Replacing headphone cable of Sennheiser HD600 [Archive]

Paul Chang

12-24-2005, 05:49 PM

I'm thinking about replacing the cable of my Sennheiser HD600. Has anyone done it? Any recommendation on the replace cable (e.g. Cardas)?

How intensive is the work? I am more concerned about disassembling than about soldering. Also, did the replacement headphone cable you used come pre-tinned? I don't have a soldering pot for tinning.

paul cbc

12-24-2005, 06:02 PM

Paul,

Haven't done it myself, but remembered that the Bottlehead folks sell a replacement cable:
http://www.bottlehead.com/et/cable/bottleheadphonecable.htm

"The Bottleheadphone Cable starts with a Cardas headphone cable with Cardas-made plugs for connection to the headphones. It is a shielded, lightweight, flexible, 4 conductor, design, to which we have a very rugged Neutrik right angle stereo phone plug added."

Not cheap @ $177, but I think Bottlehead stuff is of good quality.

Hope this helps,
Paul :righton:

kdbrink

12-24-2005, 06:14 PM

No soldering required....the cable unplugs.

Kayaker

12-24-2005, 08:36 PM

Just go to the Sennheiser web site and order the replacement cables for the 650's for $30. They fit the 600's and I've been thrilled with the improvements I've been hearing for two years now.

LeeS

12-24-2005, 08:48 PM

The Cardas cables are said to be the best. :)

Henry Love

12-24-2005, 09:29 PM

I believe Music Direct sells the Cardas replacement.I wonder how it sounds myself.

JohnG

12-24-2005, 10:04 PM

Paul Chang

12-24-2005, 10:06 PM

No soldering required....the cable unplugs.
Ken,

Good to know that. Thanks!

Paul Chang

12-24-2005, 11:06 PM

Just go to the Sennheiser web site and order the replacement cables for the 650's for $30. They fit the 600's and I've been thrilled with the improvements I've been hearing for two years now.
I found on http://www.sennheiserusa.com/ the HD650 cable H-92885 (http://shop.sennheiserusa.com/retail2002/ProductDetails.aspx?direct_cat=Parts&direct_prod=092885) listed for $11.03. But the HD600 cable H-81435 (http://shop.sennheiserusa.com/retail2002/ProductDetails.aspx?direct_cat=Parts&direct_prod=081435) costs more at $17.01. I couldn't find the $30 cable. :confused:

Kayaker

12-24-2005, 11:36 PM

Wow! Looks like they have come down in price. Strange about the HD600 cable price being more.
Lucky you - No brainer to try them at that price.
If you order them - The 650 cables are noticeably thicker and slightly heavier than the 600's in case you are worried they will send you the wrong cables....

Rob LoVerde

12-24-2005, 11:41 PM

A good friend who's ears I trust told me that upgrading the plug on the Sennheisers yields a significant sonic improvement.

Paul Chang

12-24-2005, 11:45 PM

Kayaker

12-24-2005, 11:54 PM

In the pictures the HD650 cable has black plugs on both sides. The HD600 cable has one black (L) and the other red (R).

I'm not home to look at the cable, but I believe the pictures to be accurate.

About the plug - I think I remember that the 600 terminates to a mini plug and has an adapter for a larger plug. I think you can see this in the picture. The 650 terminates to a larger plug. I would assume that one less connection would make a difference. I think Rob is talking about soldering a higher end plug.

Paul Chang

12-24-2005, 11:57 PM

A good friend who's ears I trust told me that upgrading the plug on the Sennheisers yields a significant sonic improvement.
The HD650 is equiped with the mini plug and the PX-4G mini to 1/4" stereo phone adaptor. I have no doubt that upgrading the plug will improve its sound. But why not the cable at the same time?

Paul Chang

12-25-2005, 12:30 AM

I'm not home to look at the cable, but I believe the pictures to be accurate.

About the plug - I think I remember that the 600 terminates to a mini plug and has an adapter for a larger plug. I think you can see this in the picture. The 650 terminates to a larger plug. I would assume that one less connection would make a difference. I think Rob is talking about soldering a higher end plug.
The HD650 cable is terminated with a 1/4" plug? Great! Yes, it's a good thing to have less connection. But it will need a mini plug adaptor. Well, I have two HD600's so I'll probably keep one with the stocked cable.

