How to Care for your Headphone and IEM Cables

Let's say you bought a new pair of headphones or IEMs last year. Congratulations! They sound fantastic, and you use them every day to get the hi-fi audio experience you love. But imagine this: after a year of use, the headphone starts shorting out on one side. What happened to your perfect headphones? What is causing the change in the sound you love? 

When it comes to headphones and in-ear monitors, the headphone cable or IEM cable is usually the first component to wear out. Every cable has a bunch of twisted wires within the plastic or rubber casing. Some have more than others. Regardless of the type of cable, chances are they will break over time. This causes the signal to be interrupted and changes the sound from brilliant to less than pleasant. 

So how do you prevent this wear over time? Are there precautionary measures you can take to keep your headphone/IEM cable lasting longer? The answer is yes. In this short guide, we'll take you through some tips and tricks to keep your cables in good condition for as long as possible. You'll find answers to common questions you may have, or find some hacks that you can apply to your other electronic devices. 

Before we discuss how to properly care for your cables, let's address some common mistakes you may already be making. Most of the time, the way cables break is because of misuse or incorrect storage; you can do some easy maintenance just by changing the way you store your cables. 

1. Never wrap the cable around your player. A common way people pack away their headphones and cable is by wrapping the cable around their audio player. This is not a great way to store your device or your cable, as the stress to the connection area puts both the cable and your audio player at risk.
2. Stop stuffing the cable in a ball in your pocket. Don't deny it: when you're done with your earphones, you bunch up the cable and stuff it in a pocket. Be it your backpack or the front pocket of your jeans, the cable is all jumbled and knotted in your pocket. "It's a problem for later me," you think, but actually it's going to be a problem for your earphones and the cable quality sooner than you think. 
3. Avoid sharp bending points or pinching the cable. You might think bending the cable right where it meets the earphone or headphone is the best way to store it so it takes up less space, but you're actually bending the wires and cutting off a smooth signal. You may end up fraying the wire unintentionally. Let the wire take up space: it'll save you money in the long run. 

All of this basically boils down to one common mistake: cable coiling. Your headphone cable or IEM wire can be saved simply by wrapping up your cable neatly and safely. How do you do that? 

When you think of wrapping your cable properly, you may think you are doing it just fine already. You may have a method that works for you, but you risk damaging the cable if you have it too tightly wrapped around a device or too tautly wound. The safest way to coil a cable is with the over/under coiling method or the roll-forward method. Not sure what those are? Have no fear: we'll explain them. 

The Over/Under Method

This is a method often used by studio engineers for their XLR or instrument cables that they use for recording. Because they are longer and generally thicker, it's a safe method for storage, so the cables last and can be used for years. You can use this for your longer headphone cables as well. 

Hold the end of the cable in one hand, then create a small loop with your other hand to create a complete circle. Likelihood is, the cable will curve on its own, so you'll be able to follow the shape of the cable as a guide. Then, twist your wrist to grab further down the cable. Your thumb should be facing downwards. Bring the cable upwards to meet with your other hand, holding now two loops of the cable. The circles you make should be about the same size. Do the same pattern, alternating between grabbing the cable with your thumb downwards and upwards. Repeat this until the cable is completely coiled together. You should have a neatly wrapped cable that can be held together with a velcro strap or zip tie. 

The Roll-Forward Method

For shorter or thinner cables, the roll-forward method is a good way to properly wrap the cable to ensure safekeeping. It takes the same principle as the over/under method, but instead, it puts the main motion in your fingertips as opposed to your entire arm. 

Start by holding the end of the cable in one hand. If you're using IEM cables, you can hold by the curve of where the cable hooks over your ear as a guide. Reach further down the cable and grab with your thumb and pointer finger (or middle, whichever is more comfortable). As you bring the cable up to meet your other hand, gently twist the cable forward to make a circular shape. Continue doing this until the entire cable has been coiled up. You can keep it together with a velcro strap or twist tie. 

STILL NOT SURE?

Trying to read how to coil cables can be a little confusing. Don't worry, we have a helpful video you can check out from the London School of Sound that demonstrates the method quite well. You can see the short video at the link provided and use the visual guide to help you wrap your cables properly.