverted polarity respect KZs,

black (zsn version): 249..130..126..126..[29.2g]

silver:

gold:

links:
black:
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/-/32994432994.html
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/-/32959286936.html
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/-/32965501955.html
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/-/32971877740.html
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/-/32965649117.html
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/-/32957213673.html
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/-/32944517378.html
silver:
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/-/32955789068.html
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/-/32957846448.html
gold:
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/-/32947859742.html


053.
great conductivity. some details (strain reliefs, easier repairable plugs) are better in (052). this wire is thicker, softer but less flexible. weight: 27.2g. variants: copper/ mixed copper & silver plated / silver plated (various colors, worse conductivity though).
structure could be: 0.10mm*19(25awg)*8c [2c/signal:22.5AWG]. if true, and wire material/plugs were better quality, it'd measure about 95mΩ (15-20mΩ less).
however, different color versions use different wire.
decent sound and quality and superb conductivity for the price.

hck ct1 ofc 8c (brown,slim plugs): 110..avg (115 mmcx)..[27g]..many measured

hck tdy1 spc 8c (silver,slim plugs): 134/155..163/150..132/138..148/152

links:
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/-/32916162030.html
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/-/32914622984.html
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/-/32913860097.html
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/-/32913561570.html
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/-/32913617162.html
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/-/32916975214.html


052. oem (various re-branded) chinese cable.
good conductivity, very well built, quite long threaded (repairable and trimmable) plugs.
ofc or tin/alloy plated ofc (unsure, each color use different wire).
0.08mm*19(27awg)*8c [2c/signal:24AWG] or 0.10mm*19(25awg)*8c [2c/signal:22.5AWG].
various terminations, colors: gold, silver, silver+copper, copper, brown, black.
soft and flexible, but in different grades (like conductivity), depending of the wire and color.

oem spc 8c (gold,eid): 96..99..91..104..[27.5]
BEWARE: version with gold plated jack (instead of nickel/rhodium) is being sent from some shops; different wire, resistance ~235mΩ

oem spc 8c (silver,eid): 130..avg..many measured

oem spc+ofc? 8c (silver+copper,eid): 135/131..131/132..190/184..208/240
one type of conductor used for signal, the other type for ground (cold, in balanced)

oem spc 8c (copper,eid): 180..avg..[24.7]..(many measured, the most flexible)

oem spc 8c (brown,eid): 188..188..185..185
...

possible wire used:
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/-/32911867550.html

links:
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/-/32881372793.html (last sent was the worst conductivity version)
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/-/32989617222.html (don't know which version they'll send)
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/-/32900868698.html (don't know which version they'll send)
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/-/32880388943.html
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/-/32882694116.html
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/-/32992895977.html
(there are other shops and re-brands)


051. tpc 8c (grey,eid): 128..128..126..138..[27.4g]
very similar to cables 052. same jacks and strain reliefs, but different termination plugs (2pins plug is flush, not protruding; different splitter and chin slider).
wire could be similar quality to the best 052s.

155. oem (various re-brands) silver spc 8c (silver,eid): 256/254..258/249..245/245..260/246..[23.4g]
advertised as pure silver, it's spc, or even tin/alloy plated copper.
it's funny to see prices going from $80 ("pure silver") to $27 at different shops. the cable is identical.

links:
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/-/32963189583.html nicehck cy1
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/-/32963249926.html nicehck vs audio
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/-/32982939514.html toneking avckck
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/-/32964307166.html antcodo (way cheapest!, various terminations, but not 2.5/4.4mm)
(there are other shops and re-brands)


060. hck ct3 ofc 8c (brown,furt): 206/210..206/204..200/205..486/195
best conductivity and build quality in the cheapest segment (<$10) cables.
very soft and flexible. blue point marks ground/- pin.
sound is acceptable.

links:
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/-/32971728152.html
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/-/32974695270.html


055. spc 16c (silver,oyde): 221/232..218/236..221/221..232/235
16 cores, but worse conductivity than some cheaper 8 cores. (50) is its 8 cores sibling. very soft and flexible, though.
silver:

070. spc 16c (pink,eid): 240..240..237..252..[22.2g]
ultra soft and flexible. nice color for pink lovers. better jack (my fav) than other 16 cores cables.
decent sound.

063. hck tdy3 spc 16c (black,furt): 223..226..225..230
again, not remarkable conductivity being a 16 cores wire.
very soft and flexible. not ear guides. blue point marks ground/- pin.
decent sound.

links:
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/-/32953432742.html
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/-/32956603145.html


062. hck ct2 ofc 16c (brown,furt): 402..259..239..244
worse conductivity (narrower conductor) than its 8 cores sibling.
very soft and flexible. not ear guides. blue point marks ground/- pin.
decent sound.

links:
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/-/32954926911.html
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/-/32953516959.html


050. 2pins version is wrong molded for kz (but good for BQEYZ, for example) in the 2 units i own -watch phase!-. you can remold the ear guides. soft and flexible.
various colors and terminations.

spc 8c (black,oyde): 260..270..260..260

spc 8c (gold,oyde): 346..636..374..443

links:
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/-/32889396437.html
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/-/32854751277.html


059. kz spc 8c (silver+gold,oyde,tC): 281..278..250..255..[17.9g]
kz upgrade cable.
structure: 0.05mm*25(30awg)*8c, equivalent to 27AWG per signal. silver color alloy plated + gold color alloy plated ofc (of course it's not true silver and gold plated).
terminations available: 2pins type A (0.75mm), type C (zsn, 0.75mm), mmcx.
only 3.5mm jack (single end) found.
it uses more even spc wires (silver color alloy plated and gold color alloy plated ofc copper) than last kz cable (058), so you don't find so high and random resistance difference.
good conductivity for the price, decent jack, good strain reliefs, it's last and best upgrade cable made by kz now.

