Superlux HD 668B? - Page 2

Roth_s, I really appreciate your step by step modding instructions. I have yet to mod any headphones but I plan to mod these pretty soon. I hear too many good things about modding the HD668Bs. Also there is great links about modding them in this thread

I bought AKG k240 velour pads today and I'll probably get an portable amp and maybe a better cable (I've never actually researched what different cables do for headphones since these are actually the first pair of headphones I've given proper care for).

I'm gonna want to figure out the best way to boost the lower mids

I've googled extensively and searched the threads but can't find a US on-line retailer for  the Superlux HD-668 B. Any advice? Given the reviews and the price, I may get them to try my hand at some mods.

thanks in advance.

Do you (or anyone alse for that matter) have any suggestion for the kind of cable I should replace it with?

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roth_s 

There are many ways to modify these headphones to eliminate the mildly wooly bass and balance the top octave slightly better. The best start is to replace the gawd-awful ear pads with AKG 240/270 velour pads. Then replace the cable, then damp all the internal plastic bits.

CaptainLorax - you are welcome. But good luck trying to figure out how to affect a change only in the lower midrange area without upsetting the overall balance...to isolate a certain middle range by modification without using some kind of electronic processing (ie equalizer) is a trick I hope you share if you can accomplish it. What I think you would need to do is cover some/all of the 6 vents behind the ear pads. I've tried covering all and found the bass/lower midrange way overpowering...then covered 4...then 2...then wound up leaving them "open" but replacing the white drum-like felt with Curad brand fabric bandages. I still did not find the right balance in the low bass until I cut a 0.1" (2.5mm) slit in one "bandaged vent" in each ear cup. That taut white felt sounded like a drum to me and I proved to myself that it affects the sound quality of the lower mids and upper bass.

Fi-Wi - The best advice I can give that seems prudent and reasonable is to use the Mogami W2534 (or the smaller, lighter weight W2893) but skip the Techflex (Nylon braided) covering. I think the cost is appropriate to the quality of the 668B but I feel you may not be wasting money going with a better cable. For something better, do some searching on cable mods/upgrades for the higher end phones, such as Senn HD650/600, etc.

I also want to mention I did something a little different to address the top octave. I feel the sibilance region is pushed forward yet the 9k and above frequencies are soft. Most modifications talk of inserting thicker felt disks of various sizes inside the ear pad covers. I took a different approach by experimenting with cutting out different size holes in the stock foam ear pad covers. I found the best sound with a single 7mm diameter hole in the center. This allows the very top octave to show up better, does not hinder micro detail yet does not increase the sibilance region.

Again, the Superlux 668B is not a giant killer...that idea is delusional. When I switch over to my HE5-LE I am much more involved in the music. The HE5-LE absolutely tromps the 668B on naturalness and resolution/detail.

But after I got the 668B, let it burn in, then modified it, I sold my Denon AH-D5000 and AKG K 701. To my ears the Superlux is more balanced and in the long term more enjoyable. These are real keepers and spend nearly as much time on my head as the HE5-LE. That is a great compliment to the 668B.

Has anyone had any experience with the HD669? I'm trying to decide which pair to get but can't really find any comparisons online. Some reviewers seem to say the HD668 doesn't have enough bass, while other reviewers say it has too much. I mainly listen to rock music so was leaning more towards the HD669. Any ideas?

Just received HD668B today so will burn them in for few days, for now they sound amazing for that price (60$ shipped). I would say the sound of HD668B is neutral, a bit cold and quite detailed, like that of bayers rather than AKG or Audio Technica (just a form factor), body is quite solid, don't like their pads though. They are quite sibilant yet, but let’s see after at least 50 hours. More impressions later.

Quote:

Originally Posted by justaguy 

Just received HD668B today so will burn them in for few days, for now they sound amazing for that price (60$ shipped). I would say the sound of HD668B is neutral, a bit cold and quite detailed, like that of bayers rather than AKG or Audio Technica (just a form factor), body is quite solid, don't like their pads though. They are quite sibilant yet, but let’s see after at least 50 hours. More impressions later.

I believe the AKG 240 velour replacement pads will fit on the HD-668B, but feel free to double check.

AKG240 pads should fit, the only place I found them is http://www.thomann.de/gb/akg_k240270271_velour_ohrpolster.htm

50% the price of headphones for pads sounds funny

Quote:

Originally Posted by dana789 

I've googled extensively and searched the threads but can't find a US on-line retailer for  the Superlux HD-668 B. Any advice? Given the reviews and the price, I may get them to try my hand at some mods.

 

thanks in advance.

Apparently, there is a seller on Amazon with 1 pair available.  The price is $49.99 + $5.49 (shipping). 
 

Edit: Like a dummy, I didn't realize I responding to a post that was a year old.     I guess with all the Fostex T50RP frenzy, the Superlux headphones are being overlooked.

Have had the HD 668B's for some time now, although they are very capable headphones they are can be kinda bright.  The 66B's didn't really WOW me upon first listen but they are for sure solid for their price.  Comfortable as well, just don't sport them outside. LoL 
 

First post at head-fi for a few years now. Just got some Superlux HD 669's to go with my sansa fuze and ( also new) fiio e11 and oh my, these things are just incredible for £30.00. The last full sized phones I had were the Audio technica AD700's and apart from the soundstage the superlux's are certainly better than I remember the AD700's ever being.

I also used to have loads of top IEM's years ago, the last one I sold was the Ortofon EQ7 ( I've just been using soundmagic PL30 and more recently e30 since) and I swear this is now by far the best sound I've ever had, they make my E30's sound very muffled in comparison.

Just out of curiosity to anyone who fancies chipping in, what phones would be significantly better than the superlux's? ( with a similar transparent but impactful sound) It feels I've now reached a point where I cant imagine getting a significantly better sound without spending vast amounts more money.

Quote:

Originally Posted by pinkmoon1972 

First post at head-fi for a few years now. Just got some Superlux HD 669's to go with my sansa fuze and ( also new) fiio e11 and oh my, these things are just incredible for £30.00. The last full sized phones I had were the Audio technica AD700's and apart from the soundstage the superlux's are certainly better than I remember the AD700's ever being.

 

I also used to have loads of top IEM's years ago, the last one I sold was the Ortofon EQ7 ( I've just been using soundmagic PL30 and more recently e30 since) and I swear this is now by far the best sound I've ever had, they make my E30's sound very muffled in comparison.

 

Just out of curiosity to anyone who fancies chipping in, what phones would be significantly better than the superlux's? ( with a similar transparent but impactful sound) It feels I've now reached a point where I cant imagine getting a significantly better sound without spending vast amounts more money.

WoW you are in luck, although I really like the sound coming from my superlux HD 681F and HD 668Bs I felt that there was something lacking. So I have been doing some research on head-fi and stumbled onto Dsnuts threads.  This recently released JVC S500 seems to be too good to be true for it's incredible price.  Wait till they hit your country's retail chains and they should be pretty cheap.

http://www.head-fi.org/t/621063/the-new-jvc-ha-s500-40mm-carbon-nanotubes

found these cheap velour that dont cost arm and leg, description say fit K240 so will fit HD668B 

http://detail.tmall.com//item.htm?id=10617550219

sony xb500 pads, would they fit on the superlux?