Zu Mobius vs. HD650 stock cable - I could use some help deciding :D

[Xenon]

Hi ppl!
Im also looking for a replacement cable - cause my current HD600 stock cable is not working properly anymore... Im thinking about buying a Zu Mobius or the 650 stock cable. I've read bundles of threads about the Zu Mobius cable - but theres many different oppinions about the cable.

What I would hope to achieve if I bought the Zu Mobius would be a wider stage, brighter sound, more dynamic sound and perhaps a bit more bass - im definatly not interested in getting a boomy "overkill" bass that steals the entire image though... I dunno what to expect from the HD650 stock cable...

I'd really like some advise from anyone who has tried both cables (other are very welcome to add oppinions as well

) - as I am planning to buy a 5 meter cable price is kinda a factor too...

Furthermore I can add that I listen mainly to triphop-jazz-electro-trance kinda stuff through a EMU 1820M soundcard (I recommend that card very much btw - it won a PISA award a couple of years ago and shouldnt be to pricy anymore - it has a powerfull balaced headphonestage output that can pull up to 600Ohm cans - dont recall the exact W output)...

I hope some of u can help me decide

 

[tom hankins]

Everything you ask for the Zu cable will add to your HD600. I doubt very much you will hear any difference between the stock 650 and 600 cable. The Zu is BY FAR my favorite cable for the HD650. However I always found the HD600 to be a little harsh at times and the Zu cable will only increase this on certain recordings. With the HD600 I like the Equinox cable a little better than the Zu. This is just my opinion. I have owned most of the upgrade cables and had the ones I did not own here for lengthy auditions.
Going by what you are looking for in your cable upgrade the Zu will give you more than any of the other cables I have heard. They have a money back trial period at Zu.

 

[Xenon]

money back after trial sounds nice... thx for the fast respnse btw

... would u say that the bass on the HD600 with the Zu is too much? - I nkow this depends alot on the amp used but I'd like to hear what u have to say... I consider my current amp (my soundcard) to be very balanced - very dynamic high-end - kinda flat yet tight and precise lowend...

 

[JaZZ]

While I like the Zu Mobius on the HD 650, it doesn't build up the same synergy with the HD 600 (I can echo Tom's «harshness» comment). Unfortunately the one with the best synergy (IMO) isn't in production anymore: Moon Audio's Silver Dragon. But you may want to try the Blue Dragon instead -- which I haven't heard, though. Another alternative would be the Headphile BlackSilver, which definitely makes the HD 600 sound better than the HD 600/650 stock cable (to my ears), too: more sparkle, more transparence and a more liquid sound.
.

 

[ken36]

The Zu, IMO, delivers the HD650 out of the dark, muddy signature that prompted me to sell my originals, to my recent re-acquisition. Nice detailed, more balanced, wider stage.There might be an issue with the ZU connectors though.

 

[Vul Kuolun]

Wrong forum.

Now that it´s obvious in the cables-forum that changing the sound by cables is BS, the believers are avoiding it now?

 

[JaZZ]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vul Kuolun Wrong forum. Now that it´s obvious in the cables-forum that changing the sound by cables is BS, the believers are avoiding it now?

The sclerotic BS in your head shall be poured over it...
.

 

[Solude]

Quote:

Originally Posted by JaZZ But you may want to try the Blue Dragon instead -- which I haven't heard, though.

Not the way to go. I went with the Blue Dragon v2 for the Senn 650 and it takes the Senn further into that weighty syropy bloom sound.

The Zu would be a good choice and the guys at Zu are great. They can probably even make your cable balanced using dual 1/4" phono connectors instead of XLR so you can plug right into the 1820m outputs and drive the Senn 600 balanced.

 

[Xenon]

Quote:

Originally Posted by JaZZ While I like the Zu Mobius on the HD 650, it doesn't build up the same synergy with the HD 600 (I can echo Tom's «harshness» comment). Unfortunately the one with the best synergy (IMO) isn't in production anymore: Moon Audio's Silver Dragon. But you may want to try the Blue Dragon instead -- which I haven't heard, though. Another alternative would be the Headphile BlackSilver, which definitely makes the HD 600 sound better than the HD 600/650 stock cable (to my ears), too: more sparkle, more transparence and a more liquid sound. .

About a week ago I send a mail to moonaudio, asking when the silverdragon would b back - I got the anwser that a new version would b out pretty soon - and there would be a small presale of the cables here on this forum before the launch of the cable-line... perhaps I should look more into that

 

[Andrea]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ken36 The Zu, IMO, delivers the HD650 out of the dark, muddy signature that prompted me to sell my originals, to my recent re-acquisition. Nice detailed, more balanced, wider stage.There might be an issue with the ZU connectors though.

