Headphone Cables

maybe ask www.headphonelounge.com? He’s a one man operation and willing to do custom work. Though not on everything.

 

So what exactly are we paying for in price between an OCC copper Forza Audioworks cable for 150$ and a Double Helix occ copper cable for 700$?

With most products there is something more tangible to explain the price difference. There isn’t even any snake oil here, they are both just occ copper cables. Except one costs 550$ more.

I do find significant sound differences even between occ copper cables. But nothing that is explained anywhere or logical or even follows the price (one occ copper cable I have is more expensive and much thicker and fancier but sounds worse than the Forza Audioworks occ copper cable)

 

I have repaired double helix cables before and was appalled at the poor workmanship. Fancy looking wires and connectors don't mean jack when you have poor soldering and frayed strands shorting out, all shoddily hidden in epoxy.

 

Van Damme cables works perfect for my applications.
Very affordable, and yet very well made. PU mix sleeves (no PVC) for their Super Flexible range. My long time favorite is their 1pair super flexible install cable, 3.8mm OD. 1 quid per metre. I'm not a big believer in cable sound, especially in baseband up to 20kHz. What won me over is its finish, and strength when rolled over, pinched, cut, exposed to elements outside e.g. normal use.
It's very hard to tangle it, and when that happens the PU is smooth enough that it's easily untangled in seconds.
Using it with my DT-250-250 pair since 2017. Over 2000 listening hours and decent abuse later, it still works fine.

 

Norne cables
I ordered a Drausk clear for the hd600, very organic, more space. Compared to the stock cable (I have a hd650 cable) cymbals sound like cymbals (Im a kit drummer) and stringed instruments have depth and sound like wood. Very easy to hear when a singer shifts between chest throat and head. I have about 30 hours on it I think it will open up more.

 

You need to break it in another 100 hours. That cable will bring out more bass too for your HD 600s. I have his Draug 3 on my HD600s.They are both copper cables. They are both very nice reasonably priced cables.

 

Shout out to CustomCans. I just recieved a cable for my HD650 KISS. The braid is purty, feels nice and soft, and doesn't transfer any noise from rubbing on things. Love it.

New toy syndrome says it may sound a bit "clearererer" as well. IDK, I like it.

 

what cable upgrades have folks tried on the Focal Utopia. Thinking of Norne Drausk clear, what's been your experience?

 

I use Norne headphone cables exclusively on my headphones. I have a mixed copper and silver cable on my Utopia. You should always hook new cables to your computer music app and play music through them for about 200 hours for best performance..
Their website is very mixed up and dated. Its a one man show. In your case, I think the best thing to do is go to the website and send Trevor an Email about what is the best cable for your Utopia.

 

Hi Claud
thanks for the suggestions, I emailed Trevor and asked his opinion on what he thinks is best for the Utopia, you mention you have the solvine?, copper/silver I tried this on the hd600 and returned it for the drausk clear it was much to bright for me. I have not liked silver very much. Have you tried all copper also and can you describe what your hearing with the silver/copper compared to all copper
best,
Josh

 

Josh, did Trevor reply o your Email? Also, you do realize that these headphone cables need to be broken in for 200 hours to sound their best. I use a Draug 3 all copper on my HD600.

 

that's how silver sounds. Cold/sterile/bright. Get a copper cable for your Focals. Burn in is not going to fix the problems with silver cable's tonality. I hear no changes with burn in with cables btw. And I don't see how anyone could it takes too long and is too subtle (if it happens at all)

 

Trevor said the fusion was the way to go its a new cable a few folks have, I asked if its all copper but I think its a combo of solver and copper which I have never liked. Not sure if its worth trying or just go for the drausk clear for the focals, any thoughts?

 

Drausk clear.

 

thanks thats what i am thinking also

 

I have both the Solvine and the new fusion cable and between the two the fusion is brighter, but with Genesis it was a welcome change over the solvine. I had an S4 all silver but preferred the solvine to it for my HD600. The all sober want bright, it was actually dull sounding.

I do not think he has the material to make solvine right now and that is probably why he is directing you towards the hybrid.

 

If you go to a forum with a lot of Norne owners, you will learn that Norne is famous for their silver cables that are not bright. I have a Norne silver cable on my HD 650 and its not bright.

 

I use a vykari cable (mostly silver with some copper) with my utopia, and I agree with @Claud, it's not bright at all and has more body than the stock utopia cable. Though I do have a feeling its the high awg that matters more than the silver in it (it's 17.3awg), so maybe a pure copper large-gauge cable would sound just as nice, I don't know. Whatever you decide, I don't think you can go wrong with one of Trevor's cables. They're very well constructed, very pliable, and have zero microphonics from my experience. Hope this helps.

 

thanks for your suggestions and thoughts, I am leaning towards the drausk clear as as its a very heavy gauge, I have one for my hd600 . My feeling is that it would add body and bass to the Utopia? I like a wetter sound compared to dry or leaning analytical. Have the EC studio B with a Bifrost 2, have ordered a Yggdrasil LIM does my gear change any reccomndations?

 

Here is a quote from Trevor during our discussions back in Novemeber regarding the new Drausk.

"Finally I am close to finalizing a new copper only cable in the very large 17.7awg as well, trying to confirm it this weekend.
While it doesn't have silver to get end-game detail and micro-detail, it does do the 17awg zone benefit I call "presence factor" which makes things super immersive and very addictive"

The end game detail he is referring too is with the Vykari cable. From my experience with his hybrids, they provide the best combination of detail and fullness. 3SC being one of the best I have heard (not heard the vykari yet) with enhanced detail and body to the sound. Solvine is my favorite HD6 - - but might be grabbing a Drausk to compare soon.