[cripple1]

  I don't have any experience with 3D printers. Searches turned up the following as among the best desktop consumer 3D printers:
 
A new laser sintering (SLA) 3D printer is opening next week on Kickstarter. It looks slick. Created by a Swiss team, the Sintratec 3D printer makes solid, movable, highly detailed and functional models. Interesting but probably over-kill for our purposes. Others that got good reviews include FormLabs' Form 1+, Pagasus Touch, Ice 1, and Ice 9.
 
The 5th Gen MakerBot may be the go to (FDM) 3D printer for making headphone parts. Does anyone have a recommendation for better 3D printers?
 
Online 3D printing services is another option that is much more economical unless there's a need for making many components. Has anyone used such services? If so, any recommendations for good providers and those to avoid would be appreciated.
 
EDIT: As I mentioned, I have no experience with 3D printing and no knowledge about the printers, above. I am not endorsing any of them. I just read reviews on Amazon, FWIW, and saw that MakerBot 5th Gen 3D printer negative reviews (1/5) outnumbered the positive reviews (5/5 and 4/5 combined). 

Theres this guy on YouTube, Barnacules Nerdgasm, who owns a few 3D printers and is pretty active with his viewers there as well as on Facebook where he goes by the same name. You can message him about a 3D printer, though it's usually a shot in the dark when it comes to how fast he'll respond. The one he seems to use most is called "The Ultimaker" though. Here's a link.

https://www.ultimaker.com/pages/our-printers/ultimaker-original

 

[SeEnCreaTive]

  I don't have any experience with 3D printers. Searches turned up the following as among the best desktop consumer 3D printers:
 
A new laser sintering (SLA) 3D printer is opening next week on Kickstarter. It looks slick. Created by a Swiss team, the Sintratec 3D printer makes solid, movable, highly detailed and functional models. Interesting but probably over-kill for our purposes. Others that got good reviews include FormLabs' Form 1+, Pagasus Touch, Ice 1, and Ice 9.
 
The 5th Gen MakerBot may be the go to (FDM) 3D printer for making headphone parts. Does anyone have a recommendation for better 3D printers?
 
Online 3D printing services is another option that is much more economical unless there's a need for making many components. Has anyone used such services? If so, any recommendations for good providers and those to avoid would be appreciated.
 
EDIT: As I mentioned, I have no experience with 3D printing and no knowledge about the printers, above. I am not endorsing any of them. I just read reviews on Amazon, FWIW, and saw that MakerBot 5th Gen 3D printer negative reviews (1/5) outnumbered the positive reviews (5/5 and 4/5 combined). 

Unfortunately most of those are not just standard extruding like the "cheap" DIY models. Meaning you need the special powder ect ect. 
 
I looked up reviews on that 5th gen makerbot. That's very disappointing. They started off as a DIY kit (version one) and it wasn't bad, not the most accurate, but it was made of wood. The 2.0 was a bit finicky but once you got it. It was purely fantastic 
 
Simple might be better, the UP! printers are not bad Ive heard aswell
 
Kits are EVERYWHERE now. Im sure it won't be hard to find the perfect one
 
EDIT: seems all the big 3D printing companies from when I was a tech-club head are gone. UP! looks to be barley hanging on, and Makerbot has tried going for "high quality" over the home-brew greatness
 
EDIT 2: Found a great review site: http://3d-printers.toptenreviews.com/  Seems that this brand Cubify has taken UP!'s spot. Just be careful. Their higher models (Cubex, CubePro) require refills specific form their website, but their low model the "Cube" just uses standard ABS spools you can buy generally everywhere for dirt cheap. (even HobbyKing stocks them now)
 
EDIT 3: Dremel (yes the tool) just released a beautiful one $1k, looks to use just standard PLA spools (I think its PLA only). That's the one I want O.o
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00NA00MWS?tag=price182-20&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER

 

[frank2908]

I'm using a printrbot simple metal, if you don't need to print your object larger than 150x150x150mm and printing speed is not your concern, then it is a solid and reliable printer at $600, otherwise the ultimaker is the choice, winning every award given for FDM printer, I have not used one but im building one from the ground up using my own design with the inspiration from Ultimaker. I would steer clear from the Makerbot as designwise (mechanically) its nothing special, just the aesthetic looks nice.

