-=Germania=-'s Audio Technica ESW9 Mod(s)

[-=Germania=-]

Hey guys,

I thought that I would post some of the modifications done to my pair of ESW9's that was picked up last week (delivered beginning of this week). As with any of the modifications that I post or do, they are all reversible.

NEEDED SUPPLIES:

1 - Pair of Scissors or Xacto Knife
1 - Small sheet of Damping Foam (I used Sticky-backed 1/4" EVA foam)
1 - Quarter (as in $0.25 American)
1 - Pencil
A small amount of polyester or cotton stuffing



STEP ONE:
Remove the Pads


STEP TWO:
Remove the Black Woolen film (we won't be putting this back, but you might want it for reversing)


STEP THREE:
Open up the cups with a small screwdriver (be sure not to loose the screws)


STEP FOUR:
Remove the creme colored batting from behind the driver


STEP FIVE:

- Trace a Quarter FOUR times on the sheet of damping foam
- Cut out the four circles
- Cut a small hole in the center of each (just like teh small hole in the center of the driver)
- Take two of the circles and proceed to cut them into thirds (Layer 2 - step two)
- Take those pieces and trim them to look like Layer 2 - Step 3


STEP SIX:

- Place the Layer 1 circle on the back of the driver, making sure that it is centered.
- Place the Layer 2 pieces on top of Layer 1 just like how they were cut in STEP FIVE (should look like a radioactive sign)
*The layers stacked should look like above*


STEP SEVEN:
Assemble the cup back together with the screws


STEP EIGHT:
Put the pads back onto the headphones


STEP NINE:[/B]

Stuff under the back half of the pads (the part that sites at the back of your ears). This will create angled drivers.


STEP TEN:
Listen and Enjoy!



****BASSHEADS****

Don't add the LAYER 2 of the Damping Foam and be prepared for head-knocking amounts of bass.


As a side note to get the EVA foam stuff.. RadioShack is clearing out all of their Thermaltake stuff. Pick up their computer damping kit, it uses the same foam and should end up about $5-7 with plenty left to damp your computer or just whatever.


Cheers!
-=Germania=-


*UPDATE*

*This is the update as of April 28, 2009 for users who want a more neutral headphone that more closely resembles an ESW10, only retaining the superior bass response, soundstage, and tone that using the wood to its full extent provides. Basically turning this into a ESW10 for people who did not like the occasionally piercing treble. *

Steps 1-4 same as above

STEP FIVE:

- Trace a Quarter SIX times on the sheet of damping foam
- Cut out the six circles
- Cut a small hole in the center of each (just like the small hole in the center of the driver)
- Take two of the circles and proceed to cut them into quarters (Layer 2)
- Take those pieces and trim them to look like Layer 2
- Trim the last two circles to appear like those in Layer 3


STEP SIX:

- Place the Layer 1 circle on the back of the driver, making sure that it is centered.
- Place the Layer 2 pieces on top of Layer 1 just like how they were cut in STEP FIVE
- Place Layer 3 so that two of the holes are covered and two are uncovered.


*The layers stacked should look like above and don't wprry about the additional height as the foam is quite squishy and will not present a problem. Should be very easy to put together.*


OR another thing you can do to get more treble is to cut Layer 3 to be like Layer 3 and simply rotate the pieces so there would be 8 ported openings at the back of the driver.


TONE ADJUSTMENT:

You can adjust the tone and quality of your mod just like porting drivers or subwoofers. Smaller initial openings will favor higher pitches and visa versa. Plus, you can choose the angle of the porting as well. That is the great thing about Mods, you get to experiment!


If doing a recable, I highly reccomend for the Original Mod doing a balanced design using relatively small wire. These drivers do not like big wires. For the Updated Mod, I reccomend that you do a doubled ground cable, it will give you cleaner response without lingering (like lingering bass...).



Cheers!
-=Germania=-[/B]

[Rednamalas1]

great stuff germania, Too bad I have manual dexterity of a large fish.

[cotdt]

Nice guide, I like your illustrations.

How does this "Damp and Amp" mod change the headphones sonically?

[cheemo]

Great post! Impressions please. Any pics?

[-=Germania=-]

Sound wise:

The most noticeable difference is SOUNDSTAGE.
You get a huge boost in soundstage with these mods.

I found that there was more detail present and top end extension. The bass was tighter, but still had about the same level of presence and keeps the same basic sound signature.
I should also add that I have recabled mine recently, so anyone who hears mine at a future date - please keep that in mind.

In basshead mode, you get a bit more soundstage and ridiculous amounts of bass. We are talking ear drum shaking here - so at your own risk.

[-=Germania=-]

Also, if anyone needs supplies to do this is in the US - PM and I will send them to you for the cost of shipping - first come, first serve

[pravinuss]

this works for the es7?

[-=Germania=-]

The ES7 does not have the wood cups of the ESW9 - so I doubt it. This mod relies on using the paduak as a tone wood.

[j2kei]

just a quick question. how/what is the best way to take off the pads? i heard that the pads is just a simple slip on/off, however they seem like they are on pretty tight and i dont want to do anything stupid and scratch/damage my ESW9. thanks

[Lil' Knight]

Got this one from AT:
http://at-listening.jp/repair/files/headpad_es.pdf

[sidtai]

Can anyone tell me what is the reason for using EVA instead of other materials? Like dynamat or other stuff?

[j2kei]

Originally Posted by Lil' Knight

Got this one from AT:
http://at-listening.jp/repair/files/headpad_es.pdf

hmm...i dont understand and jap and the pics dont represent everythign to me. to take it off, just peel it off? to put it back on, you have to do some sort of pressing on the headphone?

[Lil' Knight]

Limited, wooden portable ATH-ESW10JPN arrives! (with pics)

[j2kei]

^ thanks. that thread is pretty big, so i guess i missed that. just nervous taking it apart

[Lil' Knight]

Make sure you cut your nails and sit on the bed before doing that lol.