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In Reply to: RE: Hi-End Headphone Cables posted by Duster on September 28, 2020 at 17:29:13
Duster:
I've had a limited experience with after-market cables for HPs. Firstly, not a huge believer in cable magic, but also want a solid, good set of cables as manufacturers seem to give them short shrift.
My current full-size cans are Focal Elears and Senn/Drop 6XXs, IEMs are JHAudio 13 V2s. Focal should be ashamed of themselves for the crap they call cables for Elears. Junk, and they were $1K. Shame. The 6XXs had decent cables, but as audiophiles we always want better, do we not? Also own Senn Amperior, Beyer 1350s, and Sony WMX1000mk3 wireless, Shure 535 IEMs and Grado SR80s, my original and ancient high end HPs, which I just re-padded. Whew, gotta sell some of this stuff.
Also owned HiFiMan 560s (speaking of abysmal cables), AKG 701s, Senn Momentums. HP amp/DAC is a Mytek Brooklyn Bridge, which is exceptional IMHO.
Bought a set of Periapt single ended cables for both the Elears and the 6XXs a couple years ago. These are more of a low-priced cable, well under $100, but the quality of construction was so superior, especially in the Elears case, it was an instant improvement. At RMAF last Sept, I took advantage of show specials to buy the Mytek, and saw a table from Audio Envy, a mfg of cables I never heard of before. They are more high-end in pricing, but show pricing was about half off, so got balanced cables for my Elears for about $100-$150. These are also well made. How do they sound? Well, everything sounds better through the Mytek, and even better balanced. Is it the cables? Do they make a sea change in the sound presentation? Not to my ears, at least not nearly as much as the Mytek did, both amp and DAC. Do I regret the purchases? Not at all. The Elear cable was literally falling apart, the 6XX cable didn't feel nearly as substantial. Also added Dekoni fenestrated lambskin pads to both, another nice touch.
Am I pleased where I'm at HP-wise? Yes. The Elears clarity and punch are definitely improved by all the changes, and those were the qualities that led me to buy them and give the 560s to my boy (the sales guy at the store asked me to adopt HIM). The 6XXs, while not at the Elears level of clarity, are just fine for everyday listening, and should be in all audiophiles tool box. I could be content with these for the rest of my days, had I not heard the Elears. But I enjoy the Senn sound. Others may differ. But the biggest difference came with the Brooklyn Bridge. This has added a huge amount of digital enjoyment to my system. I'm now fairly content listening to my recordings of my LPs at 24/96 FLAC, and feel I miss little to none of the experience of a needle drop. Or Tidal streams of some obscure stuff or new artists. Very happy.
Sorry to be so chatty. Don't think I helped you much, as I'm too cheap to buy hugely expensive cables. I'm not about chasing the last 5%, just want good quality, good sounding attractive items for a decent price. You might ask, well instead of buying ALL the stuff, why not just get the most expensive stuff up front? Guess I'm just not built that way. And part of the fun of this hobby is trying some different stuff. And that's easier to do when the prices are more reasonable.
Follow Ups:
I've only listened to my Mytek Brooklyn DAC + headphone amplifier circuit a few times, and I really didn't like the way it sounded. (With the speakers it sounds incredible.) I know I could always break it in on my own, but I'm wondering if you experienced break in. By the way, I have Sennheiser 800 headphones.
I did not notice any break in issues. But, the 800s are said to be very sensitive to amps and can be treble-happy if not matched properly. Perhaps just a bad match, as the BB is extremely clean. May need tubes or a 'warmer' amp?
I don't think it was a question of too much treble as much as it was a certain lack of refinement. I will undertake a break-in on my own and report my findings at some point.
Hi rrsands,
I'm in no need of help regarding the matter, just thought it would be interesting to see the perspectives of other headphone fans.
In particular, those who consider the benefit of aftermarket headphone cables being a worthwhile thing to explore, and what their findings might be.
Cheers, Duster
Well, best of luck in your journey. And let us know what you determine, should be interesting.
Hi Duster
Yes cables do make a similar difference in headphones as will room-based gear. IMO the differences can be more easily heard due to the nature of headphones being in close proximity of the ear and in some cases blocking other background noise.
With that said, again imo, what ever type of configuration, wire-type etc you liked with other gear seems to still be preferred 'in my case' with head-gear. Although some gear on the extremes of prices, it might not be worth investing in wire [very cheap gear] or diminishing returns with very expensive gear. For example I have some cheap IEM [Shure se215 and Sennheiser IE40] that would really not be worth investing in new aftermarket wire. And my expensive Planars the Audeze LCD-i4 that sound so good, looking at aftermarket wire is again not worth it.
YMMV.
Either way its a fun hobby, so I'm still looking into making some DIY wire for my DAP's.
Dynobots Audio - Music is the Bridge Between Heaven and Earth
Hi Dynobot,
Again, of course I know they make a difference for the better, and need no help in determining the matter.
I plan to post a report about the use of VH Audio's Spectrum Cu interconnect cable for a DIY headphone cable build.
Thought I would first test the water in Headphone Heights for the heck of it.
Cheers, Duster
Over the years, I have found that cables for the most part do not assist/improve the sound of an inexpensive audio system. It is only when you have upgraded to a low higher end system that you can hear the changes brought about by decent interconnects, power cords and speaker cables. As has been pointed out, headphones and IEMs make it easier to hear cable upgrades.
If this has been your experience, you might have also encountered the person that does not hear cable upgrades. Ask them about their system and congratulate them on being able to save lots of money on cables.
I think you and others make some good points.
Not a good idea to spend too much money or effort on cables for Low to even some Mid-prices cans, and most very expensive cans don't need fancy cables to sound good.
Plus...as I found out, once again...its often cheaper to just purchase and upgrade rather than spending the extra money and time making them. Case in point, I was about to make a balanced 4.4mm to XLR cable but I found a very good one for about half of what I would have spent on a DIY.
Either way, its always fun to read someones results who are inclined to make some cables.
Dynobots Audio - Music is the Bridge Between Heaven and Earth
It's a dull thing to argue about the benefit of audiophile-quality cables in general within a specialized forum like this. Some AA Inmates understood the point of my post, and chimed in with their experience and attitude about high-end headphone cables, like it or not. I don't have a dog in this hunt, especially in Headphone Heights. No debates nor any other interest on my part other than folks staying on-topic.
Great go for it!
If you like the way it sounds in other uses I bet you will with Headphone gear too.
Let us know what you think....I'm going to be making some cables for my DAP using Duelund wire [my fav] I'll post pics etc later
Cheers
Dynobots Audio - Music is the Bridge Between Heaven and Earth
I'm not looking approval. I built the cables already. You should know that much about me already, Dynobot.I'll post a report about the DIY Spectrum Cu headphone cables in Cable Asylum, at some point.
Edits: 09/30/20
This statement by me....
"If you like the way it sounds in other uses I bet you will with Headphone gear too."Was not me giving approval or thinking that you needed or wanted approval...its called "Friendly small talk". People used to do that, back before everyone started to get offended by everything.
I have to keep remembering that everything is offensive these days.
Let me guess....You're not here to make friends! so no friendly small talk is required!
Me assuming that even my explanation will be offensive.
Oh well.....
Dynobots Audio - Music is the Bridge Between Heaven and Earth
Edits: 09/30/20
.
Dynobots Audio - Music is the Bridge Between Heaven and Earth
other than, based on my own long experience with the HD-600, the bargain of the century.
What I can say is that the original HD-600 of yore shipped with a piece for crap cable. One so bad that even this 'accused cable denier' could hear the VAST improvement in sound when it was finally replaced with a decent after-market cable.
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