Mods for SR-009 - Page 2

Quote:

Originally Posted by David1961 

Doing a new headband for my 009's is a risk, but because I dislike the Stax headband so much, it's a risk I'm willing to take. 

The 009's are a lot heavier than the HD600's, but the HD650 complete headband which I'm using is very strong and I don't see a problem with it supporting the extra weight.

Until I have the GS-X, I'm using my HD600's with my Pico Slim, and yes the SQ isn't as good as the SR-009 / BHSE, but my source does make the HD600 / Pico Slim sound very good.

I'd be very keen to see the results of your effort when you're ready to share it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by AnakChan 

 

I'd be very keen to see the results of your effort when you're ready to share it.

Me too.

The place that will hopefully be doing the brackets for the new headband,  have got that band at their shop, but they did tell me it might be sometime before the brackets are done because they're very busy. My guess is I'll be having to wait, because they won't be making a huge profit, but I can't say anything otherwise they might not do the brackets.

Once the two brackets are done I'll try them out with my 009's cups, and if successful I'll then take the band to have the black leather fitted.

I'm having the suede part of the black leather I already have, on the inside of the band for extra comfort, similar to the HE-90, but like I've said, I'm using leather not the stuff Sennheiser used. 

Quote:

Originally Posted by CybDev 

I wonder how the 009 would feel (and sound) with the same kind of earpads that the HD800 has...

It would sound terrible unless you don't like bass.  You should read up on backwave cancellation and how dipoles operate. 

Quote:

Originally Posted by CybDev 


Hmm...
I seem to have touched on those subjects in school many years ago when designing amplifiers and floor standing speakers, but my memory must be really rusty or maybe I'm simply wrong :-)
So changing the material from leather to fabric would have these effects?
To clarify: I'm not suggesting changing the entire "housing", just the pads (parts that touch your skin).

Here's an example of what could happen if you changed from a leather skin to no skin or some porous fiber (red curve, no leather / unsealed):

These SPL result in the middle of the earcup are from a vibro-acoustic simulation of something similar to a lamdba electrostat:

This was originally discussed here: http://www.head-fi.org/t/498292/my-diy-electrostatic-headphones/585#post_8738868

Wow, there are a lot more people who look at themselves intently in the mirror while wearing headphones than I thought. 

wish it was that simple - my wife just laughs at me, out loud, whenever I take out the 009s :P 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smeckles 

Wow, there are a lot more people who look at themselves intently in the mirror while wearing headphones than I thought. 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smeckles 

Wow, there are a lot more people who look at themselves intently in the mirror while wearing headphones than I thought. 

I have seen myself wearing my 009's through the reflection of my TV, and with me having a smallish head the extruding band sticks out quite a lot, some of my friends have also seen me with them on and have said they would only put them on as long as they could put a bag over their heads while wearing them. If headfiers are happy with how the 009's look with the headband as it is, then that's fine by me, but I feel the Stax band ruins the looks of the 009's, which is why I'm doing something about it.

After all, it's mainly about looks isn't it ;)

Obviously the most important part of any headphone is the SQ, but if the looks can be improved [ what I think will be an improvement ] without sacrificing the SQ, then why not.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sahara 

It seems strange that there is not a company engaged in selling accessories for headphones. It may be a good business...

 

Other than Stax themselves, I don't believe they'd allow a different company to make and sell accessories for any of their products. The headband I'm doing is for me and no one else, so I'm not out to make a profit, in fact the band is costing me quite a bit. As I've said though, Yes I'm taking a risk, but if I didn't try I'd never know if this band would work.

Once done I'm posting a photo of my 009's with the original stax headband and the one I'm doing, then headfiers can decide which they'd prefer.

Because I'm excited at the thought of having a new headband made for my 009's, I decided to post some photos. These are of the band I'm using which is only short of the brackets and black leather.

The place I took the band to have the brackets made, told me it could take above a month, so I'm doing it myself.

All I need is borrow some tools a friend of mine has.

I already have the Aluminium to make the brackets with. It's Aluminium flat bar which is 1 " by 3/8's " and 39 " long. [ I could only buy it in that length,  but it only cost me £9 so I'm not bothered  ]

All I have to do is cut two pieces at 20mm then bevel the edges needed, then drill four holes and thread them, my friend has a Tap & Die set.

Obviously the black leather isn't on yet, but it's going where the black tape is. The scratches at the bottom of the metal band were done when I took the yoke sections off, but I'll sort that out. I'll be drilling two extra holes at the bottom of both metal bands, which means there'll be three screws to secure the brackets.