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Post by chinook9 on Nov 13, 2013 20:21:55 GMT
I searched around for a headphone to mod and found that the Alessandro MS1i is a good candidate with many modders pleased with their results.
Thought I'd go ahead and start this thread to let posters share their thoughts and opinions on this headphone mod. I probably should have done this first but I didn't want to wait......I'm back down in Arizona and have access to a woodshop for the next few months.
Probably will get a set of HD558 in the next couple of days also but that's not a big rush.
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Rabbit
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Post by Rabbit on Nov 13, 2013 21:14:07 GMT
I loved the old MS1. It was just a bit more relaxed than the sr60. Not sure what the mods you are describing are but most likely to do with the pads?
I really do like the HD558. It is a great value headphone and in spite of having the same drivers as the HD598, it doesn't sound exactly the same. The mods for that are quite simple, but since I have both the 558 and the 598 I left mine as it is so I have a choice. It is a little more beefy sounding than the 598 and I quite like it as a headphone for that reason.
Maybe the 598 sounds more open but there's not a massive amount in it tbh. I could easily live with the 558.
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Post by chinook9 on Nov 13, 2013 21:31:30 GMT
I wasn't sure if I needed to mention much about the mod but it is the one from nickchen on the forum we're all aware of......basically fabricate and install a 13-14mm spacer and replace the pads with those of the Grado GS1000.
I expect I will start out with a wood spacer and then make a complete new housing out of some exotic (and not too costly) wood.
As far as the Sennheisers, if I get a great deal, I will just get the HD598 but I'll probably go with whichever one has the very best deal. I have seen HD598 for $112 but I don't believe they came with the box and I would want the box to simplify selling if I decide to do that.
Right now I get satisfaction from just trying different headphones that can be modded.
NOTE: I am using a Sunrise II with various (but most likely Russian) tubes.
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Post by chinook9 on Nov 21, 2013 4:52:04 GMT
I am really enjoying the Grado sound. I received the MS1i, fabricated (out of plumbing pipe)and installed a 14mm extension and replaced the stock pads with GS1000 pads. After a little break-in, I am really enjoying the airiness and wide soundstage of these open Grado cans. I still like the 6N6P and TF E88CC with these, but the 6N23P has never sounded so good and I am giving it a really extended listen. My 6n23P is an 83 Voskhod and I am considering an early 70s 6N23P-EV. Not sure if they would be worth the money, however.
Started fabrication of some limba cups to replace the factory plastic/plumbing ones that I am presently using. I'm not convinced, but lots of people say the wood cups are an improvement.
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Post by MaN227 on Jan 2, 2014 22:29:37 GMT
look at acoustic instruments. with all the tech advances and modern materials, guitars, violins are all still made of wood, I've yet to see a real guitar that is plastic. and I feel headphone makers/sellers simply use plastic so they can maximize their profits.
I've also seen a mod taht use's senn 414 pads (they are 10 usd) can't imagine the effect would be the same as the much bigger gs1000's
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Rabbit
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Post by Rabbit on Jan 2, 2014 23:00:17 GMT
I used the 414 pads with all my Grados. I always felt that they worked much better than Grado's own.
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Post by MaN227 on Jan 4, 2014 9:12:29 GMT
does anyone have a good decent priced headband replacement for alessandro/grado cans, that they can link me to?
hell may as well ask this too. replacement spacer about 11.5 mm distance? cups. cups that are not a fortune in asking price that is lol after all the cans only cost 100$
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Rabbit
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Post by Rabbit on Jan 4, 2014 11:11:52 GMT
The metal band, Chaz or do you want to pad the band? If you want more padding, the Beyer headband cushions fit really well.
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Post by MaN227 on Jan 4, 2014 21:42:36 GMT
sorry, I was referring to the replacement pad that replaces the hard plastic of stock erm .... pad so beyer uses the same headband pad on all ? or from a certain model? how much? if a certain model then I can search price that was but .... please have a look at amazon search "grado headband" the first result its 18 bucks and change. this one is pleather has pad on bottom and some small snaps as it wraps around the top side you snap them closed.
