# Where can I buy very thin (1mm thick!), 2 core, wire to fix my headphones?

**URL:** <https://discourse.southlondonmakerspace.org/t/where-can-i-buy-very-thin-1mm-thick-2-core-wire-to-fix-my-headphones/5326>\
**Category:** Discussion\
**Created:** [10 March 2017 23:52 UTC](https://discourse.southlondonmakerspace.org/t/where-can-i-buy-very-thin-1mm-thick-2-core-wire-to-fix-my-headphones/5326 "2017-03-10T23:52:04Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 20\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Stuart](https://discourse.southlondonmakerspace.org/user_avatar/discourse.southlondonmakerspace.org/stuart/32/25_2.png) [@Stuart](https://discourse.southlondonmakerspace.org/u/Stuart)\
**Post date:** [10 March 2017 23:52 UTC](https://discourse.southlondonmakerspace.org/t/where-can-i-buy-very-thin-1mm-thick-2-core-wire-to-fix-my-headphones/5326/1 "2017-03-10T23:52:04Z")

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Sadly my headphones (Beats Solo 2) have broke. The right speaker no longer works. From looking online this is a common issue with this model. The wire inside breaks due to poor design, and despite Apple confirming that this is a common issue, they want to charge £60 to fix!

I looked online and it seems fairly straightforward to fix (I rather not throw away as it’s a waste). BUT the wire I need needs to be 1mm thick! And it has two strands/core/whatever the technical term is. I cannot find anywhere to buy it.

Does anyone know where I can buy 1mm wire with 2 core for the audio?

Thanks!

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**Author:** ![joeatkin2](https://discourse.southlondonmakerspace.org/user_avatar/discourse.southlondonmakerspace.org/joeatkin2/32/15352_2.png) [@joeatkin2](https://discourse.southlondonmakerspace.org/u/joeatkin2)\
**Post date:** [11 March 2017 11:58 UTC](https://discourse.southlondonmakerspace.org/t/where-can-i-buy-very-thin-1mm-thick-2-core-wire-to-fix-my-headphones/5326/2 "2017-03-11T11:58:14Z")

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It always brakes at the end just cut the broken bit off

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**Author:** ![Stuart](https://discourse.southlondonmakerspace.org/user_avatar/discourse.southlondonmakerspace.org/stuart/32/25_2.png) [@Stuart](https://discourse.southlondonmakerspace.org/u/Stuart)\
**Post date:** [11 March 2017 12:05 UTC](https://discourse.southlondonmakerspace.org/t/where-can-i-buy-very-thin-1mm-thick-2-core-wire-to-fix-my-headphones/5326/3 "2017-03-11T12:05:23Z")

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I think the cable is broken in the middle rather than just detaches

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**Author:** ![joeatkin2](https://discourse.southlondonmakerspace.org/user_avatar/discourse.southlondonmakerspace.org/joeatkin2/32/15352_2.png) [@joeatkin2](https://discourse.southlondonmakerspace.org/u/joeatkin2)\
**Post date:** [11 March 2017 12:09 UTC](https://discourse.southlondonmakerspace.org/t/where-can-i-buy-very-thin-1mm-thick-2-core-wire-to-fix-my-headphones/5326/4 "2017-03-11T12:09:19Z")

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Just buy a cheap set of headphones an use the wire

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**Author:** ![pip](https://discourse.southlondonmakerspace.org/user_avatar/discourse.southlondonmakerspace.org/pip/32/9861_2.png) [@pip](https://discourse.southlondonmakerspace.org/u/pip)\
**Post date:** [11 March 2017 12:09 UTC](https://discourse.southlondonmakerspace.org/t/where-can-i-buy-very-thin-1mm-thick-2-core-wire-to-fix-my-headphones/5326/5 "2017-03-11T12:09:26Z")

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See what you can get on eBay, always good for small amounts of odd things.

