Beyerdynamic T1/T5p Modifications and Tweaks Thread

[InsanityOne]

This thread is for describing, discussing and further developing all modifications and tweaks related to the Beyerdynamic T5p / T1 / (T1 Rev 2 With-holding) headphones.
 
Preamble:
 
It is of my opinion that the modification of (some) headphones can result in a positive change in value, sound signature, appearance, comfort, and many other factors. I have modified every pair of headphones that I have owned and always enjoyed the changes that the modifications brought about.
 
Why:
 
It is fairly common knowledge that the Beyerdynamic T1 / T5p / (T1 Rev 2 With-holding) series of headphones are easy to take apart, put back together, re-cable, etc. But I have rarely seen anyone make posts, blogs, or videos on any of the modification processes for these series of headphones. I know that these modifications exist out there in the world though, so this thread is an attempt to bring all the T1 / T5p / (T1 Rev 2 with-holding) modders out there together into one place to discuss the best modifications and tweaks available for these headphones.
 
How:
 
A. Physical "Hard" Modifications: (Everything that DOES require you to void the warranty of your headphones)

• Cable Entry / Connection Modifications
  - Dual 4-pin Mini-XLR Entries:
  
  
  
  - Dual 3.5mm Entries:
  
   
• Re-cable Modifications
  - Straight Re-cable Without Entry Modifications:
  
   
• Cup / Housing / Paint Modifications
  - "Full" Modification (Cups, Grills, Cable Entries, Cable):
  
  
  
  - "Full" Modification (Cups, Grills, Re-Cable):
  
  
   
• Dampening Modifications
  - Additional Dampening Material for the T1:
  
  
  
   

B. Aesthetic "Soft" Modifications: (Everything that DOESN'T require you to void the warranty of your headphones)

• Headband / Headpad Modifications
  -Adding An Additional Headpad:
  
   
• Earpad Swaps / Modifications
  -Swapping Earpads: (Audeze / Dekoni / J$ / ZMF)
  
   

 
(Note: The photos above are just for example purposes and many other methods of these modifications are possible. Also, these photos are not mine and credit goes to their respective authors.)
 
Conclusion:
 
In conclusion, for all of the T1 / T5p / (T1 Rev 2 With-holding) owners out there, what are your favorite modifications to do to these headphones? Which ones do you think are the best or worst? Also, if you own one of these headphones and they are modified or tweaked in some way please post up some pictures and tell what modifications you have had done!
 
- InsanityOne 

 

 

[InsanityOne]

*Bump*
 
What? No love for Beyer T1/T5p mods? I know there has to be some more of you out there!
 
Just as a quick update though I figured I would post some beautiful photos of my recently completed Beyerdynamic T5p's and a few other findings.
 
Preview: (Pictures courtesy of @PETEREK)
 

 
The full list of modifications are as follows: (pictured)

1. Dual 4-pin mini-xlr cable entries
2. Additional bass-port
3. Walnut wood inserts (Courtesy of @fleasbaby)
4. Custom powder-coated yokes
5. A Double-Helix Cables Nucleotide Cable terminated in 4-pin XLR w/ a 4-pin XLR to 1/4" adapter
6. NOT PICTURED: Mr. Speakers Alpha Pads
7. NOT PICTURED: Additional Beyerdynamic headband pad

 

Spoiler: The Rest Of The Photos Are Here!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Also I would like to add that another very interesting (and functional) Beyer T1 mod has just surfaced courtesy of @Packdemon. This is headphone has so many modifications that I'm not sure that it really is a "T1" anymore. But it is really close so I will include it here anyways.
 
Preview: (Picture courtesy of @Packdemon)
 

 
 
You can check out the rest of his thread dedicated to this headphone HERE: http://www.head-fi.org/t/784386/custom-t1-pro-headset
 
- InsanityOne 

 

 

[fleasbaby]

PETEREK's work is impeccable. I love how those look.

 

[InsanityOne]

PETEREK's work is impeccable. I love how those look.

Agreed on both accounts!
 
- InsanityOne 

 

 

[Errymoose]

I have a Norne audio cable on my T1.  Not really for sonic reasons, but I damaged the stock cable and went with something a bit lighter.

 

[InsanityOne]

  I have a Norne audio cable on my T1.  Not really for sonic reasons, but I damaged the stock cable and went with something a bit lighter.

