TLDRonin
500+ Head-Fier
Yes, the newest copper/silver 8-braided cables. The ones that look similar to the new TRN cables (although they are different from one another).
Out of phase means 1 driver’s + and - is wired opposite the other driver. So the drivers are basically moving in opposite phase to one another. Like if you had a 4WD car, but the front wheels were going forward and the rear wheels were going reverse. It wouldn’t drive properly.
Also, I’m not saying they’re bad. Being wired out of phase is a QC thing, and can (and does) happen to all manufacturers from time to time. The key is testing all cables/headphones ASAP so you can get a refund/exchange right away.
You should also always test that the channels are correct (and not switched).
There’s a few ways to test it:
1. There’s tests on audiocheck.net
https://www.audiocheck.net/audiotests_stereo.php
https://www.audiocheck.net/audiotests_polaritycheck.php
2. This is a great test:
3. I created my own MP3 file that can be loaded onto any phone of DAP. Like the video I linked in #2, it tests the channels AND phase in one swoop. I also made matching cover art, which visually follows along with the music for easy identification as to what it’s testing. I don’t have anywhere to post it, but anyone interested can PM me and I’ll send it to you.
When it’s out of phase, it sounds like the music is “outside” of your head, like there’s a speaker on each side of your ear, about 10 feet away. It just doesn’t sound right. When it’s in phase, music sounds like it’s “in” your head, or like there’s a speaker on each side of your ear about 1” away. You’ll know the difference when you hear it.
So that’s what it was. When I used the KZ Cable with my ZSN it sounded off and I came to the conclusion it was because the pins werent long enough (because of the ZSNs pin housing style)
I used the audio check tests and all the out of phase sound tests sounded like they were in phase and vice versa. Wonder how KZ will address this issue