headphone wire problem

wedrum · 21 Dec 2016 at 12:15

got a problem with my headphones and need to cut some wire off and resolder.

now do i just cut and split like any other wire as this looks different to the usual wire i have seen before ?

Hades · 21 Dec 2016 at 12:25

Looks like a normal wire to me?

wedrum · 21 Dec 2016 at 12:28

its like coated

Avenged7Fold · 21 Dec 2016 at 12:34

It is two wires, usually at least one insulated with insulation over both of them to make them one wire. Treat it like any other wire, strip it and solder.

wedrum · 21 Dec 2016 at 12:45

i will try again

RetiredGreyFox · 21 Dec 2016 at 12:49

Both of the wires are coated and you can't 'cut' the coat off with a knife.
You will have to carefully use your soldering iron until it melts off and solder then sticks to the wire.
Once you have 'tinned' both ends you can then solder them to the speaker.

Tefal · 21 Dec 2016 at 12:51

SexyGreyFox said:
Both of the wires are coated and you can't 'cut' the coat off with a knife.
You will have to carefully use your soldering iron until it melts off and solder then sticks to the wire.
Once you have 'tinned' both ends you can then solder them to the speaker.

Scotch brite works quite well for gently stripping the enamel off

wedrum · 21 Dec 2016 at 12:54

got it thanks

RetiredGreyFox · 21 Dec 2016 at 12:57

Tefal said:
Scotch brite works quite well for gently stripping the enamel off

For decades I get a little blob of solder on the iron and I keep dipping the end of the wire until the solder finally sticks to it. There's no need for 3rd party stuff.

Efour · 21 Dec 2016 at 13:03

This is why God gave us teeth.

Tefal · 21 Dec 2016 at 13:19

SexyGreyFox said:
For decades I get a little blob of solder on the iron and I keep dipping the end of the wire until the solder finally sticks to it. There's no need for 3rd party stuff.

I've always had access to the scouring pads through college/work (use them to tidy up the aluminium) so it was just a natural thing to use.

many people have them under the sink too.

I';ve never tried just taking it off with heat/solder always assumed it would be imune to it tbh.

Rroff · 21 Dec 2016 at 13:33

Tefal said:
I';ve never tried just taking it off with heat/solder always assumed it would be imune to it tbh.

I use stuff that has ETFE coating like this a bit - it has to be scoured off as it is highly temperature resistant. Doubt you'd find it on consumer audio but never know as its often used for silver coated alloys which are sometimes used for audio. The more common enamel can be more easily melted off.

wedrum · 21 Dec 2016 at 15:17

all sorted thanks guys.
like these headphones and did not want to replace them.