HD800 (S) Ultimate Mod

Discussion in 'Modifications and Tweaks' started by Maxx134, Apr 27, 2018.

?

Are you satisfied with HD800 bass?

  1. yes

    23 vote(s)
    24.0%
  2. Its ok

    27 vote(s)
    28.1%
  3. Not really

    23 vote(s)
    24.0%
  4. Hell no, I want planar bass

    27 vote(s)
    28.1%
Multiple votes are allowed.
  1. Maxx134

    Maxx134 Dunning–Kruger effect poster boy

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    It's understandable to be skeptical as the proof is in listening.

    But remember, I been at SBAF a long time and posted many headphone mods here in past.

    . ..no visible changes to the HD800 except for the Dekoni pads.
    I needed to assess long-term reliability of the mod, which is why there was no mention since the January measurements.

    I have successfully gained greater control in dynamic drivers in general.
    I am currently tuning the HD800 character, to strike a balance between agressive or more laid back, as I noted in one of my measurements (not posted).

    This is not simpleton mods, and it is more than frequency response, as the image is not only cleaned up, it is larger and deeper.

    Currently,it is now close in character to a Susvara, which is my reference headphone choice which is what I want to tune it close to..

    I posted link to the REW file here, for anyone interested to go over, and it been months of crickets about it, so I took it down .
     
    Last edited: Nov 30, 2019
  2. Maxx134

    Maxx134 Dunning–Kruger effect poster boy

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    Updat
    my Carbon edition:
    IMG_20200227_205703.jpg

    Here is a visual on the latest iteration
    FR:
    HD800X Carbon.jpg
    Notice the lessened dip, and flat extension, which was the latest goal I was attempting to do.

    CSD:
    HD800X Carbon CSD.jpg
    CSD is 30db down & extended to 200hz.
    The lack of slices immediately after initial sound shows how fast, clean & clear it is.
    Notice density of slices near bass.

    Remember this is all done in non traditional way.
    No stupid felts or foam cut outs placed inside the metal cup.
    No raping of the driver front screen to voilate it's center hole to imitate Senheiser with the 800S.
    No placement of rug liners to kill soundstage.

    No Resonance.
    No ringing.
    No diffuse sound.
    No small soundstage.
    No dead sounds of rug liners.
    No sucked out sounds.
    No tame sound of SD type inserts.
    No anemic bass sound.
    No blurry distortion sound.
    No thickening of the sound like 800S & 820.
    No anemic bass sound.
     
    Last edited: Mar 31, 2020
  3. E_Schaaf

    E_Schaaf MOT: E.T.A Headphones

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  4. Maxx134

    Maxx134 Dunning–Kruger effect poster boy

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    Unlike you I kept an open mind to try all that and lost three hd800 drivers in the process.
    So although you may call it bullshit, and went thru the trouble to do so in an infantile link, ha...
    The fruits of my labor speak for itself.
    Look at the measurements.
    You cannot deny the facts.
    You cannot deny measurements.
     
  5. Maxx134

    Maxx134 Dunning–Kruger effect poster boy

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    Let's see your measurements on your modded The Fostex TH-900 mk2.
    Let's see if it can beat my modded puple heart thx00 in CSD & impulse..
     
  6. yotacowboy

    yotacowboy McRibs Kind of Guy

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    so, dynamat on the driver bezel/baffle and frame.

    and carbon hydro-dripping for +15hp.

    epic.
     
  7. Maxx134

    Maxx134 Dunning–Kruger effect poster boy

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    Make it then.
     
  8. E_Schaaf

    E_Schaaf MOT: E.T.A Headphones

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    I'm not here to dick-size with you, dude. You always have plenty of words, colorful language, and consistently inconsistent graphs. If you're happy with your work, more power to you.

    There's always just a soapbox feeling whenever you post something, whether it's intended or not. I'm not going to tell people 'MY MODS ARE THE NEXT GEN AND WILL REVOLUTIONIZE EVERYTHING YOU KNOW ABOUT SOUND [add 1500 words and meaningless graphs here]'. I just make stuff to sound good to myself, using my own ears first and foremost, and if people like that or want my help tailoring in their own headphones to their own tastes, that's great. And for those who don't like what I do, life goes on.

    Take a deep breath and realize that this hobby is made up of nothing but toys, pieces of plastic, wood, and metal, and enjoyment. There's never anything at stake aside from your own pleasure.
     
    Last edited: Feb 28, 2020
  9. Maxx134

    Maxx134 Dunning–Kruger effect poster boy

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    The truth is you guys should have been nice and happy I have elevated the hd800.
    Instead your all showing your fangs.
    I not a threat in the business because I have a job and this is my hobby.
     
  10. Maxx134

    Maxx134 Dunning–Kruger effect poster boy

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    Your making excuse to not believe me.
    I can send the REW file and you can slice it up anyway you want.

    Its on record You started slandering me with your post.

    So lets compare what you got.
    I can back up my "colorful language" as I did already with posted measurements.

    Edit.
    In fact, just forget it.

    I will just make a thread later an post my thx00 measurements.
     
  11. Lyander

    Lyander Official SBAF Equitable Empathizer

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    Genuinely how I feel right now:
    giphy.gif

    Hi @Maxx134!

