Found an interesting way to compare IC cables...

Sounds like a valid test to compare interconnects on a system with headphones, but there is synergy that works between, IC, amps, speaker cables and speakers. So yes I think what you did is exactly how you test IC when using headphones but when using a more complex system with many more variables you have to do what you did just with the whole system- I suggest leaving them in for a week or so of heavy listening then go to the other interconnect and listen for a week again, the differences will make themselves very noticeable at that point. If you can't discern the difference I would keep the cheaper of the two.

I suspect that ((((as a general rule)))) this would be an excellent way to test the differences in cables, or really any other component for that matter.

High end headphones should provide a more detailed and direct presentation of music than you could expect from any speakers. The biggest problem you will have is that it will be very difficult in your headphone-based system to pick up subtle differences between various cables in terms of the soundstage aspects. (The one exception to this would be the AKG K1000 earspeakers which are essentially speakers hanging from your ears that do provide a very realistic soundstage).

As for the usual "trasparency" oriented issues that you might be interested in, no doubt your Senns are the place to start. At a minimum your "headphone test" will quickly tell you which cables are likely to be on the revealing/bright/detailed versus muddy/dark/veiled side in your speaker-based system. Sennheiser 580s and 600s tend to be laid back / veiled in their presentation but the right cable can really bring them to life as you've discovered.

Not to muddy the issue you've raised, but either the Equinox or the Cardas replacement cable is a must if you want to get the most out of your 580s (but it will more than double your investment cost - i.e., more expensive then the cans themselves). As with all things headphone, the best place to look for expert opinions is http://www.head-fi.org

it's only a vaild test in YOUR rig
take those cables elsewhere & all bets are off

While i agree with what you are saying Bob, would you care to venture out and say why you think that this occurs ? I'm not trying to question your comment, only trying to better understand what others think about such subjects. Sean
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I await my Creek OBH-11 and regulated (non Creek) power adapter eagerly...Then I can have some real fun with cables.

I agree soundstage is a different matter altogether with phones. I was amazed at how vividly apparent the difference was thru the cans, which is not so easily detected by the time the sound emerges from the speakers.

I am only comparing the IC's when run between a Rotel 971 CDP and Arcam Delta 290 Integrated. The "open" cable was a Signal Cable Analog2 vs an Ecosse Conductor which sounded more veiled.