I understand Rob's point. But I'd rather replace the cable also. And the detachable plugs, too. But who is selling them? It's a no-brainer to try the $11.03 upgrade first.

soundQman

12-27-2005, 02:07 PM

The HD650 cable is terminated with a 1/4" plug? Great! Yes, it's a good thing to have less connection. But it will need a mini plug adaptor. Well, I have two HD600's so I'll probably keep one with the stocked cable.

I understand Rob's point. But I'd rather replace the cable also. And the detachable plugs, too. But who is selling them? It's a no-brainer to try the $11.03 upgrade first.
Well, this is one reason I didn't buy the 650s, in addition to the fact that some reviewers have written that they prefer the sound of the 600s over the 650s. I use the 'phones mainly with equipment that has mini plug outputs, so in my case I prefer the stock 600 cable because I don't need to add the extra conector. Anyone have experience comparing the 600s vs 650s soundwise?

Spaceboy

12-27-2005, 02:18 PM

Would anyone in the USA be able to purchase a couple of the normal Sennheiser HD650 cables for me from the USA website? They dont post to UK and they're much cheaper than this side of the pond.

This is where you get them from:

http://shop.sennheiserusa.com/retail2002/ProductDetails.aspx?direct_cat=Parts&direct_prod=092885

I could pay you by Paypal before you buy them, then you get them delivered and send them to me. I will pay all costs plus a couple dollars extra or so.

Or if anyone has a spare cable, PM me. Thanks.

Jerry

12-27-2005, 05:47 PM

What would be the step-up cable for the 580's?

Spaceboy

12-27-2005, 11:48 PM

What would be the step-up cable for the 580's?

I think you can fit HD650 cables to them, but dont quote me on that.

Paul Chang

12-28-2005, 01:48 AM

According to the Sennheiser web site, HD580 and HD600 share the same stock cable. So if the HD650 cable fits the HD600 headphones, it should fit HD580, too.

Spaceboy

12-28-2005, 05:12 AM

Yep. It's the same with the HD565 Ovations that I have, they use the same little plug things. I need a new cable because the left channel keeps cutting out, think the wire must have snapped.

kwadguy

12-28-2005, 08:56 AM

Just go to the Sennheiser web site and order the replacement cables for the 650's for $30. They fit the 600's and I've been thrilled with the improvements I've been hearing for two years now.

Yup...Maybe the 650 cable is not the be-all and end-all, but it's a distinct improvement on the 600 cable and it's quite reasonably priced. I've done the replacement. It takes about 1 minute (unplug old cable, plug in new cable).

Kwad

kwadguy

12-28-2005, 09:05 AM

I found on http://www.sennheiserusa.com/ the HD650 cable H-92885 (http://shop.sennheiserusa.com/retail2002/ProductDetails.aspx?direct_cat=Parts&direct_prod=092885) listed for $11.03. But the HD600 cable H-81435 (http://shop.sennheiserusa.com/retail2002/ProductDetails.aspx?direct_cat=Parts&direct_prod=081435) costs more at $17.01. I couldn't find the $30 cable. :confused:

Wow...They have really dropped the price on the 650 cable. When I last looked, it was at least $30+...

OK, well now my two pairs of HD580s are getting new cables. Can't beat the price...

Kwad

markl

12-28-2005, 09:17 AM

I would suggest dropping by www.head-fi.org for info on replacement cables. There are now well over a dozen models/makers. That's where you'll find descriptive reviews and headphone geeks to chat with about them.

gordolindsay

12-28-2005, 11:06 AM

Yeah, head-fi.org is the place to go. Here are some/most of the cable upgrades other than the stock:

Zu Mobius - Silver wire based
Headphile - different models
Cardas - copper based
Equinox - copper based (I think)
Blue Dragon - copper based
Silver Dragon - silver based

I've only tried the Headphile and the Cardas. I think the Headphile bests the Cardas by a bit.