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Chances are, if you’ve got a good set of headphones, they weren’t cheap. So if you’re in need of a wired extension for them, it doesn’t make sense to get a poorly constructed cable to go along with it. While it may save a bit of cash, an inferior extension cable can also greatly reduce the quality of sound from your device as the audio signal travels up to your ears.
And with hundreds, if not thousands, of options to choose from, it’s what’s inside your cable that counts.
What Are the Best Headphone Extension Cables?
Even the cheapest extension cable out there will still carry sound, but the inner components will most likely consist of brittle wiring, thin shielding and insulation that doesn’t do much in the way of protection or longevity. Once the inner wiring gets exposed or damaged, audio signals can become faded, crackling, or cut out completely. That’s where you’ll need to pick up a new headphone extension cable.
Here are some things to look for when shopping for the best headphone extension cables online.
Internal Components and Materials: In terms ofinner materials, oxygen-free copper is most common. It’s one of the best conductors, and also the most affordable. Silver is a step up, in quality as well as price, and does produce a different sound result, but unless you’re a dedicated audiophile, it can be difficult to tell the difference.
Gold plated connectors may sound like the next logical step up after silver, but they’re more about being built to last rather than conducting better sound quality. Gold resists corrosion, and serves more of a purpose on the exterior of a connector or plug.
Low capacitance, inductance, resistance to electromagnetic interference (foil shielding helps with this), and a high signal-to-noise ratio are advisable too. But outside of sound quality, there are other things to consider
Length: Length is near the top, since this is most likely the reason you’re looking for an extension cable in the first place. Most will be a minimum of a few feet, providing plenty of slack from your pocket to your ears. But if you’re using this for a studio or home entertainment setup, you’re going to need a lot more to move around comfortably. It’s easy to find options that are eight to 16 feet, and some stretch to 100 feet or more.
Compatibility: The compatibility of the cables with your current headphones is pretty crucial too, as you’ll still want to use the mic and volume controls, and getting an extension cable that doesn’t support it can be a huge letdown.
The majority of headphone cables use 3.5mm input and output jacks, but not all of them. If you’ve also got a 1/4″ plug, there’s no need to buy two separate cables, as some feature dual inputs/outputs for both types. A right-angled plug can also help prevent wear and tear on your cable’s input, as it holds steady and reduces the chance of yanking it out by mistake.
External Materials: Tangle-free wiring is great for avoiding the headaches of cables somehow tying themselves into a Gordian knot while in your pocket or purse. Material like nylon braiding keeps the cable more rigid, as well as resistant to water, being crushed, and less likely to become an intertwined mess.
Aesthetics: For a product that’s designed to carry sound, looks are a factor to consider as well. After all, you’ll be wearing these daily as an extension of your current headphones, so make sure it matches the color and aesthetic before buying (if that matters to you).
