Suggestions on improving my headphones on the cheap?

mcrespo71 · « **on:** 8 May 2004, 06:54 pm »

Ok, I have a pair of Sennheiser HD580's with stock cable and grado extension running into a REGA EAR headphone amp. It sounds pretty nice, though I can detect just a slight hint of grain in the upper midrange. I've read that changing the stock headphone cable with an aftermarket one makes a huge difference, but I don't want to lay down the cash for a Cardas cable. Any alternatives for under $100? I've seen mixed things about the Oehlbach, but the price is right and I bet it's better than the stock cable on the HD580's.

Michael

mgalusha · « **Reply #1 on:** 8 May 2004, 08:54 pm »

If you're into DIY you can make your own replacement cable for the 580's for very little. I built a couple using 24ga (stranded) wire in a star quad configuration. The downside is you have to cut the original ends off where they attach to the headphones and solder these to your new cables. They are pretty fragile so use plenty of heat shrink to provide a strain relief. IMO they sounded better than the Cardas (better bass, a clearer midrange and better dynamics). Of course YMMV and all that.

mike g.

Edit: I wouldn't call the difference huge, but it was worth the time and money IMO. Cost was less than $20 including a new plug, some tech flex and heatshrink. This applies to the HD-600's as well.

donovansmith · « **Reply #2 on:** 9 May 2004, 04:58 am »

I really like my Oehlbach cable, the only thing the stock cable did better to me was front-to-back soundstaging, but otherwise it's great. I think if someone mainly listens to lighter music, like classical or jazz, the stock cable may be better for them, but if you are into rock or electronic or other more bass-dependent music then you may like the Oehlbach cable better. If anything, the Oehlbach clearly stomps all over the stock cable in build quality. I've ran mine over multiple times with my chair and it has survived fine, the cables are much thicker than the stock cable although they are still very flexible too. All you can do is get one and see if you like it.

Al Garay · « **Reply #3 on:** 1 Jun 2004, 05:55 am »

Mike,

Can I get more details, mainly the list of vendors, on building the DIY headphone cable?

Thanks,

Al

Eric5676 · « **Reply #4 on:** 16 May 2006, 04:19 pm »

Quote from: Al Garay

Mike,

Can I get more details, mainly the list of vendors, on building the DIY headphone cable?

Thanks,

Al

Look up a place called Moon Audio.

I'm considering a recabling job on my AKG 701's myself. Some Black Dragons perhaps. I haven't decided yet if I want to bother going balanced or not...

elcaptain88 · « **Reply #5 on:** 16 May 2006, 06:20 pm »

I had a friend who bought several aftermarket headphone cables for the HD-6** series - I tried them all & couldn't hear any perceived difference. I personally don't care for the Senn HD580/600/650 sound (cables won't change that), but I would imagine trying different amps would be much more beneficial to you. I've yet to read a logical explanation of how an aftermarket cable could improve the sound of headphones.

mcrespo71 · « **Reply #6 on:** 16 May 2006, 06:28 pm »

Quote from: elcaptain88

I had a friend who bought several aftermarket headphone cables for the HD-6** series - I tried them all & couldn't hear any perceived difference. I personally don't care for the Senn HD580/600/650 sound (cables won't change that), but I would imagine trying different amps would be much more beneficial to you. I've yet to read a logical explanation of how an aftermarket cable could improve the sound of headphones.

I ended up replacing the HD580's with the AKG K701's. I couldn't justify the prices they were charging for the replacement cables, but I did finally hear some Sennheisers that didn't sound veiled to me and these were the HD600's that were cabled with balanced cables. Nonetheless, the basic Sennheiser sound just sounds too dull to my ears.

Eric5676 · « **Reply #7 on:** 16 May 2006, 07:36 pm »

Quote from: mcrespo71

I ended up replacing the HD580's with the AKG K701's. I couldn't justify the prices they were charging for the replacement cables, but I did finally hear some Sennheisers that didn't sound veiled to me and these were the HD600's that were cabled with balanced cables. Nonetheless, the basic Sennheiser sound just sounds too dull to my ears.

I certainly agree with the idea that money can be better spent on other things, like hardware, amps, etc. long before you get to the idea of possibly recabling.

That being said: Do you see yourself ever bothering to recable those 701s?

mcrespo71 · « **Reply #8 on:** 16 May 2006, 07:46 pm »

No, I will not recable the K701 ever. The next upgrade will be to change my amp to the only amp I thought significantly bettered the REGA EAR at the national headphone meet- the Ray Samuels Raptor. However, I did not hear a recabled AKG K701 at the national meet, so I can't comment.

Michael

Russell Dawkins · « **Reply #9 on:** 16 May 2006, 08:41 pm »

Quote from: mcrespo71

I ended up replacing the HD580's with the AKG K701's. I couldn't justify the prices they were charging for the replacement cables, but I did finally hear some Sennheisers that didn't sound veiled to me and these were the HD600's that were cabled with balanced cables. Nonetheless, the basic Sennheiser sound just sounds too dull to my ears.

Couldn't agree more. I borrowed a pair of Senn 650s for convenience monitoring to a recording gig in Armenia, without listening to them first (I was in a hurry and it didn't occur to me that all the talk could be that wrong).
When I first put them on, at an outdoor orchestral concert (and after being accustomed to my usual earphone monitors, the Etymotic research ER4Ss, I thought something was seriously wrong. I couldn't believe how rolled off they sounded, like an old receiver with the treble knob turned fully counterclockwise.
From that point on, whenever I had to use them to demonstrate something to one of my clients, I always had to preface it with "but the actual recording sounds a lot brighter than this"
To me these are just plain wrong and justifiable only if used with a screechy sounding front end, to ease the pain.
Sorry, but that's how I hear it.
I enthusiastically agree with your choice of the 701s. I haven't heard them but I have heard the 501s and these are supposed to be better. The 501 is one of my all time faves. For the record, one of the ones I really respect is the (apparently recently discontinued in Europe) AKG 240 DFs. Very, very natural and very low in distortion, but also very hard to drive due to their high impedence. Any self respecting headphone amp would do it, though. I may have to get myself a pair, now that there is the possibility of their not being available much longer. I know the European studio types are panicking a little at the prospect and already haves their eyes on USA, where there still is stock remaining.

djbnh · « **Reply #10 on:** 16 May 2006, 10:04 pm »

I'm a Grado fan (325i) who recently took the Senn plunge with the Senn HD650s. I feel the performance of these phones, as with other audio equipment, is system dependent. The HD650s certainly provide a different presentation than my Grados; however, they are definitely not sounding rolled off with my gear. Right now the Eddie Current EC-01 amp is looking like a possible purchase; Ryan Clarin, who reviewed the amp in 6moons, makes it seem that the impedance EC/DC is required, and worth it, if one likes to use both Grados and Senns.

Re: Senn cords - Myo of RnB Audio makes a great Senn cable, but it's not cheap; however, his Grace Five Two Senn cable is very well reviewed on Head-Fi.

FYI - here's one person's take on various Senn aftermarket headphone cables.

YMMV. Happy listening!