Head-Fi.org
Join Head-Fi.org
  • Home
  • Head Gear
  • Forums ▾
  • Wiki
  • Gallery
  • Sponsors
  • My Profile
Forgot Password?
Advanced Search
Head-Fi.org › Galleries › wje's Photos › HifiMAN HE-5LE Headband Improvement Effort
Uploaded by wje
  • 9 photos
  • Total views: 576
  • Last upload: Mar 11, 2013

wje's Recent Photos

 

HifiMAN HE-5LE Headband Improvement Effort

This album contains some of the shots of the steps involved in making an improved headband for the HifiMAN headphones. This process does not replace the original band. The original band stays in place, and the outer comfort band is added in-place onto the headphone itself. To remove the improved headband, all one has to do is remove the stitches from one side of the leather where it is sewn together, and then remove the materials. The original band is left in place and un-touched.
1 - 9 of 9 photos
Just the standard materials used.  1/2" thick foam, 1/4" thick cotton batting, lambskin leather and black upholstery thread.
Mar 7, 2013
A side view with the padding (cotton batting, foam) sewn in place.  Almost ready for the leather skin to be sewn on.
Mar 7, 2013
Whoa!  What kind of finish is on those HifiMAN headphone cups?  It is actually one of the original finishes that was applied to some of the first HE-5LEs that HifiMAN released.  It is a matte black thin rubber finish.  It is quite durable - and a bit easy on the eyes, too.
Mar 7, 2013
A different side view of the cotton and foam "shell" that's in place over the existing leather band.  The "shell" is just tacked in place with a few sewn spots, so it will not move when the leather outer skin is sewn into place.
Mar 7, 2013
The anatomy of a great stitch.  Hand-stitching leather can seem like a lot of labor.  However, using patience as well as keeping the full plan in your head will allow you to keep a perspective of the project so that it will resolve in a successful completion.





Simple tools are used in this process which are easy to acquire and should only cost about $15.00, total.  The leather cost is a bit more, but you are creating art for your headphones.  A $2,000 sewing machine designed for sewing leather would not do the job any better. In fact, it would probably complicate things and make a mess.  Using the simple tools allows you to control your pace so that each stitch you apply will be precise and long-lasting.
Mar 9, 2013
Here is a view of the other side of the headband.  This picture was taken at the same time as the previous one.  I normally stitch both sides of the headband by stitching one side of the headband for about 1", then switching to the other side to sew an 1" on that side, too.  This keeps the sewing job aligned because  you are controlling the leather by flipping between sides to ensure the leather will properly contour the curves.  Since the method of sewing is referred to as "Lock Stitching" all you need to do is unthread the needle / sewing stick when you want to resume sewing on the other side of the leather.  Then, when you return to the previous side, you simply thread the needle with the existing thread and resume sewing ... without missing a beat.
Mar 9, 2013
A quick progress update -- and the ability to toss in a picture taken in the day light.
Mar 10, 2013
A picture of the final product.  The head band improvement effort has been completed.
Mar 11, 2013
A closer view of the leather head band.
Mar 11, 2013

Comments (1)

There are no comments yet
PrisonNurse 3/26/13 at 12:35pm
Nice job!
Looks very comfy...
MORE

Head-Fi.org is proudly sponsored by

View our Sponsors Showcase
Head-Fi.org › Galleries › wje's Photos › HifiMAN HE-5LE Headband Improvement Effort
Currently, there are 2376 Active Users  (583 Members and 1793 Guests)

Recent Discussions

  • › JKenny Audio Ciúnas DAC and Ciúnas SPDIF  58 seconds ago
  • › Schiit Lyr - The tube rolling thread  1 minute ago
  • › HEADPHONE MEET at the Headmaster in San Francisco 8/10/2013  1 minute ago
  • › This joke is totally awesome.  1 minute ago
  • › BEST HEADPHONES FOR METAL/ROCK  2 minutes ago
  • › The diary entries of a little girl who is now 30! ~ Part 2  2 minutes ago
  • › Open-back Recommendations for Home Use?  2 minutes ago
  • › New Audeze LCD3  3 minutes ago
  • › Lets Talk Metal  4 minutes ago
  • › Hisoundaudio Studio V 3rd Anniversary Edition Review  4 minutes ago
View:  New Posts  |  All Discussions

Recent Reviews

  • › VSONIC VSD1 by TheGame21x
  • › Audio Technica W5000 by the wizard of oz
  • › Harmon Kardon Classic On-Ear Headphones by imagic
  • › Creative Aurvana Live! Headphones by imagic
  • › JBL J33 Premium In-Ear Headphones - Black by Aakash
  • › Hisoundaudio Wooduo 2 by iern
  • › Apple iPod classic 160 GB Silver (7th Generation) NEWEST MODEL by jensy
  • › Sony MDR-V55/BR DJ style Headphones by dietcoke2am
  • › Creative Sound Blaster Tactic 3D Sigma USB Gaming Headset by imagic
  • › Sennheiser HD 700 Headphone by David Chavez
View: More Reviews

New Articles

  • › Syncing music and making playlists work with... by Currawong
  • › Mac OS X Music Players - alternatives to iTunes by miceblue
  • › STAX SR-007 (Omega II) ... A Review After 4... by Currawong
  • › List of lossless and high-res music (FLAC,... by ffivaz
  • › Beware of the following scams and people... by Currawong
  • › Sennheiser 449 Mod Possibly 4 8 Mod by hernan604
  • › 2012 Head-Fi Holiday Gift Guide (Computer Audio) by joe
  • › 2012 Head-Fi Holiday Gift Guide (Portable... by joe
  • › 2012 Head-Fi Holiday Gift Guide (Desktop Audio) by joe
  • › 2012 Head-Fi Holiday Gift Guide (Headphone... by joe
View: New Articles  |  All Articles
Home   |   Head Gear   |   Forums   |   Articles   |   My Profile
About Head-Fi.org    |    Join the Community    |   Advertise
© 2013   Head-Fi.org is powered by Huddler Tech    |   FAQ   |   Support   |   Privacy/TOS   |   Site Map