Yet another HD600 cable upgrade question

[peter braun]

I would like to upgrade the cables on my HD600s, but DO NOT want to spend the money on the Cardas' or Clou Reds. Would the Clou Blues provide a noticeble improvement (besides looking better than the cheesy originals)? I mostly see them used on the 580s,but how do they fair with 600s? Please both 580 and 600 users let me know any of your thoughts on the matter. Thanks.

 

[fyrfytrhoges]

my personal opinion on this is that if you have already spent the money on the hd600 why not spend what it takes to get it to sound its best, from what I have read the cardas smurf seems to be the favorite cable upgrade for the hd600 for quite awhile. I own one and cannot even imagine settling for anything less than the cardas! Headphone cable upgrades seem to be some of the best money you can spend upgrade wise, I also spent the money on the equinox cable for the hd590 and again cannot imagine any less, the difference is just too great to deny. Hope this helps even if it's not quite what you were hoping to hear, I know it hurts the wallet a bit, but then again you obviously wanted some of the best phones out there so why not make them all they can be????

 

[peter braun]

How much do the Equinox cables sell for used? They seem kind of the mid-way point in performance between the Clou Blues and the Cardas cables.

 

[ooheadsoo]

Equinox are more expensive than the cardas if anything. And they are quite often considered superior to the cardas, depending on your tastes in music.

 

[andrzejpw]

Personally, I find the clou blues to be VERY, very pleasing. To me, the step between cardas and clou isn't at all as large as some people make it out to be. Listening to it right now, in fact

. The highs open up in an unimaginable way. So brilliant and clear. The bass gains extension and impact. An all-around great performer.

 

[jpelg]

At the last NY meet, we found a surprising difference between the Clou Blue and Clou Reds, with the Reds being much better. Still, both were much better than the stock cable.

Then came the Cardas (again, an order of magnitude better than both Clou's), and the best being the Equinox to most of our ears (although not as big a difference between these two as the others).

That was pretty much the consensus of all who participated, for whatever that's worth.

 

[ooheadsoo]

Do you think it is worth the money upgrading by spending an additional $70-80 from the clou red to the cardas or equinox? Ok, I know that the cardas is "significantly better" than the clou red, but is it a good value? I've read a couple opinions, just wondering if any more would come out of the woodwork.

 

[jpelg]

The aftermarket cables are "must buys" for the Senn HD580/600's, so just resolve yourself to the fact. They turn good phones with some obvious bad traits, into pretty darn awesome cans.

Ergonomically, the Cardas and the Equinox are much better than the Clou's which are very stiff. Soundwise, you could easily be very happy with the Clou Reds though. But you'd always wonder wouldn't you? Just get whichever of the Cardas or Equinox floats your boat and be happy for longer.

 

[ooheadsoo]

Oops, ignore this.

 

[Dave]

I upgraded from the stock cables to the Clou Blue and I found the difference to be more than worth it. So much so, that I'd never go back to the stock cables again. In the long run though, I think it's worth getting the best ones you can find.

 

[jpelg]

There's a Clou Red in the FS forum right now. Well worth the asking price.

 

[peter braun]

Quote:

There's a Clou Red in the FS forum right now. Well worth the asking price.

Thanks jpelg for the heads up, but I was just doing a little research. Come spring however, anyone who wants to sell a Clou Blue or Red cable please let me know.