AKG 701 foam removed. Sounds better?

Jul 11, 2007 at 9:05 PM Thread Starter Post #1 of 11
Artguy

Artguy

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I took a look at my 701s, removing my ear cushions and found this ring of foam which I left out when I screwed the cushions back on. I am listening to Pink Floyd right now, and it sounds pretty good that way.

I think it did change the overall sound presentation, but I am still sorting out whether it is a change for the good or bad? Sounds brighter overall, and the mids sit a little closer. The bass still sounds good to me, so no change there. Has anyone else tried this mod? It certainly is an easy one to try.

I would like to hear the experience of any other 701 users out there who have removed the foam donut and liked the sound better that way. If so, why does it sound better to you?

Only owners of 701 need answer, so no hypothetical replies please.
 
Jul 11, 2007 at 11:22 PM Post #4 of 11
Quote:

Originally Posted by tbonner1 /img/forum/go_quote.gif
I tried it as I liked the sound of my defoamed Senn's.

The 701's sounded too bright.


same here


. . . . didn't like the k501 earpads on it either
tongue.gif
 
Jul 11, 2007 at 11:23 PM Post #5 of 11
I have to concur. But I can do much better than "hypothetical."

I've made my own sound doughnuts of various diameters and construction. The only option that sounded comparable was to cut my own sound doughnut out of polyethelyne, and then punch a bunch of holes it. The sound was somewhat clearer, but not necessarily better than stock.

DO NOT PUNCH HOLES INTO THE STOCK SOUND DO-NUT FROM YOUR K701. I USED POLYETHELYNE SHEETS FOR MY TESTING.
 
Jul 12, 2007 at 9:25 AM Post #6 of 11
The effect is a little more pronounced, than the thread that I posted about deforming the pads slightly. I prefer the sound of my slightly squashed/deformed pads that place the drivers about 1mm closer to the ear canal.
http://www.head-fi.org/forums/showthread.php?t=250186
 
Jul 12, 2007 at 10:25 AM Post #8 of 11
it certainly changes the sound, that's for sure

whether or not you like the change is up to each person

in general i did find the treble to be increased and sharpened to the point of sibilance in my setup

i wouldn't describe it so much as veil being lifted, rather the edges being roughened/sharpened
 
Jul 13, 2007 at 4:00 AM Post #9 of 11
Quote:

Originally Posted by d-cee /img/forum/go_quote.gif
it certainly changes the sound, that's for sure

whether or not you like the change is up to each person

in general i did find the treble to be increased and sharpened to the point of sibilance in my setup

i wouldn't describe it so much as veil being lifted, rather the edges being roughened/sharpened


This hits the point exactly. My logical side thought that it would be too harsh, too biased toward the high frequencies or maybe even sibilant. But, with my setup (I have two 701 cans, one at home with the Heed Canamp out of a Mac as source, and at my studio I have a 701 out of a very nice tube amp (WooAudio 3) with some great tubes.

Neither amp/can combination is too strong in the treble freq. with the foam donuts removed. I have A/B them again and again, and when I remove all preconceptions of how it should sound, and just let the music wash over me, the cans with the foam removed sound more natural, more present, more like live music to my ears.

So, there you have it... I know this flies in the face of the other posters (even the "Feck, No" poster, I have no idea what that means, but can only guess it is a reference to baser Anglo?) but I have tried this long enough that for me, taking out the foam does nothing negative to the sound, and seems to open up the natural, detailed sound I love to listen to. I am listening to Jane Monheit "Surrender" album right now, and if this mod could be any better, I would have to pay admission price. Un-freakin-believable.
 
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