Comparison Jack for Senheiser and KRK Headphones

Senheiser HD598, HD558, HD518, HD595 and KRK KNS-8400

Both companies provide some headphones with cables using a 2.5 mm jack and a twist-and-lock system. The cables for the KRK KNS-8400 are not easy to find so I checked if other companies sell similar cables. Also, I wanted to try to solve the issue of the microphonic noise associated with the (stiff) cable KRK provides.

I found that other cables may be compatible (Audio Technica ATHM50x, Shure SRH440, Senheiser HD598) so I bought a braided cable for the Senheiser.

It appears the cables are in fact compatible, but not identical. In the KNS-8400 the twist-and-lock outer diameter is 6.6 mm, the diameter of the groove part is 4.7 mm. The Senheiser are 6.3 mm and 4.6 mm. Since the diameter of the groove is similar, they work well, but potentially the locking is weaker due to the shallower groove (smaller outer diameter of the black plastic. And I guess that, in case of strong pulling, the pin in the headphone could get damaged more easily.

The new cable is as stiff as the old one, unfortunately. Microphonic noise is still there. No comparison with the perfect flexibility and softness of the professional XLR cables used for microphones on the stage.

Author: Olaf Marzocchi

First revision: 2016-08-08.
Last revision: 2016-08-29.