I shoulda asked here instead (headphones related)

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cjacek

cjacek

Analogue Enthusiast
Guys,

I posted a question in another forum but didn't get any replies. A headphones question, I thought, may not be "appropriate" to ask here but then I thought, I'd give it a shot anyway 'cause some of you guys are freakin' wizards when it comes to this type of stuff! :D

Here's the original (edited a bit) post:

The cable for the so called "new and improved" AKG K240S cans, which I bought new, has broke near the base of the xlr connector (I don't have it anymore). It's really flimsy so I'm not surprised.

The replacement part is like $30 but why should I get it, if it doesn't solve the original quality of the component in the first place. I thus am looking for something else, perhaps a better quality mini xlr to stereo mini jack replacement. I've enclosed a couple of links, of the original and also of something I've found (as possible alternative).

The original AKG EK 300:
http://www.performanceaudio.com/cgi/product_view.cgi?products_id=6999

Hosa XLR-Mini-jack (scroll down a bit) :
http://www.dvshop.ca/cables/xlr.html

I need you guys to help me out and suggest something ... or am I stuck with the cheap AKG cable?

THANKS!!​

https://homerecording.com/bbs/showthread.php?t=254446

:):)
 
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Why on earth are they putting xlr, mini or otherwise on a headphone plug? :confused::rolleyes:

I'd just cut the damn thing off and solder on a 1/4" normal TRS plug.

Cheers! :)
 
The Ghost of FM said:
Why on earth are they putting xlr, mini or otherwise on a headphone plug? :confused::rolleyes:
Click to expand...

Surely to have a monopoly on replacement cables.:eek::D

I'd just cut the damn thing off and solder on a 1/4" normal TRS plug.

Cheers! :)
Click to expand...

I have no clue how to do this nor the inclination to try but yeah, something more universal would have been warranted.
 
cjacek said:
I also found this:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...sive_XLRJ_MPS_10EXF_EXF_Stereo_Mini_Male.html

This would work, right?:confused:
Click to expand...
nop,
Comprehensive EXF Series Stereo 3.5mm Mini Male to 3-Pin XLR Female Cable - 10'
Click to expand...
You see, the male is mini, but the female is not so. So, aint gonna work well...heh heh :D:D:D
********
Seriously,
You need to find a cable (or make yor own) with so-called mini-XLR (or tini Q-G) female (not regular XLR) and what ever you prefer at the other end - 1/8" mini or 1/4" stereo.
here are some links I've found to look at:
http://www.switchcraft.com/products/qg_assembly.html
http://www.futurlec.com/XLR-MiniXLR.shtml
http://www.btx.com/ItemForm.aspx?item=CA-TA3F&Category=f55525a1-6204-4eb3-841b-897d73363938
*****
if you don't want to deal with making the cable just buy the AKG one, or buy two ... :D
*********
also, the way those AKG phones made - there nothing to cut there. You stick the damn cable into "you ear", sort of speak. There's nothing you can do, unless you feel like screwing up the phones or something...
/later
 
Thanks Mike:)

Those links are great and thanks for taking the time. I really appreciate it.

I may look into making a cable but will also entertain just getting the AKG one.

Well, thanks again!:)
 
I still have my old K240 (Made in Austria) I bought in late 80’s, so I’ve never had to deal with the mini-XLR thing. The cable is permanently mounted on the phone side and ¼” TRS on the other.

On the new ones I would just cut the mini-XLR end off and replace it. I would also cut the 1/8” connector and replace it with a 1/4” on the other side (but that’s just me). I don’t think anyone makes a replacement cable for any cheaper than AKG. :(
 
Beck said:
I still have my old K240 (Made in Austria) I bought in late 80’s, so I’ve never had to deal with the mini-XLR thing. The cable is permanently mounted on the phone side and ¼” TRS on the other.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I've had the originals for many years, only to have stupidly sold 'em in favor of the new "improved" ones. Bad move, as the permanent cable cans had much better quality.
 
Just out of curiosity, Tim, how did you find the 600ohm version as it relates to needing more vol power? I think my deciding factor when I sold 'em was that issue alone. Now to think of it, maybe I should have bought some sort of a transformer which changed the 600 into a lower number impedance? Is there such a device?:confused:
 
I never had any issues with impedance or low volume with the equipment I use them with. I know they reduced the impedance on the newer ones to be more compatible with PC-based recording… hence the mini 1/8” jack as the default instead of the1/4” as it used to be. The old K240 was an industry standard. No one complained about low volume with the K240 for 20 years and then all of a sudden it was an issue. ;) The new K240S is different in many respects… it’s not really the same product.

