Making your own Audio Cable

[DutchTexan]

I've never made an audio cable before, but hey, what could go wrong.

 

My goal is to reproduce the standard HD650 cable, but for my HD600's. 

 

Thoughts on these components?

 

Dual Balanced 2 channel cable:

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I picked this, because it looks like it's made to do a Y split. That's about it as far as reasoning...

 

I'm assuming the cable specs communicate that one strand is 4.0mm in diameter, so 8mm across the entire cable? $0.83/foot sounds reasonable to me.

9ft = $7.47

 

1/4" TRS Male Connector 

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I picked this, because it looked cool. At fist, I had one that was mono, gotta watch out for that. It looks easy to solder and cost $2.05.

1 plug = $2.05

 

HD600 connectors

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I picked this, because I couldn't really find that many options. The website I'm ordering the cable from wants $20 for the connectors. So, Amazon it is.

I pair = $11 (thanks for being difficult, Sennheiser)

 

 

 

So, those are the basics. Now to make it not look ghetto.

 

 

 

Y split: 3/8" 3:1 Adhesive Shrink Tubing(couldn't find what I was actually looking for)

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This is to make a strain relief for the Y split. I haven't been able to find good Y split, strain relief components? So, adhesive shrink wrap will have to do. This is the cheapest, smallest amount I could find on the internet.

 

 

I want it to look something like this:

minimum amount = $4.80 

 

Sleeving for main cable:

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I picked this in the 'checker flag; color, because it's from the same place I am ordering the fundamental components. I think the cable will with be made of two 4.0mm cables next to each other, so I picked the closest, smaller size to fit this. Which is 1/4" (6.35mm). The next size would have been too big to fit well, I think. So, because I will be stretching the sleeving I don't think I need to buy extra. The total length of the cable for this sleeving, plug to Y split, should be about 8 feet. So, I should just buy 8 feet. I'm just going to buy 9 feet, because it is so cheap.

9 feet = $1.53

 

Sleeving for Y split cables:

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I picked this in the white color, because this was the next smallest size to the split cable. The two split cables should be 4.0mm in diameter so 1/8" (3.175mm) for the sleeving should fit okay. I am planning on have 9"-12" of cable going from the Y split to the actual headphones. Since it's going to stretch to fit 2 feet for the pair should be fine. I'm going to buy 3 feet, because it is so cheap.

3 feet = $0.45

 

So, the total of all these components = $27.30 w/o shipping. I think that is a reasonable price. If the shipping isnt more than a few bucks, then I think it is a good deal.

 

However, the official Sennheiser 1/4" HD650 cables are now, out of stock, but on Amazon for $23. 

[anothertom]

I mean, yes, you can make your own cable, but for the same price as buying one you'll not see any improvement whatsoever.

 

The cable you mention isn't a 4mm⌀ (12mm²) conductor, it's a 0.2mm² area, the 4mm refers to the outer protective jacket.

 

There are cheaper options on both amazon and fleabay. 

[DutchTexan]

1 hour ago, anothertom said:

I mean, yes, you can make your own cable, but for the same price as buying one you'll not see any improvement whatsoever.

 

The cable you mention isn't a 4mm⌀ (12mm²) conductor, it's a 0.2mm² area, the 4mm refers to the outer protective jacket.

 

There are cheaper options on both amazon and fleabay. 

Yes, that 4mm measurement is what I was hoping would be the outer diameter for one of the two conjoined cables. So, the entire cable should be 8mm wide. This measurement is what I am depending on for planning the Y split and sleeving.

 

Which components would you use from that website or which cable would you be interested to buy for it to be an improvement? An improvement relative to the factory 1/4" HD650 cable or the factory 3.5mm HD600 cable.

 

The one you linked is essentially what I already own, only shorter. The reason for building/buying a new cable is because I don't like the factory HD600 cable that terminates to a 3.5mm jack to be plugged into a 1/4" adapter. I want a great 1/4" to 650/600 connector cable.

[anothertom]

4 minutes ago, DutchTexan said:

Yes, that 4mm measurement is what I was hoping would be the outer diameter for one of the two conjoined cables. So, the entire cable should be 8mm wide. This measurement is what I am depending on for planning the Y split and sleeving.

Yup, cross section would be approx 8mm x 4mm.

 

7 minutes ago, DutchTexan said:

Which components would you use from that website or which cable would you be interested to buy for it to be an improvement? An improvement relative to the factory 1/4" HD650 cable or the factory 3.5mm HD600 cable.

I personally don't think cable improvements are ever worth the amount of money you'd need to spend to see the slightest improvement over any factory cable, and even less so from a recognised high end brand like the sennheisers/shure/AKG 's of the world. Also, consider that manufacturers are buying cable/connectors in such large quantities that they would hit the lowest prices, so DIY'ing for the cost of a new one will (no offence meant) result in lesser build quality and possibly a worse quality product.

 

10 minutes ago, DutchTexan said:

The one you linked is essentially what I already own, only shorter. The reason for building/buying a new cable is because I don't like the factory HD600 cable that terminates to a 3.5mm jack to be plugged into a 1/4" adapter. I want a great 1/4" to 650/600 connector cable.

If you only want it to be terminated to a 1/4'' jack (and you already own a cable) why not just re-terminate it with a nice 1/4'' connector?

[DutchTexan]

1 hour ago, anothertom said:

Yup, cross section would be approx 8mm x 4mm.

 

I personally don't think cable improvements are ever worth the amount of money you'd need to spend to see the slightest improvement over any factory cable, and even less so from a recognised high end brand like the sennheisers/shure/AKG 's of the world. Also, consider that manufacturers are buying cable/connectors in such large quantities that they would hit the lowest prices, so DIY'ing for the cost of a new one will (no offence meant) result in lesser build quality and possibly a worse quality product.

 

If you only want it to be terminated to a 1/4'' jack (and you already own a cable) why not just re-terminate it with a nice 1/4'' connector?

You make some good points. I kind of want to make a cable, just for the fun of it - that would be the only justification now.

 

Thanks for your input!

Edited January 28, 2017 by DutchTexan