"Cable noise effect" refers to the phenomenon in which mechanical vibrations caused by friction or impact between the headphone cable or the earphone body and clothing or skin are transmitted directly into the ear through the cable or the housing, and are perceived by the listener as irregular noises such as "thumping" or "rustling." The term is derived from the principle that when a doctor uses a stethoscope, the friction between the probe and the skin amplifies background noise. This effect is especially noticeable in in-ear headphones and certain over-ear headphones.
This effect has a persistent and negative impact on the listening experience. Especially when walking, running, or taking public transportation, the friction noise can mask musical details, compromise the purity of low frequencies, and even cause listening fatigue. When making a purchase, this effect is directly related to the "wear comfort" of the headphones: over-ear designs, braided or soft rubber cables, and replaceable ear hooks can effectively suppress such noise, while hard cables or straight-plug wearing styles are more prone to this problem.
If you often use headphones outdoors or during exercise, it is recommended to choose over-ear wearing styles or models with cable clips, and route the cable behind your collar to reduce direct friction with clothing. If the headphones you already own have a noticeable cable noise effect, you can also try replacing them with softer cables or using foam ear tips, which can usually significantly alleviate the issue.