darkless Posted December 12, 2007 Report Posted December 12, 2007 I was wondering what headphone cable length would be ideal for a home setup. My logic tells me that shorter is better, since it will limit the total cable capacitance. Of course it needs to be long enough to not be inconvenient and flexibility also plays an important role. Let's just assume that I'd use a balanced version of Alex' V3 cable. Assuming an audio rack setup next to a medium sized desk I would think that a 6' cable would be enough for regular use, and then an extension cable could be used for when you want to sit in the couch and use your cans for nighttime TV watching. I might've missed some common usage scenarios, but this is what I could think of off the top of my head. What would you recommend and why?
tkam Posted December 12, 2007 Report Posted December 12, 2007 I've found 10 ft to be a pretty good length but really it depends on the individual and their situation.
grawk Posted December 12, 2007 Report Posted December 12, 2007 whatever length you'd need to sit comfortably in your normal listening position, and then an extension cable that would get you to your alternate listening position. So it's something that only you can know.
n_maher Posted December 12, 2007 Report Posted December 12, 2007 I make all of my headphone cables 10' long and always keep a 10' extension handy. Provided that the cable used is reasonably flexible a little extra length is rarely an issue.
Duggeh Posted December 12, 2007 Report Posted December 12, 2007 I'd rather have 3 feet snaked on the floor than have to move my chair 3 inches. Measure the distance between your amp and your listening positions, and then add more to allow for slack and play. Does having a few more feet of cable really make that much difference sonically compared to not having it ergonomically? I'd want more than 6 feet personally. 8 or 10 is good. Odd given that my speaker cable runs are only 4.
postjack Posted December 12, 2007 Report Posted December 12, 2007 I'd rather have 3 feet snaked on the floor than have to move my chair 3 inches. Agreed. 10ft minimum on any recable for me, and I only sit a few feet from my amp. I just toss any extra cable under my desk. This is also so the cable can run straight down my chest and onto the floor in front of me, as opposed as directly to the right where my amp is located. I find when using a shorter cable and having to run it in this fashion, it drags the headphone down on my head all lopsided.
bhd812 Posted December 12, 2007 Report Posted December 12, 2007 20 ft only here, I like to have the ability of getting up and walking around without taking the phones off, esp if its a good track playing. With Grados I use extensions of course but the Cardas on the Senn's is 20ft, so is my Cardas for the sensaphonics (home use only cable). I did a comparo with a few Grados and the extension cable a long time ago, didn't hear shit of a difference. I would love to buy a set 0f 701's but how the hell am i going to get a stock cord in 20ft length? don't think i am buying them soon.. It depends on your needs and how far off the Rack do you listen to the headphones. i don't believe the greater the length makes a sonic change, unless your running 300 feet lengths maybe. also if your balanced it should not matter one bit no matter the length. as far as hearing the difference between 6 feet and 20ft I would say your smoking something.
laxx Posted December 12, 2007 Report Posted December 12, 2007 I like 10 feet snaked on the floor when I'm sitting to give me the option of walking around the area as well. No one likes to take their headphones off whenever they have to move a few feet away from their chair.
iceman94 Posted December 12, 2007 Report Posted December 12, 2007 I'd even shoot for ~15 ft., depending on the room. I think a good target to aim for would be to have excess even at the furthest reach of where you might walk. Of course, with speakers you don't need to worry about tugging cables , but you don't get a portable sweet spot either
ojnihs Posted December 12, 2007 Report Posted December 12, 2007 10 ft has always worked well for me, although I'd love to have a 20 ft cable like Billy so I could move around a bit more.
Dusty Chalk Posted December 12, 2007 Report Posted December 12, 2007 Optimally, headphones would have lemo connectors or something, and you could change the length to suit your needs -- for example, there are times when I am in front of the computer, and don't want to move -- in which case 6 feet is fine -- then there are times when I want to listen in bed, in which case 20' would be more appropriate, and so on. Because we all know that extensions add additional connections, which are bad, right?
ojnihs Posted December 12, 2007 Report Posted December 12, 2007 Because we all know that extensions add additional connections, which are bad, right? i always thought additional connections was bad
Duggeh Posted December 12, 2007 Report Posted December 12, 2007 20 feet and i could wear my headphones in the living room. 30 and i could keep them on while I go make a sandwich.
Dusty Chalk Posted December 12, 2007 Report Posted December 12, 2007 Yeah, that's probably +/- 10 feet.
ecclesand Posted December 12, 2007 Report Posted December 12, 2007 10 feet is good for me. If it's any longer, then my kids will inevitably get wrapped up in it while chasing each other in my listening area.
grawk Posted December 12, 2007 Report Posted December 12, 2007 That's why you string up piano wire at 18", crisscrossing the room
ecclesand Posted December 12, 2007 Report Posted December 12, 2007 That's why you string up piano wire at 18", crisscrossing the room Ouch! Then I'd have to take 'em to the goddamn hospital...not worth the hassle. I need a good deadbolt on the door. That should keep the little shits...I mean cherubs...out of my area.
aerius Posted December 12, 2007 Report Posted December 12, 2007 I go with about 9-10' since that's long enough for me to lie in bed or sit at my workdesk. Unfortunately, the cables on my Grados aren't long enough to reach to the workdesk, but they still reach to the bed so it's not too bad. I haven't decided if I'm going to build an extension cable or build a whole new system near my desk.
ph0rk Posted December 12, 2007 Report Posted December 12, 2007 I can't tolerate being far from the volume control, so 1.5m is almost always enough for me. My left hand acts as a compressor all of its own.
n_maher Posted December 13, 2007 Report Posted December 13, 2007 I can't tolerate being far from the volume control, so 1.5m is almost always enough for me. My left hand acts as a compressor all of its own. Remote stepper FTW!
Fitz Posted December 13, 2007 Report Posted December 13, 2007 I like around 9-10 feet of cable on my headphones... enough to let me move around the immediate area, but not enough to get tangled up underneath my chair.
grawk Posted December 27, 2007 Report Posted December 27, 2007 That picture looks more like "the problem with shitty furniture" to me
Elephas Posted December 27, 2007 Report Posted December 27, 2007 The wood and glass rack looks good to me, it's better than mine. The problem might be the lack of coiling skills. I've found that aftermarket recables, such as APureSound V3, Moon Audio Black Dragon and Enigma Audio Oracle, coil easily and hold their shape. I usually sit near the audio rack, within reaching distance of the volume knob, but I like an eight or nine foot headphone cable. Six feet is too short, and over ten becomes more cumbersome, so eight or nine is about right. Some of the cable length is taken up by the section that lies along your body, roughtly the distance from your head to the ground.
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now