Audiophiles, question - Headphone Extension Cable Sound Quality

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edro

edro

Lifer
Apr 5, 2002
24,326
68
91
I have Bose QC3 headphones for work/travel.
I know... Bose is overpriced, but they were a gift and I actually really like the quality of the sound cancellation and sound quality is good enough for me.

Anyway, I needed an extension cable for my desk, so I bought a cheap 6' extension on Amazon.
The sound is horrible. It echoes and is dull sounding.

When I go direct from my headphones to either the front or rear jack on my computer, it sounds great.

Do I need a better extension cable?
I figured since I am not a musician, any old cable would work fine.
Maybe my cable is defective...

I don't think I will be getting a $1000 oxygen free, gold conductor extension cable though.

Thoughts?
Any brand/style you would recommend?

Update: My headphones use a 4 pole 3.5mm jack and I bought a standard 3 pole extension cord.
I need a 4 pole extension cord, but need to make sure it works with my exact headphones.
 
Last edited:
StrangerGuy

StrangerGuy

Diamond Member
May 9, 2004
8,443
124
106
All are the same, unless you got one so shitty that it isn't making proper electrical contact. Agilent, HP, Shimadzu etc will be knocking on your door if you can prove magic cables.
 
edro

edro

Lifer
Apr 5, 2002
24,326
68
91
StrangerGuy said:
All are the same, unless you got one so shitty that it isn't making proper electrical contact. Agilent, HP, Shimadzu etc will be knocking on your door if you can prove magic cables.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I get some changes in sound depending on how deep it is in the receptacle.
Fully inserted sounds dull and echoes.
If I pull it out slightly, it sounds better.
Probably a defective cable... I will take some measurements with my calipers.

Edit: Caliper measurements (section lengths and diameters) are dead on!
QC3 cable jack has 4 conductor sections (probably for inline volume control) and the extension cable jack only have 3.
Maybe its the extension cable's receptacle end, which I can't measure.
 
Last edited:
M

Matthiasa

Diamond Member
May 4, 2009
5,755
23
81
It is possible, but rather unlikely, that the headphone was designed with very little allowance for fluctuations in cable impedance. that means that potentially, although again unlikely, the extended cable prevents the needed power from reaching the headset to power its speakers.

Mostly likely reason as already stated is a bad contact.


/obviously didn't read the entirety of the above post
 
Last edited:
Oyeve

Oyeve

Lifer
Oct 18, 1999
22,044
875
126
You have a shitty broke cable. The echoing is probably phase distortion. Just get another cable.
 
sdifox

sdifox

No Lifer
Sep 30, 2005
98,955
17,377
126
edro said:
I have Bose QC3 headphones for work/travel.
I know... Bose is overpriced, but they were a gift and I actually really like the quality of the sound cancellation and sound quality is good enough for me.

Anyway, I needed an extension cable for my desk, so I bought a cheap 6' extension on Amazon.
The sound is horrible. It echoes and is dull sounding.

When I go direct from my headphones to either the front or rear jack on my computer, it sounds great.

Do I need a better extension cable?
I figured since I am not a musician, any old cable would work fine.
Maybe my cable is defective...

I don't think I will be getting a $1000 oxygen free, gold conductor extension cable though.

Thoughts?
Any brand/style you would recommend?
Click to expand...

Ofc cable with gold plated connectors don't cost a thousand...
 
gorcorps

gorcorps

aka Brandon
Jul 18, 2004
30,739
454
126
If you really want the opinion of an audiophile, get rid of the first sentence. They'll already have closed the thread in a fit of laughter when they read "Bose"

But yeah, just buy a new/slightly better extension cable. Can't hurt and if it doesn't work Amazon should take it back.
 
thesmokingman

thesmokingman

Platinum Member
May 6, 2010
2,302
231
106
edro said:
Yeah, I get some changes in sound depending on how deep it is in the receptacle.
Fully inserted sounds dull and echoes.
If I pull it out slightly, it sounds better.
Probably a defective cable... I will take some measurements with my calipers.

