What do you look for when you buy your first earphone cable?

[Anthro_Kenny]

Hey guys! I'm buying my first replacement cable on Amazon and I'm not really sure how to pick and choose.
There's a LOT of specifications (materials, connectors, core counts and what not). They are really hard to understand and I don't really know which really matter.
I'd just like something that's compatible with different devices, durable and practical.
What things would you look for? Do I need to carefully check specifications? Also, what's the price range I should expect?
Really appreciate the support!

 

[fpitas]

Honestly, I'd check out the Amazon Basics if they have one. Otherwise look at the reviews. For the most part, claims of "better sound" are just that. The whole "balanced drive" thing was always a sham, so ignore that stuff.

 

[DSJR]

How durable is said cable if a longer one and will it break if it gets snagged in your feet when you get up? - I have Sennheiser cables that have regularly done this in the past, enough to pull the plugs out of the ear-capsule socket... No wonder they use(d) steel conductors I believe

 

[Cote Dazur]

What things would you look for?

They will all sound the same as far as letting the signal trough, but one important aspect is how noisy they can be be when in contact to anything.
So to me the only important factor is : silence.

 

[Mort]

I'd you just like nice cables try Hart or Corpse

 

[Redacted]

As said, a lot of cables have weak construction, but until you've used them for a while, you won't really know how well they hold up. Price is not necessarily a guarantee of robustness - often you are paying just for the faked up woo-woo. Avoid ones that look as if they have fussy construction. There's no audio benefit from buying expensive cables. In fact it can be cheaper to just buy a set of IEMs and cannibalize the cable.

The cable on my Gate Truthear IEMs has proven quite robust - it's simple, twisted black PVC.

If you are buying for IEMs, most seem to have 2 pins 0.78mm apart, and 3.5mm male plugs at the other end - check yours.

Some fancy brands try to to lock you into buying their own over-priced replacement parts like cables, by using proprietary connectors at one end.

 

[Somafunk]

I suspect this is an ai training bot, but if I am wrong then show us or tell us what your headphones are and we can advise you.

Is this you as well?

What do you look for when you buy your first earphone cable?

Hey guys! I’m buying my first replacement cable on Amazon and I’m not really sure how to pick and choose. There’s a LOT of specifications (materials, connectors, core counts and what not). They are really hard to understand and I don’t really know which really matter. I’d just like something...

forum.hifiguides.com

 

[Apesbrain]

I suspect this is an ai training bot...

Color. Blue sounds best.

 

[Anthro_Kenny]

I suspect this is an ai training bot, but if I am wrong then show us or tell us what your headphones are and we can advise you.

Is this you as well?

What do you look for when you buy your first earphone cable?

Hey guys! I’m buying my first replacement cable on Amazon and I’m not really sure how to pick and choose. There’s a LOT of specifications (materials, connectors, core counts and what not). They are really hard to understand and I don’t really know which really matter. I’d just like something...

forum.hifiguides.com

Hey! It's me! It's late at night so I'll tell you what I have tomorrow. They just arrived in the post!

Sorry for this. I come from a Sinophone background where it's super common putting the same post in different forums. Thanks for letting me know & I will avoid doing that next time. First time here.

Super thankful for everyone's advice! Will follow up with spec models tomorrow arvo

 

[Somafunk]

Hey! It's me! It's late at night so I'll tell you what I have tomorrow. They just arrived in the post!

Sorry for this. I come from a Sinophone background where it's super common putting the same post in different forums. Thanks for letting me know & I will avoid doing that next time. First time here.

Super thankful for everyone's advice! Will follow up with spec models tomorrow arvo

Ha, egg on my face and I offer you my sincere apology,

 

[Anthro_Kenny]

I've got a Xiaomi Quad Driver IEM set (3.5mm) plus a 4.4mm balanced Xelento.

 

[Frank Dernie]

My criteria are:
Is it the length I want? - it is useless if too short and a pita if too long.
Does it have the right connectors at both ends?
Does it have properly engineered stress relief where the cable enters the connectors.

 

[Ruediger]

Hey guys! I'm buying my first replacement cable on Amazon and I'm not really sure how to pick and choose.
There's a LOT of specifications (materials, connectors, core counts and what not). They are really hard to understand and I don't really know which really matter.
I'd just like something that's compatible with different devices, durable and practical.
What things would you look for? Do I need to carefully check specifications? Also, what's the price range I should expect?
Really appreciate the support!

Things to consider for me:

- Long or short cable. Mobile DAP rather short, below 1.5m. Desktop amp / workplace very long, 3m or even more on XLR extension.
- Connectors. Cheap cables can have knockoff connectors, quality ones genuine ones. Does not apply to all types nor is that important.
- Hull. Braided thick cable looks nice but is it practical. One hull around it all can withstand a lot more use.
- Thickness and weight. Especially for mobile use, but also for desktop. Too heavy is just annoying.

I recommend OpenHeart, EachDIY, Preffair on Ali. Or whatever good offers come up on amazon.

Just stay away from expensive snakeoil cables. Nothing to gain there but minor look and quality options. For prices easily reaching 4-digits. Hilarious nonsense parroted by the usual cablesound-salesmen.

None of my cables cost more than $60. With the OEM cable rated around $100 being the most expensive. They all do the same.