Soldato
- Joined
- 1 Jun 2014
- Posts
- 5,109
Have any of you guys ever made your own cables?
what headphones do you own thread - i own dt150's :)
- Thread starter garyfl
- Start date
On and off - I've struggled to find a decent brand/model of audio cable I like without spending a lot of money trying different ones though
I had some which had a nice soft touch and flexible, but durable, that was great but I can't find a good substitute now and the original brand has long since gone.
Man of Honour
Saw a comment on reddit about Audio Ninja and Arctic Cables - They both have crazy priced cables but also some that are non0customised so cost a lot less. I'm going to order this one as it specifically mentions being microphonics-free.
www.arcticcables.com
ARCTICCABLES
High-end pure copper and silver OCC Litz custom cables for headphones, In-ear monitors, earphones, speakers, interconnects, adapters, and DIY accessories
www.arcticcables.com
Soldato
Looks good and one I might well go for if one of my Tripowins goes bad. The price looks good for a well made cable but what about VAT/Import tax and shipping which is only free over $150. Also, I saw this in the comments below....Saw a comment on reddit about Audio Ninja and Arctic Cables - They both have crazy priced cables but also some that are non0customised so cost a lot less. I'm going to order this one as it specifically mentions being microphonics-free.
ARCTICCABLES
High-end pure copper and silver OCC Litz custom cables for headphones, In-ear monitors, earphones, speakers, interconnects, adapters, and DIY accessories
"Very well made cable, I can’t give 5 stars only because it’s pretty microphonic. Other then that it’s a fantastic cable."
I got my cable for the Arya's from here...
Van Damme balanced headphone Cable Hifiman Sundara/Ananda/Arya
Van Damme balanced headphone Cable Hifiman Sundara/Ananda/Arya
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Man of Honour
Tbh I am not expecting any customs fees as rarely see that on cables and small items I order from USA and Canada. The shipping fee was $11 though and I used the current BF24 offer for Black Friday!
Van Damne cables are great as I've had their inch thick speaker cable before, but they are heavy. even hte headphone cables. I want lightweight and quality!
Openheart make good cables.
www.aliexpress.com
OPENHEART 16 Core Headphone Cable 1 to 2 jack dual 3.5/2.5/4.4mm/XLR Balance Cable For HIFIMAN DENON Replacement Cable 2m 3m - AliExpress 44
Smarter Shopping, Better Living! Aliexpress.com
www.aliexpress.com
Soldato
That's what she said
Associate
I have a strange set of headphones, Sony MX5, Maxwell, LCD-X, Sundara and Arya. Running them off xDuoo XD05.
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Soldato
How do the LCD-X and the Arya compare? I have the Arya Stealth and have been thinking about picking up an LCD-X.
Caporegime
Just bought some Sony XM4 to replace the XM1 that I have, mostly because I've had it a while and want to get rid of micro USB in my life.
This is just initial impression only but straight away out of the box I feel like this is a less premium headphones vs the XM1. The case has gone the linen cover instead of the faux leather. It feels thinner and lighter. The little hand strap, in the original there is a little button clip, now it's just a plain loop, saving 5p.
The texture on the headphones, where the touch controls are, the original have this faux leather feeling too which is nice, XM4 is rubber. XM1 also have metal headband on the outside the ear cups rim and the top, the same place for the XM4 feels like it's plastic with rubberised texture.
The headband is also thinner, not as wide at the top, and actual size, XM1 has an extra click on both sides. I definitely feel more comfortable on the XM1.
Just listening to some music now, it sounds good enough.
Testing now, the ANC on XM4 is better. Strangely XM1 sounds louder without adjusting anything on the iPhone 14pro. Not sure why that is. I have not touched anything. XM1's midrange sounds more forward and more clarity and open. Perhaps its just because the XM4 needs breaking in. Sound signature wise they both sound the same, just XM1 sounds clearer.
XM1 has a larger headband (it extends with 10 clicks vs 9 on the XM4).
(I didn't get the XM5 because I prefer the fold flat on the XM4 design, and XM5 has the broken hinge problem.
This is just initial impression only but straight away out of the box I feel like this is a less premium headphones vs the XM1. The case has gone the linen cover instead of the faux leather. It feels thinner and lighter. The little hand strap, in the original there is a little button clip, now it's just a plain loop, saving 5p.
The texture on the headphones, where the touch controls are, the original have this faux leather feeling too which is nice, XM4 is rubber. XM1 also have metal headband on the outside the ear cups rim and the top, the same place for the XM4 feels like it's plastic with rubberised texture.
The headband is also thinner, not as wide at the top, and actual size, XM1 has an extra click on both sides. I definitely feel more comfortable on the XM1.
Just listening to some music now, it sounds good enough.
Testing now, the ANC on XM4 is better. Strangely XM1 sounds louder without adjusting anything on the iPhone 14pro. Not sure why that is. I have not touched anything. XM1's midrange sounds more forward and more clarity and open. Perhaps its just because the XM4 needs breaking in. Sound signature wise they both sound the same, just XM1 sounds clearer.
XM1 has a larger headband (it extends with 10 clicks vs 9 on the XM4).
(I didn't get the XM5 because I prefer the fold flat on the XM4 design, and XM5 has the broken hinge problem.
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Soldato
Tried the Edifier Stax S5 headphones, just wow at the sound quality you just don't get that level of detail from other cans really. But there are some issues, compatibility with BT issues and the overall comfort from those leather cowhide pads are average at best.
Dare I say it the PX8s from B&W were good maybe better overall.
Dare I say it the PX8s from B&W were good maybe better overall.
I notice this with a lot of headphones lately where newer models sound congested and without the full range articulation of older models, I don't know if they are tuning them differently to try and compete with headphones aimed at the general consumer like the Beats.
Relevant to the post immediately above mine, the original Philips X1 have a more mellow sound with better clarity compared to the X2HR which can sound congested at times and have poor positionality for gaming compared to older versions.
For music though I keep coming back to the Sennheiser HD600 despite they aren't end game and there are higher end Sennheisers even - there is just something about them which other headphones lack when paired with the right amp - the "thunk" of piano for example sounds so fleshed out and like you are listening to the instrument itself rather than a recording which very few other headphones do - some of the higher end Sennheisers have more detail but don't sound so real.
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Couldn't agree more - well-mixed vocals sound like they're in the room next to you. I thought headphones were just different flavours of EQ until I tried them. They're end game for me, I've no desire to buy anything higher end
