Recabling AKG K702 headphones.

[idc]

The AKG K702 headphones (as well as some others in the AKG range) have detachable cables. It is a female mini XLR connection on the headphone and a 1/4" and 1/8" jack to connect to the amp. I have been looking out of interest for a new cable for a while and had toyed with making my own. The problem with that is getting round the various specs of connector and cable and the cost of a solder kit. But economically it made sense as the following are the replacement cables I found online;

Cardas £113, Stefan Audio £219, a DIYer offfering to make one for £85 and Black Dragon at £122.

All are way over my self imposed £50 limit and the Stefans cost more than I paid for the headphones. So no way. But I may have a solution for just over £10...........

 

[Anonymous]

You can buy the cable they use relatively cheaply by the metre if you are happy to do it yourself...

 

[Anonymous]

You can try the AKG702 with ALO SXC Cryo Cable.

 

[idc]

The ALO works out at just over £100, for that I am sure I can easily buy all the bits I need to do this myself. But I am starting off buying two bits, seeing how they fit and take it from there.

 

[idc]

To see if this is going to be worthwhile I have purchased a microphone cable from ThatCable. It is a 1/4" phono to a male XLR at £4.99. Then I got an adaptor female XLR to female mini XLR to fit into the AKGs at £5.49. It works, but the XLR is too long, as expected. What I did not expect was there is some sort of attenuation going on as I have far more range in the volume to play with. I do not know if it the far more substantial cable or the XLRs that are causing it. SQ wise, it is brighter than the supplied AKG cable, the stereo effect and separation between instruments is greater and there is more tizz in the treble. I shall wait and see how that settles down.

The plan is to buy a soldering kit and a mini female XLR, pull apart the existing cable and attach the new XLR.

 

[idc]

Russ Andrews have released their re-cable for the AKGs. It is quite reasonably priced for their stuff.

http://www.russandrews.com/product.asp?lookup=1&region=UK&currency=GBP&pf_id=2206&customer_id=PAA2748035210817MCLCGLVRLXESPTYO

 

[shafesk]

How do you think your cable sounds now???

 

[idc]

The same as any other cable. Making and swapping cables has been one of the reasons for now believing cables sound the same.

 

[Nadeac]

Theres companys on ebay selling Van Damme silver cable by the metre as well as Neutrik metal 3.5mm plugs and mini Xlr plugsÿ

Have u looked at Avopro on ebay they heave some nice cables and may be able to make what u needÿ

Markÿ

 

[idc]

I made this cable, which I still use for my K702s.

 

[shafesk]

idc:The same as any other cable. Making and swapping cables has been one of the reasons for now believing cables sound the same.

Couldnt agree more...everytime I tried them, initially I think 'yea this sounds different.' After the novelty has worn off, only the truth remains...it doesnt do anything. Maybe you need an outrageous system to hear differences between cables...cause I sure haven't heard it on any of mine. Your cable job seems very impressive, can you tell me what you used to build it?

 

[idc]

Proel microphone cable as it is balanced and Neutrick jack and mini XLR.

 

[shafesk]

Thanks....might try one as a second cable