    I think it's long, long been established that your measurements don't quite seem all keyed in just yet. CSDs in particular since you've shared some FRs of before-mods to serve as a baseline if memory serves. Impulse response... you could share before and after mods of the HD800 as well as measurements of more prolific headphones so people can calibrate their reads, bit hard to just go off what's presented here.

    I do believe that you're genuinely into mods (hyperbolic language too, but that's a failing a few here share in so it's no great bother) and are trying to better a good headphone towards the end you want (cuz the tonal balance seems kinda bright to me, not up my alley but YMMV), but I don't think criticism of the effusive praise towards something you worked on yourself or the presentation of your measurements count as "baring fangs" or anything quite so punitive. If anything, though I understand your frustrations with the reception your posts have been getting, your responses come across as a bit less refined than warranted. Can't really fault that though since this happens every time you mention your mods it seems.

    Also:
    I kenned your meaning but the phrasing is a bit arrogant, not sure if that was intentional.

    While the end result might be better per your specifications and tastes, it has been established there may be cases when such mods may be less to the taste of other people (I won't drop names but this is recent).

    E_Schaaf has the right of it, this is a hobby and not worth getting riled over as you seem to be getting. Maybe send them around on a tour for more feedback, esp. with trusted ears who can share measurements that are more familiar to the public.

    I am sorry to hear about the three dead drivers, sucks that that happened.
     
  12. famish99

    famish99 Friend

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    I think you forget it's definitely healthier in this hobby to be skeptical than it is to jump on the bandwagon. While some people may certainly be interested to see what you've done with it, the way you present it really throws off snake oil alarms. Just ship the loaners already instead of indefinitely delaying them and let the results speak for themselves.
     
  13. E_Schaaf

    E_Schaaf MOT: E.T.A Headphones

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    What are you trying to prove? That you're the bestestest modderer? That you're smarter than the Sennheiser R&D department? Your posts read like content from r/iamverysmart .

    I don't care if your headphones measure better than mine according to your own measurement system, your compensation curves, your techniques, your tastes, etc. Some headphones measure better than others and sound like ass in comparison, or the opposite way around. I like how mine sound and that's where my story ends. Measurements are just a data point. Seems like you have something more in mind for yourself.

    I don't care to see your graphs. I won't like an HD800 no matter how it's modded. And your graphs still won't tell me how it sounds. If you like what you've done, that's great. If you want to share with people and help them get results they want too, that's also great. Like famish said, just let your work speak for itself - you won't convince anyone of anything beyond that.
     
  14. Walderstorn

    Walderstorn Friend

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    @Maxx134

    Have you considered sending them now to 2 or 3 trusted members? Then people will believe you and your work and it's the right way to do things. Remember that this is a hobby full of BS already and since only you heard your own mods people will be skeptical, even more with the way you present things.

    Also you have some issues with the way you talk. It comes out as arrogant and borderline nuts above everything else.

    As someone that likes the HD800, a lot, let's hope someone else can get a chance to hear and evaluate them.


    Cheers
     
  15. Maxx134

    Maxx134 Dunning–Kruger effect poster boy

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    Yes I delayed the hd650 for CanJam & to compare to a newer silver hd650 I modding now to compare.
    I am slow as I not have much time.
    I will be preparing them.

    The hd800 I am making a second one for this purpose.

    And my fave portable is now the sony 1am2.
     
    Last edited: Feb 29, 2020
  16. frenchbat

    frenchbat Almost "Made"

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    [​IMG]
     
  17. famish99

    famish99 Friend

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    Still won't tell me if I'll like how it sounds until I put it on my own ears, but seems promising enough.
     
  18. E_Schaaf

    E_Schaaf MOT: E.T.A Headphones

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    WOAH! That graph is the one that's convinced me.

    You are a GENIUS! Your mods are undoubtedly completely novel, never before been attempted or thought of, and change everything I thought I knew about headphones and sound. I bow down before you and your holy knowledge, which is otherwise inaccessible to plebs like myself. Your measurement system and tastes are the ultimate reference to which all else should be compared against. :punk:

    You have unlocked the greatest secret. Sennheisier should cut you a million dollar check! And all it took was attenuation of the vector phase quanta. Damn dude you must work for NASA because this shit is straight up rocket science.

    Rock on man, your work is inspiring.
     
  19. Walderstorn

    Walderstorn Friend

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    Why don't you just send the original pair? You already have the "tool" to make the new one so why not send that one so other members can give you the compliments you so much need?

    :cool:
     
  20. Maxx134

    Maxx134 Dunning–Kruger effect poster boy

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    I'm going to totally agree with you on this point!
    Your use of wood chamber and biocellulose driver is a preference sound that many would like over other closed headphones.
    The tonality and timber is a preference.
    But with closed headphones the decay he's also a preference cuz that's the wood sound so the CSD plot will not prove as valuable.

    That's why I concentrate on other factors.
    for example everyone agrees to Utopia is one of the best regardless of its signature sound, which I feel is slightly south of neutral.

    So in order to increase resolve there's no way around it but to modify the driver itself.
    that's the difference between me and everyone else.
    instead of just tuning it, I take an active part in controlling the driver.

    I will also tell you another thing that it's not getting enough attention in design.

    The negative effects of the diaphragm upon the internal ear cup pressure.
     

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