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[Review] Superlux HD668b, They Cost How Much? (Foam Mod+More for 668b+681!)
Aug 16, 2011 at 3:59 AM Post #46 of 167
 
Quote:
keanex said:
If you have an amp the Superlux HD668b would suit you perfect. If you don't have much money pick up the 668b new for $50 and a FiiO E11 to amp them for $65 new (cheaper used). They definitely need amping from my experiences.
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What changes upon amping?
 
 
Aug 16, 2011 at 4:16 AM Post #47 of 167
Poly. 
 
Between HFI-580 and DT770 I think DT770 will make a better choice.
But that's another headphone to add to my Audition list :D Better try
everything. 
 
I'm looking for an open spacious sound that's not as laid back as the
Sennheisers. A more open and forward sound like the Grados but
with decent bass would be the best way to describe it.
 
So far it's either the SR80i (compromise on the bass) or the
DT770 (compromise on the open sound). Or if the HD668 sound like
my type of headphone, even better.
 
Currently own the HD438s, modded to achieve full-blown bass. It sounds
less bloated with the Jazz/Home Theater/Rock EQ but I feel like I need a more
forward and open sounding can.
 
Quote:
crinacle said:
 

Ah exams. JC?

Have a go at the Ultrasone HFI-580 as well. Suits your preferences well.
 
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Aug 16, 2011 at 4:26 AM Post #48 of 167


Quote:
crinacle said:
 

What changes upon amping?
 
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I personally felt that my MBP and iPod Classic just couldn't drive the Superlux HD668b 100% without mild amping. I didn't notice an increase in sound quality with/without, I just feel they need an amp to drive them to proper volumes.


Quote:
koolkat said:
Poly. 
 
Between HFI-580 and DT770 I think DT770 will make a better choice.
But that's another headphone to add to my Audition list :D Better try
everything. 
 
I'm looking for an open spacious sound that's not as laid back as the
Sennheisers. A more open and forward sound like the Grados but
with decent bass would be the best way to describe it.
 
So far it's either the SR80i (compromise on the bass) or the
DT770 (compromise on the open sound). Or if the HD668 sound like
my type of headphone, even better.
 
Currently own the HD438s, modded to achieve full-blown bass. It sounds
less bloated with the Jazz/Home Theater/Rock EQ but I feel like I need a more
forward and open sounding can.
 


 
Click to expand...



Well the DT770 are a lot more expensive than the SR80i/Superlux HD668b. They are more expensive used than either of them are new, generally, and every model requires a nice amp. The Superlux HD668b requires an amp, to my ears, but nothing amazing. The SR80i don't require an amp. I feel like the SR80i might be too bright for you, while the modded 668b might be just right for you.
 
Aug 16, 2011 at 5:05 AM Post #50 of 167
Yup. They literally come out without taking off the pads. It was that easy. Before I removed the foam, in comparison to my Ad900, I thought they were a bit more clear, but a bit more laid back and slightly bloated in the bass. They had a nice warm sound, but were less musical than the AD900. After I removed the mod I feel like it opened up the mids/highs more, making them more brighter and musical, the bass is still a bit better in quantity than the Ad900 even. I feel like the HD668b were a bit less musical though, they still sounded just slightly laid back in comparison. I feel like the HD668b lacked some impact in every frequency causing me to analyze the sound a little bit more than the AD900. I guess it's not fair to compare them to the Ad900, but honestly the clarity is on par. The bass is a bit more than the Ad900, but lacks the impact on some tracks. The mids are just as clear as the Ad900, after foam modded, and slightly less pushy. The highs extend well, but lack the sparkle of the Ad900. The soundstage is also smaller than the Ad900.
 
For $50 though, I think these are the best headphones, especially for all-rounders, until you have a budget of more than $100. 
 
Aug 17, 2011 at 1:13 AM Post #51 of 167
Keanex, this might be placebo, but I've made little adhesive-backed felt 'donuts' and put them on the magnets in my 681s, and while the lower bass frequencies seem a little shot, it has an impact somewhat similar to the ad900 (but maybe not quite as much).  Gonna try to supplement this with some polyfill in the housings to try and bring the lowest frequencies back up a tad.
 
Aug 17, 2011 at 11:20 AM Post #53 of 167


Quote:
keanex said:
Interesting, got some pictures of the process/end result?
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This is my Superlux 681 inside the cup, 668B look the same, you can see i add some blutack to the back of magnet of driver and also add some blutack to the rear . This mod is to add some mass to the cup because the 681 is quite light but have big bass that make resonance. This mod tighten the bass of 681, i think the 668B doesn't need this mod.
There are some other mods for 681 can apply for 668B:
-AKG velur pad: increase comfort 
-Filter mod: http://www.rock-grotto.co.uk/HD681.pdf, if you think your 668B has too much sibilance you can do this mod but with different value of capacitor, inductor and resistor.
-Filter box: instead of opening your cup and mount the filter to the driver, you can make a filter box and use with your headphone whenever you want and it's also easier to change resistor to vary the amout of high you want to tame

-dampen mod: Use some fish tank filter wool to damp the cup, this mod can vary bass quantity (lower) with different amout and tighten bass 

-Recable with shielded OFC cable: top end more refined, more sense of air, soundstage more accurate
-Mick ring mod: change the outer dull red of the 681 to alu ring that make this can look gorgeous


-Pence mod: glue each side a 2 pence coin to add mass ( it fit perfectly), this mod is a easy but less effective verison of Mick ring mod

-Tissue mod: use soft tissue to prevent driver from touching your ear, you can use rubber tube too, this mod is so great, totally comfortable but the downside is it can ruin the sound quality, you must try yourself different material and thickness to make it both comfortable and sound great.

 
Aug 17, 2011 at 6:12 PM Post #55 of 167
Just received my ear cushions today from China, and a post card too.  Overall the fit is great, no more sweaty muffs
beyersmile.png

 
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649&item=250861305825&viewitem=&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWNX%3AIT#ht_1888wt_1113
 
 

 

 

 
Aug 17, 2011 at 7:28 PM Post #58 of 167
I think these may benefit from a recable. I think I might try and recable them with Belden. Why? On the HD-598 it made the mids too forward, but offered the most detail, largest soundstage and clearest sound. Basically it was unusable on the HD-598. I've sound that different cheap cable can mess with a stock signature, so it's good to experiment. Maybe with Mogami and Canare. Canare may tame the treble a bit.
 
Aug 17, 2011 at 9:02 PM Post #59 of 167
I had another already built Canare cable I made for another headphone that I removed, so I recabled the HD-668B with it. Took about a half hour. If you've recabled an AKG K240 Studio/Sextett, this will be just as easy, except that the soldering area is ultra tiny. Smaller than on the HD-598! I hope you have the hands of a brain surgeon. Ok, it's not that bad.
 
Not sure of the exact differences yet, but the mids do seem more forward. May be a tad less treble, but doubt it. It's hard to compare since my HD-668B didn't get much use to begin with!
 
BTW the detail on these are so good. Probably even better with a recable. Also worth mentioning is that no holes need to be drilled to recable it for dual entry!
 
Here's a picture of what it looks like:
 

 
(I think Mogami would be best if you want to keep it's stock signature but just improve it. I wanted to try and change it's sound a tad. I normally HATE Canare and think it's junk)
 
 
 
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