Does cheap 6.3mm to 3.5mm adapter affect sound quality?

[Kajornkeat]

Hi guys, I'd like to know if cheap adapter affect sound quality. I'll be getting HE-500 soon to use with my O2+ODAC. The problem is my o2/odac has a 3.5mm port so I'm going to need an adapter for HE-500. Which one should I buy for my setup? Grado/Audeze adapter or cheap one?

[XTankSlayerX]

I've use many and I haven't noticed any issues...

[aidenrelkoff]

no. not at ALL

 

its a analog signal. both the 1/4in and the 1/8 inch have 3 wires inside. it can and will never change the sound quality, but 1/4 does look more professional

[Snazzy]

No it doesn't, i do the same thing with my HE 400's but other way around.

[BoredErica]

Get the one that is least bulky and the best looking aesthetically. The Audeze connectors tend to be bulky and ugly.

[MuffinTopMike]

Since the signal is not being converted, it shouldn't really matter.

[KingDaddyDaniel]

Get the one that is least bulky and the best looking aesthetically. The Audeze connectors tend to be bulky and ugly.

Ugly is subjective. The more bulky 6.3mm plug tends to latch into the plug better. Just as the 3.5mm holds it's plug better than the 2.5mm.

I used to have a phone that had a 2.5mm audio jack that would never stay plugged in... dubstep has never been played louder in a middle school library

[creatip123]

Well, maybe don't use the cheapest you can find (under $1 stuffs). Cheap ones usually don't have good QC, so there are quite a few that got problems, like wobbling contacts. Some even got incorrect length (which should be standardized)

 

Personally, I'd go with gold plated (yellow ones), because:

- looks better

- stronger against oxidation, because gold is known as one of the least reactive metal

[BoredErica]

Ugly is subjective. The more bulky 6.3mm plug tends to latch into the plug better. Just as the 3.5mm holds it's plug better than the 2.5mm.

I used to have a phone that had a 2.5mm audio jack that would never stay plugged in... dubstep has never been played louder in a middle school library

I'm pretty sure we know that ugly is subjective bro.

And I'm not even comparing 6.3mm to 3.5mm, I'm talking about the bulkiness of one adapter to the next.

[MayflowerElectronics]

Be careful which adapter you use. The solid ones put a lot of strain on the Jack.

Get one like this -

http://goodcans.com/HeadphoneStore/images/Grado_Mini-Adapter.jpg

And no, it doesn't have any effect on SQ.

[JR1911]

Every time you add adapters, extension cables etc. there's a chance it may degrade the signal. Usually there shouldn't be any problems, but I'd stay away from the cheapest ones just to be sure.

[JR1911]

http://goodcans.com/HeadphoneStore/images/Grado_Mini-Adapter.jpg

 

 

Wow, I got a 'ACCESS FORBIDDEN. Your IP is being logged for investigation into the matter' when I clicked that link.

[Lauen]

Wow, I got a 'ACCESS FORBIDDEN. Your IP is being logged for investigation into the matter' when I clicked that link.

I did too, wtf

[BoredErica]

Wow, I got a 'ACCESS FORBIDDEN. Your IP is being logged for investigation into the matter' when I clicked that link.

 

 

I did too, wtf

IT'S A TRAP!!!

[JR1911]

Good thing I'm not on my personal computer atm, don't know when the FBI or CIA would come knocking at my door

[BoredErica]

Well, maybe don't use the cheapest you can find (under $1 stuffs). Cheap ones usually don't have good QC, so there are quite a few that got problems, like wobbling contacts. Some even got incorrect length (which should be standardized)

 

Personally, I'd go with gold plated (yellow ones), because:

- looks better

- stronger against oxidation, because gold is known as one of the least reactive metal

I want to investigate this gold plated connector stuff. I mean, how much gold do they use in the process of making a $5 connector nobody cares about? I'm not willing to just believe the label and think it's going to prevent anything.

For no strain and less clutter right in front of the O2/Odac, I suggest using one of those adapters that have a cord leading to a right angled 3.5mm connector. Something like this:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000068O6B

 

The right angled 3.5mm prevents clutter, and the fact that the place where the headphone's quarter inch jack is plugged into the converter is a bit further away removes all strain.

[creatip123]

I want to investigate this gold plated connector stuff. I mean, how much gold do they use in the process of making a $5 connector nobody cares about? I'm not willing to just believe the label and think it's going to prevent anything.

For no strain and less clutter right in front of the O2/Odac, I suggest using one of those adapters that have a cord leading to a right angled 3.5mm connector. Something like this:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000068O6B

 

The right angled 3.5mm prevents clutter, and the fact that the place where the headphone's quarter inch jack is plugged into the converter is a bit further away removes all strain.

 

I think the thickness is usually 5 micron = 5 micrometer = 5/1000000 meter

 

I've read somewhere that a new brass would have similar color, but oxidize relatively fast compared to gold.

[MayflowerElectronics]

Wow, I got a 'ACCESS FORBIDDEN. Your IP is being logged for investigation into the matter' when I clicked that link.

 

Lmao for some reason I don't get this on mobile but I get this on my work computer.

 

Anyway, something like this is what I meant - http://www.audeze.com/sites/default/files/styles/amb_gallery_full/public/Audeze-Adapter-14-to-18-01.jpg?itok=QQudS9WT

[JR1911]

Gold is also a soft metal so it should in theory provide a better contact than a harder metal. An even better material than gold for connectors is rhodium.

[Kajornkeat]

Wow, I got a 'ACCESS FORBIDDEN. Your IP is being logged for investigation into the matter' when I clicked that link.

Got that too. I thought it's a trap from NSA spy on the forum  

 

 

The right angled 3.5mm prevents clutter, and the fact that the place where the headphone's quarter inch jack is plugged into the converter is a bit further away removes all strain.

Actually that's a good idea imo. Unfortunately, all adapters I could find around my place are straight or solid one. Shouldn't be problem for me though, got plenty spaces on my desk. I think I'll get Grado mini adapter. Don't want to risk damage the connector on o2/odac.

[creatip123]

Gold is also a soft metal so it should in theory provide a better contact than a harder metal. An even better material than gold for connectors is rhodium.

 

Gold = soft metal = true

 

Soft metal provide better contact = can't find the theory base on this. Looking at this table: http://environmentalchemistry.com/yogi/periodic/electrical.html, silver got the highest conductivity, higher than gold, although silver is a hard metal by itself (not mixed with other metal). Too bad silver tarnish/oxidize easily

 

Rhodium is better than gold for connectors = in what term? If strictly in term of electric conductivity, it's lower than gold, as stated on the table. People started using rhodium plating for connectors because it's not as soft as gold, and quite resistant to tarnish or oxidation

[BoredErica]

This is a great time to take this to HA and get to the bottom of this.

[Lays]

I'd recommend the Audeze connector like @MayflowerElectronics did (or something like it).  I have one that I used to use with my LCD-2 until I got an amp that could support my 1/4" jack.  It's ridiculously well built IMO.

 

http://www.audeze.com/products/accessories/14-18-adapter

 

It's $20 though, so if you don't have a spare 20, get something cheaper as it won't make a difference in sound.  IMO the build quality is worth it though.

 

 

I think sennheiser makes one too, it may be less/more expensive. check amazon/ebay.

[NannerBeans]

Get a pigtail one. At least I think that's what they're called. The single piece metal ones will break off in your socket.

[ShearMe]

I think sennheiser makes one too

Pretty sure they're all made by Sennheiser, hence the price tag.