Edit: Caliper measurements (section lengths and diameters) are dead on!
QC3 cable jack has 4 conductor sections (probably for inline volume control) and the extension cable jack only have 3.
Maybe its the extension cable's receptacle end, which I can't measure.
Click to expand...


User error. QC3 is 4 pole and you used a 3 pole cable. Guess what happens to two of the poles of a 4 pole when inserted into a 3 pole connector?


mrjminer said:
Shit I haven't heard of that one before, I'll have to check them out :O



Sadly, I missed that one. :'(
Click to expand...


http://www.amazon.com/AudioQuest-Diamond-6-56-Braided-Cable/dp/B003CT2A2M/


You know this is the best ever right?
 
sdifox

sdifox

No Lifer
Sep 30, 2005
98,955
17,377
126
Last edited:
IEC

IEC

Elite Member
Super Moderator
Jun 10, 2004
14,578
5,990
136
gorcorps said:
If you really want the opinion of an audiophile, get rid of the first sentence. They'll already have closed the thread in a fit of laughter when they read "Bose"

But yeah, just buy a new/slightly better extension cable. Can't hurt and if it doesn't work Amazon should take it back.
Click to expand...

This is exactly what I did. I laughed and then closed the thread the first time.

Just buy an overbuilt $5-10 cable from Amazon or Monoprice and call it good.
 
thesmokingman

thesmokingman

Platinum Member
May 6, 2010
2,302
231
106
IEC said:
This is exactly what I did. I laughed and then closed the thread the first time.

Just buy an overbuilt $5-10 cable from Amazon or Monoprice and call it good.
Click to expand...


That won't help.


gorcorps said:
Didn't even notice that before... yup, bought the wrong cable
Click to expand...


It's actually a very common issue, especially with phones and not all 4 pole is wired the same, different standards etc.

http://www.cablechick.com.au/blog/understanding-trrs-and-audio-jacks/

Unfortunately there is no universal one-shot product which can work with all devices, and it's impossible to see inside the female socket to know where the wires go.
Click to expand...
 
edro

edro

Lifer
Apr 5, 2002
24,326
68
91
thesmokingman said:
User error. QC3 is 4 pole and you used a 3 pole cable. Guess what happens to two of the poles of a 4 pole when inserted into a 3 pole connector?
Click to expand...
Well I'll be damned.
I assumed 4 pole connectors were backwards compatible with 3 pole.
I assumed the 4th pole was in a universally unused area of the receptacle.

Thanks!
I will have to get a 4 pole extension cord.
Probably Bose brand so I know it works. They aren't too much more than generic on Amazon.

I have no problem being used as an example for others. :)
 
edro

edro

Lifer
Apr 5, 2002
24,326
68
91
GagHalfrunt said:
Can't tell if this is like the lamest real thread ever or the lamest April Fools thread ever.
Click to expand...
Pretty lame thread I know...
But hey, maybe it will help someone in the future who searches the forum with the same problem.

The headphones were a Christmas gift from my wife... who doesn't know better.
Still, I am very happy with them, even though she (we) overpaid.
 
WaTaGuMp

WaTaGuMp

Lifer
May 10, 2001
21,207
2,506
126
My AK240 has 2 connectors, TRS and TRRS, the TRS is a 3 pole and is 3.5mm, the TRRS is a 4 pole and its 2.5mm. Cant mess up plugging anything in that way.

TRRS1.jpg
 
gorcorps

gorcorps

aka Brandon
Jul 18, 2004
30,739
454
126
edro said:
Well I'll be damned.
I assumed 4 pole connectors were backwards compatible with 3 pole.
I assumed the 4th pole was in a universally unused area of the receptacle.

Thanks!
I will have to get a 4 pole extension cord.
Probably Bose brand so I know it works. They aren't too much more than generic on Amazon.

I have no problem being used as an example for others. :)
Click to expand...

I'll be honest and say I probably would have made the same mistake. Mainly because I wouldn't have looked at the headphone plug to see if it was 4 pole in the first place :$
 
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