Hm, if looks pretty similar to my T1 cable and it can be a bit stiff for desktop use and the 3m length but if you need the length it should be better than most hifiman cables 
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Not quite sure. Maybe halfway extension on the cups?
Ok, if you are halfway out, I am at 5 of 12ā¦ wanted to make sure the XS wasnāt drastically different.
Can anyone recommend a replacement cable to use with the SMSL SP200 (Unbalanced amp) & Topping E30?
Want to make sure Iām getting the best out of my XS with my current setup.
This was recommended by someone earlier in the thread https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005001642424244.html
Hart audio cables are also recommended, but no good for Aussies as the shipping is too much
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So no problem using a balanced cable with a SE amp?
That would be a problem.
You could use a 1/4" jack on either of those though. Balanced cables will often terminate in unique connections like XLR, 2.5mm or 4.4mm to avoid any confusion. Is your SP200 receiving a balanced input?
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those links I thought provided for options - you can choose length and connections
The open heart store has a lot more cables for sale.
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Unsure, Iāve got the SP200 connected via RCA to the Topping E30.
Iām new to cable comparing, but I can tell you this:
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You and your setup are more important than anything else. I canāt hear any difference with cables on some of my setups and can hear significant difference on others. Some setups ask for more open sound; some setups are the opposite
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I donāt recommend spending more than 30-40% of the headphone/speaker cost on the wire. Good chance is you wonāt hear any significant difference after that point
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After appearance, pleasant to the touch and cost, conductive materials are number 1 priority. Iāve been most impressed with OCC copper with no silver plating anywhere for most of my chains. And Iām not talking just about headphone cables - Iāve heard this kind of difference everywhere. Usb cables, power cables, interconnects, speaker wire - Iām rewiring all of my systems to silverless OCC copper. Silver in most reasonably priced cables is not pure enough and slows transients and makes sound brighter. That silver brightness is not completely fixable with EQ, because it also changes the sound presentation, and not just FR. After materials, insulation probably comes second. I havenāt experienced really expensive cables, so I canāt say much about that
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I think that on most setups EDXS will benefit from the cable that will improve transients and will lower brightness, compared to the stock cable, and I strongly recommend a balanced connection. 2 months ago Iāve ordered a custom silver plated OCC copper cable from aliexpress and although I really like the way it looks and feels, I prefer my stock HD Zeus cable with EDXS, because transients are faster and more refined, depth is better and highs are less bright. Also Aliexpress sellers often send cables with flawed 4.4 connectors, or umparked L and R connectors, so beware. Without a 4.4 to XLR adapter I can only hear the left channel in my cable. My seller sent me a free replacement, but I think that QC issue is still unacceptable
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which seller/brand was this?
I purchased my cable from lunashops, but Iāve read about the same issues and worse in comments to other shops as well
If I remember correctly, the SP200 has an XLR output, so you could use that Open Heart cable with a 4.4mm to 4-pin XLR adapter like this one. You could also look for a straight 4-pin XLR cable.
That said, the SP200 is not a true balanced amp so this is more a convenience thing. You can use 1/4" cable to connect to the same 1/4" output in the amp, and there shouldnāt be any difference.
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Thereās a 3.5 to 3.5 option of the Openheart cable bohn posted.
Wondering if I connected that cable to the SP200 Output using the 1/4" Adaptor which came with the XS and then to the XS cups, should that be better than the stock cable?
Or should I stick with an XLR cable, as the SP200 is not true balanced wondering if there would be a difference between the 3.5 option listed above vs an XLR cable.
Hi Iām also looking for a nice cable to pair with my XS, right now my goal is to get XLR connected to my gears.
Iāve found that the Open heart one+ the XLR adapter all together for around AUD $ 48. Then I found this 4 Pin XLR Balance High Purity Silver Cable for around AUD $82.
I know they are made out of different materials but in terms of sound quality would the expensive one make a big improvement over the cheaper combo? Is it worth to go for that 80 dollar one?
Sorry I am still a noob to the audiophile world.
Just make sure you arenāt trying to convert a balanced connecter (4 pin XLR/4.4mm pentaconn) to a SE plug (1/4" or 3.5mm SE)ā¦ this will cause major issues and can damage your gear.
Basic rule is that you can convert a balanced connector to another balanced connector (IE 4.4 Pentaconn to 4 Pin XLR) OR you can convert a SE connector to another SE type (1/4" to 3.5mm)ā¦ but never cross between SE to Balanced or Balanced to SE.
These types of converters shouldnāt even exist but I have seen a few dumb ass hole in the wall companies make them for who knows why. Just use a cable like the OpenHeart 3.5mm until you upgrade your source gear to support balanced.
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Hi guys. I am relatively new to the hobby but this topic made me jump here : )
I was about to buy Sundara a few days ago and I am glad that I had some doubts about it as my first planar. Initially I wanted my first mid-fy headphone to be DC Aeon Closed X but I live in Europe so I was waiting for a kind of discount so it will be in a more reasonable price after all the import fees.
I wasnāt reading this topic because I thought this headphone will be way out of my budget (just seeing the name I was assuming a price higher than $1000) but after reading most of the comments and checking the actual price, I am about to pull the trigger.
I really love the bass and sub bass in my music so thatās why I had doubts with Sundara. I have the ifi zen dac and ifi zen can, so as many said the magic bass button can probably make them better.
I have DT 770 80ohm and m50x for years and honestly I canāt enjoy the music as much as I want. I tried EQ-ing them but still something is missing. I have never tried but I really think I will enjoy open back or just planars more. Why not both : ) Or maybe just a better headphone.
Do you guys know if Edition XS will be available in Europe or I can just order it from AliExpress? Btw it will be the same price for me as DC Aeon Closed X but all the hype around this headphone makes me think it will be a better choice. And eventually I can buy the Aeon on the next black friday if I still have the need (and budget) to have a good closed back.
I ordered from Hifigo to Sweden and it is arriving in a couple days (a total of under 2 weeks). No extra taxes or anything.
I also have the Aeon RT Closed that I use at my office. They are the most comfortable headphones I have ever used and the sound is very clean and has a somewhat āfunā tuning. I can probably post a short comparison with the XS next week.
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Thanks for the feedback. I just checked the shipping for Hifigo and I will go with it probably. I can wait for your comparison and I am actually looking forward it : )
I already read that XS leaks like crazy so probably I wonāt be able to use it most of time. On the other hand I really want to have a good pair of open backs as well. And many reviewers also said that the Aeon Closed sound a little bit like an open can.
Yes, I have the HE400SE as well, and the Edition XS is much looser. Actually for me, to the point itās a problem and it does fall off my head if I look down. I have bent the arms which has helped a lot.