Greetings all.
I've been asked to modify a stock HD650 cable to use the HP with a balanced amp.
Can anyone tell me if the stock cable is suitable to be modified this way.
I could just cut the molded plug off and find out, but would prefer to be forewarned.
I've been asked to modify a stock HD650 cable to use the HP with a balanced amp.
Can anyone tell me if the stock cable is suitable to be modified this way.
I could just cut the molded plug off and find out, but would prefer to be forewarned.
no you cant afaik, but then funnily enough even though ive made many senn cables and actually own HD600, ive never reterminated the stock cable, so not sure if its 4 core. i bought mine used and they had no stock cable
stixx: the headroom link doesnt say anything about the stock cable, at least not the page you linked.
stixx: the headroom link doesnt say anything about the stock cable, at least not the page you linked.
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Sorry I was in a hurry...
stock Sennheiser cables are 4 core, both HD600 and HD650 (since I recabled both of them, staying unbalanced 😀).
aha, so why did you say it couldnt he done? hehe stock cable is flimsy as hell so I assumed it was only 3 core
'twerks
The stock cable contains two red varnished and two green varnished multistranded copper conductors with some kevlar for strength. Despite being widely maligned and devilishly difficult to solder to a new connector, it works for balanced and one of my HD600 cables is made that way.
For hints on varnish / lacquer removal (and other less salient topics) see
The stock cable contains two red varnished and two green varnished multistranded copper conductors with some kevlar for strength. Despite being widely maligned and devilishly difficult to solder to a new connector, it works for balanced and one of my HD600 cables is made that way.
For hints on varnish / lacquer removal (and other less salient topics) see
If you get a gob of solder on the tip of your soldering iron and let the varnished cable sit there for a bit the varnish will burn off (you'll be able to tell when it's smoking) and the cable will be tinned and ready to solder. A higher watt soldering iron probably makes this easier.
No kidding. I will never, ever do that again.
But yes, it is possible convert the stock cable to balanced by chopping off the 1/8" mini-jack and connecting a 4 pin connector in its place.
The devilIz in the details
As my eyesight weakens and my hands shake a bit more I will not likely often repeat that task myself.
My efforts to build superior cables for HD-6x0 was a real learning experience about cables and people as well. I was never able to find cable that improved the performance of my Senns despite spending time and money attempting to do so. The stock cable appearance is IMO deceptive.
My hypothesis is as follows. Sennheiser got a rep for flimsy cables years ago so they engineered a flexible kevlar reinforced, dual twisted pair alternative that is light, flexible, and suffers minimal crosstalk but is not puppy proof 😱 The original rep lives on and cable vendors have good reason to perpetuate the old 'news'. While it is true that my hearing is not the greatest anyone suggesting dual shielded cabling ought to be completely ignored. Personally I prefer to not be limited to the 'Y' of the stock cabling but that requires soldering that is only slightly less devilish than those four pin connectors.
As my eyesight weakens and my hands shake a bit more I will not likely often repeat that task myself.
My efforts to build superior cables for HD-6x0 was a real learning experience about cables and people as well. I was never able to find cable that improved the performance of my Senns despite spending time and money attempting to do so. The stock cable appearance is IMO deceptive.
My hypothesis is as follows. Sennheiser got a rep for flimsy cables years ago so they engineered a flexible kevlar reinforced, dual twisted pair alternative that is light, flexible, and suffers minimal crosstalk but is not puppy proof 😱 The original rep lives on and cable vendors have good reason to perpetuate the old 'news'. While it is true that my hearing is not the greatest anyone suggesting dual shielded cabling ought to be completely ignored. Personally I prefer to not be limited to the 'Y' of the stock cabling but that requires soldering that is only slightly less devilish than those four pin connectors.
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