Why do Hifiman 3.5mm jacks have issues with certain third party 3.5mm plugs?

[TitaniumDust]

My sincere apologies if this topic has been discussed before.

Summary - I have noticed that the 3.5mm jacks that Hifiman uses on some/all of their newest headphones do not work well with certain 3.5mm plugs.

Detail - Recently I have tried (and still own) HE1000 Stealth, and I also tried Arya Organic and Ananda Nano. All three headphones had the same issue. They all work fine with the stock cable - no problems there. The problem comes when I tried a few custom cables. I tried one with Furutech 3.5mm plugs and another with (TOTL) AECO plugs. I have a third cable which I am not sure what the plugs are. Sometimes the connection on a given channel drops low or completely cuts out. I have to replug or twist the plug inside the jack to get a proper connection on that channel. This may work for a while (an hour or more) but then the same issue arises later on. I am constantly fidgeting with the plugs inside the jacks to get a good connection. This has happened with three different Hifiman headphones (listed above) and at least three different third party cables. I look at the plug on the stock cable and compare it to the third party plugs and for the life of me, I cannot see a difference. I have verified there is no issue with the cables themselves as I tried them on my Elex and they all work well with no issues.

Has anyone else encountered this, and if so, have you figured out the exact reason for this? It is driving me crazy. I love the sound of my HE1000 and I also really love the sound of my Arctic Cables cable with AECO plugs, but I cannot figure out what is actually happening and would love to find a solution. Thanks!

 

[dunring]

Have you held both stock and aftermarket plugs up to each other to see if there any larger where the tip connects? If the receiver is recessed inside, it could keep a good connection from being made if the plug part is thicker. I've had almost the whole Hifiman line and never had the problem with Hart Cables or even inexpensive ones like Youkamoo. Even the shape of the cable end, like if it's rounded over or flat could cause a fitment problem. These are TRS aftermarket, not TS cables? I have had problems with the TS cables on some like the Deva Pro Wired.

 

[TitaniumDust]

Thank you for the detailed response, @dunring ! The aftermarket cables were/are indeed TRS which is the same as the stock cable. If I knew what plugs to buy, I could have my expensive cable re-terminated. I am going to reach out to Hifiman directly to see if they can offer any assistance on what plugs are compatible. I have attached a pic of the plugs in question - on the left is the stock cable and on the right is the Arctic Cables cable with AECO connectors. I just don't see any real difference. Any further insight from anyone would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Reputator]

I had zero issues with my Hart cable on my Arya Stealth.

At least they aren't as bad as Meze's midrange stuff. "Oh, you want 3.5mm? Alright fine, but we're going to deeply recess them into the cup so that 98% of available cables won't fit."

 

[TitaniumDust]

FWIW, Hifiman simply suggested that I use the stock cable. It is speculation on my part, but It seems this is yet another example of a company doing little to no compatibility testing. Hey, if it works well with the only cables we have on hand from a single supplier then it must be good to go, right? I don't buy a sports car and then limit the RPM so I am forced to drive it like a family sedan. I have sold the headphones. <end rant LOL!>

 

[Fegefeuer]

I am using a silver cable with AECO connectors and have zero issues. My AECO plugs seem to be different ones with their greyish housing.

 

[MindBreak]

I have used $50 cables off amazon up to $200+ cables from Corpse Cable with no issues here as well. I have used them with both my Arya Stealth and Sundara.

 

[prazvt]

Hey all! So I just got my Edition XS and saw a similar issue. The stock SE cable is fine but if I plug in a Moon Audio blue dragon balanced cable, I get no sound unless I fidget w/ the connector a little (and even then it's in/out). Visually the 3.5mm connectors look the same, but when just comfortably seated there seems to be an issue. I'll probably order another cable to verify, but definitely done buying $200 cables these days. But it's just weird - never had this issue on other headphones.

 

[TitaniumDust]

Hey all! So I just got my Edition XS and saw a similar issue. The stock SE cable is fine but if I plug in a Moon Audio blue dragon balanced cable, I get no sound unless I fidget w/ the connector a little (and even then it's in/out). Visually the 3.5mm connectors look the same, but when just comfortably seated there seems to be an issue. I'll probably order another cable to verify, but definitely done buying $200 cables these days. But it's just weird - never had this issue on other headphones.

I recently got a new Ananda Nano which so far has had no issues with my third party cables. It appears to be a case of luck whether or not the 3.5mm jacks on any recent Hifiman headphone have the problem. As @dunring mentioned above, it appears that the contact point inside the jack is recessed to the point where even micro-mm differences in plug shape or diameter can cause connection problems. I noticed that plugs with thin housings, like the stock cable, and ones from Hart, seem to do better.

 

[prazvt]

Yeah, I can see that. I ordered a cable from Apos made for Hifiman headphones that had good reviews. Will see how that works out.

 

[Blotto80]

I've had troubles in the other direction the stock cable for my R7DX does not work in other headphones without wiggling.

 

[luke gtr]

He1000v2, stock cables are fine.
Tried a nobunaga labs and need to pull back 0.x mm to get them to work.
Which was OK for a while.
Until, I started getting what sounded like water trickling in the RH cup. Turned music down, still there. Unplugged, still there for a little while.
Left unplugged, went away. Tried again, came back.
Try stock cable, hasnt happened again.
Seems the stock cable can insert that fraction more.
Would love an aftermarket option that works, as i dislike the factory cable holding shape.