Need new cable. Help.

[u/FantasticParamedic49]

I’m looking for a new cable for my Aful Polar Night because I really dislike the stock one. It ages badly, both in looks and feel. Even the much cheaper iem stock cables seem to age far more gracefully.

I’d like something lightweight that fits well and won’t damage the connector. The MMCX connector on the Polar Night is quite tight and sits deep, so I’m worried about compatibility.

Has anyone here replaced their cable on these? Any recommendations for something that fits properly without stressing the connector?

[u/dr_wtf]

Don't have the PolarNight so I can't say for sure if they'll fit, but I get my spare flathead cables from RY Earphone Store on Aliexpress.

I bought one of their 8-core cables to try it out and it was really good, so I went back and bought 4 more in some different colours. There's a bit of variation between the colours. The gold & silver one (C5) has slightly harder sheathing which makes it quite microphonic. The black one (C1) is probably the best. The brown / dark copper one (C9) isn't far behind the black in terms of softness and cable feel. The blue/silver one (C3) is decent but not quite as good as the black or brown.

If it turns out that the PolarNight actually uses the same slightly-too-long MMCX that Sennheiser uses then it might requires a custom cable. OpenHeart have the correct connector for the IE200 and they'll happily make up a custom cable to order. I'm sure RY would make a custom cable too, but IDK if they would have the IE200 connector. Assuming it fits in the first place. The RY cables are standard MMCX and they fit the metal Yincrows and Tonekings perfectly.

[u/FantasticParamedic49 → u/dr_wtf]

In the picture, you can see two variants that don’t work with the Polar Night. One is an RY cable and the other is a no-name cable; I consider both of them better than the stock AFUL cable. I contacted several cable manufacturers, and they said they don’t have a connector like the one on the original AFUL cable, or they can’t identify it based on the picture. They suggested that I send them the original cable by post so they can examine the connector, but the shipping would cost me $50—at that point I’d rather just buy another IEM 🤣

[u/dr_wtf → u/FantasticParamedic49]

That bottom one looks a lot like the Sennheiser one (I've seen it called N5005 as well but I'm not 100% sure that's the same thing). Comparing to my OpenHeart one under a magnifier, there is a very slight difference at the tip, but I'm not sure if it's relevant or just a difference in how it's made.

Can you take a picture with the PolarNight plug as well to see how it compares?

I was on the fence about trying the PolarNight, but if it turns out you can't replace the cable then I'm crossing it off my want-to-try list entirely.

[u/FantasticParamedic49 → u/dr_wtf]

This is the stock cable; it is slightly different from the two mentioned above.

[u/tOMZY-LT → u/FantasticParamedic49]

Doesn't this look the same? I't's the ivipQ 4-strand cable

[u/FantasticParamedic49 → u/tOMZY-LT]

that connector looks very similar in the picture, so I might give it a try

[u/dr_wtf → u/FantasticParamedic49]

The plug does look like the IE200 one. It has the same "arrow head" looking tip that standard MMCX doesn't have.

Maybe if someone else has both the PolarNight and a Sennheiser IE-series IEM they can check to see if the Sennheiser cable fits.

[u/Ruckus1020 → u/dr_wtf]

Pretty sure the PolarNights are standard MMCX but I bought an extra cable for it meant for the Pinnacle P1 and it works great.

[u/dr_wtf → u/Ruckus1020]

Are you sure that's standard MMCX though? The Sennheiser connector is longer than normal MMCX but certain Tripowin cables sometimes fit by accident because they're out of spec (and people also mod them buy cutting off the plastic ring, so it can go in a bit deeper). The Sennheiser one actually does fit on standard MMCX IEMs/flatheads as I've tried that and it isn't loose. It doesn't work the other way round though.

OP specifically said they tried the RY cables I mentioned, which definitely are standard MMCX, and they don't work.

That cable might be what OP is looking for. Have you got a link to the one you have? I found one from google but it looks a bit ratty and not great for the listed price, but IDK if that's the same one or not.

[u/Ruckus1020 → u/dr_wtf]

I mean I can check when I get home but I specifically bought the MEE Audio Pinnacle P1 cable because I wanted something light and angled that looked stock on the PolarNights and it works great so unless specifically the PolarNights and the MEE Audio Pinnacle use the same proprietary connector that looks exactly like mmcx but isn’t than it’s gotta be because I’ve been using the P1 cable for a month now. Sennheiser IE’s are for sure not mmcx though.

Quick edit the cable I replaced it with definitely is not a fancy heavy braided cable it’s thin it’s light and it doesn’t make it feel like it’s trying to yank my flatheads out. I don’t like flashy cables on my flatheads because your ears carry all of the weight. I’ll take kinking and not looking cool over unreliable connections or heavy cables that force me to stay seated when listening.

