Head-Fi.org › Forums › Equipment Forums › Portable Headphones, Earphones and In-Ear Monitors › Weird Thing happen to washed headphone ?
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:

Weird Thing happen to washed headphone ?

post #1 of 16
1/15/12 at 10:59pm
Thread Starter 

This morning when i was bringing my cloth back from the laundry and i found out that one of my buds was in the washer and the dryer Model number: MDR-AS40EX, its a sony bud. i was testing to see if its still works and it surprise me, let me explain.

 

Model number: MDR-AS40EX

Bass was very un-control (booming )

Treble was very low

 

the SQ from these headphone were bad... very bad....

 

HOWEVER after all that happen i listen to them again and they are a world of difference.

 

Model number: MDR-AS40EX (after wash/dry machine)

Bass was up to par with my Mile Davis - Tribute

Treble was forward like my TF10

 

Overall the these buds SQ changed so dramatically, i was surprised

 

Anyone have an explaination to this ?

Reply

Head-Fi's Best Sellers

post #2 of 16
1/15/12 at 11:08pm

That definitely is weird, but I would explain it by the fact that in most headphones the vibrating membrane is made out of a particular density of cellophane. Since cellophane is basically very thin plastic, it is subjective to heat and to a lesser extent to moisture/pressure. I believe if the heat was applied to it, then the membrane would "melt" or soften a bit, and become less taught. That would most likely reduce the treble and increase bass (because the membrane is less taut it can vibrate slower, resonating more of the base frequencies, and less of the treble). When you let it dry it might shrink back to normal due to the material's intrinsic memory (therefore giving back almost same sound except geared slightly towards the bassy side, which most people prefer thus making them sound "better" (within the same tone range only shifted). Or maybe not, who knows ;)


Edited by vanillasnake21 - 1/15/12 at 11:10pm
Reply
post #3 of 16
1/15/12 at 11:12pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by vanillasnake21 View Post

That definitely is weird, but I would explain it by the fact that in most headphones the vibrating membrane is made out of a particular density of cellophane. Since cellophane is basically very thin plastic, it is subjective to heat and to a lesser extent to moisture/pressure. I believe if the heat was applied to it, then the membrane would "melt" or soften a bit, and become less taught. That would most likely reduce the treble and increase bass (because the membrane is less taut it can vibrate slower, resonating more of the base frequencies, and less of the treble). When you let it dry it might shrink back to normal due to the material's intrinsic memory (therefore giving back almost same sound except geared slightly towards the bassy side, which most people prefer thus making them sound "better" (within the same tone range only shifted). Or maybe not, who knows ;)


 

You sir expanded my knowledge

Reply
post #4 of 16
1/15/12 at 11:18pm

Wow. I'm about to throw all my crappy phones into the washer

Reply
post #5 of 16
1/15/12 at 11:19pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by eke2k6 View Post

Wow. I'm about to throw all my crappy phones into the washer



Haha lets get more people to do it so my theory can become a "law" :D

Reply
post #6 of 16
1/15/12 at 11:25pm

It happened to me as well. it was a long time ago but i remember that sound at least didnt sound worst and the treble was crispier.

Reply
post #7 of 16
1/15/12 at 11:26pm

File a patent first.

Reply
post #8 of 16
1/15/12 at 11:29pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by psygeist View Post

File a patent first.


Then sell them to Dr Dre.

 

Reply
post #9 of 16
1/15/12 at 11:30pm

To be clear, what kind of detergent did you use? Was any fabric softener involved? Was it hot or cold wash? Delicates?

Reply
post #10 of 16
1/15/12 at 11:40pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by eke2k6 View Post

To be clear, what kind of detergent did you use? Was any fabric softener involved? Was it hot or cold wash? Delicates?



Normal "Tide detergent" hot wash, High heat for drying

Reply
post #11 of 16
1/15/12 at 11:41pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Angelopsaro View Post

It happened to me as well. it was a long time ago but i remember that sound at least didnt sound worst and the treble was crispier.



^^^^^^ PROOF i wasnt lieing :D

Reply
post #12 of 16
1/15/12 at 11:45pm

I would think washing the headphones would produce a much CLEANER sound. beyersmile.png

Reply
post #13 of 16
1/16/12 at 12:01am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Watagump View Post

I would think washing the headphones would produce a much CLEANER sound. beyersmile.png



pa dum chhh

Reply
post #14 of 16
1/16/12 at 12:08am

wash.jpg

Reply
post #15 of 16
1/16/12 at 12:20am

HAHAHAHAHA xD

Reply
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:
  Return Home

Head-Fi's Best Sellers

Head-Fi.org › Forums › Equipment Forums › Portable Headphones, Earphones and In-Ear Monitors › Weird Thing happen to washed headphone ?