joop
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Posts: 2
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Post by joop on Jan 29, 2017 8:21:41 GMT
Hi, new to this board. I am looking for someone who can do the AKG K551 modification on my AKG K553 pro headphones. I have 2 AKG K553 pro headphones, bought a pair a few years ago through ebay and bought a second pair a few months ago through massdrop. Before the K553 i had the K550 which i loved. The K553 sound somewhat better, i think. I have one K553 for at home (dell thin client with Daphile, Chord Hugo dac) and one for work (jriver on a windows computer, Dacmagic XS usb dac). Actually, i have 2 choices, or modifying one of my K553's or looking for a new headphone. I love the sound of the K553 but i am wondering if i can get better. If i choose for buying a new headphone, then they have to be closed back as my wife sits approx 200cm away from me. I have been looking around on internet for new headphones but i am not sure what would be an improvement on the K553's. Perhaps the Beyerdynamic t5p 2nd, or the Shure shr1540. Perhaps soemone here has some tips on where to look for a good alternative for the K553? But if modifying the K553 would improve the sound of it, this would be a good choice for me also. I am curious if someone could do the mod for me and what this would cost. thx!
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Rabbit
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Post by Rabbit on Jan 29, 2017 9:24:35 GMT
What is the mod Joop, and what does it do?
I like the k553 as it is tbh.
Also, welcome to DIYAH!!
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joop
valued member
Posts: 2
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Post by joop on Jan 29, 2017 10:03:42 GMT
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Rabbit
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Posts: 7,087
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Post by Rabbit on Jan 29, 2017 10:26:51 GMT
Oh, I see. So I'm assuming that you notice the treble spike? The reason I say this is that sometimes, people don't actually like a 'flatter' headphone. It's a good idea to have an end result in mind or it can be a case of hit or miss as to whether you actually like it modded. A 'flatter' response isn't for everyone and I can understand that, just as Solderdude does as well. The K551 (in this case) will lose its treble 'sparkle' so you would be able to listen louder perhaps, but the AKG sound that you first opted for will fade away, if you see what I mean. I have quite a few closed headphones that are far from flat, but I tend to move between them for their different sigs. If you like the brighter sig of the k553, the dt770 pro is a great option since it retains that brighter top but adds a rumble in the bass which can be quite unbelievable. That can be very useful for some types of music. I like the K553 a lot and it does go quite deep as well; as long as you get a proper seal around the back of your head. Closed headphones that I go between are things like K553, DT770 for more bass, Ath-a900 for a smooth sound, th-900 for hard hitting bass and strong top, d2000 for good bass and less strident top than the th900. MSR7 for a clear, mobile listen, m100 for a big bass when mobile, (those two are almost polar opposites) Trinity Audio Vyrus or Sabre for walking around streets. All kinds of options (and loads more here!!) that I choose according to mood and music plus situation. Closed headphones is a minefield and they all vary in how good they are massively. The K553 is one of the better ones and by modifying it, you've lost some of the AKG characteristic which could be useful in combination with a totally different sound sig. No matter how flat you get your headphone to sound, you will still end up with others that you'll want to swap to on occasions!! Just basically saying before you pull the K553 apart when in fact, it is a great headphone. A separate notch filter might be a good idea for it though, so you have a choice of sounds. Having said that, Solderdude's mods are also top notch ..... as long as you want a flatter headphone!! For me, variety spices up my listening massively and there are more than 20 headphones in my house I think!! (Although I do have my favourites)
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solderdude
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measureutternutter
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Post by solderdude on Jan 29, 2017 11:16:50 GMT
Hi Joop,
Your name (first and last) sounds awfully Dutch to me. Should you be Dutch and live in the Netherlands you could consider sending a K553 in for measurements and mods. Shipping inside the Netherlands can be as cheap as 5 Euros. To me it's a hobby, I don't do this professionally so am not out to drain someones wallet.
I don't think the K551 mods will apply on the K553 but might be quite similar. Doing mods without a measurement rig or known reference to compare may yield a different sound for sure. It may even be closer to your personal taste. But when modding you can also change aspects that you would have preferred not to change as well.
The coming week I will not be available though.
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