Should headphone wires touch?

[godzilla1]

Hi.

I have just stripped a pair of goldring dr150's and noticed that the wires that go to the drivers are not insulated and were touching each other. I grabbed a small screwdriver and gently seperated the wires to stop them from touching. However its just dawned on me that perhaps they are meant to touch?

[alexs2]

The wires may well be surface insulated with a protective varnish,but should not touch as over time a short condition may develop.

[eirejam]

Originally Posted by alexs2

The wires may well be surface insulated with a protective varnish,but should not touch as over time a short condition may develop.

This is true, the cables are normally insulated up until just before they are joined to the terminals of the capsule. If you see the tinned end of the cable touching you have a problem.

Also if the insulated parts of the cable are touching don't worry about it because the cable insulation will not wear away, there's not enough movment on the cables to cause the friction to wear away the insulation.

[godzilla1]

thanks very much guys.