Hifiman HE-500 Cable Replacement

[BenTan]

Hi,

 

I'm currently looking for a replacement cable for the Hifiman HE-500. This is mostly for aesthetic reasons. I'm looking for an all black cable with a 1/4" plug, that's not stiff and microphonic like the stock cable.

 

I checked some of the cables on the Hifiman site and the only cable that they had with a 1/4" plug was $199 and I'm not looking to spend that kind of money on cables. Here are some of the replacements I've been looking at:

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/5-HiFiMAN-HE-5-HE-6-HE-300-HE-400-HE-500-HE-560-Headphone-Neutrik-Canare-Cable-/171734996362?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item27fc34158a

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/HiFiMAN-Canare-Headphone-Cable-for-HE-400-and-HE-500-Headphones-8-0m-/291187689941?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item43cc2389d5

 

This is another one I looked at but does not have a 1/4" plug: http://www.head-direct.com/Products/?act=detail&id=163

 

Am I correct in assuming that an aftermarket cable is not going to modify the sound? Are there any other cables below $100 that I should consider? Any help is greatly appreciated.

 

Thanks.

[creatip123]

I just made my own cable....

 

 

But seriously, it's not hard to do, cheap, and I get to choose what cable I want....

[xtroria]

mimic-cables.com, I think it'd cost you 50-70

[FatEskimo97]

mimic-cables.com, I think it'd cost you 50-70

Is there anything like that for Audeze LCD-2?

[xtroria]

Is there anything like that for Audeze LCD-2?

I think you could just contact the guy and tell him what you want

[NannerBeans]

If you don't want to spend ridiculous amounts of money usually the only choice is to make it yourself. I usually offer to make one but I'm too busy right now to do that.

[BoredErica]

How does a company fuck up the cables?

They find a way, lol.

[BenTan]

Hey guys, thanks a lot for all the responses. I would like to make my own cable but I'm a little too busy at the moment.

 

Would it be safe to get it from mimic-cables.com ? Prices seem reasonable enough.

[BenTan]

How does a company fuck up the cables?

They find a way, lol.

How do they mess it up?

[BenTan]

mimic-cables.com, I think it'd cost you 50-70

Thanks for the response. This seems like the most appealing option right now. Have you purchased from them before?

[BenTan]

I just made my own cable....

 

 

But seriously, it's not hard to do, cheap, and I get to choose what cable I want....

Thanks, I'll consider that If I eventually have the time. I actually saw your guide on how to do that before I posted this topic. Is it this one?

 

http://linustechtips.com/main/topic/222167-diy-hifiman-headphone-recabling-with-braided-strands-image-heavy/

[xtroria]

Thanks for the response. This seems like the most appealing option right now. Have you purchased from them before?

 

No, I know a friend who did buy HE-400i cable from him

[BoredErica]

How do they mess it up?

Honestly, I don't know. I don't think cables are that hard to make.  <_<

This is why I like the stock HD800 cable... it's black and there's no microphonics. Won't work with your HE500s though.

[creatip123]

Thanks, I'll consider that If I eventually have the time. I actually saw your guide on how to do that before I posted this topic. Is it this one?

 

http://linustechtips.com/main/topic/222167-diy-hifiman-headphone-recabling-with-braided-strands-image-heavy/

 

Yeap that one. Never used that cable again tho, since I got this new, twisted copper one.

 

 

Honestly, I don't know. I don't think cables are that hard to make.  <_<

This is why I like the stock HD800 cable... it's black and there's no microphonics. Won't work with your HE500s though.

 

Assembling, or more precisely, 'connecting' cables to the plugs and connectors aren't that hard. But manufacturing cables from raw materials, I'd imagine take lots of effort. If anything, it's impossible to do without big mold injecting machines.

[BoredErica]

Yeap that one. Never used that cable again tho, since I got this new, twisted copper one.

 

 

 

Assembling, or more precisely, 'connecting' cables to the plugs and connectors aren't that hard. But manufacturing cables from raw materials, I'd imagine take lots of effort. If anything, it's impossible to do without big mold injecting machines.

Yes, but Hifiman doesn't do that themselves. 

[creatip123]

Yes, but Hifiman doesn't do that themselves. 

 

True. And it's the same case as about 90% of other brands tho, they sub-con their cables to cable manufacturing companies. At least Hifiman is honest enough to leave the original cable's brand, canare, on their stock cables. Either that, or they're just to lazy to erase it