Grado Mod (Need help from HD580 owners)

Taken from Headwize, written by Tim D:

Padding the Grado Headband (MS-1)


Method (Tim D): The paper thin vinyl of the Grado headband comes off as "cheap" to me. You have two big earcups connected by paperthin vinyl and metal wiring - looks weird.
I glued the rubber cushion from the headband of my Sennheiser HD490 to the underside of the vinyl strip of the Grado headband. It makes the headband look much beefier and fits better. The black coloring of the rubber headband is PERFECT and matches perfectly with the black coloring of the Grado. Plus, it makes the Grados seem light as a feather on top of your head. The HD490 headband and cushion can be ordered as a replacement part for $8.60 from Sennheiser USA.

This mod may or may not be reversible depending on the way you "glue" the cushion to the band. I used a thin layer of acrylic caulking. When the caulking cures, it becomes clear, barely noticable unless under really close inspection. The cushion is bonded well to the bottom of the vinyl. I never tried undoing this modification myself, but I should be able to pull off the cushion and caulking on the vinyl should the need arise. The caulking is very sticky, but it doesn't make a HARD bond, so pulling off the caulking should be easy.

I thought about using the entire Sennheiser headband, but decided not to, although it is also very easy to do. However I couldn't think of a way of removing the vinyl headband that wouldn't be "permanent" and didn't want to fiddle with the metal attaching to the plastic pieces. Also I am not brave enough to fiddle around with cords and wiring. Besides, the rubber headband pad of the HD490 fits very well right under the existing vinyl. Someone who never saw a Grado before would not think I modded my phones.

http://headwize.com/projects/showfil...=grado_prj.htm

This information may be of some use to you.

Just came across this thread. I did order the HD580 headband padding about 2 weeks ago (along with the 414 pads), got them today and attached them to my SR80. It fits the headband quite well. The headphones with padding and the Senn pads are super comfy. I havent looked into the mirror yet with them on, so I dont know if it looks silly. But the headphone on its own looks pretty natural with the 580 headband padding. The yellow Senn pads are a different story...
Size wise the 580 padding adds about an inch and it just fits my head perfectly with the headphones fully extended. And I have a pretty big head. So most people should be fine.
I have not worn them a lot yet, but from the first impression, I would recommend this modification. Very comfy.
If somebody is interested, I can post a picture.

Please, I'd love to see pics of any headband mods. I got my MS-1s yesterday, and the only problem really is that they sit a bit too low. I guess I have a small head. A little padding under the headband would make them more comfortable and raise them up a bit.

Thanks.

I just read that grado mod page on headwize, i like that trick to pop the wrinkles out of the diaphram. I got some old junker headphones and took them apart and found the diaphram was all messed up and hand wrinkles all over it. This tip poped em all out. Cool idea

Sorry for the long delay, but now I finally got around to take some pictures and to post them. The dimensions of the HD580 headband padding fit the Grado headband very nice and they are oh so comfy. For now I just attached them with double sided tape, which works ok but is not the perfect solution.
The ear pads are Senn 414 pads dyed black (vwap style).

That looks nice. Did you have to buy the whole $34 headband from Sennheiser to get that pad or is it available seperately?

Thanks.

You can order just the HD580 pad itself.

http://shop.sennheiserusa.com/retail...ct_prod=052715

Thanks! I think I will order that. Sennheiser doesn't have the 490 one in stick, and this one looks thicker anyway. Anyone know if it definitely is?

They do. I just ordered one today. About $10 with shipping. Velcro is a great idea.

Hmm, Velcro you say... Wouldnt that add some extra thickness? That could be a problem for me. The problem with the double sided tape solution is that the headband is slightly convex while the base of the padding is a bit too stiff (/ the tape glue to weak) to adapt to that. Not a big problem at all, but there is a small gap on the sides between headband and padding and some hairs tend to get in there and stick to the tape.

.....................
.....NEAT! Ordering headband pads right now...