SuperBAF HD800 mod (formerly BTAmod)

Discussion in 'Modifications and Tweaks' started by zerodeefex, Oct 15, 2015.

  1. eddypoon

    eddypoon Friend

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    I love you all, cannot really wait for it to come out soon enough.
    :DDD
     
  2. PoochZag

    PoochZag The Shadow knows - Friend

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    Does one put the black dust covers back on with this mod, or common 800 mods in general? Or are they left off? I currently don't have the dust covers for my pair
     
  3. chakku

    chakku Friend

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    Normally I believe people leave them off but zerodeeefex suggested putting them back in after the pads for this mod in some post.

    EDIT: Apparently I'm just loony because I can't find it now.
     
    Last edited: Jan 8, 2016
  4. drfindley

    drfindley Secretly lives in the Analog Room - Friend

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    Put them back on. It kills some part of the treble peak and evens things out.
     
  5. PoochZag

    PoochZag The Shadow knows - Friend

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    Thanks both of you, I'll try to find a pair.

    Edit : pair incoming, thanks
     
    Last edited: Jan 9, 2016
  6. dubiousmike

    dubiousmike Friend

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  7. zerodeefex

    zerodeefex SBAF's Imelda Marcos

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    I do endorse this. PUT THE DUST COVERS BACK ON! Helps with that little bit of edge in the treble.
     
  8. The Alchemist

    The Alchemist MOT: Schiit - Here to help!

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    I agree with @zerodeefex - leave the dust covers on.
     
  9. Saalboy

    Saalboy New

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    Hi everyone, after months of experimenting I have come to conclusion that anax mod with thin 2 mm felt only, narrow ring with trapezoid extension and no other modifications whatsoever with all original parts in place yields the best results preserving all characteristics of amazing HD800 sound signature. It greatly diminishes famous treble harshness, adds more pronounced bass and exposes those typical Senns lush mids AKA HD600. Soon will compare to HD800S, it will be interesting.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Apr 1, 2016
  10. ZeeRow

    ZeeRow New

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    Yes, I fully agree. With Hd800 you get an awesome untamed beast. It is then a matter of personal taste as to how hard you want to tame it. You can go the level it becomes pretty boring (though still high-end-ish technically). The Stax SR-009 comes tamed right out from the factory and there is not much you can do about it. It still has some flaws. The LCD-3 comes without teeth and claws already and you cannot return them.

    This customizability is what I absolutely love about it. Although I promised to my wallet I would NEVER buy such a stupidly harsh phone as the HD-800. Well, times change with the mod. Comparing to the SR-009 and LCD-XC, the HD-800 is a great addition. And relatively a bargain.

    My best recommendation for the HD-800 future owners is that it is a no brainer. If you can only own one headphone of this class and you use a computer as a source, do not hesitate and get it. The key reasons:

    IT IS FAST. (even with a simple Anax 2 mod 20 mins work) these hav the nicest 300 Hz square wave ever seen. See Tyll's graphs. This is one thing you cannot achieve anywhere else.

    IT CAN BE RE-COLORED. With a decent SW player's eq such as Audirvana you can tune the amount of any frequency, creating thetone you fall in love with. Take your time. A week or two and you have it. The treble peaks is the only serious flaw of the headphone. If you use the HD-800 with a turntable or a source without a quality eq feature (most degrade the sound), you may have to need some time to accomodate your ears. A month maybe. Still a good choice.

    EASY AMPLIFICATION (compared to SR-009) this applies only for the modded cans. Unmodded it is a b**ch.

    SOUNDSTAGE is a thing you cannot add once it is not there from the factory.

    LOW LISTENING LEVELS. I see way too many audiophiles who degrade their hearing with too high levels. Imagine you listen for thee hours a day for thirty years. See? Hifiman HE-1000 is known to play all the details only when playing loud. I found out the very same with LCD XC and LCD 3 recently. Having bought the HD-800 I realised this is a lovely feature to have.

    ANALYTICAL. This applies for owners of multiple headphones. With the HD-800 you do notice new layers of music, learn who plays where and since you already know the recording from the HD-800 you still notice with less detailed phones. Great when you want to listen to some music at low levels but are not in the mood for the sound signature of the HD-800. These are the phones that bring you an all new view of your music collection (even if you already own the godly 009).

    A BIG THANK YOU to all of you who help us get the best out of our phones and music.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Apr 1, 2016
  11. ZeeRow

    ZeeRow New

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    Well, Zero, money works always. If we donate (paypal or something) to you, they can buy whatever beer they want.

    Speaking of beer... If they prefer, I can send original Pilsner Urquell from the very real town of Pilsen where it comes from. If you give me some time, I can get the real guy who actually brews it to sign a couple of bottles. If its unobtanium you want, unobtainium is what you get :). I live nearby...
     
  12. zerodeefex

    zerodeefex SBAF's Imelda Marcos

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    UPDATE: Template has been attached to the first post. I'll post up detailed instructions and a video tonight.
     
  13. M3NTAL

    M3NTAL Friend

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    Thank you!
     
  14. zerodeefex

    zerodeefex SBAF's Imelda Marcos

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    err, in the next week or so, tonight is bad.
     
  15. JoshMorr

    JoshMorr Friend

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    Just cutting out the rug pad material I bought from BBB and thought I would post how I did it, although it looks like I might be using the wrong type of rug liner. zerodeefex's looks thicker, tighter spaces, probably absorbs the 6k peak better.

    I simply just put the rug liner over the template and traced with a marker. It is then easy to cut to the lines with sharp scissors.
    HD800 Template.jpg
     
  16. M3NTAL

    M3NTAL Friend

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    Yep - you're doing it right, but with the wrong material! It doesn't hurt to give it a shot though! Enjoy it until you can get your hands on the material of choice.
     
  17. evanft

    evanft Acquaintance

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    What's the right material?
     
  18. zerodeefex

    zerodeefex SBAF's Imelda Marcos

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  19. JoshMorr

    JoshMorr Friend

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    Just recieved the material and it is much much thicker and does a much much better job at knocking the spike down than the style mat I had above.

    In spirit of @philipmorgan sending out extra dynamat for HD650 mods, I have some extra rug liner and have enough to send to the first 8 "friends" that live in the CONUS. Sorry must be a friend and live in us states because I'm not patient enough for international cross border shipping. Just respond here (so it doesn't look like I chose favorites) and then PM me your address. You will get 2 pcs (roughly 120 cm square) of rug liner - you need to print template and cut it out yourself. I will ship out early next week.
     
    Last edited: Mar 10, 2016
  20. likearake

    likearake Acquaintance

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    If anybody has some spare rug liner and is willing to ship to Australia (with me covering the cost) that would be appreciated. $99 flat rate international shipping from rugpadusa makes it a bit expensive...
     

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