How do you all ensure correct polarity with aftermarket cables?


Hi Everyone, 

I recently got some upgraded cabling for my Sennheiser HD6XX, and unlike the stock cables which are labeled L/R and make it obvious which way they’re supposed to be plugged in, the aftermarket cable has none of these conveniences. L/R is easy to determine of course, but phase/polarity is a little trickier. 
I’ve tried using this tool here: https://www.audiocheck.net/soundtests_headphones.php

The test for this issue is the center/twisted sound file, but I find the description and experience kind of subjective.. how am I supposed to know if it sounds centered, or twisted up in my head lol. This is a lot more straightforward with speakers, since you can just point them at each other and flip polarity until you hear significant canceling and then you know you’ve got it wrong and need to change one speaker. 
How do you all handle this?
128x128dougeyjones
As with all things, use whichever sounds best. If you can't tell then by definition it does not make any difference and so why would you care?
I really wasn’t expecting this kind of answer from you Chuck.

Surely there’s a definitive way of testing this?
As long as the L+R are wired the same, polarity does not matter since there is no recording standard for polarity when it comes to mastering the source material. 
Even though those are open back, you should still be able to put the cups up against each other and notice bass cancellation with a polarity switch on one.
Hey Robert, 

I’m able to push my ATH-AD700’s together like that, but the HD6XX headband isn’t being very cooperative.