Do headphone cables make a difference?

[idc]

One off asked

"realise this is off the point but do the same things apply to headphone cables as speaker cables

also can you change headphone cables for better ones"

The answer is that there is a thriving aftermarket headphone cable scene with some ridculous prices being charged -

http://www.moon-audio.com/Moon_Audio_Headphone_Cable.htm

http://www.russandrews.com/product.asp?lookup=1&region=UK&currency=GBP&pf_id=5731&customer_id=PAA1363013810514TSKUNLKLDGHECHUT

http://www.analogueseduction.net/product/Cardas_AKG_K702_Mini-XLR_Replacement_Headphone_Cable_CAR-AKG7024

Whether any of them are worth it, I don't and will almost certainly never know, unless I get a loan of one to try.

What I can say is that the 1 m cable for the Goldring NS1000 is too short. Goldring have their cable made by QED and I do understand why they do not do an option to buy a longer one. I bought a £3 Sony extension to add another 1 m and there has been a slight veiling of the sound, but you really have to listen for it. I may get the Grado extension cable at about £25.

Many headphone cables are detachable, but that is more to allow easy replacement if damaged. One of the problems is that with mini jacks, mini XLR etc and has the headphone got one or two cables there are so many combinations it gets a bit silly. At least with speaker cables, banana, bare wire and spades will all fit onto the vast majority of speakers.

 

[Big Chris]

I didn't want to risk it, so I didn't even contemplate buying anything other than the pukka Grado extension and 3.5mm adaptor cables for my 125s.

Grado reckon you can use up to 3 extensions with no degredation in sound quality. Perhaps I should buy another two, then I could listen to my Arcams upstairs in bed.

I couldn't stretch to Russ Andrews prices. I do like and own many R.A products, but there's no getting away from the fact he's top dollar.

 

[idc]

Grado use the thickest, least flexable cable I have come across and since their headphones are quite sensitive that may help, but a 9m extension

 

[Big Chris]

idc:Grado use the thickest, least flexable cable I have come across and since their headphones are quite sensitive that may help, but a 9m extension

Well. if Mr Grado thinks that, who am I to argue Ian?

 

[GeoffreyW]

I bought a Grado extension cable, to replace a cheap extension, and there was a considerable, certainly discernible, improvement, so well worth the price. I use it constantly as the Grado SR80 lead is just not quite long enough; and it's also long enough to use on my Panny telly. The thick cable hasn't (as yet) given me ny problems with my phones. Perhaps the RA cable could be tried and returned, if unsuitable?

 

[wireman]

It's interesting to note that Stax have been making pretty much the same core product headphone (sorry... "Earspeakers" in Stax-speak) since 1979 - the only thing that's really changed over all that time is the cable! The current products using that original 1979 Lamda design are the 303, 404 and recently the 404 Limited, and the price/performance difference between these three 'different' models is significant for what is (in essence) just a different cable.

 

[idc]

I am fed up with the skinny little Sony extension cable I bought off Amazon. It ties itself in knots and I get crackles with the Goldrings and the extension, which I dont with any other headphone.

So, for £5 delivered, based on the past success of That Cable HDMI, I have bought a That Cable Loops headphone extension 1.5m off their site on ebay.

 

[Sizzers]

idc:Grado use the thickest, least flexable cable I have come across and since their headphones are quite sensitive that may help, but a 9m extension

Can't understand why they didn't apply the same quality to the attached headphone lead; great phones, rubbish cable.

 

[idc]

Loads of people think nothing of opening up the Grados and re cabling them. But the cables used are often horrendously expensive such as the ones I listed in my first post. If this cable is an improvement then I will see if I can replace the cable from the AKGs as that is detachable.

 

[Sizzers]

Is it a big job to do, or do you have to send them off to a specialist? The supplied lead is just SO annoying!

 

[idc]

Sizzers, if you search on the internet for a forum to do with "head-fi" and then search that for Grado cables you will see the problems. Do you fancy using a hairdryer to warm the glue keeping the SR plastic model cups together?!

I have taken to hanging mine upside down in the wardrobe overnight. I push the jack into my tie rack. That helps to get the kinks out.

 

[Sizzers]

idc:
I have taken to hanging mine upside down in the wardrobe overnight. I push the jack into my tie rack. That helps to get the kinks out.

Haha Like that one! lol

Yeah, I remember now reading something about changing/repairing cable on there and gave up very quickly so think I'll pass at D-I-Y!

 

[idc]

I was never happy with the Sony headphone extension cable I bought off Amazon for £4ish, so I got another one for £4ish off ebay. It is a Loops extension cable bought through ThatCable. The build difference between the two is dramatic and the sound improvement clear. It was as if I had truned the volume up such was the opening up of the sound. They do lengths up to 15m for £13.49. Bargain.

ThatCable ebay shop

In this case a new cable has made a big difference. Unfortunately ThatCable cannot supply one with a miniXLR connector which would fit AKG headphones.

 

[Anonymous]

I too replaced a cheap extension cable with the Grado. No question about it - a big difference.