Headphone Cables

[jdandy]

I have a pair of Sennheiser HD600 headphones. I bought them new, and have enjoyed them for years. I have never been as critical a listener with headphones as I am with full blown sound systems and speakers. Lately I have had a fresh interest in listening to my HD600's, and I have been wondering if upgraded headphone cables would be worth the investment. I have had a number of recommendations, everything from staying with the stock cables, or swapping the HD600 cables for the HD650 cables, to much more expensive options.

I have researched several upgrade headphone cable options. I have looked at the Stefen AudioArt cables, A Pure Sound cables, and Cardas cables. Jeff (tonepub) recommended Stefen AudioArt cable. I was fortunate the other night, and found a mint Stefen AudioArt Equinox headphone cable for the Sennheiser HD600 for $175.00, so I purchased it, and now waiting on delivery. That is about one third the price of Stefen AudioArt's new cable offerings, so I hope the purchase turns out to be a performance boost for my HD600 headphone. I'll let you know.

Has anyone swapped their headphone cable for an upgraded one? Was the change an improvement?

[Dj_AmTraX]

I like to hear your thoughts. I have a HD600 too and I love the sound more than the HD650.

[jdandy]

The Stefen AudioArt headphone cable arrived this morning. I wasted no time swapping the stock Sennheiser HD600 cable for the SAA cable. I have to say I am more than a little impressed. I wasn't certain there would be a large enough difference in the sound to readily identify an improvement, but I was mistaken. The Stefen AudioArt Equinox headphone cable has made a remarkable advance in the sonic purity of the HD600's sound. The most notable improvement is a far clearer presentation and improved upper midrange detail, plus an improved texture to bass notes. It's almost like I had been listening through some type of acoustical foam, and suddenly the foam has been removed, leaving nothing between my ears and the driver elements. The headphones have literally opened up. A very good example is the CD I am presently enjoying, Celtic Twilight. The track "Eastlander" begins with drum beats that reverberate in the background with each strike of the drum skin. The HD600 stock cable sounded flat without a sensation of depth that the reverberation created. The SAA cables allowed the full impact of the drum strikes and resulting ambiance and reverberations to fully bloom. I could hear the drum skins vibrate clearly where the stock cables were clouded and muted by comparison. The improved definition of voices and instruments is refreshing, and will result in me spending more time listening to the HD600's. Wanting to listen more, and for longer periods is the true test of improved sound quality.

I went back and forth between the stock cable and the SAA cable for the first hour this morning, listening to all types of music. Each time I returned to the HD600 stock cable there was a loss of clarity, a shrinking of sound stage, and restriction of acoustic information as though foam had been returned between the headphone drivers and my ears.

I have to give a thumbsup thanks to Jeff (tonepub) for recommending the Stefen AudioArt cable, and for the accuracy of his review of the SAA cable in issue 10 of ToneAudio back in 2007. The new Stefen AudioArt headphone cables are not inexpensive, so I am very pleased to have acquired this used SAA cable in mint condition for $175.00. A nice benefit is the original owner ordered the cable in a 12 foot length, so I have plenty of slack to move about without feeling cramped by a 6 foot cable length. This was a good purchase, and my Sennheiser HD600 headphone has taken a nice bump up in performance. I am thoroughly satisfied with the Stefen AudioArt Equinox cable. I can recommend this headphone cable without hesitation.

[Dj_AmTraX]

Do you have a HD650 cable to compare too? I have a HD650 cable in my HD600.

[jdandy]

Mike.......I do not have a Sennheiser HD650 cable. Several people recommended I try the HD650 stock cable. I had thought about purchasing it just to compare to the SAA cable, but this cable sounds so good I no longer have interest in comparing the HD650 cable. I am very pleased with the Stefen AudioArt cable. I am going to stick with it.