Would 18-feet of cable be too much for a headphone jack?

[Kazaam]

I'm wondering not only in terms of (1) sound quality, but could there also be too much resistance created that could actually (2) damage the iPod/Phone?

Perhaps a silly question about the possible damage, but figured someone here probably knows one way or the other. I'm just wanting to be careful, don'tchya know.

:music-rockout:

 

[Towen7]

A longer cable is more prone to picking up induced electrical noise, but assuming that you aren't running it near a bunch of electronics you should be fine.

A higher resistive load may require you to raise the volume setting to get the same outpu, but it wont damage your iPod.

 

[Kazaam]

Thanks, T7.

 

[Flint]

The voltage drop from that long of a cable could be significant, but as long as the source can generate enough voltage to drive the line and headphones as loud as you want, you should be perfectly fine. The battery life on the source will be slightly shorter with a long cable, assuming it is running on battery.

The important parameter is the impedance of the headphones. With a high impedance headphone (600 Ohms), the voltage loss will be virtually zero over that length of cable. With a very low impedance headphone (16 Ohms), the voltage loss could be as high as 0.75dB with a cable that long. Both are small numbers, but every volt counts when you take battery life into account.

 

[Kazaam]

Thanks Flint.

 

[mazersteven]

They sell 20' headphone extension cable. So I would guess that as long as your connections are tight, and power supply adequate. Sound quality shouldn't suffer.

 

[Flint]

In my recording rig, which I use to record me and my friends as well as my son's various teen bands, I often use 15ft to 30ft headphone extension cords without any problems. They work great and I have never noticed any ill effects. I buy the cheapest models I can find on Amazon, usually costing between $4 and $12 depending on the connector type (1/4" or 1/8") and length. I figure I can go through ten $5 cables before I'd be better off with a more reliable "pro-grade" cable. I've only had to toss out four of those cheap cables in the 5 years I've been recording here at the house. They sound perfect regardless of price and don't let ANYONE tell you otherwise.

 

[Rope]

I'm wondering not only in terms of (1) sound quality, but could there also be too much resistance created that could actually (2) damage the iPod/Phone?

Perhaps a silly question about the possible damage, but figured someone here probably knows one way or the other. I'm just wanting to be careful, don'tchya know.

:music-rockout:

You do realize portable devices can be located nearer the headphones, which would negate a longer cable?

Rope

 

[Kazaam]

I'm wondering not only in terms of (1) sound quality, but could there also be too much resistance created that could actually (2) damage the iPod/Phone?

Perhaps a silly question about the possible damage, but figured someone here probably knows one way or the other. I'm just wanting to be careful, don'tchya know.

:music-rockout:

You do realize portable devices can be located nearer the headphones, which would negate a longer cable?

Rope

Don't be silly! That's just crazy talk. bscene-birdiedoublered:

 

[Yesfan70]

Good place to buy headphone cables? Mine is 10ft. I would like to find one that's about half that.

This is to replace the cable on my AKG (it's detachable). I don't need an extensions cable.

 

[Deleted member 133]

Yesterday I was rooting through a Zerox box full of old cables etc. and came across a coiled headphone extension cable that I probably bought over 30 years ago. So I just pulled it out.

Not stretched completely to its limits I measure it at 16' long. Accounting for the coils it's probably closer to 20'.

I attached it to my Denon AH-D5000's which have something like a 10' cable themselves.

First I plugged into an Onkyo 886 headphone jack. I'd add and subtract the extension. I could do the swap in a couple of seconds. I could just barely imagine that I might have perhaps just maybe noticed an insignificant drop in sound level with the extension attached. Did not even think I noticed any other effect. (So for all intents there was no change.)

I then plugged into an iPod Touch. Swaps took a few seconds longer because adapter plugs needed to be both attached to the extension and removed from the phones (and vice versa) with each swap. In this case there was absolutely no difference in the sound - either in terms of level or quality.

Not exactly rigorously scientific, but I hope that helps nonetheless.

Jeff

 

[GreatDane]

I use a Mogami Gold 10 Foot headphone extension cable. Excellent quality but not exactly cheap.

 

[smgreen20]

Great topic as I wanted to know this myself. I listen to my OS Panisonic radio at night but beside my bed it doesn't fit so I'd like to move it across the room. I have to use headphones as the wife wouldn't be able to sleep. That and she doesn't really like my musical taste. :evil: