AKG K702 Headband mods

Fresh out of the box I loved these things, everything was right about them, comfort was fine and they rested very lightly on the ears. Headband isn't that bad I thought...hours later I start getting a headache which gets worse and worse. Eventually I decide to call it a day and go to sleep.

Next day I'm better again and put the headphones on again, a few hours later, headache again. No, it can't be the headband.

Third day in a row? Ok I need to do something about this, these things sound too good to give up.

I remember an old thread where someone cut off the bumps (this one DOES have 8 by the way) but no way am I going to do that...better to find a way to fill in the gaps than cut out the bumps.

My first attempt has given a significant increase to comfort, and while it itself isn't specifically filling in gaps it does soften the feeling of the bumps on one's head and hopefully this way I won't be plagued by chronic headaches...

If there are any tips fellow 70x users have, I will gladly take them, if you have pictures, even better.

Here is the wool pad mod I am currently sporting (thinking of doubling up when I can find some more):

It's about 5mm at the thickest, but must flatten when pressed against my head, so it isn't causing any side effects on the 'phones headband's stress that I can see.

And by trimming do you mean in the sense of making it thinner or cutting through where the ridges would be situated or changing the circular shape (currently they don't actually even go over the edges of the band, they fit quite nicely!)?

From my first extended period with them on, I really can tell there's a difference. I only am feeling a very slight onset of pain whereas yesterday at this point it would be awful, so I deem this a success. I could still try this out with memory foam however (maybe 0.5-1cm thickness) to make it look a bit more professional...

Quote:

Originally Posted by wdahm519 

What I do to fix the issue is when I put on the headphones, I use my fingers to push up the sides of the headband and basically overextend the elastic.  It doesn't break obviously but the plastic on plastic friction seizes the motion of the headband so it can't pull down into my head and that greatly reduces the pressure exerted on the top of my head.  Its been a great solution that allows me to wear the headphones for much longer periods of time. 

 

Someday I'll swap out the leather strap for a strap of soft suede or something that will provide incredible comfort.

Mine couldn't do that with friction alone....

More sellotape it is then....

Quote:

Originally Posted by wje 

Now that I have a leather sewing machine, some lamb skin and a lot of faux leather, I want to start crafting up some more bands for other headphones than just Grado.  I should buy a pair of AKG headphones for the measurements and see what could be developed.  It looks like maybe something of the BeyerDynamics snap-on on velcro-on might work best to wrap the existing band.  Interesting stuff.

 

 

Please send me a PM if you get further with this and give a ballpark for costs if you'd be willing to this for others :)