Or [rapidonline.co.uk](http://rapidonline.co.uk) but there’ll be postage under 30 order

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Stuart](https://discourse.southlondonmakerspace.org/user_avatar/discourse.southlondonmakerspace.org/stuart/32/25_2.png) [@Stuart](https://discourse.southlondonmakerspace.org/u/Stuart)\
**Post date:** [11 March 2017 12:15 UTC](https://discourse.southlondonmakerspace.org/t/where-can-i-buy-very-thin-1mm-thick-2-core-wire-to-fix-my-headphones/5326/6 "2017-03-11T12:15:46Z")

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Joe, it’s the internal wire it is very thin, The clearance is very small, the wire has to be 1mm.

I did look on eBay pip, sadly its only overseas and the postage is rather ridiculous.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![pip](https://discourse.southlondonmakerspace.org/user_avatar/discourse.southlondonmakerspace.org/pip/32/9861_2.png) [@pip](https://discourse.southlondonmakerspace.org/u/pip)\
**Post date:** [11 March 2017 12:18 UTC](https://discourse.southlondonmakerspace.org/t/where-can-i-buy-very-thin-1mm-thick-2-core-wire-to-fix-my-headphones/5326/7 "2017-03-11T12:18:00Z")

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Bring the headphones down to electronics night, potentially you could replace the entire headphone cable and then use whatever cable you like.

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**Author:** ![Stuart](https://discourse.southlondonmakerspace.org/user_avatar/discourse.southlondonmakerspace.org/stuart/32/25_2.png) [@Stuart](https://discourse.southlondonmakerspace.org/u/Stuart)\
**Post date:** [11 March 2017 12:20 UTC](https://discourse.southlondonmakerspace.org/t/where-can-i-buy-very-thin-1mm-thick-2-core-wire-to-fix-my-headphones/5326/8 "2017-03-11T12:20:46Z")

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Looking on rapid I they don’t sell a 2 core cable thin enough, (From what I can find). The thiniest 2 core is 2.6 mm thickness which is too thick.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![pip](https://discourse.southlondonmakerspace.org/user_avatar/discourse.southlondonmakerspace.org/pip/32/9861_2.png) [@pip](https://discourse.southlondonmakerspace.org/u/pip)\
**Post date:** [11 March 2017 12:39 UTC](https://discourse.southlondonmakerspace.org/t/where-can-i-buy-very-thin-1mm-thick-2-core-wire-to-fix-my-headphones/5326/9 "2017-03-11T12:39:02Z")

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Check it’s not 2.6mm2, the cross sectional area, rather than 2.6mm diameter, or that diameter is including the insulation plastic.

Also, look for an ‘equipment wire’ category

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![pip](https://discourse.southlondonmakerspace.org/user_avatar/discourse.southlondonmakerspace.org/pip/32/9861_2.png) [@pip](https://discourse.southlondonmakerspace.org/u/pip)\
**Post date:** [11 March 2017 12:45 UTC](https://discourse.southlondonmakerspace.org/t/where-can-i-buy-very-thin-1mm-thick-2-core-wire-to-fix-my-headphones/5326/10 "2017-03-11T12:45:02Z")

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In the equipment and hookup wire section filter by conductor cross section, which is in mm2 so check your specification is mm or mm2

Rapid have a range from 0.14mm2 and up

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**Author:** ![naxxfish](https://discourse.southlondonmakerspace.org/user_avatar/discourse.southlondonmakerspace.org/naxxfish/32/3474_2.png) [@naxxfish](https://discourse.southlondonmakerspace.org/u/naxxfish)\
**Post date:** [11 March 2017 12:57 UTC](https://discourse.southlondonmakerspace.org/t/where-can-i-buy-very-thin-1mm-thick-2-core-wire-to-fix-my-headphones/5326/11 "2017-03-11T12:57:04Z")

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What about something along these lines?