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Rabbit
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Post by Rabbit on Jan 4, 2014 21:59:34 GMT
That looks like the Beyer band, Chaz. We can't get that Grado one in the UK, but the Beyer is widely available. They do make them a bit more plush on the head. That's probably cheaper than a Beyer for you in the USA.
I use a Beyer band on the Sr125i ..... which reminds me .... I want to find some new 414 pads for it. Mine are old and tatty!!
Edit: done it. Been meaning to for ages!!
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Post by MaN227 on Jan 11, 2014 11:25:30 GMT
just ordered 2 different ear pads, gs1000 and sr225 . still not sure on which route to go on the headband. temped to try wood cups, but man they are spendy.
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Rabbit
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Post by Rabbit on Jan 11, 2014 13:45:40 GMT
gs1000 will make them thin, Chaz. I have them here and after I heard Mick's headphone (which I still can't believe he sent out to me!!!) I wanted to see what they did to the lesser Grados. I wasn't to fussed but I liked Mick's PS1000 (I think it was)
SR225 pads, I have and I can only wear them for short periods of time before my ears hurt.
I hope you find different.
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Post by chinook9 on Jan 11, 2014 18:24:52 GMT
just ordered 2 different ear pads, gs1000 and sr225 . still not sure on which route to go on the headband. temped to try wood cups, but man they are spendy. Interested in your comparison of those pads. I have both but haven't tried the 225i. Have you done the spacer mod? I put in a 14mm spacer and then the G-cush pads. I didn't listen to them long in stock form but I believe the spacers and the G-cush pads opens up the soundstage a bit. I have made a couple of sets of wood cups for the MS1i drivers, but so far I have been hesitant to tear the drivers out of a set of new, perfectly good headphones. I expect I will eventually, but right now I am busy with Turbulent X drivers and woods cups I made for them. Not sure what to expect but I should know sometime this weekend.
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Post by MaN227 on Jan 12, 2014 0:34:40 GMT
chinook9 , no I have not done ANY mods to the stock allesandro ms1. but I have started gathering info and will start experimenting once a gather everything . I read about spacer mod. here is what I'm thinking correct me if I'm wrong. I consider gettting wood cups and simply push drivers 14mm in, this should be the same thing correct? no clue what G-cush pads are. the pads I'm currently getting r pads that are the same as those 4 the gs1000 and sr225. in the market for wood cups , still looking as most want WAY too much money for what it is. interested in trying different things, but started with 2 different pads as that is a non destructive way to try and shape the sound sig a bit. I will share what I find here, good, bad or otherwise
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jan 12, 2014 3:16:41 GMT
These are my modded SR-80's. I have removed the "SR-80" buttons and replaced the grilles with finer mesh. Since I am not a big fan of double-entry, I have modded them to single. I used the internal wiring which ran over the top of the headband from one driver to the other in a spare pair of Audio-Chi headphones which I picked up for peanuts. I then thought I might as well use the nice padded Audio-Chi headband as well. BTW, Audio-Chi are now known as RHA. I drilled 2 small holes in the top of the capsules to feed the wire in. The wire is such a tight fit, the holes are now sealed. I sealed the bottom entry hole on the R/H/S capsule with silicon sealant. Rewired with some nice Evo Pro cable. I tried the spacer mod using plastic piping as was astonished at the amount of extra bass I could get, but never bothered with them much because of the comfort issues using the original pads. As Ian mentions, using 414 pads were more comfortable but they still didn't get as much head-time as my others. This is an old photo as I'm now using them with the big GS (or PS?)1000 earpads. They are comfortable enough now to wear for long periods unlike when using them with the pads shown in the pic. There is probably a small loss of bass, but in my case very little. I think I will hunt out my plastic spacers if I can find them and fit them again. But maybe paint them black this time!
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