Dave
very active
Posts: 480
|
Post by Dave on Jan 27, 2014 22:26:12 GMT
Hi Frans, I'm interested in trying to tag along behind you on these (mechanical) mods, as previously discussed. Can you advise, in 'idiot proof' terms, what these mods entail and how to carry them out please? TIA, Dave
|
|
solderdude
Administrator
measureutternutter
Posts: 4,882
|
Post by solderdude on Jan 27, 2014 23:24:47 GMT
See one post above yours !
|
|
|
Post by c61746961 on Jan 27, 2014 23:38:46 GMT
How bulky are these compared to the TH-02?, they look pretty bulky for a portable, but I might be mistaken.
|
|
solderdude
Administrator
measureutternutter
Posts: 4,882
|
Post by solderdude on Jan 27, 2014 23:44:10 GMT
They are HUGE compared to TH02 and completely incomparable otherwise.
The cups of K55x do not swivel as freely and have to be bent in position. The pads are very large, so large it is easy to break seal and loose lows (TH02 as well, the breaking seal) The K55x pads are VERY soft and comfortable and it fits on my head. Sound-wise there is NO comparison.
The 'portable' part of them is the cups can lie flat and thus take up less space and can easily be driven from a Sansa clip. With the mods you loose about 5dB efficiency though. I do not recommend walking about (in that portable sense) as they aren't suited for that but they are 'portable' in the sense you only need a decent player to drive them. The K551 is 'portable' in the sense it has a short thin cable with apple remote and mic in line for their phone thingies. The K550 has a long thick cord as in 'look audiophiles, a THICK wire isn't that what you need ?'
K550's sometimes are sold cheaply second-hand as some like to get rid of it because of the highs...
|
|
|
Post by c61746961 on Jan 28, 2014 0:04:59 GMT
Hmm, I see... May be a no-go for me since I have trouble fitting bigger headphones to my smallish noggin'. Thanks.
|
|
Rabbit
Administrator
Posts: 7,087
|
Post by Rabbit on Jan 28, 2014 21:19:29 GMT
I don't have a large head and they're OK for me. I can't get the TH-02 to fit me - it's too low on my head but the K550 is fine. I tend to push it forwards on my head since it can leak out the back of your head if you see what I mean.
the only thing is the standard one is just a bit to jangly up top for me. I find the same with the K701.
The modded K550 has less sensitivity than it had before, but that'll be better for the Ember since it is a bit too sensitive really, so no bad thing. (5db less sensitivity?)
The comfort is superb. They can be worn all day since your ears are totally enclosed and not crunched up. Basically a beautifully designed headphone and tough as old boots, so once the sound is adjusted, hopefully they should be great!!!
|
|
dicky
quite active
Posts: 230
|
Post by dicky on Jan 29, 2014 12:41:00 GMT
Hi Frans, I'm interested in trying to tag along behind you on these (mechanical) mods, as previously discussed. Can you advise, in 'idiot proof' terms, what these mods entail and how to carry them out please? TIA, Dave Hi Dave, I've done this mod to my 550's using 3mm hapla felt and I built the filter in an external in-line box. I decided to do the filter externally for fear of damaging the very fine wires in the headphones. I also used a lower value resistor to preserve some of the warmth. Dicky
|
|
Dave
very active
Posts: 480
|
Post by Dave on Jan 29, 2014 13:21:21 GMT
Thanks Dicky, The felt mods don't worry me one bit but poking around with a hot soldering iron near the internal plastic and very fine wires in the ear cups is a different matter . I'll take a look at the info from Frans and see if making the in-line filter is an acceptable challenge. Many thanks, Dave. LATE EDIT/ADDENDUM: - I know nowt about resistor values or units, polar or non-polar etc. etc. Having built one of these yourself can you point me in the direction of, or a link to, the various bits I need and any quantities involved please? I figure they won't cost a lot and might be a simple little build project for me. TIA, Dave.
|
|
dicky
quite active
Posts: 230
|
Post by dicky on Jan 30, 2014 6:27:38 GMT
Thanks Dicky, The felt mods don't worry me one bit but poking around with a hot soldering iron near the internal plastic and very fine wires in the ear cups is a different matter . I'll take a look at the info from Frans and see if making the in-line filter is an acceptable challenge. Many thanks, Dave. LATE EDIT/ADDENDUM: - I know nowt about resistor values or units, polar or non-polar etc. etc. Having built one of these yourself can you point me in the direction of, or a link to, the various bits I need and any quantities involved please? I figure they won't cost a lot and might be a simple little build project for me. TIA, Dave. Dave, the resistors are of this type: uk.farnell.com/jsp/search/productdetail.jsp?SKU=9476130
and because I was building in an external box I used these capacitors: uk.farnell.com/jsp/search/productdetail.jsp?SKU=1166833
The instructions that Frans has provided are fool-proof and tell you what values you need. Just buy a range of resistor values (they are very cheap) so you can 'tune' the warmth. If I get a chance I'll post a picture of the filter tonight.
Unfortunately, with Farnell, there's a minimum order (£25 I think) which can be a pain for a little job like this. If I had any spares I'd send you them - but I only have 1 capacitor. However, ebay may be an option - you'll pay more per component but there's no minimum order!
Dicky
|
|
Crispy
very active
Madrigal music is playing - Voices can faintly be heard, "Please leave this patient undisturbed."
