UE-1Xpro cable question

[CD44hi]

Just got a replacement cable for my ue10pro. [If the issue discussed below is something known, please bear with me, I have not been too active in the forum lately and may have missed this info.]

The original cable is beefier and has the UE logo at the Y junction. The new cable just looks..., well sincerely.... flimsy in comparison. More like the cables I found in cheaper universal IEMs. Also, the connectors in the old one have a groove that matches a groove in the monitor itself (a la Senn HD6XX). This groove is absent in the replacement cable.

I did a quick search in the forums looking for info as to whether I may have gotten a wrong replacement cable (or whether UE changed their custom cables.) Got nothing as definitive answer. Also, it is hard by just looking at some pictures as most only show the monitors but not the cables.

So, is the cable in the new (read current) custom UE-10pro/11pro that flimsy? I realize this has nothing to do with sound, but I liked the sturdier cable as it has a better feel. I haven't compared them sonically.

Any comments?

 

[jmageshazam]

Its not flimsy at all. I've had mine for about a year with no problems. However, the original, old ue's came with a very flimsy cable i broke in about 2 weeks (it was like 1/4mm thick and super flexible).

 

[CD44hi]

well it certainly looks flimsy compared to the old one. I have had the original thicker one for about two years without any issues other than wear on the rubber strain support at the jack.

How about the grooves in the connector? do you have them in the replacement cable?
My monitors/older cable have these matching grooves. That is making the installation quite cumbersome. I think these seem not to be the right ones for these monitors...

 

[2deadeyes]

Do you mind posting some pics? I'm looking into replacing the cables on mine since it's starting to oxidize pretty bad.

 

[chowk]

Pictures please!

 

[CD44hi]

OK, after looking at the cables carefully: It seems the older cable has an extra layer of material (external shrink, if you will). For my purposes that external layer provided some rigidity on the terminals that prevented the monitors from banging around too much. In other words, it provided more control over manipulation. Thus when hanging from my neck when not in immediate use, they were more stable.

The newer cable is lighter and much more flexible. This may be a plus for some. The cable itself is composed of three braided strands from the jack to the Y-junction, then each monitor terminal has two braided strands.

In sonic-terms, I am not sure there is any difference. If anything, the high freqs sound more neutral with the new cable, but it is subtle. It also seems to take a bit more juice to reach similar volume, but again this is subtle. At least with this associated equipment, which was an ipod touch/LOD/Mini3.

Word from UE was that this is indeed the new "universal" replacement cable. Sort of amusing to mix the word "custom" monitor and "universal" cable in one product?

 

[number1sixerfan]

The one on the right is the new cable and boy do I HATE it. I can't wait for Alex to offer his recabling job. It tangles far too easily and just seems to flimsy.

 

[2deadeyes]

Did the cost change at all?

 

[CD44hi]

Quote:

Originally Posted by number1sixerfan /img/forum/go_quote.gif The one on the right is the new cable and boy do I HATE it. I can't wait for Alex to offer his recabling job. It tangles far too easily and just seems to flimsy.

After a few hours of use, I agree. It is a pretty bad choice of cable for these heavy monitors. They need something beefier. Someone needs to come up with a better replacement cable!

So are the new UE11pro shipping with this thinner cables? Could someone please confirm?

 

[CD44hi]

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2deadeyes /img/forum/go_quote.gif Did the cost change at all?

I have no idea. This is the first time I had to buy a replacement cable for the 10s.

In fact, I may just try to salvage the older cable. My guess is that it only needs some extra support on the worn support ruffles near the jack. Some extra shrink or electrical tape around that area should do the trick

 

[filipelli]

Quote:

Originally Posted by number1sixerfan /img/forum/go_quote.gif The one on the right is the new cable and boy do I HATE it. I can't wait for Alex to offer his recabling job. It tangles far too easily and just seems to flimsy.

Is Alex going to offer a recabling job? If so, when?!?!

I have some pics of the Es2 and the new UE cable as well as a pure silver custom job in my sig if you guys want to look at more pics.