Audio Player Cables & Adapters

Plug in and Jam out to Your Favorite Media With a Brand New Headphone Cable

There are plenty of things that can destroy a headphone cable from pets to accidents to simple general use. Buying a headphone replacement cable can be affordable and gives you the opportunity to get something a little more durable, a bit longer, or perhaps just a more pleasing color. With a wide range of headphone wires available, you can easily find something that fits your exact needs.

While headphone cables vary in thickness, length, color, and other secondary characteristics, the overwhelming majority of audio ports in use are 3.5 millimeters in diameter. This means that you can buy headphone replacement cables knowing that unless they specify otherwise, they will operate on your device. Everything from Beats by Dre headphones to all iPods, iPhones, and Android devices like Samsung or LG use a 3.5mm aux port.

"Male-to-male" means that both ends of the cable have a copper prong on them for connecting to an aux port on your device. If your device has a hole for a set of headphones or outgoing wires, then you need a headphone cable that has a prong to connect to it. In all likelihood, the connecting device will also have a female aux port, so you will be looking for a male-to-male cable.

Headphone cables are plated with various metals based on a combination of cost and conductivity factors as well as some peripheral concerns. Most affordable cables will have nickle-plated contacts with a chrome or zinc-alloy finish. Gold-plating is corrosion resistant and conducts more easily, resulting in a crisper, more consistent experience with less sound loss.

Since headset wires in general are very similar, your choice likely comes down to what options are offered. A few points of reference to help you determine what you need are described here:

• Prongs: Straight prongs are common, but L-shaped ones hug your device and make snapping less likely.
• Springs: Spring prongs are bendable at the ends, making them more versatile.
• Length: You can choose a cable length that is convenient for your needs.
• Color: Cables in red, white, and black are common, but other colors are also availabe.
• Cord: Your options are coiled-cord vs straight cord.
• Plating: Metal plating of the connector piece on most headphone cables is a zinc-alloy. However, some have gold-plated connector prongs.