> **[Replacement Headphone Cable for Dr. Dre Headphones: Amazon.co.uk: Electronics](https://www.amazon.co.uk/Replacement-Headphone-Headphones-Monster-Studio/dp/B007B8S4JI)**
>
> Lost your red cable? Your dog chewed the wire? Broken and damage not a problem!!!! These will be a good inexpensive replacement for your monster studio/solo headphone. All wires brand new and never us ...

(headphone wire is a bit of a pain to get, as it’s usually made specifically for manufacturers)

Sounds like the fault is strain relief - let me guess, they just tie a knot in the wire inside the headphone? maybe try using a very small cable tie or heat shrink or something instead?

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**Author:** ![joeatkin2](https://discourse.southlondonmakerspace.org/user_avatar/discourse.southlondonmakerspace.org/joeatkin2/32/15352_2.png) [@joeatkin2](https://discourse.southlondonmakerspace.org/u/joeatkin2)\
**Post date:** [11 March 2017 14:33 UTC](https://discourse.southlondonmakerspace.org/t/where-can-i-buy-very-thin-1mm-thick-2-core-wire-to-fix-my-headphones/5326/12 "2017-03-11T14:33:20Z")

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Come down on Thursday night and I will find you some , there’s bound to be something kicking around

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**Author:** ![Stuart](https://discourse.southlondonmakerspace.org/user_avatar/discourse.southlondonmakerspace.org/stuart/32/25_2.png) [@Stuart](https://discourse.southlondonmakerspace.org/u/Stuart)\
**Post date:** [11 March 2017 20:55 UTC](https://discourse.southlondonmakerspace.org/t/where-can-i-buy-very-thin-1mm-thick-2-core-wire-to-fix-my-headphones/5326/13 "2017-03-11T20:55:14Z")

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No, it’s the internal wire

This:  
[http://thumbs4.ebaystatic.com/d/l225/m/mneLBH64E4m0GWxPqlsgrlw.jpg](http://thumbs4.ebaystatic.com/d/l225/m/mneLBH64E4m0GWxPqlsgrlw.jpg)

I’ve decided to take my headphones apart and it is the wire that’s split.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![naxxfish](https://discourse.southlondonmakerspace.org/user_avatar/discourse.southlondonmakerspace.org/naxxfish/32/3474_2.png) [@naxxfish](https://discourse.southlondonmakerspace.org/u/naxxfish)\
**Post date:** [11 March 2017 20:58 UTC](https://discourse.southlondonmakerspace.org/t/where-can-i-buy-very-thin-1mm-thick-2-core-wire-to-fix-my-headphones/5326/14 "2017-03-11T20:58:49Z")

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Yeah, that’s what I’m saying - if you got a whole replacement cable that’d include the internal wiring too. Just getting the wire from the inside to the outside won’t be easy (in my experience).

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**Author:** ![Stuart](https://discourse.southlondonmakerspace.org/user_avatar/discourse.southlondonmakerspace.org/stuart/32/25_2.png) [@Stuart](https://discourse.southlondonmakerspace.org/u/Stuart)\
**Post date:** [11 March 2017 21:01 UTC](https://discourse.southlondonmakerspace.org/t/where-can-i-buy-very-thin-1mm-thick-2-core-wire-to-fix-my-headphones/5326/15 "2017-03-11T21:01:27Z")

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But the internal wire to the right speaker is really thin, and the normal cable for the 3.5mm jack is too thick

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**Author:** ![Stuart](https://discourse.southlondonmakerspace.org/user_avatar/discourse.southlondonmakerspace.org/stuart/32/25_2.png) [@Stuart](https://discourse.southlondonmakerspace.org/u/Stuart)\
**Post date:** [11 March 2017 21:06 UTC](https://discourse.southlondonmakerspace.org/t/where-can-i-buy-very-thin-1mm-thick-2-core-wire-to-fix-my-headphones/5326/16 "2017-03-11T21:06:25Z")

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![](https://slms-discourse.s3.dualstack.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/original/2X/a/a0fcb6465f832bbf812a2a39a25e859ed0bb9728.jpg)

Here’s what I got.

