3.5mm Plugs + Chinese Parts Quality

I've been looking for a good all-around 3.5mm connector that is around $5 or less. The two closest I've found are Plussound's, which are a bit more than I want to pay at $10 per, and Amphenol KS3PC-AU, which is almost perfect but occasionally won't get a good snappy mate with a device.

Desired qualities:

Solder tabs, not a telescoping solder-barrel (Oyaide does the barrel, and pretty much every option from China on ebay/aliexpress)
Gold-plated, or other superficial plating that makes me feel like it's better than anonymous brass.
At least a slightly extended shaft for using with phones; this is why the otherwise nice Rean plugs aren't my go-to. They will run into fit problems with certain portable uses.

I'm thinking that the Amphenol plug is likely going to be what I stick with, as it's easily found for less than $2.50 and is perfect except for rare instances of popping out a bit more easily than others. But I'd like to know if there's anything I'm missing.

Also, I don't know if there's already a thread about it, but it'd be useful to have a reference thread for common parts that have attractively priced, OK-looking Chinese availability, like RCAs, wire, etc.

I've been pretty satisfied with the HD650 connectors I've gotten; they seem essentially the same as the couple I bought stateside. Has anyone tried these: https://www.ebay.com/itm/HD650-Conn...308638?hash=item1a462a051e:g:JWYAAOSwoFVaa9J5

I'll think of other Chinese-sourced parts I have and write them up.

 

I've tried a ton of different ones. Like you I don't care for the telescoping internal soldering tabs, and like yourself I settled on the Amphenol KS3PC-AU. It's the best performance to value ratio. The Neutrik NYS231 works well but is not as well built as the Amphenol. There's also the Switchcraft 35HD, which is a little more expensive than both but is a nice all-arounder with a solid feel. Below is an image I took a while back for comparison.

 

If you are ok with right-angled plugs, most of the ones from China that I have bought have had solder tabs. Otherwise, Amphenol might be the only option that meets all of your criteria.

 

I'd like a link to those, if you can find one. - Actually, I just looked and it's much easier to get an angled plug with tabs than a straight plug.

It is looking like Amphenol is it. I just tried their 1/4" plugs too, for the first time, which I like. The ground tab has a little finger to hook wire to, which is nice. Maybe I'll try their RCAs next.

$0.28/piece for goldish tabbed 3.5mm plugs if you have a project that needs a lot.

Anyone tried these? Or similar. Their barrel at least has a good gap and a tab for shaft connection.

 

Amphenol is solid. Heck, Oyaide's shop in Japan even sells them as a budget option. I like their mini XLRs as well - barely more expensive than Aliexpress ones, but much better made. I'd use them more if I weren't so particular about looks.

 

Plussound's mini-XLRs are nice. Exactly the same internally as Redco's, and about the same price at $10/pair, but they have a nicer finish. Only available with a larger opening. I like Redco's too. Less finicky internally than Rean.

 

Ordered these right angle connectors and they arrived. Nice enough quality. Each channel and ground has a finger with a hole to solder to, no tubes. I used 22awg equivalent litz wire and soldered pretty hot. The wire fit through the holes and the connector's insulation didn't melt or seem like it would easily deform. I'd guess that 20 awg would be the largest that you could easily solder using the holes, but larger gauges could work without too much trouble because of the stepped design. I needed a little 3.5mm cable so I put this together, which also lets you see the size in relation to an Amphenol connector. The extended shaft is adequate to let it plug in securely through the Otterbox case on my LG V20.