Posts: 776
|
Post by Crispy on Jan 30, 2014 9:55:33 GMT
Thanks Dicky, The felt mods don't worry me one bit but poking around with a hot soldering iron near the internal plastic and very fine wires in the ear cups is a different matter . I'll take a look at the info from Frans and see if making the in-line filter is an acceptable challenge. Many thanks, Dave. LATE EDIT/ADDENDUM: - I know nowt about resistor values or units, polar or non-polar etc. etc. Having built one of these yourself can you point me in the direction of, or a link to, the various bits I need and any quantities involved please? I figure they won't cost a lot and might be a simple little build project for me. TIA, Dave. Dave, the resistors are of this type: uk.farnell.com/jsp/search/productdetail.jsp?SKU=9476130
and because I was building in an external box I used these capacitors: uk.farnell.com/jsp/search/productdetail.jsp?SKU=1166833
The instructions that Frans has provided are fool-proof and tell you what values you need. Just buy a range of resistor values (they are very cheap) so you can 'tune' the warmth. If I get a chance I'll post a picture of the filter tonight.
Unfortunately, with Farnell, there's a minimum order (£25 I think) which can be a pain for a little job like this. If I had any spares I'd send you them - but I only have 1 capacitor. However, ebay may be an option - you'll pay more per component but there's no minimum order!
Dicky
Hi Dave & Dicky, Don't mess about and go direct to CPC for your components, they are part of Farnell anyway and they they will deliver free at the moment with no minimum order. I was looking for some Edding dry marker pens and they were typically £4 each on Amazon and Ebay - looked on CPC and got 2 for £2.88 free delivery and they were at my house the next day. No brainer really? I have bought capacitors, resistors and other electronic components from them before, but that was when they charged for delivery - so while they are offering free delivery with no minimum order, take advantage. Some links below cpc.farnell.com/jsp/bespoke/bespoke2.jsp?bespokepage=cpc/en_CC/special_offers/rdrlp/webfree.jspcpc.farnell.com/jsp/search/browse.jsp?N=411+2005+215542&Ntk=gensearch&Ntt=capacitors&Ntx=mode+matchallpartial&getResults=true
|
|
dicky
quite active
Posts: 230
|
Post by dicky on Jan 30, 2014 18:15:29 GMT
|
|
Dave
very active
Posts: 480
|
Post by Dave on Jan 30, 2014 21:47:41 GMT
Thanks Crispy for the heads up on these and to Dicky for passing it on. Ta!! Dave.
|
|
Rabbit
Administrator
Posts: 7,087
|
Post by Rabbit on Jan 31, 2014 18:08:36 GMT
I've just receieved the K550 from Frans and I must say that it is indeed a very different headphone. The output impedance of the amp seems to be critical though.
I first listened to the radio. (basically because that stays pretty consistent in sound quality) First impression was the top yet again felt thin and there was some sibliance on voice transients. It was like a razor if I'm honest. However, the bass, is there (light in touch) and goes down deep.
Changing the output impedance to 100 ohms really relaxed the sound. Here's the bit I don't get - must be perception .....
The bass becomes more obvious but also, the treble seemed to calm down. Now on the FR graphs, the treble doesn't seem to move, but I'm hearing a shift downwards in edginess, so I can only guess that the extra bass kind of 'compensates' and acts as a balance to that sharp top end. It's as though the middle of the frequency response has shifted down a bit so it sounds more natural.
This is the first time that I've not liked a headphone at close to zero ohms output impedance but I actually really like it at high impedance. It really does make a difference and it's profound. Output impedance can most definitely affect the sound of the headphone. In this case, it's quite a large perceived difference.
So, if you are thinking about doing mods to this yourself, then it helps enormously if you have an amp to drive it with higher output impedance. For me, it's the difference between not being so fussed and really liking it!!
So Dave, before you attempt a filter, I would seriously recommend an amp with high output impedance. From an amp like that, it's really top notch imo. The bass is beautiful. It's not heavy, but 'crystal' and kind of 'rubbery' down there. there's a lovely texture within the bass sound that many headphones have trouble reproducing. You would easily hear the difference between a fretless bass and a double bass since the clarity down there is absolutely brilliant and yet it doesn't dominate.
BTW, sensitivity is reduced quite a bit. (half virtually?) No longer really a portable since it's better to have an amp attached.
|
|
solderdude
Administrator
measureutternutter
Posts: 4,882
|
Post by solderdude on Jan 31, 2014 19:48:34 GMT
The effect of the impedance is so profound because it alters the function of the filter and not so much the headphone. A stock K550 will not sound different from a higher impedance and because the impedance is so flat this type of filtering is possible.
In 120 Ohm output R the complete plot is skewed downwards (as if the tilt button on a Quad is turned downwards. On 120 Ohm output R the filter action is altered so it is more speaker in a room-alike. On 0 Ohm the reproduction is virtually flat.
There is no sibilance if the recording is excellent... when the recording is mediocre the sound will ruthlessly be so as well. I use the filtered K551 on a Sansa Fuze and turn the bass up a bit on some recordings. On well made recordings I don't have to. It plays loud enough for me. On the X3 it still plays reaches painful SPL.
The sensitivity is reduced by about 6dB but that's the price that has to be paid to get rid of the sibilance.
The lows filter can be 'tuned' to have a less dramatic effect. For me (and Ian) having amps that can vary output R the filter is made so you can choose between 'reference' flat and 'warmer' in 3 steps.
A really 'flat' headphone only sounds well on somewhat higher SPL and is an acquired taste and only sounds particularly well on high quality recordings.
|
|
|
Post by c61746961 on Jan 31, 2014 22:10:47 GMT
On the X3 it still plays reaches painful SPL. I've been eyeing this one since it will also function as an USB DAC+amp, right? How satisfied are you with it? (Nevermind, I somehow missed your thread on the other forum)
Also, do you think an inline volume pot would have a reasonable performance as an output impedance controller?
|
|