Can headphone cables be 'killed' by the cable/connector they're plugged into?

Forums › Home Theatre (including HTPC and EPG Collector) › Can headphone cables be 'killed' by the cable/connector they're plugged into?

Richard7666

50 posts

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#59906 14-Apr-2010 19:28

I've had the cables from 3 sets of Sennheiser 212pros have one channel die within 3 weeks of each other. These had been working for 3-4 years (tested them all on my ipod, and swapped each channel where they plug into the cans to ensure it is indeed the cables).
Anyway I was thinking this is a very bizarre coincidence, so is there any possibility that it's what they're plugged into?

All it is is a DSE audio extension cable like http://www.noelleeming.co.nz/audio-.../prod66724.html (it too has been fine and used with these headphone cables for years); plain old 3.5mm, m end in the PC audio jack, f end with the headphone cable plugged in. It couldn't be...'overloading' cables plugged into it or something could it?

Otherwise this is a very weird coincidence.

SepticSceptic

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#318652 15-Apr-2010 09:43

You have a hardware virus :-)

I'd almost be inclined to replace the extension cord, especially if it has been in heavy and continuous use. Cables can and do get squashed, run over, trod on, pulled out of sockets by the cables - all leading to possible shorts or open circuits.

Is the actual headphone cable dying, or the can itself ?

richms

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#318796 15-Apr-2010 14:01

Was it the left? I have had problems with the left dieing on many headphone cables, seems that its the one that is most prone to damage when the strain relief is flexed excessivly.

Last pair if senheisers I uses suffered cable failure but that was cat related, they use the same horrid "rubbery" cable that nokia use on their chargers which seems to be an ideal chew toy for cats, and it doesn't always get damaged even tho the conductors do.

Richard rich.ms

Richard7666

50 posts

Geek

#319458 16-Apr-2010 17:10

I have 3 pairs in household (long story why I have 3), all died within weeks of each other. One has the left dead, the other two it's the right.

@SepticSceptic: it's definately the cables, see second sentence of opening post