The Quiet Difference: Why Cables Matter
Many engineers and audiophiles say cables don’t make a sonic difference. I believe they do — but it’s not super obvious or drastic. Sometimes the changes aren’t even what you expect.
Back to the Beginning
My experience goes back to fall 2008, when the AKG K701 was widely considered one of the best headphones out there — what we at HeadRoom, founded by Tyll Hertsens, believed was the top choice. We sold plenty, and AKG gave everyone at the shop a pair as a thank-you.
I started in sales in June 2006, then moved over to manufacturing in early 2007 — soldering, surface mounting, and assembling amps. About a year into that, I took on all the custom cable work, including rewiring the crew’s personal headphones.
The First Rewire
Tyll asked me to rewire his AKGs with HeadRoom FatPipe, made by Cardas Audio. The cable was hardwired directly to the drivers. After listening to my K701 headphones daily for about seven months, I finally rewired mine the same way.
I skipped the recommended burn-in and still heard a quality difference right away — It hit me more profoundly than I expected. Sure, now it’s subtle again, but that first moment? Totally unforgettable. And if you think I’m imagining things, maybe my ears are quirky — or maybe they’re just playing tricks to keep the debate interesting.
…and that’s when it hit me — no way I’m ever looking back. That’s exactly why I’m in the cable game now. No apologies, no regrets.
The FatPipe Revelation
Tyll broke down the FatPipe cables: Cardas four-conductor wire, Constant-Q Golden Ratio, shielded, and terminated with a hefty plug to reduce crosstalk. The impact was immediate — tighter bass, more detail, a bigger soundstage, and clearer sound, all while keeping the K701’s signature character.
He also tested the cables on his Sennheisers and heard similar subtle improvements — more clarity on top, better separation, and harmonics that fit together more naturally.
Tyll was skeptical at first — he didn’t want the headphones to sound changed in a negative way. Instead, the cables delivered a more open sound and added space, making music feel more present.
Hearing the Difference
The way I noticed the differences wasn’t magic. I had lived with my 701s for months, knew their sound inside and out, and only then swapped the cable. I kept a few reference tracks I always came back to, which helped lock in what I was hearing.
Once I, Tyll, and the whole sales crew caught on to the difference, cable upgrades didn’t just set sail — they tore out to sea like a storm-driven ship. Even the toughest skeptics couldn’t ignore what their own ears were hearing. Suddenly, everyone wanted a ticket on that subtle but unmistakable voyage.
The Canare Moment
Tyll often ran Canare cable for DIY projects, and while Cardas definitely kills it, me and some of the crew straight-up preferred Canare on the Denon D2000s — the most badass affordable closed-back headphone back in the day. Vocals had more presence and midrange weight — a touch fuller and more up-front than Cardas.
I swear, I remember that day like it was yesterday — we were about to order another spool of HeadRoom Cardas FatPipe, and bam, the price shot way up per foot. Maybe it was a classic case of sticker shock syndrome, or call it an economical placebo, but whatever it was, we all jumped on the Canare crown that day, hahaha.
We rewired a bunch of D2000s with Canare, while some still had Cardas from months before. We lived with those cans plenty, and yep, that day Canare pushed back and took the belt. Still, Cardas held its ground where it mattered.
That’s exactly why, at Corpse Cable, we stick with Cardas and Mogami, and why Custom Headphone Cables honors Canare — every cable has its place, and every listener has their own story.
One Guy’s Ride
That’s how it hit me — not the rule, just one guy’s ride. Hell, if your ears are sharper than mine, you might spot it before the coffee’s brewed.
So, do cables make a difference? Damn right. This isn’t hype or marketing — the changes are subtle, but they’re real. It all depends on your gear-ears. Take the time, listen carefully, and you’ll hear it. More than sound, it’s the craft, care, and customization behind every cable. And if you’re still arguing about it, maybe it’s time to unplug your gear, step outside, and remind yourself what fresh air sounds like.
The Bench Truth
Truth? A few stock cables scrape by. Re-terminated plenty of ’em — most are cold, sloppy solder. Hell, even some of the stock Utopia cords look like they were hit with a hot nail. Small-shop joints smoke ’em every time. Nine outta ten, that solder alone earns the ticket.