Okay, so here is my review of the Dekoni Audio HD8XX Balanced 4 Pin XLR Cable (Disclaimer: the cable was provided to me for free, provided that I write a reviewing a timely manner):
It took only the weekend for me to receive the Dekoni Audio HD8XX 4-pin XLR cable (from NY to TX) and I have only spent the last several days testing it. Why am I posting the review now, when I could be spending more time testing it? Well, I already have three HD8XX (any type, whether it be HD800, HD800S, HD820, or HD8XX, and not the ear pads, which the HD820 differs from the others) cables that I have owned for at least two years: the stock Sennheiser cable with a silver 1/4” connector that came with the HD800, a stock Sennheiser cable with a black 1/4” connector that came with the HD800S, and an aftermarket 5’-6’ cable with a 4.4mm Balanced connector. The stock Sennheiser cable with a silver 1/4” connector eventually had the sheathing on the right side crack and expose the core, leaving the core to oxidize and turn green. The stock Sennheiser one with a black 1/4” connector is still being used today, so the sheathing was improved, but still feels the same, which is rubbery. The aftermarket one with 4.4mm balanced connector is the most durable with the most comfort of the three, so I will compare it directly with the Dekoni Audio HD8XX cable in this review with pictures.
The aftermarket HD8XX cable is lined with a fabric sheathing, while Dekoni Audio HD8XX cable is lined with plastic sheathing. While the fabric produced less microphonic resonance from friction that the rubber on the stock cables, the plastic on the Dekoni Audio cables produces even less microphonic resonance than the aftermarket cable. If anything, I have to rub the Dekoni Audio HD8XX plastic cable sheathing past the y-split and closer to my ear very fast to make some kind of audible microphonic resonance, which really does not happen in practice as you listen to music.
The aftermarket HD8XX connectors are on the left with the long strain reliefs, whereas the Dekoni HD8XX connectors are on the right. The Dekoni HD8XX connectors are shorter to better line up with the HD8XX ear cups, so that you are much less likely to poke yourself when shrugging your shoulders or leaning your head towards your shoulders. Durability is the same, but Dekoni proves to be more convenient and comfortable around this area.
The braiding of the aftermarket HD8XX cable was consistently about almost an inch from each other, whereas the Dekoni Audio HD8XX cable braiding was much more intricate. The fabric sheathing and inner rubber lining of the aftermarket HD8XX thickness was greater than the Dekoni Audio HD8XX cable’s plastic sheathing and metal core thickness, which not just further reduced microphonic resonance from friction...
...but also caused less cable bending and snaging, either when storing the cables, like pictures above, or when listening and moving around. The overall convenience that the Dekoni Audio HD8XX cable has leaves the listener worrying less about where the cable is moving and more on the details and nuances of what the listener is auditioning.
The y-split connector for the aftermarket HD8XX cable is on top, whereas the y-split connector for the Dekoni HD8XX cable is on the bottom. Yes, the y-split connector above is obviously much heavier, but the final picture also visually summarizes the overall fit-and-finish of both cables. While the aftermarket HD8XX cable improves on a lot of the shortcomings that the stock HD8XX cables have, this aftermarket cable does not have fit-and-finish that the Dekoni HD8XX cable possesses, whether it is in the plastic sheathing, more intricate brading, shorter ear cup connectors, or the much lighter y-split connector.
All of the cables basically sound the same to me, so the differences are all in the physical details. However, just having the best overall fit-and-finish that the Dekoni HD8XX cable provides makes the higher price that much more worthwhile. Convenience and comfort are not sound details or nuances themselves, but add more enjoyment to the overall listening experience. Once again, I would like to formally thank Dekoni Audio for providing me this opportunity to make this review.
Looking forward to your impressions!
