Strauss & Wagner Hagen Cable Review

The Strauss & Wagner Hagen cable is now right here! This firm has been making a reputation for itself with it’s funds pleasant but top quality cables. Today I’m going to be looking on the Hagen cable, a silver Sennheiser HD600 alternative cable. This cable additionally works on the HD650, HD660S2, HD6XX, and HD58X fashions. Let’s learn the way a lot of a distinction these will make when listening to some traditional headphones.

What’s within the Box?

Hagen Braided OFC Silver Braided Cable
2.5mm (Balanced), 3.5mm (Unbalanced), 4.4mm (Balanced) Swappable Terminations

Functionality

At 120cm (47.2 in) I used to be extraordinarily comfy utilizing this cable plugged into totally different amps and gamers. I primarily examined the HD600 with the cable but in addition the HD650 for a brief time period. Both labored flawlessly with none downside. I used the Astell & Kern SP300T, Ikko Heimdallr ITB03, and Hifiman EF500, and Fiio Q7.

Notably, I received no static interference from any of those amps whereas utilizing this cable. Sennheiser is a model well-known for his or her high quality management, so the inventory cables not often conduct undesirable electrcical sign from a shirt or the bottom. With that in thoughts, this didn’t occur in any respect whereas testing the Hagen. After hours of making an attempt to get them to pop and hiss I used to be completely happy to say it didn’t occur.

The silver braided design does lend itself effectively to not bunching or getting tangled. I can see the OFC silver design and it’s apparent I’m getting higher constancy and conductivity from these than the inventory cable. The 3-in-1 common terminations made it very easy to modify from a 4.4mm balanced to a 3.5mm into the 1/4in Sennheiser adaptor. It’s a reasonably ingenious design contemplating I gained’t have to hold round 3 totally different cables and an adaptor so as to use the headphones at studios or at residence.

The solely grievance that I may presumably consider could be that the size is simply too brief for engaged on a mixing desk with a separate amp in a rack or if I needed to face away from the desktop amp. At the identical time, Strauss & Wagner have simply launched their Ennis cable (XLR Male to 4.4MM Female 366mm). With the addition of that cable extension, you’d have the ability to have a 15 foot silver braided cable for under $280. At $79.95 by itself, it’s exhausting discovering any causes to be sad with this extraordinarily versatile cable.

Does the Hagen Change the Sound?

The HD600 is undoubtedly the benchmark for mid-ranged open again reference/audiophile headphones. The impartial attribute makes it nice for listening to virtually any style. Because of Sennheiser’s proprietary 2-pin design, it’s exhausting discovering upgraded cables that truly enhance the standard of those headphones in a discernable approach. The Hagen cable was in a position to match the port snuggly with none play.

As I beforehand talked about, the Hagen improved the constancy whereas listening by each DAC/AMP. While testing every one of many amps, I made certain to maintain the amount the identical through the Hagen and inventory cables back-to-back comparability.

When A/Bing the three.5mm termination to the inventory cable I used to be in a position to hear a barely increased quantity from the Hagen. The most notable enhancements got here from the 100-200Hz, 300-500Hz, and 4-5kHz ranges. The width of the soundstage additionally elevated dramatically however I wouldn’t say that they felt extra holographic. In my opinion the holographic properties of headphones usually come out extra in greater drivers, the place the vertical shift of sound is extra acknowledged.

Testing the 4.4mm Hagen termination with the three.5mm inventory cable felt like night time and day. All of the adjustments famous above felt much more dramatic, virtually to the purpose the place I assumed I used to be listening to a special pair of headphones. As of now, the HD660S2 are the one pair of Sennheiser 600 sequence headphones with a 4.4 termination. When evaluating costs, the HD600 with the Hagen cable comes out to $429.94 versus $449.95 for the HD660S2. I received a much bigger soundstage and higher audio high quality from the upgraded HD600 than the HD660S2. If I had been selecting between each, I’d take the HD600 with the Hagen each time.

All of the readability and definition I get from the HD600 and different 600 sequence headphones continues to be there. These are one among my favourite headphones to hearken to and I used to be not dissatisfied within the adjustments made to this traditional impartial sound. Everything felt enhanced when listening by the Hagen.

Should You Consider The Hagen

Audiophiles can typically get wrapped up in buying an increasing number of gear so as to chase the sound they’re on the lookout for. DACs, amps, headphones, adaptors, IEMs and cables all make this interest an costly one. With that in thoughts, in the event you’re seeking to improve from the HD600/650/660S2, a $79.95 may very well be an effective way to get extra from an already nice pair of headphones. The choice of listening by balanced outputs actually brings these fashions to the following stage. The 3-in-1 terminations additionally make this cable versatile for listening and for skilled use.

Get all of the merchandise I discussed at Audio 46

Get the Strauss & Wagner Hagan cable on their web site or at Audio 46

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May 14, 2024 at 08:24PM