Tell me more ×
Skeptics Stack Exchange is a question and answer site for scientific skepticism. It's 100% free, no registration required.

Well, probably everybody knows and hates this. Detangling the headset cable when putting it out of your pocket.

This headset product claims to prevent the cable from tangling up by the "flat cable technology". One of the product commenters on the site says, this "technology" doesn't work, cables are still tangling up, it's a constructional defect.

Hear your music as it was meant to be heard. Discover LiveSound hi-fi headset. Experience genuine Sony Ericsson sound. Deep, punchy bass. Balanced, clean and dynamic audio reproduction. LiveSound hi-fi headset. Premium design. Flat tangle-free cables. LiveKey app control. And remote on-cable music and call-handling. LiveSound. Engineered for music lovers.

What sounds intuitive to me is that by flat cables you reduce probably a bit/lot the friction between the cables. But is this a necessary/sufficient factor for cables getting tangled? Or more a matter of sufficient time and a tight enough pocket. It's unclear where this technology can work, if it works at all. Does friction play such a huge role?

share|improve this question
depends if you simply push them in your pocket you'll have more chance of tangles than if you take the time to roll it up (stiffer cables will help reduce the tangles though) – ratchet freak Jan 28 '12 at 20:05
I'm with @Ratchet on this - I don't get tangles. Maybe it's my OCD :-) – Rory Alsop Jan 28 '12 at 22:19
2  
I used to get them tangled even if I took the time to roll them up :P – Alenanno Jan 28 '12 at 22:44
They are less likely, however I have used plenty of flat cables in home stereo wiring, and they defiantly get tangled. Usual they twist as they are, ie. they are not flat out of the spool. – Garrett Fogerlie Jun 6 '12 at 23:43
This is a little like this question: Is tagliatelli less tangle prone than spaghetti? I'd say yes but not tangle-proof. :-) – matt_black Dec 27 '12 at 17:32
show 2 more comments

protected by Sklivvz Jan 21 at 21:27

This question is protected to prevent "thanks!", "me too!", or spam answers by new users. To answer it, you must have earned at least 10 reputation on this site.

Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.