AudioQuest Nighthawk headphones are high end dynamic units providing a detailed and engaging sound. They are fully balanced units, capable of outstanding performance when run with a balanced headphone amplifier and balanced cable. The stock cable can also be upgraded for better, fuller sound. While we are not affiliated with AudioQuest, we do offer silver-Teflon upgraded standard and balanced cables for these headphones. Our cables are made of stranded copper wire, with silver plating on each strand. They also feature Teflon insulation.
Our cables use a narrow 2.5mm connector which perfectly mates with each earcup on these headphones. You may select your wire as well as the player type to build a custom balanced cable for these headphones.
Wire Selection.
You may choose Standard or OCC silver-plated copper wire with Teflon insulation. Standard wire is military/aerospace quality silver plated copper with Teflon insulation, 24 AWG twisted pair. The OCC wire is a specially processed silver plated copper, Teflon insulated wire of high purity, "5N" or better. This high purity wire sounds great, about 28 AWG per conductor. Both types of wire are very flexible, can be bunched, and are durable.
For a comparison of our Standard and OCC wires, click this link.
Our silver-plated Teflon wire is far thicker and more conductive than the wire that comes with most headphones. Move up to a silver-Teflon headphone cable for the best listening experience.
Astell & Kern and Onkyo DP-X1
Our AQ-AK cables fit the newer 2.5mm TRRS balanced outputs available on Astell & Kern players, as well as the Onkyo DP-X1, Cayin N5, and other players.
Balanced XLR Connection
The AQ-4XLR version of this cable is terminated with 4 pin balanced XLR connection.
Pono Player Balanced Connection
The AQ-P is a Pono Player termination which makes full use of the dual output balanced mode available on the Pono Player.
Sony 4.4mm "PENTA" Type Connection
The newer Sony portable players usea new 4.4mm "penta" type connection to output signals fully balaned into your headphones. Order the 4.4mm Sony version if you have one of these players.
We offer a number of termination options selectable in the drop downs above. If you don't see what you want, just email us for a price estimate.