Cable Building

Thank you, that was smart to check the Acrolink site, I should have done it myself. I made cables using Canare and Mogami wires for TR-X00, T5p etc with a regular 4 pin Neutrik XLR, but messed up TRRS 2.5 mm more than once. After more digging I found Eidolic 2.5mm “spacious barrel” TRRS on the Double Helix site, and easy to solder HD800 connectors. For reterminating the short HEKv2 cable that wide barrel should be perfect. So I am covered if I decide to DIY, otherwise I will order from Forza Audioworks

 

Very unlikely. Looks like a manual job to me, although nice. $8k is a steal tho

 

Yep. I took a look at their website and they say all hand made. I tested the pattern with 8 wires and it was simple enough after I figured out how to hold everything, but it would take an ugly about of heatshrink or glue to get everything terminated nicely. I wouldn't do it for myself, but if someone ponies up the cash, I'd build them one for half off

 

Don't tempt me

 

OK, this is totally mickey mouse compared to the excellent DIY work you guys do, but I figured I'd share in case anyone else is in a similar situation and wants a quick n dirty fix.

I have a "naked" 8-wire made by Impact and it handles nicely. But when the left and right strands cross above the splitter the braids rubbing against each other sound like a zipper resonating in the cups. They're terminated for HD6xx so pretty much impossible to sleeve. So I had the idea to wind some ribbon around one of the strands and secure it with photographers tape. It's a hack job and doesn't look great, but there's very little noise now. The tape is only on the ribbon so it won't gum up the cable and can be redone if it falls apart.

I guess silver ribbon would be less obvious, but this is what I was able to find laying around the house. At least the tape is the same colour as the ribbon.

 

I need your help!!

Tried to soldier those special MMXC connectors to make my own balanced IEM cable;
Completely messed it up and I just realised that I am not really good at soldering/and don't have the right equipment (blame it on the tools and eyesight);

If you are (preferably) in the UK and are able/willing to help to rectify my soldering problem (must know what you are doing) for compensation please sling me a message.

Ever so thankful!

Cheers.

PS: Not sure this is the right thread. ....

 

Hiya friends!

I'm thinking of making some nice lookin' copper cables for my HD650 (just for the aesthetics). I really like the look of the ZMF 2k Copper cable and I'll be using that as reference. Where can I find similar quality copper wire with transparent sheath? Norne Audio sells 22awg OCC Copper wires for DIY but only has the option to purchase a full spool ($395 ...lol)

I've attached a reference photo down below.

 

You should be able to buy by the foot from Norne. It shows as the default option for me. It is great wire. Handles beautifully. Thinner and softer than the Copper 2k though still robust at 22ga. Doublehelixcables has an interesting option here: https://doublehelixcables.com/product/molecule-se-quad-occ-copper-litz-diy-wire/ but you will need a solder pot since it is a litz wire. Check out BTGaudio as well - he sells Mogami single strand.

I will amend and also say that the Copper 2k is really cool wire, too - very pretty in person. I have played with the built cables from ZMF, but haven't gotten my hands on any DIY samples.

 

That option seems to be only for the silver :/ but will check out BTGaudio

 

Just add the amount you want without using the price break option.

 

If you're only doing a bit, you can tin litz with a solder blob jacuzzi on your iron tip. Preferably with very good ventilation. And then you can clean it up with some hot flicking and hope that you don't get burned with hot solder spray.

 

@fraggler was extremely generous with his time and came out of semi-retirement to build me a cable and adapter for my Clears using the Norne 22AWG OCC Cu wire mentioned above. The bonded double cable that Focal uses is well constructed but has very poor ergonomics, handling like writhing python. So my main goal was to have something supple that wouldn't kink, and be as free of transmitted mechanical noise as possible. The cable that @fraggler made with the Norne wire came through with flying colours on both counts.





We decided on an 8-wire construction (because moar) and nylon multifilament sleeving above the Y-split to minimize rubbing/bumping noise. The main braid is light and supple, and I think even without the sleeving the cable would have been dead quiet. I opened up the Neutrik connector on the adapter to check out the wire and it is THICC. I think 4 wires would easily be enough for sonic purposes, but the 8-wire braid fraggler did feels really nice to hold and looks super sexy.

*As for how it sounds, I don't have much experience with aftermarket cables for full size phones, but usually prefer copper for IEMs as I find it smooths out the highs and tightens and punches up the bass. I was surprised to find the Norne wire sounds a bit brighter than the stock Focal ("low resistance 24 AWG OFC copper, with cotton braided sheaths"), but bass has a bit of emphasis as expected.

Spoiler: *Hearing is Beliebing

As for being a cable belieber, I started out firmly in the "wires is wires" camp, but starting with the switch from the stock Andro "Litz" to PWaudio No. 5, I couldn't deny that cables make a difference.

Anyway, I just wanted to share this beautiful cable with everyone, and thank @fraggler for finding the time in his very busy schedule to make it. The Norne wire is pricey, but definitely worth it if you're after something OCC copper for your project.

 

Can someone suggest good diy HD650 plugs to accommodate thicker cables like FAW Noir etc?
Thanks.

 

They're a little pricey, but very easy to work with and could easily be re-used, and they'll take larger than normal AWG: Furutech FT-2ps

 

Great thanks.
If I can't find a decent cheaper solution I will order this and be done with it.

 

Basically clones of the Furutech: https://www.hndme.com/collection/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=1731&idcategory=208 Can find them all over ebay and Aliexpress as well. Have used them many times to good effect.
Haven't tried these yet, but they have a relatively huge opening: https://www.ebay.com/itm/2x-Earphon...iser-HD650-HD600-HD580-HD25-Soft/163713868731

 

Great thank you.

 

AEC Connectors (Taiwanese manufacturer) makes these, which are teflon (no melting is so nice!) and high quality, even if they use the tiniest screws I've ever seen. This ebay seller used to have them but doesn't seem to anymore. It'd be nice if someone like Norne, Moon, Plussound, Double Helix, etc. would make a bulk order and sell them.

 

They look very good quality.

 

I showed the AEC website to Zach at ZMF and he was intrigued. Don't know if anything will come of it since everyone wants either cheap or Eidolic, but depending on his cable sales volumes, it could make sense for some ZMF connectors. AEC is definitely top notch, but only available to those willing to buy in the bucketloads.