Amfiton TDS16 Echo transplant into AudioTechnica ATH-AD500

Hey guys I am a newbie here but I came across the ortho roundup page here and decided to take the plunge and get these Soviet orthos and man do they sound crisp. I decided to take the back padding out of the Soviet set since it was old and degraded and just used some high density foam I had lying around. Since the Soviet frame is semi open and the ATs are open in design the sound of the bass is quite lacking while the highs and the mids are very pronounced. I think with a bit more work on the padding I can get the bass to sound less muted/distorted. But it could very well be the set that I got was built with worse tolerances. I will try to post pics once the mods approve.  I do also have some TDS-15s on the way and those will be going into a Takstar Frame.

Don't hide here in the 'introductions' thread - join the Ortho roundup thread ... that's where the real party is ... especially when you've got enough posts to add photos.
It's about time we got some new blood in that thread.

greq said:

  Don't hide here in the 'introductions' thread - join the Ortho roundup thread ... that's where the real party is ... especially when you've got enough posts to add photos.
It's about time we got some new blood in that thread.

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Hey!
 
I was hoping this thread would take a life of it's own, like the T50 threads. Much as I love the ortho thread, I can see it being a pretty scary experience for a first time viewer.

Well PR4XXIS still only has a single post, so all is not lost.
 
Probably better to keep development process here, then post the final version in the ortho thread.
I only suggested it, as there could be a few ortho regulars who don't visit the 'intro' threads.

Yeah I am not too sure how many posts I will be doing or how often, and I am still locked out of putting up pics for now. But I was looking over that thread for ideas as one of my long time college buddies recently introduced to me orthos saying something along the lines of "you thought neodymium drivers were cool, well check this out" and here I am with a set of orthos I modded myself and another on the way. I did get a chance to listen to the Fostex T50RP V1s from mayflower and was not too impressed even compared to my Soviet TDS 16 with that said though I have not listened to their higher end modded cans nor do I have a good reference point for other orthos. However now whenever i listen to music I reach straight  for the TDS cans. 
 
I am getting some clicking noise in my right driver, not sure what is causing it, but i think that one is a bit loose so perhaps it needs to be clamped more? As  far as i can tell the voice coil is sandwiched inbetween two perf magnets but I am not sure how much space it needs to move. So any help would be appreciated. I am a total n00b that fact that i soldered it together and it worked after the first try is amazing to me.  
 
For now I have a quick review video up on the sister channel of my music one https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gGKFmEbdmsY

In the mean time I have a mini review video  on youtube for any who are interested this was done prior to the mod "AMFITON TDS-16 mini review"

I also have some TDS-16s and completely agree with your impressions.  They have phenomenal mids and highs, great speed and imaging, but are really lacking in bass.  I've been trying different pads with some success but a transplant has been on my mind as well.  Currently using reversed HD414 pads which improve comfort (obviously) but really improve clarity, air, soundstage.  Even less bass, I'm afraid, but still my preferred pad for these at the moment. 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 
You know its funny I have all these dynamic headphones sitting around which are ok. They are not audiophile or even studio monitor quality but hold their own pretty well. However, every time i listen to music now I reach straight for the TDS cans. My TDS 15s just came in today and I am already noticing a difference in sound reproduction. The 15s have a much cleaner bass and they sound akin to my ATH M30s in terms of bass, overall sound reproduction is so far on par with my ATH-AD700X. Pics above from the transplant. For the other ear the yellow wires are used for the ground and I used the screw from the ground on the original frame glued to the inside of the cup as the ground. Red wires go to the long leg and by process of elimination you can see where the blue wire goes. As a heads up for the TDS-16 the manual says to not exceed 3V from your amp!!!

pr4xxis said:

As a heads up for the TDS-16 the manual says to not exceed 3V from your amp!!!

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Why, you would have to be madman to even THINK of trying something like this! Bravo

Have you tried angled pads, like the Brainwavz for instance? They are a must for every planar driver I've tried

I do have Brainwavz but not the angled ones, got an Amazon link for me?  I feel like the ones I have feel too far away, but hell they are so comfy.