[charliex]

Decisions - decisions - decisions. I just received my set of Grado walnut distancers from RDF. I have several options, looking for suggestions as to which way to go. I have a regular pair of MS-1's, a pair of SR 60's and a partially modded pair of SR 125s. The SR 125's have had wire mesh speaker guards permanently fastened to the inside cups and Nylon encased blue headphone wire (cardas-like). I do NOT have (and cannot currently afford) the pricey GS1000 pads. Sooo, which way do I go for best bang-for-the-buck?

 

[nickchen]

Let your ears decide. Take a small amount of bluetac or some adhesive tape (just enough to fix and seal) and test things with every proband. You might also try closing some of the drill holes testwise, as this influences the presentation severely.

Have fun, this may take a while!!

 

[xkRoWx]

I've just ordered a pair of GS1000 pads from a local "audiophile" store. I can't wait to pop them on and ditch these comfies.

By the way, occasionally I hear a rattle when my MS1 plays very low frequency, will the bluetack fix this? Am I supposed to avoid the holes at the back on the driver when applying?

 

[nickchen]

Sounds rather like a hair has found a way through the mesh into the driver. Very likely for the very shorthaired among us. I once had to open my MS1 for that reason, that was really frightening. One more reason, besides taming highs, to place a piece of thick felt over the driver mesh.
Quote:

Am I supposed to avoid the holes at the back on the driver when applying?

No idea what you are talking about.

 

[xkRoWx]

I see two holes located on the silver part of the driver, positioned at 12 and 6 o' clock. Are those "ventilations"? If you place a thick piece of felt onto the driver, doesn't that muffle the sound quite a bit?

How do I open the MS1 to remove the said piece of hair?

 

[apatN]

^ Try placing your lips on the driver/grill. Suck very gently. Should fix it.

 

[xkRoWx]

Are you kidding?

 

[nickchen]

LOL, I was talking about the other, opposite side of the driver where the sound actually comes out. That is the place that is to be secured by a piece of felt.

Disassembling a MS1 isn't exactly a nice job. You need to be careful and violent simultaneously. First, you have to remove the back cap, and in order to get the glue soft, you have to heat it with a hairdryer from sideways. When you've got it off, you take a fine screwdriver and loosen the driver round its plastic cage until it falls out. Take care not to crumble the diaphragm.

If you have no idea what I'm talking about or if you have 1000 additional questions popping up, you better don't do that job. Try a gentle blow/suck from outside to alter the position of the hair then, and leave the rest untouched.

 

[xkRoWx]

I know how to take the back cap out, and I've done it many times just for the hell of it.

So.. I need to pry the transuder out of its housing?

 

[stonedchef]

So I just made my first pair of distancers tonight. I think they look pretty good, maybe just a bit of sanding and better wood of course. If people Canada would like some I can make them easily and ship em out. Just gotta figure out the price of better wood first.

-sc

 

[kintsaki]

Great Thread.

Too bad John Grado is not listening.

Just as I was thinking to buy a GS-1000.
No way, I will mode my 325i.

You guys are going to put him out of business and then
the used stock sets are going to go up and RS-1 drivers will also go up.

 

[xkRoWx]

Quote:

Originally Posted by stonedchef /img/forum/go_quote.gif So I just made my first pair of distancers tonight. I think they look pretty good, maybe just a bit of sanding and better wood of course. If people Canada would like some I can make them easily and ship em out. Just gotta figure out the price of better wood first. -sc

Hey, what are the size you used for the hole saws? Maybe we can meet up one day and work on them together!

I still got a couple pieces of mahogany lying around!

 

[stonedchef]

Quote:

Originally Posted by xkRoWx /img/forum/go_quote.gif Hey, what are the size you used for the hole saws? Maybe we can meet up one day and work on them together! I still got a couple pieces of mahogany lying around!

The diameter of the holes are about 38mm. The diameter of the top lip is about 57mm. Total height is about 15mm.

Also is there such a thing as a wood supplier in the GTA where I could purchase other types of wood (zebrawood, mahohany, walnut).

-sc

 

[nickchen]

So I finally got my woodied MS Pro/Ulti ready. I can tell you, that was a frightening project. It also took a while to "adjust" the sound after I finished the woodwork. Some cracks & gaps in the rootwood influenced the sound in a quite unpleasant way in the beginning. Quite reliefed that they sing again.

 

[apatN]

Stunning.

Btw something I never understood. How can you recable wooden Grados as from my understanding they are made out of one piece of wood?