[jrebman]

I want to make my own, upgraded headphone cable for my HD-650s, but don't want to compromise anything by wiring them into a pigtail from the existing connectors.

Does anybody have any idea where one might get these connectors?

I think I recall contacting Sennheiser directly a year or so ago and if I'm remembering correctly, they would not sell me any, or there was some other reason why I did not follow through with it at the time, just don't remember.

Thanks,

Jim

[chadh]

A couple of years ago, when I was thinking of the same kind of task, I scoured the Head-Fi boards looking for information.  At that time, there simply existed nowhere one could buy the connectors.  There was a rumor that Cardas would make some available - but this always seemed to be something they planned to do at some unspecified time in the future.

If you look through the Head-Fi pages, there are all sorts of useful tips on how to make your own, though.  They mostly involve getting an original set of cables and doing one of two things:

1)  drilling them out so you can expose the pins, attaching your own wires, and then filling the holes with epoxy (I thought this was a dreadful option); or

2) making a mold of the original connectors, then rip them apart to get at the pins, and then use the mold to make a new pair of connectors from epoxy.  I tried this approach, but did a TERRIBLE job.

Luckily, the Sennheiser people are happy to send you additional HD600/650 cables for $15 a set (or thereabouts) - so you could keep trying until you manage to get something that works.

The other option is to become friendly with a cable manufacturer who already makes replacement Senn. cables, since he must have solved the problem already. 

Good luck.

Chad

[cryoparts]

Cardas does make them now.

A few vendors have them available for purchase, including myself, Moon Audio and some others.



Peace,

Lee

I want to make my own, upgraded headphone cable for my HD-650s, but don't want to compromise anything by wiring them into a pigtail from the existing connectors.

Does anybody have any idea where one might get these connectors?

I think I recall contacting Sennheiser directly a year or so ago and if I'm remembering correctly, they would not sell me any, or there was some other reason why I did not follow through with it at the time, just don't remember.

Thanks,

Jim

[chadh]

 
That's super cool!

Chad

[jrebman]

Hi Lee,

Fantastic!  As I've already done business with you in the past, I'll be stopping by your online store and picking some up later today.

Chad, thanks for the info anyway.

Thanks,

Jim

[cryoparts]

Thanks, Jim. 

Advice--Do not hold the soldering iron on the pin very long.  Tin the wire, tin the pin, and quickly solder the two together.  Don't let the soldering iron dwell too long on the pin.  After soldering and ensuring you have a good connection, fill the void with epoxy or silicone and then put some heat shrink over the whole assembly.

They work fantastic if you do the above.  I've made many cables with these plugs and none have failed, Cardas did a nice job on them.

Peace,

Lee     

Hi Lee,

Fantastic!  As I've already done business with you in the past, I'll be stopping by your online store and picking some up later today.

Chad, thanks for the info anyway.

Thanks,

Jim

[jrebman]

Lee,

Thanks for the advice.  I do about 95% of my soldering these days with an American Beauty resistance soldering station which, when you get the hang of it can do everything from soldering strain gauges to heat tempering steel.  Back in the 80s I used to solder strain gauges and tunnel diodes with these things, both of which are incredibly easy to destroy with just a bit too much heat, so they are ccapable of very delicate, controlled work, but on the other hand, they can easily turn into a mini arc welder on you .

I'll just have to look at the connectors when they come, and then I can decide what I think will work best for me.  The tips are very much appreciated though.

[santacore]

Advice--Do not hold the soldering iron on the pin very long.  Tin the wire, tin the pin, and quickly solder the two together.  Don't let the soldering iron dwell too long on the pin.  After soldering and ensuring you have a good connection, fill the void with epoxy or silicone and then put some heat shrink over the whole assembly.

I need to pick up a set of these. One question-what is the pin configuration? If you look closely one of the two pins is slightly larger then the other. I assume one is positive and one is negative. Lee can you comment?

[cryoparts]

The American Beauty stations are very nice, you should have no problems, especially with your experience.  I worry about those who don't have a lot of soldering experience and get a giant RS iron and wonder why the pins melted right out of the plastic.    

I use Metcal's (mostly) and never have a problem.

Peace,

Lee

Lee,

Thanks for the advice.  I do about 95% of my soldering these days with an American Beauty resistance soldering station which, when you get the hang of it can do everything from soldering strain gauges to heat tempering steel.  Back in the 80s I used to solder strain gauges and tunnel diodes with these things, both of which are incredibly easy to destroy with just a bit too much heat, so they are ccapable of very delicate, controlled work, but on the other hand, they can easily turn into a mini arc welder on you .

I'll just have to look at the connectors when they come, and then I can decide what I think will work best for me.  The tips are very much appreciated though.

[cryoparts]

Hi,

Larger pins are -, smaller pins are +.

Peace,

Lee

Advice--Do not hold the soldering iron on the pin very long.  Tin the wire, tin the pin, and quickly solder the two together.  Don't let the soldering iron dwell too long on the pin.  After soldering and ensuring you have a good connection, fill the void with epoxy or silicone and then put some heat shrink over the whole assembly.

I need to pick up a set of these. One question-what is the pin configuration? If you look closely one of the two pins is slightly larger then the other. I assume one is positive and one is negative. Lee can you comment?