I really love the look of Norne's cables, I'm sure it looks awesome on the T1's! How did you have it attached? Did you hard-wire it yourself or did you have some type of detachable connectors modded onto the T1's? Also, I have heard that the stock cables on the T1 and T5p can be quite fragile, which surprises me considering that Beyer normally makes pretty solid products.
 
P.S. - Feel free to share photos of your mod!
 
- InsanityOne 

 

 

[edstrelow]

Have a look at mechanical damping of earcups by sorbothane. The central idea is that as much mechanical enercy goes into the earcups as into the air through the driver. This is just Newton's Third Law of Motion. What's new about this is that the sonic degradation is fairly large even small amounts of sorbothane give very audible improvements. Plus it's a cheap fix and reversible if you don't like it. See. http://www.head-fi.org/t/744839/damping-mechanical-resonance-distortion-of-stax-and-other-phones-with-sorbothane-and-other-materials

 

[Errymoose]

  I really love the look of Norne's cables, I'm sure it looks awesome on the T1's! How did you have it attached? Did you hard-wire it yourself or did you have some type of detachable connectors modded onto the T1's? Also, I have heard that the stock cables on the T1 and T5p can be quite fragile, which surprises me considering that Beyer normally makes pretty solid products.
 
P.S. - Feel free to share photos of your mod!
 
- InsanityOne 

 

I'll try and get a decent photo of it tonight.  But the cables are reasonably priced compared to a lot of aftermarket options around here and look fantastic.
I just hardwired the cable.  Wasn't keen on modding the cups to take detachable cables
 
I bought my T1 second hand and had it for several years before the cable sleeving broke through, so I'm not sold on them being fragile or anything.

 

[InsanityOne]

  Have a look at mechanical damping of earcups by sorbothane. The central idea is that as much mechanical enercy goes into the earcups as into the air through the driver. This is just Newton's Third Law of Motion. What's new about this is that the sonic degradation is fairly large even small amounts of sorbothane give very audible improvements. Plus it's a cheap fix and reversible if you don't like it. See. http://www.head-fi.org/t/744839/damping-mechanical-resonance-distortion-of-stax-and-other-phones-with-sorbothane-and-other-materials

Hmm yes, I have definitely heard about this. But I know that most people do this mod do it to their T1's (to absorb some of the brightness) and not so much the T5p's. I wonder what sort of effect this would have on the T5p's?

  I'll try and get a decent photo of it tonight.  But the cables are reasonably priced compared to a lot of aftermarket options around here and look fantastic.
I just hardwired the cable.  Wasn't keen on modding the cups to take detachable cables
 
I bought my T1 second hand and had it for several years before the cable sleeving broke through, so I'm not sold on them being fragile or anything.

Sounds great! And ahh I see, then I'm sure that the cable must not be as fragile as people make it out to be. I'll be anxious to see some pictures of the hardwired Norne mod!
 
Thanks!
 
- InsanityOne 

 

[PleasantSounds]

Another modded T5p pair:

 

 
 
Nothing radical: just mini XLR sockets and some acoustic treatment inside. 
Very happy with the results!

 

[rasmushorn]

Here is my T5p with a new cable I got after the stock cable broke in one side. It is a silver + gold cable and very flexible. 
 

 
 

 

[evilaci]

Hello Rasmushorn,
who is doing this kind of cabling?
Thanks

 

[rasmushorn]

  Hello Rasmushorn,
who is doing this kind of cabling?
Thanks

A local danish guy from our www.hoved-fi.dk community. 
I still like it. Flexible, lightweight, good looking. PM me if you are near to Denmark and want to get in touch with him. 

 

[InsanityOne]

  Hello Rasmushorn,
who is doing this kind of cabling?
Thanks

Another good person to look at if you are North America based is @PETEREK. He does very similar cable work to what you see in that picture. You can also see examples of his cable work in various threads around Head-Fi and in the photos I posted of my T5p's above!
 
- InsanityOne

 

[evilaci]

  Another good person to look at if you are North America based is @PETEREK. He does very similar cable work to what you see in that picture. You can also see examples of his cable work in various threads around Head-Fi and in the photos I posted of my T5p's above!
 
- InsanityOne

Yes thanks. But i´m form Germany so i hesitate to send the T5p around the world. In another forum i have read sth. about stephan audio too so i´m quite interested who is doing stuff like that in Germany or as the hint from Rasmushorn in Denmark.