 

[tarsonis]

Was looking out for a printer to as I started modelling a new baffle. Found a pure geek who explained me the disadvanteges of those cheapo/asian parts printer and decided to wait. As I don't know if I will use the printer once I have the best suiting baffle. So I use a local service. The guy is self employed and charges about 30-40€ for 2 baffles. Depending on the size and detail. Its ok and the quality is great. You can see one big monster baffle which I done for my custom HM5 pads.
http://www.head-fi.org/t/739131/3d-printed-baffle-customized-hm5-pads-for-the-fostex-t50rp/0_60#post_10977300
Now redesigning it for the Alpha Pads which sound/measure best with my mods. The subfreq. are massive with those pads with a better soundstage..
So I can recommend using a service if you know how to model. Otherwise its going to be expensive

 

[Lohb]

Jeez, these 3D printers take ages. I visited a place last week and one medium size part they were making took 7 hours. Good to get a proto cast maybe.

 

[Folex]

Is the 50ohm on the t50rp a misprint ? Seems more like 350ohm. On my beyer 250's I put the amp to 8/10 and the volume @ 28/100. On the fostex I have it on 10/10 amp and 45/100 volume. 
 
edit: Using Casper's T50rp's
 

 

[bluemonkeyflyer]

  Is the 50ohm on the t50rp a misprint ? Seems more like 350ohm. On my beyer 250's I put the amp to 8/10 and the volume @ 28/100. On the fostex I have it on 10/10 amp and 45/100 volume. 
 
edit: Using Casper's T50rp's
 

Yes, 50 ohms in Stock configuration. Once they're modified with extra damping, the efficiency goes way down and they require more amplification.

 

[Jake111]

Hi all,
 New to the forum and hope this gets posted correctly.
I just received my T50RP's and they sound great right out of the box (I will be modding them). I really like the sound. My only other headphone experience is with my 2 year old ATH-M50's which are good sounding to me also. I think I'm liking the T50RP's better.
 
Is there any burn-in or break-in procedure for this type of headphone?
Thanks, Jess.

 

[jimmers]

   
I just received my T50RP's and they sound great right out of the box

You have to mod them, it's the law 

 
Seriously a few dollars and a little time can make them so much better
 
http://www.head-fi.org/t/618659/fostex-t50rp-incremental-mods-and-measurements
 
do the basics and enjoy.

 

[chrislangley4253]

  Hi all,
 New to the forum and hope this gets posted correctly.
I just received my T50RP's and they sound great right out of the box (I will be modding them). I really like the sound. My only other headphone experience is with my 2 year old ATH-M50's which are good sounding to me also. I think I'm liking the T50RP's better.
 
Is there any burn-in or break-in procedure for this type of headphone?
Thanks, Jess.

Hey Jake, (and everyone else.. It's been a while since I have posted in here)

People go round and round with burn-in on any given pair of headphones.. I suggest just listening to them and giving them a little time to potentially "open up" before you start modding.. It cannot hurt. Put some hours on the cans or run some noise through them and tell us what you think about burn in

You can grab a "burn-in" file at the link below, you used to be able to stream it.. But, I guess they switched stuff around. You can also just use music, of course..
 
Happy listening!
 
http://www.jlabaudio.com/pages/audio-burn-in

 

[SeEnCreaTive]

Hi all,
 New to the forum and hope this gets posted correctly.
I just received my T50RP's and they sound great right out of the box (I will be modding them). I really like the sound. My only other headphone experience is with my 2 year old ATH-M50's which are good sounding to me also. I think I'm liking the T50RP's better.

Is there any burn-in or break-in procedure for this type of headphone?
Thanks, Jess.

I believe in break-in, I feel my T50RPs do sound different, my old Sony ma-300s had a significant change.

But just put some hours on the cans, then mod them, it won't hurt either way, many mods are reversible anyways

 

[Folex]

How well do the hm5 pads fit on the t50rp? I've seen people try and put them on other pairs of headphones and they fit but they don't look right. 

 

[c61746961]

How well do the hm5 pads fit on the t50rp? I've seen people try and put them on other pairs of headphones and they fit but they don't look right. 

Very tight. Most people use them taped to the baffle.

 

[peter123]

How well do the hm5 pads fit on the t50rp? I've seen people try and put them on other pairs of headphones and they fit but they don't look right. 

They fit but it's a really tight fit, especially the first time you put them on. It takes some patient but it's possible

 

[TrollDragon]

  How well do the hm5 pads fit on the t50rp? I've seen people try and put them on other pairs of headphones and they fit but they don't look right. 

They are great, but you really have to stretch them and work them on slowly to get them to fit without tearing.