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Ultrasone Hfi-780 questions and ramblings  

post #1 of 7
1/31/10 at 5:25pm
Thread Starter 
I'm not a DJ, nor an audiophile but merely a PC gamer who enjoys a quality sound through headphones while playing games on a PC. First and foremost, thanks for all your input over the last 6 months on my quest for a quality entry level headphone. I'm very happy with the sound quality of my Ultrasone-780's. Now for my questions.


I'm contemplating upgrading my headphone cable to something more durable than the stock cable. Any recommendations or suggestions on where to get this done? Durability is number 1. Sound quality is number 2. I've only had these earphones for 6 months and had to resolder one of the wires for the left channel to the circuit board. I'm an radar electrician so I know how to use a multimeter and solder. Can you buy these cables yourself? I'm not afraid to do some soldering.

I see that the Beyer DT250 earcups will fit these. I'm looking for something non-pleather like. Any other suggestions?

I like the two sided tape with the memory foam idea another member pointed out to combat the uncomfortable padding on top of the band. Any other ideas out there?

What about a separate in-line amplifier hooked up to the PC? Is it needed to get the most out of this headphone?

Thanks in advance.
post #2 of 7
2/3/10 at 5:05am
For the padding on top, you could try throwing the PRO 900 velour headpad on instead. It is noticeable more comfortable, though I am speaking from use of the headpad on the PRO 900.

Honestly though, I've always thought going the route of using the HD650's headpad design. Rather than try to make a pad that is comfortable to the sensitive top part of the head, use padding just to the right and left of the middle. More surface area means less pressure on a single point. I'm sure there are other headphones that use a similar design, but the HD650 was the first one I seemed to have noticed.

Pic for reference
post #3 of 7
2/6/10 at 3:39am
I will also confirm that Audio Technica M50 pads will fit an HFI Ultrasone. One thing you can't get away from by using any pad, is that pads will really change the sound. The M50 pads will lose the impact and tightness in the bass. I've only found that the head band is the issue with HFI phones, and the earpads could use a hole somewhere to let out some heat
post #4 of 7
2/6/10 at 1:29pm
Thread Starter 
Thanks for the information. I wasn't aware that M50 pads would fit and have already ordered the DT250 cups.

I totally agree with the headband issue and have found a way to combat the discomfort. Although not pretty nor glamorous, I zip-stripped some memory foam to the underside everywhere that my head would come in contact. What a huge difference. Another member had mentioned using double sided tape but I was afraid if I ever decided to sell these (May upgrade, never know) the new user wouldn't want my modifications.

While zip stripping the foam, I also ran the stock headphone cable over the top of the band so that the stressed single entry point was completely removed. I've already had to re-solder one of the strands back to the circuit board within prior to this modification. The cable construction is sub par in my opinion.

After the pads are installed, my next project will be do a sound padding mod to the internal cups. Something I've seen other members do with other headphones.

Again, it's not pretty but I don't take these outside the house. They sound wonderful.
post #5 of 7
2/6/10 at 1:37pm
Hey man, here's a quick list of what you'd need to recable...

-Cable of course, I recommend Mogami W2534 or W2893, or Canare Starquad (I think it's called L4E-6S or something similar.)
-A plug (Neutrik and Viablue are great options)
-Heat shrink for the y-split and plug

That's really all you need. You can look at any generic recable guide and that'll give you the basic idea.
post #6 of 7
2/6/10 at 1:48pm
Thread Starter 
Hey Ling Ling,

Thanks for that information. I've been contemplating doing this myself but haven't dove into it deeply yet.

I think I'd prefer to leave the diode board in the circuit, simply for the fact of having to figure out a way to re-solder those hair thin driver wires would be pretty nite-marish.

I'll definitely look into that. Thanks again.
post #7 of 7
2/6/10 at 2:02pm
The ear pads of the Beyerdynamic DT250/280 fit the HFI780 perfectly.

Beyerdynamic | Padded Earcushions for DT250/DT280 | 942704 | B&H

For a reasonable re-cable you could contact Warrior of S2 Audio. If you have the funds contact ALO or APureSound. Cheers.
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