Sennheiser HD-600 DIY cable

Ern Dog

I just got my first headphones, Sennheiser HD-600 and they sound good, but not great. I'm using the stock cables and wanted to see if anybody has tried making your own headphone cables. Seems like it would be a fun project. My listening chair is like 20 feet away from my preamp, so I'll need a long cable.

Are headphone cables the same as I would use for speaker cables? Any help with this project would be appreciated.

Ern Dog

Looks like I'm going to answer my own question. I searched the web and found a couple useful parts links for the project that I'll share for others who are into doing this.

Sennheiser specific plugs made by Cardas for $16. These are a must: http://cgi.ebay.com/Cardas-HPSC-Plugs-DIY-Sennheiser-Headphone-Cables-/250790560452?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3a644842c4#ht_720wt_1141

Now finding the cable was more difficult. But I figured on starting out with 24 awg UP OCC 99.99998% pure copper wire which led me to the Cryoparts company which sells their version cryo'd for $5.80 per foot: http://www.cryo-parts.com/index.php/cryoparts/the-wire-copper

Well, so far that puts the cost for a 20' cable to be just under $250. I've got to find some cheaper cable to make this worth while.....

Face

I use this for all my DIY interconnects. http://soniccraft.com/products/wire/chassis/neotech.htm

Ern Dog

Thanks face. Great prices on that link. 24 solid core UP OCC copper for .69 cents foot !! Can't beat that price.

More questions come to mind:

1. Would it be worthwhile to use OCC vs OFC?
2. Would it be better to use solid core or stranded copper wire?
3. Would it be better to use PVC, Teflon or bare/uninsulated?
4. Once I get both of those figured out, would it be better to twist the wires or not?

PolkMaster1

1. Use OCC-Copper over OFC. Superior results.
2. Try using Solid Core and stranded if this is a possiblity. Solid would be good for the lows, stranded for the mids and highs.
3. I believe teflon would be good for this application, unless you plan to use your own covering.
4. Twist the wires.

If your budget permits - try using solid core copper and thin silver wire (24 AWG) on all four connections.

zingo

You don't need a large gauge conductors as headphones don't use very much current. A quality cable with good shielding and jacket will help make the headphones sound great and be trouble free. Cardas makes a bulk 4x23 shielded cable that's designed to be used for headphones. That would be my choice paired with the Cardas plugs if I was in your situation.

sucks2beme

I got a Cardas 20 footer when I bought my hd-650's.
The original owner had bought both, and I got them for less
than the cost of buying just the heaphones.
Cardas is a good choice. I hope you're using an amp?
If not, start there first.

PolkMaster1

OK, this begs the question -

What is the driving reason for someone to purchase a headphone amp? What are the advantages of plugging your headphones into a headphone output on a component vs. a headphone out that is a dedicated headphone amp?

Can one expect good high quality components with headphone outputs to compete with with headphone amps or stand-alone headphone amps?

Sucks2BeMe - love your name!!

sucks2beme

PolkMaster1 wrote: »

OK, this begs the question -

What is the driving reason for someone to purchase a headphone amp?

Good sound?
Senns eat power. There are only a couple of preamp/receivers
out there that take headphone output seriously. Most of the time it's a very
poor effort. A quick listen to the standard output VS. let's say a Millett
minimax, and the question is answered. A set of Grados don't sound too bad off of standard stuff, but most of them sound improved with the amp.
Given the wide (32-600 ohm) ratings of some headphones, choice of the amp
becomes important. And with Stax, there isn't much choice, since they
need the 600volt charge to work! There's a number of other members here
that have heard Senns amped VS non-amped. I don't think many would ever
go back to not using an amp.
There are some pretty decent DIY projects out there. I've had several
through here. I built my current Stax amp from a set of circuit boards.


The name was a poor choice. I just tossed something in there many years ago. It was a lab login name we used to use for systems we were testing.
If I ever thought I'd still be here years later, I would of chosen better.

Ern Dog

First things first. Before I even consider getting a headphone amp, I need to upgrade this stock cheapo cable.

I'm using my Placette Active to power the Senn's. This is my first venture into headphones, so I really have nothing to compare the sound with.

PolkMaster1

Cables cables cables - NO SYSTEM will ever sound as great as it can without HIGH QUALITY CABLE!!! This goes for both the interconnect, AND speakercable!!!

Same goes for headphones.

I can make some cables if anyone is interested. However, it will be on the high end side.

PolkMaster1

sucks2beme wrote: »

The name was a poor choice. I just tossed something in there many years ago. It was a lab login name we used to use for systems we were testing.
If I ever thought I'd still be here years later, I would of chosen better.

The polk audio forum is a lab experement??? :biggrin:

Thanks for the info S2BM. I do have a pair of Grado Headphones, but I dont use them very often.

I also used Cardas cable to replace my tonearm cable. Wasn't crazy about the results - it might have had plenty to do with the litz brading that made my tonearm not swing freely as it did with the regular stock tonearm wire - this lead to taking out the Cardas wire. The stock wire was better, but I felt the sound could be improved. I had to replace the tonearm to get stunning results. Unfortunately, getting good tonearm wire to work well with your TT can prove to be a very difficult process.

If Neotech only made some tonearm cable...

Of course if you should decide to use the Cardas wire for your headphones - we would be interested to hear your results.

sucks2beme

PolkMaster1 wrote: »

Of course if you should decide to use the Cardas wire for your headphones - we would be interested to hear your results.

The results of using Cardas for headphones is pretty well documented.
There's a lot of them is use. It was a common option from a number of
online headphone companies. There is improvement.
The only debate from most is if it's a very good bang for your buck
option. There are some who will debate if it makes any difference at all.
I have no idea what planet they are from. With Senns, I don't have a clue
how anybody COULDN'T hear the difference.