Dark, muddy? Have you ever burned in your HD650? (and/or paired it properly)

My HD650 has some amazing clarity & speed (with no loss of musicality

), and a subjectively perfect balance which I wouldn't ever want to be made brighter by any expensive & edgy sounding cable (Zu).

 

[Vul Kuolun]

Quote:

Originally Posted by JaZZ The sclerotic BS in your head shall be poured over it... .

You´re getting quite personal, don´t you think?

What´s the dbt-free cables-forum there for in your opinion?

 

[dknightd]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Xenon I am planning to buy a 5 meter cable price is kinda a factor too...

If you want a 5m cable, then stock is not an option for you (unless you also want to run an extension cable). I used a grado extension cable for awhile, couldn't tell it was there except for the additional length. I've since re-arranged things so I do not need such a long cable anymore.
One thing to consider is ergonomics of the cable - Zu cables are stiffer than stock, and a 5m length might be a problem - or it might not be - I don't know since I've never tried, but it is something to consider.

 

[Gradofan2]

Most of the above comments are pretty fair... except the one that suggests there is no difference in the sound of various cables - there is most certainly a difference in sound... though it may be somewhat subtle (and perhaps too subtle with some cables to justify their price). Just because you can't consistently pick which cable is being used in a blind test, doesn't mean there aren't differences in their sound - some cables sound a bit similar. However, I do think that it's the combination of components in your setup that makes the most difference.

The Zu cable definitely brightens the HD650's (depending upon your setup), almost to the point of the HD600's, or RS-1's. It also adds a bit of impact, and clarity. I'm not sure yet (it's still burning in), whether it ads much to the bass, other than perhaps clarity (it may be a bit less boomy and seem a bit faster). Most of the "fog," or "veil" seems to be gone.

The Zu cable may be too bright for the HD600's, which are already a bit bright - you might have to try it and see. The HD600's sound great with the Cardas (which I prefer, because it also adds some body / weight), and the Senn v2.

The Zu cable is very stiff and inflexible - OK for short runs, but probably not for long runs. The Cardas is also a bit stiff, though less so than the Zu. The Senn v2 is flexible, but curly/kinky. Because it is so stiff, it also transmits friction / movement sounds (microphonic) as you brush it, or move it - though this does not affect the sound quality of the playback... it's just an annoyance. Regarding such a long run - why do you need it? If you're going to use the Grado extension, you're likely going to affect whatever sonic qualities the Zu may impart. A Zu cable that long will be very expensive. If I were going to insist on a long cable, I'd probably go with the RS-1's, or SR225's with the Grado extension - they sound virtually as good as (perhaps better than) the HD600's (very similar with the right setup).

The Zu cable has had problems with their headphone connectors in the past versions - the current version has no real problems - they insert and fit fine. Though the Neutrik 1/4" plug fits quite tightly in the 1/4" amp socket - difficult to insert and remove.

Zu is going to replace the current version in December with a more flexible version, and perhaps better connectors.

Zu allows 60 days to burn in and evaluate their cable, at which time you can return it if you don't like it.

What about Cardas, or Senn v2 - both of these sound great with the HD600's, and they're less expensive - though I think I like the Cardas better. Some vendors have 30 day return policies on the Cardas also.

 

[JaZZ]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Solude Not the way to go. I went with the Blue Dragon v2 for the Senn 650 and it takes the Senn further into that weighty syropy bloom sound.

I'm not insisting in the Blue Dragon -- since I haven't heard it. But keep in mind that what's bad with the HD 650 may be good with the HD 600. In turn the Silver Dragon enhances some traits with the HD 650 which I don't appreciate too much, although I still think it's a good pairing. Whereas with the HD 600 I would speak of ideal synergy (WRT the HD 600's sonic potential).
.

 

[nierika]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vul Kuolun You´re getting quite personal, don´t you think? What´s the dbt-free cables-forum there for in your opinion?

Headphone replacement cables are connected to headphones, so it's not unusal to see headphone replacement cable discussion in either the Headphone or Cable forum. Much like a headphone/amplifier synergy thread could be located in either the Headphone or Amplifier forum.

"Now that it´s obvious in the cables-forum that changing the sound by cables is BS"

Wow, you sound pretty knowledgeable on the subject! Myself, I find it hard to believe that the "3xRCA interconnect guessing test" has jack s to do with replacement cables for Sennheiser headphones. I'm going to go out on a limb and figure that you probably don't have any personal experience with the Zu Mobius cable.