Probably not a bad headphone, but I would hate to lose the old ones I've got now. I had the old K141 too but they went bad several years ago.

I don't know about a transformer to convert them... I would just use an outboard headphone amp if I needed it. I know that's not always practical.

:)
 
Are you just disappointed that the new ones broke or did you like the old ones better anyway? :)
 
The AKG 240S headphones would be decent phones, but they have an intractable problem. Within 3 months of purchase, and under very light usage, the cable went bad (to put this in perspective, I have Sony headphones with hardwired cables that I've had for over 12 years and used every single day, and they still work fine). The detachable cable in question has an 1/8" jack with screw-on 1/4" jack on one end, and a strange-looking proprietary mini (3/32"?) jack that plugs into the headphone (this is _NOT_ a mini XLR). This proprietary jack is utterly impossible to fix, even for an electronics technician, and the phones themselves seem impossible to modify as well - which makes this product utterly worthless, completely unfixable. I asked AKG for a replacement cable, and they were not forthcoming, and were very rude to me, and said that it was my fault that it broke. I have over 15 sets of headphones, some over 15 years old, and the only ones that no longer work are the AKG 240S--and they quit working within 3 months. They gave me no option to get them working again, so I'm left with a $99 piece of garbage. It is my considered opinion as a studio owner and electronics technician that cable system for the 240S is a grossly flawed design. AKG should change the design, and then replace or repair all of the faulty headphones that they wrongly allowed to enter the marketplace, together with an apology to those consumers who were unfortunate enough to waste their hard-earned money on these faulty headphones. They should also fire the dimwit who came up with this blatantly flawed cable system. Needless to say, I will never buy AKG products again, and I let every musician that comes into my studio see my $99 piece of AKG JUNK. It hangs not-so-proudly on my "Wall of Shame", with a note explaining why no one should buy AKG headphones. Bill Allyn me@billallyn.com
Click to expand...
found here: http://www.audioreview.com/cat/headphones-home-audio/headphones/akg-acoustics/PRD_143815_2750crx.aspx
*************
Bill said it's not mini-XLR. hmmmmm :confused:
so is it mini-XLR or is it not? :(:confused::(:confused:

I thought it is. maybe I'm wrong.
********
speaking of "fixing" akg phones, here are mine k240m (15 year old or so), Had to fix them few times, pain in the neck.taped , patched, new greenier foam, and reinforced, still sound cool though heh heh:
 

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Wow, I think I'll just stick to my measly Sony MDR-V100 that I've had for about 10 to 15 years. 1/8" plug and no problems.:D
 
Beck said:
I don't know about a transformer to convert them... I would just use an outboard headphone amp if I needed it.
:)
Click to expand...

Beck said:
Are you just disappointed that the new ones broke or did you like the old ones better anyway? :)
Click to expand...

Yes, an outboard headphone amp would probably do the trick, rather than a transformer.

Tim, I am mostly disappointed with the fact that with light use, over a period of maybe a few months, the 240S version broke and that the cable (from AKG) just sucks sh*t, to perfectly blunt. The sound is very good but I thought the original 240 Monitor cans were a bit better, had more neutral sound, albeit needing more amp juice, that sometimes I couldn't supply. The big selling point is these are the most comfortable headphones money can buy.
 
Dr ZEE said:
found here: http://www.audioreview.com/cat/headphones-home-audio/headphones/akg-acoustics/PRD_143815_2750crx.aspx
*************
Bill said it's not mini-XLR. hmmmmm :confused:
so is it mini-XLR or is it not? :(:confused::(:confused:

I thought it is. maybe I'm wrong.
********
speaking of "fixing" akg phones, here are mine k240m (15 year old or so), Had to fix them few times, pain in the neck.taped , patched, new greenier foam, and reinforced, still sound cool though heh heh:
Click to expand...

Mike, good find. Thanks for taking the time to go through the info.

The Bill fella, in the above review, got it 100% right. My thoughts exactly. Nothing to add nor subtract.

Your 240 cans look cool indeed!:)
 
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