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Post by psych0 on Jan 14, 2018 13:07:53 GMT
So even with all the mods so far, they are pretty far from the proto 688...to bad. I still have hope . Would they be able to reach proto quality with a filter? Do you think superlux could/would help in any way if you asked? I guess not...
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solderdude
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Post by solderdude on Jan 14, 2018 13:17:38 GMT
No help is to be expected from Superlux.
At this moment I have it sounding pretty good. Problem is the brain adjusts to sound. In itself not a problem as it adjusts so it sounds quite good now. Maybe in direct comparison it might pale or hold its ground.
Bass is exactly where I want it now... deep, slightly elevated sub and not bleeding in the mids. Mids are clear sounding, highs are present and not sharp. Really need to compare it to other headphones.
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Post by superluc on Jan 14, 2018 13:19:27 GMT
I made another mod when using the Superlux HD681EVO velourspads (Chinese e-bay pads may differ, they may not) The pads were 'raised' a few mm with window sealing stuff creating more space between the driver and ear. This resulted in slightly more clarity and more room. Will take pictures and post them. Maybe even produce a modfication guide. Thanks
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Post by psych0 on Jan 14, 2018 13:30:26 GMT
Thank you, much appreciated.
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Post by miiksu on Jan 14, 2018 13:52:44 GMT
No help is to be expected from Superlux. At this moment I have it sounding pretty good. Problem is the brain adjusts to sound. In itself not a problem as it adjusts so it sounds quite good now. Maybe in direct comparison it might pale or hold its ground. Bass is exactly where I want it now... deep, slightly elevated sub and not bleeding in the mids. Mids are clear sounding, highs are present and not sharp. Really need to compare it to other headphones. We are getting there I think also I have litle too much sub bass. Probably going to damper more the cups. Clamping force is so nice that I made custom made stand for this. Fits perfectly but it's ugly. Ear pads not touching
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solderdude
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Post by solderdude on Jan 14, 2018 16:36:05 GMT
You can lower the bass by 2 dB by blocking a port inside the cup.
Will post some pics after I have processed them.
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fanda
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Post by fanda on Jan 15, 2018 14:36:48 GMT
It is too bad that the production units are so much worse. Just assessing the stock tuning, Superlux have almost doubled the price for no real improvement over prior models...
Solderdude - were you able to find out why the prototype design was abandoned?
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solderdude
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Post by solderdude on Jan 15, 2018 19:31:17 GMT
I suspect it has been a financial decision. The driver chassis and magnet are the same. The membrane looks the same but probably isn't. The damping scheme in the driver changed as well and is closer to that of the HD687 prototype but not exactly the same.
Did some comparos with different recordings.
Using the HD688 Proto (modified) as a reference: Bass is full, not overblown, integrates nicely into mids, mids have a neutral tone with a hint of warmth, very dynamic and lively, clarity is excellent details in instruments is very real, treble is soft as in not harsh/coarse
HD688 production modified: Bass is full, not overblown, integrates nicely into mids perhaps just slightly less in quality... nitpicking here, mids have a neutral tone with a hint of warmth, dynamic and lively, clarity is less and with 'complex' rock etc the instruments are not as well defined.. a bit 'blurred' guitar 'picking' and woodblocks do not sound nearly as real (the dip), treble is soft as in not harsh/coarse.
HD687 proto (modified): Bass is on a 'neutral' level, integrates nicely into mids, mids have a neutral tone, slightly less dynamic and lively than HD688 proto, clarity is good, details in instruments is better than modified production HD688, treble is soft as in not harsh/coarse. A bit more 'boring' sounding than noth HD688.
HD662EVO (modified): Bass is full, not overblown, somewhat disattached from the mids, mids have a neutral tone lacking some warmth/body, less dynamic and lively than the headphones above but not by much, clarity is a bit over the top and can have a sharpish 'edge', treble is less quality maybe a tad more 'coarse' sounding than the ones above. Where the HD662EVO (modified) has a bit too much 'clarity' and 'spike' the modified production HD688 has too little. The HD688 proto (modified) is right in between which makes it lovely sounding in that area. Better than HD687 proto (modified) which is less 'real' and leaning a bit more to the HD662EVO side but then a bit smoother.
The HD681EVO modified with Wang_Yifei pads is less dynamic, less bassy (due to the pads) and not as full sounding (pads) and also lacks clarity. the treble is coarser and less well defined than the HD662EVO.
