solderdude
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Post by solderdude on Apr 19, 2015 18:39:32 GMT
Sorry Frans, we overlapped. I added Senn inner foam to cover the drivers as well once the pads were on. Your modded headphone is better in the bass than my black one without the mods. The bass on yours is more under control and not as big as the one which only had the pads changed. Both are REALLY good headphones with that incredible bass. The felt 'donut' inside helps against reflections and a tiny bit with the bass. In the one I sent I lowered the amount of bass somewhat by adding a very TINY amount of wool in the cups. 2 tiny 'dots' above and below the driver (NOT behind it, that kills the bass completely). Subtle but audible. Did the same with my all black SHL9515. The others have slightly elevated bass. I figure between the unmodded one and modded one. The modded ones have slightly less and higher quality treble as well. I am still surprised at the SQ that comes from these things and the great bass ...
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Rabbit
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Post by Rabbit on Apr 19, 2015 18:50:29 GMT
It's a great pity that they won't be available for too much longer. They are quite remarkable really. Even just with pads changed. I wonder whether there's anything replacing it that uses those drivers because although not as refined as the Senns, it gets frighteningly close in timbre.
So what am I left with ....
HD650 with filter. TH900/D2000 T40/50 Cityscape
I really feel that they cover most of what I want to do. Don't feel the need for much else really.
One thing I've noticed with the Micro. On Turbo mode, the HD650 and T40/50 jump to life. They become extremely dynamic with a bit of grunt behind them. The T40 is brilliant once the power is there. They really tighten up.
I must try the Philips with the Mont Blanc or O2 to see if the bass gets even harder hitting.
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Crispy
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Post by Crispy on Apr 19, 2015 19:14:50 GMT
The felt 'donut' inside helps against reflections and a tiny bit with the bass. In the one I sent I lowered the amount of bass somewhat by adding a very TINY amount of wool in the cups. 2 tiny 'dots' above and below the driver (NOT behind it, that kills the bass completely). Subtle but audible. Did the same with my all black SHL9515. The others have slightly elevated bass. I figure between the unmodded one and modded one. The modded ones have slightly less and higher quality treble as well. I am still surprised at the SQ that comes from these things and the great bass ... Hi Frans, Did you say you were modding some Cityscape phones and selling them on? If you are can you give me a price for a pair of the all Black ones. Thanks Chris
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Rabbit
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Post by Rabbit on Apr 19, 2015 19:41:14 GMT
Chris, they are superb. I have a cream pair and they don't look at all bad. I couldn't care less because the sound is fantastic. With the pads screwed down, even better too. The bass kicks ass big time and is the deepest I've heard in any portable.
You'd definitely prefer it to the k550 flat. You'll also hear that flat headphones don't sound the same, due to other factors. Some are born better than others
If you can get one, I seriously would. These things outperform most that I have here by quite a long way.
If Frans doesn't have any, I would buy a new pair and have them modded. These are worth it.
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solderdude
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Post by solderdude on Apr 19, 2015 21:21:48 GMT
I have one silver unit left (with music seal) the one in the manual and a black/brown one (the one without the music seal also in the manual) They still need to have the volume control mod done though .... Just place bids on 3 more black/brown ones. (from 3 different individuals)
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Crispy
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Post by Crispy on Apr 21, 2015 17:31:21 GMT
Chris, they are superb. I have a cream pair and they don't look at all bad. I couldn't care less because the sound is fantastic. With the pads screwed down, even better too. The bass kicks ass big time and is the deepest I've heard in any portable. You'd definitely prefer it to the k550 flat. You'll also hear that flat headphones don't sound the same, due to other factors. Some are born better than others If you can get one, I seriously would. These things outperform most that I have here by quite a long way. If Frans doesn't have any, I would buy a new pair and have them modded. These are worth it. Thanks Ian, I have seen a pair of all black for £50 which is not going to break the bank. Not too sure on the mods? I will have a good look at the PDF Frans has put together and then decide whether to mod them myself or to get Frans to do it?
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Crispy
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Post by Crispy on Apr 21, 2015 17:34:17 GMT
I have one silver unit left (with music seal) the one in the manual and a black/brown one (the one without the music seal also in the manual) They still need to have the volume control mod done though .... Just place bids on 3 more black/brown ones. (from 3 different individuals) Cheers Frans, I think I will get a new pair of all black they are cheap enough. Are the mods easy enough to do for an amature?
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Rabbit
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Post by Rabbit on Apr 21, 2015 17:52:08 GMT
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solderdude
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Post by solderdude on Apr 21, 2015 19:05:04 GMT
The all black versions seem to have become unobtanium.
I have to say the black/brown one (with black pads) doesn't look bad at all though and is still available. A newer one (without the volume control) should be landing on my doormat by the end of the week.
If you want new they are around E 60.- + pads (E 20.-) makes them around E 80. When made from 2nd hand they will be between E 50 and E 60 depending on the price paid + shipping costs.
IMO the mods (on new ones without the volume control) are very easy to do. Just be careful with the thin wiring.
I have felt available if needed.
All the ones I have measured before and after mods all perform almost exactly the same so the succesrate is high when it comes to consistency.
The modding guide shows how to do it. Most fiddly part is mounting the Shure pads correctly.
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Rabbit
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Post by Rabbit on Apr 21, 2015 19:08:28 GMT
Have Philips started to make a new version without the mic, Frans?
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solderdude
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Post by solderdude on Apr 21, 2015 19:10:34 GMT
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Rabbit
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Post by Rabbit on Apr 21, 2015 19:17:12 GMT
On Ebay.co.uk they're going at £70 - £80. Cheaper on the Dutch site.
Didn't realise the black lost the volume control !
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solderdude
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Post by solderdude on Apr 21, 2015 19:18:55 GMT
Have Philips started to make a new version without the mic, Frans? The first version was one without the music seal + (inline) mic + switch + volume control. The 2 nd version was one with music seal + (inline) mic + switch + volume control. The 3 rd version (also called SHL9515 and/or SHL9505) has music seal and does have the inline 'thing' but this one only has a mic + button, no volume control. This last version can be differentiated by that lack of volume control on the 'inline remote' and the logo's on the sides of the cups aren't flat but have an embossed surface. These last ones are most desirable because the volume control WILL give troubles sooner than later and should be bypassed. As the latest version doesn't have that volume control that isn't a problem. Fixing the remote is do-able but not a very easy job though. The end result is a very pleasant headphone and certainly worth it. Even E 100.- is more than worth the money.
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Rabbit
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Post by Rabbit on Apr 21, 2015 19:25:02 GMT
Ok, thanks. The one that I got is black/brown and is version 3 then. Didn't realise there were so many versions!
Those mic controls are a pain if you use them with a portable radio that uses the headphone wire as an aerial. They don't work until you press the remote and hold it!!! They could have given us the choice by have a disconnectable lead really.
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solderdude
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Post by solderdude on Apr 21, 2015 19:41:37 GMT
The uptowns were in production from end 2011. 3 revisions were made after many people send them back with faulty volume controls.
Now they are said to be discontinued but Philips still sels the black/brown and silver/brown version new ( E 90.- !!) so reckon some shops may be out of stock but Philips still has them. These are all the newer versions (SHL9505) with music seal and without the volume control (but with mic + button)
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