DIY Audio Projects Forum

I could not find any information on the web about trying to repair broken cables on a pair of Bowers & Wilkins C5 headphones. So If anyone else is looking for information, here is what I found out when trying to repair mine:

They can't be repaired. They are almost impossible to dismantle without braking them apart. There are two "screw-like" objects on the top, that looks a bit like the screw heads found on e.g. Nintendo game consoles. Those aren't screws in the sense that you can unscrew them to take the driver unit apart. I finally gave up and used a metal saw to open them.


They are well crafted, and even when completely opened, I immediately gave up the idea to exchange the cable. One more thing: I have taken quite a few headphones and other types of driver units apart. I have never before been faced with the fact that there are No colour coding Whatsoever on the positive and/or negative cords. At least I am unable to visually distinguish the one from the other.


I love these headphones for their sound. Some regard them "coloured" and "bass heavy" - and to some extent I agree. I used them for my iPhone every day at work and in the car, and for listening to music and audio books. In my personal opinion, they sound great.

BUT: The quality of the cable quality is not up to par with the price unfortunately. After my first pair gave up I decided to buy another pair, but also the second pair lasted only 1,5 years. I did not try to get them repaired under warranty - I opted now for a pair of Ethymotic Research series 3. Let's see how long they last.

I looked up the screws on old NES games and it looks like a 3.8mm Security Bit is used for them.

_________________
Thanks,
Ross in Wisconsin

Oki, did not know the name of the screw type. The screw-like objects on the C5:s are rivets, used for fastening element/driver to the outer casing (and the air-port in the other end). They are IMHO intentionally made non-serviceable.

I do understand that manufacturers are starting to make cables exchangeable more often on pricier models (just as on my old Sennheiser HD600:s). It's the cables that give up due to lack of mechanical stability and much wear and tear. How I wish I could re-use the drivers on the C5:s, attached to a new cable... instead I'm throwing perfectly OK drivers @ 180 USD x 2 in the bin (as I bought 2 pairs).

Cheers, </Tommy>

If you find the sound levels of the C5 decrease over time, have a look at this quick fix to cleaning the metal screens: http://blog.macconsultant.nl/2015/09/01 ... earphones/

Hopes this helps someone

I managed to fix mine and made a video so others can do the same:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aS8Er0MiemE

This is a wonderful tutorial. Where I am a little foggy is: did you replace the whole cable, so both earspeakers and the volume controller or did you splice one leg in? Also when clipping the old cable out after removing the earspeaker and cleaning the cup, did you clip it right at the outer cup?

Were you able to note polarity easily on the earspeaker? Also did you replace the entire cable for the two IEM modules or did you splice a piece in?

I replaced the whole cable including the volume control. Bought a replacement on eBay. Nothing fancy. I got the old cable of by heating the old soldering and pulling off the wire.
Polarity was tricky. Couldn't tell from the Earspeaker. If I remember correctly I just guessed.
Glad you find out useful. If you figure out how to tell polarity then please let me know ✌️