The modified HD681 lacks 'resolution' and the treble is coarser but the sound is less 'congested' and more open and more dynamic than the modified HD681 EVO but not as good and 'full' sounding as the HD662EVO.
From worse to best in my assesment:
HD681EVO(modified) < HD681(modified) < HD662EVO < HD688 modif < HD687 proto modif < HD688 proto modif.
With excellent recordings: HD681EVO(modified) < HD681(modified) < HD662EVO < HD687 proto modif < HD688 modif < HD688 proto modif.
With poor quality and complex music: HD681(modified) < HD681EVO(modified) < HD662EVO < HD688 modif < HD687 proto modif < HD688 proto modif.
All in all after the mods the production model is close to HD688 proto in dynamics and treble quality but is lacking in 'realness' and 'finesse'. The very thing the prototype did so well. Not as good as HD800 of course. With poorly recorded music the prototype was better sounding and everything became less of a mess as with the prototype. Haven't tried is yet but possibly with some EQ in the 'missing' area it may well sound better.
To me a slightly improved HD662EVO where the (modified) EVO is a bit less in treble quality/softness and can have a sharper 'edge'. With bright music the modified HD688 production is more pleasant sounding than the HD662EVO (modified)
Too bad the production model is lacking in those lovely details which made me like the HD688 proto that much. Is it worth E 70.- (60 for the HD688 and 10,- for the HD681EVO velourspads) + some essential modifictations ? Nope ... I would say it is worth closer to E40,- to E 50,- (incl velvet pads) When they had used the exact same driver as present in the prototype it would be worth E80 to E100 even with the crappy enclosure.
The silverpaint scratches VERY easily and is very visible.
This headphone screams 'CHEAP' as do all Superluxes, perhaps with the exception of the HD661 ?
Yes, it's too bad the production driver is not as good as the prototype. BUT for those who already own it spending 10 Euros on Superlux velvet pads (excl shipping) is worth it and with the mods it comes closer to the prototype in dynamics, bass and treble. Just lacking in clarity and 'realness' ... alas.
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Post by fhvioo on Jan 15, 2018 20:33:24 GMT
Thank you very much for this comparison. I already own the HD662 EVO(mod.), so I guess I'll be returning these(sorry thomann).
Shame on Superlux for trying to sell a slightly better version of the HD662 EVO for twice as much, w/o velour pads and the same build quality/comfort.
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Post by superluc on Jan 16, 2018 0:51:46 GMT
Haven't tried is yet but possibly with some EQ in the 'missing' area it may well sound better. May be very interesting to also see your opinion once EQed. I use the MathAudio headphone EQ plugin on Foobar. Any advice on some parametric or graphic equalization, for those huge dips, can be useful.
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solderdude
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Post by solderdude on Jan 16, 2018 5:55:14 GMT
The dip seems to be caused by resonances and break-up of the cone. It may be hard to equalize without negative effects.
Will give it a go one of these days. EQ's should always be 'simple' elaborate ones don't sound very good to me in general.
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Post by psych0 on Jan 16, 2018 8:47:08 GMT
Would it be difficult to move the 688 production driver into the modified proto enclosure? Maybe this would reveal more details about the changes in the production model and it could be improved further.
And thank you again for all the latest info.
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Post by miiksu on Jan 16, 2018 8:58:11 GMT
Haven't tried is yet but possibly with some EQ in the 'missing' area it may well sound better. May be very interesting to also see your opinion once EQed. I use the MathAudio headphone EQ plugin on Foobar. Any advice on some parametric or graphic equalization, for those huge dips, can be useful. I use equalizer apo with peace. You can try my settings that I gave in previous post. The dips can be slightly different area, based on ur mods and HP's itself. I'm not familiar with that MathAudio HP EQ. I can also share config file but it may not be pure flatness but more like enjoyness.
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shiro
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Post by shiro on Jan 16, 2018 9:46:11 GMT
HD681EVO(modified) < HD681(modified) < HD662EVO < HD688 modif < HD687 proto modif < HD688 proto modif. Frans, where would you position the Sennheiser HD 569 in that lineup? It's more expensive, but at around 100 EUR still low cost. And a lot more comfortable I bet
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Post by superluc on Jan 16, 2018 12:48:26 GMT
The dip seems to be caused by resonances and break-up of the cone. It may be hard to equalize without negative effects. Too bad
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