AudioQuest NightBird Model One Headphone Cable

The Upgrade Cable AudioQuest Built for NightHawk and NightOwl

The AudioQuest NightBird Model One is a replacement headphone cable made for AudioQuest’s own NightHawk and NightOwl headphones. It brings design elements from AudioQuest’s higher-end analog cables down to a headphone cable. A 3.5mm stereo plug goes to your amp or DAC, and two 2.5mm mono plugs connect to the earcups.

This listing is the 3-meter length, long enough to reach from a desk or rack to your chair. The flexible outer jacket is made to keep cable-borne handling noise down. Reinforced strain relief at each plug has been tested to more than 28,000 bends.

What Goes Into a Better Headphone Cable

The conductors are AudioQuest’s Perfect-Surface Copper+, in a semi-solid design with each strand individually insulated. AudioQuest’s carbon-based Noise-Dissipation System is built in to reduce noise reaching your headphone amp’s ground plane. The plugs use direct silver plating over tellurium copper, with no nickel layer underneath.

What Reviewers Are Saying

Darren Henley of Twittering Machines (May 30, 2019) tested a 3-meter NightBird with his NightHawks. He found the jacket "to be both quiet and flexible" and concluded, "This is, all around, an excellent headphone cable."

Who Is This Headphone Cable Best For?

• NightHawk and NightOwl owners — It was designed as their replacement cable, with matching dual 2.5mm plugs.
• Anyone whose stock cable has worn out — Reinforced strain relief is tested to more than 28,000 bends.
• Desktop and rack listeners — The 3-meter length reaches comfortably from your gear to your chair.
• Listeners bothered by cable rustle — The flexible jacket is designed to reduce microphonic noise.
• Not for headphones with different connectors — Sennheiser HD 600 and HD 650 owners need a different plug, such as the Cardas Audio Clear cable for HD 600 and HD 650.

How Does It Connect to Your System?

Unplug your old cable from both earcups. Push one 2.5mm plug firmly into each earcup, then plug the 3.5mm end into your headphone amp, DAC, or portable player. If your amp has a 6.3mm jack, use a 3.5mm-to-6.3mm adapter. Swap the cable, then sit back and listen.

Pairs Well With

Round out your headphone setup with these companions:

• Headphones — Explore more ways to listen.
• DACs — A quality source for the 3.5mm plug.
• Headphone cables — Options for your other headphones.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which headphones does the NightBird Model One fit?

AudioQuest designed it for the NightHawk and NightOwl. Other headphones with dual 2.5mm mono jacks may fit, but check your headphone’s connectors first.

What connectors does it use?

A 3.5mm stereo plug at the source end and two 2.5mm mono plugs at the headphone end. All plugs are direct silver-plated over tellurium copper.

How long is this cable?

This listing is the 3-meter version, about 9.8 feet.

Can I use it with a 6.3mm headphone jack?

Yes, with a 3.5mm-to-6.3mm adapter. The cable itself ends in a 3.5mm stereo plug.

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