Have you ever desired to get an extension cable for your headphones, but were afraid of compromising the integrity of your listening experience with a subpar link?
For the last several years, when I’ve wanted to listen to the Dan Clark Audio Stealth headphones connected to my main system, I have had to do either of the following: A) Run some extra long RCA cables from the preamp, move my headphone amplifier out by my seating, and plug the headphone amp into the wall with an extension cord; or B) carry a chair up to the front of my media center and listen there. If I chose the latter, it meant carrying a rigid wooden dining table from the back of my room to the media stand or a heavier, overstuffed chair from the listening area. The former was more lightweight but a bit stiff, while the latter was infinitely more comfortable, but caused more back strain while carrying it — especially at the end of a late evening.
However, several months ago, I surveyed a variety of headphone extension cables and decided to try out the Mogami Gold 10′ Headphone Extension Cable that retails for $109.95. Renowned in pro audio for their studio and live music applications, Mogami cables have a great reputation for clarity, ultra-low noise, and signal integrity, and are used worldwide by major artists and recording studios. I have not been disappointed.
A Word on the Mogami Gold Cabling Construction
The Mogami Gold Extension Cord uses Neglex Quad Microphone Cables. According to their website, “MOGAMI BANTAM AND LONGFRAME PATCH CORDs are the first high definition audio cables specially designed for recording studio engineers and broadcast professionals, and offer following outstanding features:
- Super-flexible Quad-Balanced NEGLEX OFC wiring and Overall Served (Spiral) Shield provide maximum definition, detail and signal transparency in addition to giving excellent protection from electro-magnetic noise.
- Both analog audio and digital audio patch cables are available.
- Maintenance free with durable nickel plated tip / ring / sleeve connector preventing from tarnishing. Degradation of the sound quality caused by secular change becomes extremely low on account of it.
- Compact low profile molded design permits use in high density jack fields. BANTAM PLUG : Overall Diameter 7.8mm (0.307″) LONGFRAME PLUG : Overall Diameter 10.6mm (0.417″)”
Their website continues: “Mogami Neglex quad cable is perfect cable for home studios suffering from wiring and grounding problems. Mogami 2534 should also be used where intense RFI interference is a problem. Mogami 2534 provides an improvement in signal to noise of 10-20db over equivalent twisted pair cables. Double conductors quad cables are more effective in canceling noise that can get past even the best of shields and is critical in an environment of high RF and EM interference.
“Conductor insulation is XLPE ( Cross-Linked Polyethylene) which has excellent electrical characteristics and prevents shrink-back during soldering.
Served (spiral) Bare Copper Shield is superior to foil or braided shields for sound quality and simplifies termination.
“Reference Standard NEGLEX Quad High Definition Microphone Cable –NEGLEX No. W2534 has become popular around the world as the standard for high quality digital and analog recording. The cable has also become popular for use with unbalanced equipment, such as high quality pre-amp, amp inputs and tape decks.” (Mogamicable.com)
Specs
- Conductor: 20 AWG Oxygen-Free Copper (OFC).
- Capacitance: ~130 pF/m (39.7 pF/Ft) for low signal loss, notes TubeDepot.com.
- Shielding: Ultra-High Density Spiral Shield (100% coverage) + Conductive Polymer Sub-Shield for noise rejection.
- Connectors: High-quality ¼” (TS/TRS) or XLR with gold contacts, often Neutrik with strain relief.
- Jacket: Flexible PVC, matte black finish.
- Noise Reduction: Carbon impregnated PVC & Sub-Shield eliminate handling noise and interference.
- Neglex OFC conductors: For transparent audio reproduction.
- Connector 1: TRS Female 1/4
- Connector 2: TRS Male 1/4
- Length: 10′
- Balanced: Yes
- Manufacturer Part Number: GOLD EXT-10
The Dan Clark Stealth Closed-Back Headphones sound incredible hooked up to the Pass Labs HPA-1 Headphone Amplifier with the Mogami Headphone Extension Cable 10 feet away!
The Happy Hookup
The female end of the Mogami 10′ Headphone Extension Cable attached to the end of the Dan Clark Audio Stealth Headphone cable (that is roughly 6′ long and has a 1/4″ male prong) with the male end plugging nicely into the new 1/4″ jack of the Pass Labs HPA-1 Headphone Amplifier that I use. My initial impressions were that it was a little bright sounding, but they soon settled in, and when trying A/B comparisons between the headphone’s stock headphone cord or with the Mogomi Gold connected, I found it virtually indistinguishable to impossible to tell the difference. Now, whether it’s vinyl playing on my Micro Seiki BL-91 Turntable, digital playback from my server, an HD show, or a sporting event, I find it extremely transparent in delivering the luscious and detailed aural experience to my couch or loveseat that sit ten-and-a-half feet away or more from the media console where the headphone amp resides. My ears, back, and overall comfort owe the Mogami patch cable a great debt!
HOT TIP: If you suddenly experience a loss of signal in one of the channels, it might not be the input jack in your headphone amp or the cables! It may simply be the oils from your hands. Try wiping down the male prongs of your headphone and extension cables with a cloth and plugging and unplugging the male prongs from their respective receptacles.
Happy listening!
Mogami Gold 10′ Extension Cable
Retail $109.95