I can’t find 2 core in a single cable on rapidsite 😭

The wire has to be so thin! It’s really annoying

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![naxxfish](https://discourse.southlondonmakerspace.org/user_avatar/discourse.southlondonmakerspace.org/naxxfish/32/3474_2.png) [@naxxfish](https://discourse.southlondonmakerspace.org/u/naxxfish)\
**Post date:** [11 March 2017 21:12 UTC](https://discourse.southlondonmakerspace.org/t/where-can-i-buy-very-thin-1mm-thick-2-core-wire-to-fix-my-headphones/5326/17 "2017-03-11T21:12:58Z")

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Oooohhh, they’re wireless headphones…?

Does it really need to be 2 core, or could you run two really small wires?  
[https://www.rapidonline.com/lappkabel-4125001s-liy-single-core-stranded-wiring-cable-1-x-0-14mm-black-63-7023](https://www.rapidonline.com/lappkabel-4125001s-liy-single-core-stranded-wiring-cable-1-x-0-14mm-black-63-7023)  
[https://www.rapidonline.com/lappkabel-4125104s-liy-single-core-stranded-wiring-cable-1-x-0-14mm-red-63-7032](https://www.rapidonline.com/lappkabel-4125104s-liy-single-core-stranded-wiring-cable-1-x-0-14mm-red-63-7032)

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Stuart](https://discourse.southlondonmakerspace.org/user_avatar/discourse.southlondonmakerspace.org/stuart/32/25_2.png) [@Stuart](https://discourse.southlondonmakerspace.org/u/Stuart)\
**Post date:** [11 March 2017 21:14 UTC](https://discourse.southlondonmakerspace.org/t/where-can-i-buy-very-thin-1mm-thick-2-core-wire-to-fix-my-headphones/5326/18 "2017-03-11T21:14:35Z")

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Sadly has to be 2 core, the metal construction of the band around the top of the headphone only allows for one cable.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Stuart](https://discourse.southlondonmakerspace.org/user_avatar/discourse.southlondonmakerspace.org/stuart/32/25_2.png) [@Stuart](https://discourse.southlondonmakerspace.org/u/Stuart)\
**Post date:** [11 March 2017 21:16 UTC](https://discourse.southlondonmakerspace.org/t/where-can-i-buy-very-thin-1mm-thick-2-core-wire-to-fix-my-headphones/5326/19 "2017-03-11T21:16:44Z")

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![](https://slms-discourse.s3.dualstack.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/original/2X/c/cafeb905f9bae21f35c7613039e4dc72bece0751.jpg)

So thin!!!

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![naxxfish](https://discourse.southlondonmakerspace.org/user_avatar/discourse.southlondonmakerspace.org/naxxfish/32/3474_2.png) [@naxxfish](https://discourse.southlondonmakerspace.org/u/naxxfish)\
**Post date:** [11 March 2017 21:29 UTC](https://discourse.southlondonmakerspace.org/t/where-can-i-buy-very-thin-1mm-thick-2-core-wire-to-fix-my-headphones/5326/20 "2017-03-11T21:29:30Z")

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Guessing you’ve seen these listing on eBay:

> **[Original Beats By Dre Solo 2 2.0 Wired Internal Wire Repair Fix Part Parts Gray...](https://www.ebay.com/itm/Beats-By-Dre-Solo2-2-0-Wired-Internal-Wire-Repair-Fix-Part-Parts-Gray-/282198502023)**
>
> 1MM thickness wire. Made to OEM spec. Perfect thickness to fit inside your Solo2 Wired headphones. Wire will be pre cut to perfect length. Wire is made for the Solo2 beats. - 2 core wire, made to fix your right side not working on a Solo2 WIRED...

As the listing suggests

> Made to OEM spec.

it’s a pretty weird wire they had made to spec - and being a consumer headphone Apple don’t offer spare parts.

I think your best bet is to try making your own wire with some individual cores (the ones I linked earlier are extremely thin…). Unless you don’t mind buying one from an eBay seller 🙂

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