057. nicehck spc 8 cores. very well built, but thin wire, so conductivity is far worse than (052). various colors (and materials?). light and very flexible.
hck spc 8c (silver,furt): 310..303..302..319

copper:

links:
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/-/32884233509.html
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/-/32955497775.html
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/-/32883824667.html
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/-/32955513689.html
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/-/32859444405.html
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/-/32959059115.html


061. hck tdy4 spc 8c (black,furt): 350..average..(many measured)
quite lower conductivity than copper version (narrower conductor).
very soft and flexible. blue point marks ground/- pin.
sound is acceptable.

links:
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/-/32973046302.html
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/-/32971785145.html


056. trn spc 6nocc 8c tA (various colors,cheapBal furt).
trn 8 cores cable.
advertised structure is: 0.08mm*25(26awg)*8c [2c/signal:.~23AWG], "6N monocrystalline occ copper, plated with 85 microns of extruded silver, kevlar fiber reinforced" (judging by the price, it could be alloy plated ofc copper). PE sleeve.
but it looks more of 0.07mm*25(27.2awg)*8c [2c/signal:24AWG], given the resistance values.
the wire looks great (very low resistance), the plugs and splitter look cheap (black color hides this better). available in 0.75mm, 0.78mm, mmcx, and 3.5mm, 2.5mm (balanced),
it would be great if they right soldered the cores; only 1 core for some signals, and possibly, many strands of the cores broken while soldering. very poor solder work.
you won't notice the difference between left and right, in volume (<0.2dB imbalance), but i don't like this uneven measures, it spoils the purpose of using a decent wire. left signal could be lost with time (very few strands of only one core have been soldered).

black and silver: 423/414..219/216..289/244..150/223

gold and silver: 429/454..289/219..265/135..137/267

058. kz upgrade 8 cores cable. two types of wire used (copper and sliver plated copper), which have very different resistance. one type is used for signals (left, right), the other type for ground (cold signals in balanced). the problem is that you can't know which material is used for each (got 2 cables, different configuration; it seems random). dunno why they don't use one core of each type for each signal (that would be real copper+spc mixed), if possible.
in one cable, right plug was molded reversed for kz (had to use a hair dresser to remold it).

031. great value, difficult to find now (black rings in jack)

014. kz zsn spc 4c (copper,tC), no mic: 415..425..445..595
structure could be 0.05mm*2530AWG)*4cores of ofc copper.
stock zsn cable, sold separately, very affordable.
curved A-type (0.75mm) also available.

links:
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/-/32956297616.html
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/-/32981135983.html


038. great value, turns green/blue soon (pairs ok with green/blue and cyan KZ models)

042.

015. kz zsn spc 4c (silver,tC)
25 threads of silver plated copper plus kevlar fiber into each core.
structure could be 0.04mm*25(32AWG)*4cores.

030. first classic kz 4 cores upgrade cable (silver color), straight plug.

040.

032. first classic kz 4 cores upgrade cable (silver color), curved plug. white rings in jack.

034.

035.

043.

edits: added more cables and pics

 

[nkramer]

nice work.

 

[riffrafff]

DC resistance of KZ cables (read by DMMs), in ohms (left, right, and ground):
kz zst/es3(/zs5/zs6) plated (4cords,w/transp,black rings) 0.35/36/40 0.35/37/39 0.35/37/40 <- this is number one (above post)
kz zst/es3(/zs5/zs6+trim) plated+metal plug+6cords 0.42/43/45/52/42/43 0.43/43/45/44/43/44 0.44/43/45/42/44/43 <- this is number two
kz zst/es3(/zs5/zs6) plated (4cords,white,gearbest) 0.63/76 0.60/62 0.61/83
kz es3 stock mic 0.66 0.66 0.66-68
kz zst stock mic 0.95 0.87 0.87
zs3/zs6/zst/es3 colors(orange) 0.70 0.70 0.70
zs3/zs6/zst/es3 colors(gray) 0.64 0.79! 0.66
kz zs3/zs6 plated (4cords) 0.67/70 0.67/70 0.67/70
kz zs3/zs6 ofc plated (4cords,grey,"new") 0.69 0.70 0.68
kz zs6 stock 0.70 0.60 0.39
kz zs5 stock 0.66 0.63 0.38
kz zs3 stock mic 0.84 0.84 0.84

Cool. Thanks for that.

Yeah, that's about what I got on my GearBest white cable (the only one I had with me today at work), On an HP 34401A 6-1/2 digit DMM in 4-wire (Kelvin sensing) mode, I got 0.609, 0.616, and 0.599 Ohms. May have to check it on our HP 3458A 8-1/2 digit lab standard, just for fun.

 

[bsoplinger]

I still think this style is the better choice in cable upgrade, even if it may require trimming the earphone end to make it fit flush.

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Lat...e-0-75mm-2-Pin-2-PIN-Upgrade/32823059586.html

This style is available from a number of sellers for about this price. This particular seller has e-packet shipping to the USA instead of aliexpress.com standard shipping which is why I linked it versus another seller. I haven't ordered from this seller but a few others and I can say that aliexpress.com standard shipping is sloooowwwww.