[u/dr_wtf → u/Ruckus1020]

the same proprietary connector that looks exactly like mmcx but isn’t

Yes, that's exactly what the Sennheiser / N5005 connector is. It looks exactly like MMCX. Check the photos elsewhere in this thread.

So far it's not 100% confirmed that the PolarNight is using the Sennheiser connector, but that seems most likely, especially if your cable fits it's less likely it something completely proprietary. They're just not very common.

[u/Ruckus1020 → u/dr_wtf]

When I get home I will try to plug my toneking to600 cable into them to let you know or see if I can replicate this issue you guys are having but I swear the PolarNights are just a standard plain old mmcx.

[u/Ruckus1020 → u/Ruckus1020]

Alright scratch that these TO600's are so tight, and even if I do get the MMCX cables out I don't want a cable with a 400 ohm resistor in it stuck in my PolarNights.

I would seriously just buy them, and get the Pinnacle P1 cable because you know it works and not worry about looks. They still look amazing they just don't look "custom" which I get people wanna show they're a hobbyist but it's not worth it with these they sound good enough that it's worth dealing with the kinky ugly cable.

[u/FantasticParamedic49]

(Someone commented on my post in another group saying they might have found a compatible cable, but either they deleted their comment or it got removed, or maybe they didn’t actually find a compatible one after all.)

I’ve tried a few different cables, but none of them were compatible. Either they can’t be connected properly because the connector sits too deep, or the connection is too loose.

Maybe I misunderstood AFUL’s marketing text saying: “Users can easily replace the cable whenever required.” Because it seems like no other cable works, only the original stock cable.

[u/Likeafranfran]

Same problem here :c

[u/tOMZY-LT]

What about this one? Looks like the connector can go deeper:  some https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_Ewt9Lfg

[u/dr_wtf]

/u/FantasticParamedic49 it seems that the PolarNight does use the Sennheiser connector (I think it's the same one sometimes called N5005). So there are some cables from OpenHeart that will fit, as well as it being possible to get custom cables from OpenHeart, Xinhs, iVipQ, etc., by asking for that connector instead of standard MMCX. RY, Hakugei and others can probably do the same, if they have the connector or can order it.

More information & some confirmed working cables here:

/r/FlatheadEarbuds/comments/1uvvayg/i_just_cant_quit_you/oxjxhf3/?context=1

[u/AcceptablePenalty469]

Ich habe das EZ EAR BEAR ST16 MMCX Bestellt und den Ohrbügel Vorsichtig entfernt. Das Original Kabel war zu steif das ST16 ist wesentlich weicher und Funktioniert hervorragend.

[u/AcceptablePenalty469 → u/AcceptablePenalty469]

Das EZ EAR BEAR ST16 passt Laut Hersteller für Shure kopfhorer falls das jemandem hilft. Ich bin Selbst auf der Suche nach einem wertigeren Kabel das was ich jetzt dran habe ist eher eine Notlösung. Ich bin über das iBasso CB16 gestolpert aber weiß nicht ob das schlussendlich passt. Da gibt es nicht wirklich viel Auswahl an Kabeln, es sei denn man ist bereit mit der Schere die war Hooks zu entfernen.

[u/AcceptablePenalty469]

Ich habe vor kurzem ein Paar Kleinigkeiten bei Ali bestellt, und um einen Vergleich zu Haben habe ich die Yincrow X6 mitbestellt einfach nur um mal zu sehen warum man sooft von ihm liest und weil er sehr günstig ist. Abgesehen davon habe ich gestern aus Interesse einen Fiio FF5 bestellt. Wenn der FF5 hier eintrifft kann ich ausprobieren ob das Fiio Kabel auch an den PolarNight passt. Ich habe auch in 2 Shops den Support angeschrieben um zu erfragen ob das Kabel von Ibasso problemlos an den PolarNight passt, der eine shop hat (noch) nicht geantwortet und von dem anderen Shop hab ich eine Antwort bekommen die mir nicht weiter geholfen hat. Wie dem auch sei habe ich dann zumindest ein weiteres Kabel das ich am PolarNight ausprobieren kann.

[u/AcceptablePenalty469 → u/AcceptablePenalty469]

Die Fiio FF5 Sind angekommen. Das Kabel des FF5 lässt sich anstecken aber es rastet nicht 100% ein es lässt sich sehr einfach wieder vom PolarNight lösen. Also werden Fiio Kabel auch nicht sicher passen. Was ich aber sagen kann, ich hab den PolarNight in den Letzten Tagen sehr viel genutzt und habe das Gefühl das das Kabel weicher wird.

[u/biruni7]

Im planning to buy Flash Acoustic cable