Cable Issue Help

Discussion in 'Advice Threads' started by Prtuc2, Oct 9, 2021.

  1. Prtuc2

    Prtuc2 Acquaintance

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    Hi everyone,

    Recently I acquired the DNA Stratus and I was testing a 4 pins XLR cable for my Sennheiser HD650. Cable connectors was black and red with no distinct label for L or R, so upon plugging in the XLR input I never heard my Sennheiser HD650 sounds so awful. I retest with my 4-pins XLR for my Sennheiser HD800 is perfectly fine, then retest the Sennheiser HD650 stock 1/4" cable it was like two difference headphones. I did swap the connector to different side still sounds like those walkman headphone.

    I am actually feeling bad to resell this cable to anyone, so I was wondering if any taker for this cable perhaps the person did a bad job wiring the cable? I can donate to SBAF site and they can sell it for pateron fund? I am up in air right now what to do with this cable.
     
  2. TheloniuSnoop

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    You may have one of the plugs to the 'phones in backwards, which would put the signal out of phase: no bass, diffuse sound.

    Is this cable a custom, or factory?

    If you have a way to test the cable, the wires should be this way:
    Red plug + (small pin) to XLR pin #3, - (larger pin) to XLR#4
    Black plug + to XLR pin #1, - to XLR pin #2.
     
    Last edited: Oct 9, 2021
  3. Prtuc2

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    Thanks for your input, will take a look once I get home.
     
  4. Prtuc2

    Prtuc2 Acquaintance

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    When I took apart the XLR connector I see a lot of that yellow coating not sure what that is. I see there are 4 cables coming out of each headphone connector perhaps those are two wires into one pin? May have to remove those yellowish coat in order to check the soldering.
     

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  5. TheloniuSnoop

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    Nice cable. Looks to be a hybrid silver/copper type; two conductors per pole. Each pole should have one of each to each pin, or the builder could have used silver to one pole, and copper to the other. Either way works. I can't imagine that whoever took the time to make it would make a rookie mistake like mixing up the wires or not test it. Stranger things have happened though.

    The 'yellow coating' is hot glue. Removing it would not be fun as it is quite sticky.

    I would recommend that you get a cheap multimeter (Harbor Freight has one for $7) to test the cable. I would be willing to check it if you send it to me and pay return shipping. PM me if you would like.
     
  6. Pancakes

    Pancakes Friend

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    Swapping + and - on a headphone does not result in bass cancellation like it does on a speaker since the two waves never meet (they're physically separated by your head).
     
  7. Prtuc2

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    I do have a fluke multimeter how would you check the cable? Measuring the resistance between between pin 1 across to 4?
     
  8. TheloniuSnoop

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    Just test for continuity as I described above (eg. Black 'phone plug small pin to XLR pin 1, etc.). Your meter should have a setting that beeps when you have a complete circuit. Put one lead on the 'phone pin and the other lead on the matching XLR pin. Keep the lead on the 'phone pin and touch the other three XLR pins. If you have continuity with any two different XLR pins, the cable needs repaired.
     
  9. Prtuc2

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    Thanks for your help, I went back to check the headphone connector there is actually two different sizes pin see the attach photo.

    Here is the finding:
    Black connector big connector: Pin 2 beep
    Black connector small connector: Pin 1 and 4 beeps
    Red connector small connector: Pin 3 beep
    Red connector big connector: Pin 1 and 4 beeps

    http://www.diyaudioblog.com/2011/09/building-sennheiser-headphone-cable.html
    If the larger pin is for ground/negative then red end big connector with two beep seems to be wired wrong?
     

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    Last edited: Oct 11, 2021
  10. TheloniuSnoop

    TheloniuSnoop Friend

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    Sorry to say that the cable was miswired.
    It has the left + and right - connected together. Probably just 1 of the two wires per pole was switched. Not good. Don't use it again until it gets repaired. This makes me think the cable was DIY'ed, not a commercial product. The builder obviously never tested it.

    My offer still stands if you want it corrected. PM me if you do.
     

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