good quality solderable 3.5mm headphone plug

[Alex Eisenhut]

I repair my broken headphones and I like the look of these connectors
https://www.ebay.ca/itm/Gold-3-Pole-3-5mm-Male-Repair-headphone-Jack-Plug-Metal-Audio-Soldering-Spring/281243011459?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649

the quality leaves much to be desired. Hard to solder to, no secure gripping of the cable (it'll break the fragile connections instead of yanking the plug out of the jack), and the sleeve thread is terrible, it barely engages the thread and after soldering the wires it doesn't engage the thread at all anymore...

 

The headphone cable I use is 1.9mm (75 mils) in diameter, it's round, not the side-by-side type.

I could buy the whole cable pre-built

https://www.ebay.ca/itm/3-5mm-Jack-DIY-Earphone-Headphone-Audio-Cable-Repair-Replacement-Cord-Wire-120CM/272902028155?_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIM.MBE%26ao%3D2%26asc%3D40972%26meid%3D45a912277ee347c6be548019fbc44022%26pid%3D100005%26rk%3D5%26rkt%3D12%26mehot%3Dpp%26sd%3D232525442262%26itm%3D272902028155&_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851

buuuuuuuut then I have the extra work of cracking open two shells and reworking the connections there, and I don't get to choose the length to the split. etc etc etc....

Yes I'm complicating things. I enjoy that!

Soooo.... any recommendations? Yes I tried the Neutrik 90 degree adapter and it's not that great either. Easier to solder to but doesn't work well with my cable thickness. The grommet is meant for a much thinner cable.

[DaJMasta]

It's a no frills option, but I recently got a few Neutrik REAN 3.5mm connectors which work well.  Your normal solder lugs, all metal construction, a crimp strain relief, and a little insulating tube to keep from shorting to the housing.  I think I spent like $6 or 8 (US) for 4 of them on ebay http://www.rean-connectors.com/en/products/35-mm-plugs/nys231

[JohnnyMalaria]

I've used this kind for years for TSR balanced cables which get yanked in and out a lot:

https://www.radioshack.com/products/radioshack-standard-phone-plug-3

(yup, RadioShack  )

Shipping will hit you though unless you can find other items you need.

[BrianHG]

A goo thick heavy pure gold plating does help with longevity and quality of connection, as long as what you are plugging it into is also well gold plated.