Rabbit
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Post by Rabbit on Jan 26, 2016 13:08:09 GMT
Following Gordon's suggestion about the PX100 pads, I really have found that the slight change to the sound has improved the headphone enormously, to the point that I think I prefer using it to the Portapro. It makes the sound just a fraction 'lighter' and less thick. Bass is also good and slightly more airy and rubber band like!!
So I wondered about these tiny changes that get lost in threads and perhaps it might be a good idea to collect minute mods in one place that make a difference without having to rip a headphone apart.
So....
PX100
Change pads to Senn hd414. Fit is a bit loose if you try to get the edge into the grooves, so I pull them right over the cups. You could also try taping the two holes at the bottom inside of the cups, below the drivers. Not sure if they're bass ports, nut if you tape them up before putting the pads back on, the bass is slightly reduced and some feel, more under control. It's also more comfortable.
Sennheiser hd650
Fit the Beyer headstrap over the Senn one. It's much more comfortable and if tou have that old paint cracking problem, it covers it up. It's a bit tight, so I just do the edge poppers first and then stretch the middle ones and it goes. No damage is done to the original padding.
Denon D600
Fit the same Beyer strap. Then it just fits your head better and you get an improved seal.
Dunu Titan and Fiio earbuds
Fit the Dunu Comply tips. You get proper bass and none of the edginess that some complain about.
Fostex T40 and 50
Fit the Shure velour pads. Better comfort and improved sound. Not the full monty as far as mods go, but better.
Superlux hd681
Fit the AKG velour pads. Helps with that top edge and reduces bass wallop a bit.
We all probably know this one as well, but applicable to som many amps ...
Ember
Fit a much bigger volume knob so that micro adjustments to volume are easier.
That's just starters ...
Any more?
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jan 26, 2016 13:43:21 GMT
The PX 100-II mod we've both now performed is only stage 1. Those who have tried it recommend moving onto stage 2. This involves removing the centre of the yellow foams and mounting them on top of the already mounted original pads. I haven't taken things that far. The rationale seems to be that it's the actual circumference change that's important when the HD 414 pads are used in place of the stock pads but that the actual sonic transparency qualities of the original black pads is way better than the old yellow crusties. I can see the logic in that assumption but as I say, I haven't tried it. After you
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Rabbit
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Post by Rabbit on Jan 26, 2016 14:36:39 GMT
I REALLY like them with just the yellow pads, Gordon. They're more evenly balanced that way. Listening to Celtic Cross this morning with them and you can really hear well into the samples and actually decipher what they're saying as well. At one point, without thinking, I took the headphone off because I thought one of the sounds was coming from the room. It was a softer kind of radio sound. It really surprised me how some of the sounds were seeming to come from further away. Maybe the effect of those pads pushing the drivers a bit further away from my ears. Also, they're just not quite as muddy as they were, which is one reason why I switched to Portpros way back.
The comfort is really good. I could use these as a home headphone quite easily!!
The fit issue isn't a biggie. I ended up just pulling them further over the cups so they kind of look buried in yellow foam. They really remind me of my old 414's which I really liked as well.
On first listen the changes seem very subtle, but over the past day, I've found them astoundingly good and lightweight on the head as well.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jan 26, 2016 16:14:56 GMT
AKG Q701
1. Notice that on first listen there seems to be a treble spike at 2k.
Do nothing and hope that burn-in will take care of it.
2. Notice that the spike is still there but it's of secondary importance since the headband is slowly burning a notch into your skull.
Buy some ridiculous pad from eBay to prevent the pain. Hope that further burn-in will improve the sound.
3. The sound hasn't improved and you feel like a knob with a pad on his head.
Give up. Sell the Q701 for whatever you can get for it and buy a pair of HD 650's instead.
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Rabbit
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Post by Rabbit on Jan 26, 2016 16:16:27 GMT
K712 is an HD600 in disguise. Just thought of another one. If the knicker elastic on any AKG headphone starts going slack, cut the damned things off. Work out how far down your cups need to sit and just superglue it!! You never need worry about droopy cups again!!! You won't sell them on though either, although no-one wants a droopy AKG.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jan 26, 2016 19:58:08 GMT
FAD Pandora Hope VI (aka Sonorous VI) i) Final have sold these with two different stock pads since they were released. The original pads sound sublime but comfort is very lacking for many folk (very soft shallow pads + driver grilles that mash your ears = ear torture). The newer pads resolve the comfort issues but make the VI sound like ****. Baby and bathwater springs to mind If you want to improve comfort or sound quality (depending on which pads you have) then try some Shure SRH-1540 'alcantara' pads. They get very close to the originals in terms of SQ but are very comfy and breathable. ii) the heavy ear cups also have a tendency to slide down the metal adjustment sliders all the time which is very annoying. Had Final used some kind of 'notched' slider it'd have been a non-issue. Whilst not very aesthetically pleasing I've found that wrapping an elastic band around the slider a few times just below each cup does a good job of keeping them in situ.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jan 26, 2016 20:10:32 GMT
My Shure SRH840's were susceptible to the cups drooping. I sorted it with two of those wee tie-wraps used by car HiFi installers. Red on one side and blue on the other. It actually looked like it was meant to be that way.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jan 26, 2016 21:27:50 GMT
I've found since I hit 40 that drooping has become a problem on many levels.... My moobs are coming along nicely tho'
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Rabbit
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Post by Rabbit on Jan 26, 2016 22:20:57 GMT
I have a feeling that you lot don't take me seriously.....
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Post by Deleted on Jan 26, 2016 23:03:58 GMT
I'm officially not taking anything seriously any more. Or at least until the weekend.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 26, 2016 23:48:14 GMT
I don't take much seriously these days Ian. Let alone myself, so you've no chance! I think there's a good thread in here somewhere though. Just delete the bits you wrote Dunu Titan / Fiio EX-1I'm with Ian. Comply tips bring out the bass and take the edge off things. Inairs foam tips not recommended as they overcook the bass. The attached cable tie is pretty useless. Adds weight, a right faff to fasten and mostly just gets in the way....cutting it off seems like a good plan.
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