[jogawag]

I'm looking for some recommendations on which drivers to go with for my first solo DIY build. I built the Artiste Nightingale by @mt877 with the QIGOM S68A driver which sounds good but the treble can be a little harsh and there is some vocal distortion if I increase the bass too much. I also like the sound from OpenHeart's Nightingale which I think uses XinYue's LCP driver but vocals lack width and can feel flat. I'm looking for a driver with detailed mids and treble that isn't too harsh or sibilant that still has some bass presence along with a decently wide soundstage. I know now thanks to @mt877 that what shells you use with the drivers will affect the sound you get from them but at least if I have a driver that has most of those qualities I can swap shells and adjust their tuning to get the most out of them. I see the 130 ohm beryl driver is well regarded and I think this is the product page for it, but there are other drivers that have been mentioned here that I'm not sure where they're sold as I haven't seen any links to them. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Using 130 ohm beryllium drivers is the quickest way to make great DIY earbuds.

 

[Punslayer]

I've been busy and finished three more sets.

400 Ohm Graphene


120 Ohm Be Composite


300 Ohm Multi Layer Diaphragm


So far, I haven't run into a driver I don't like. Everything that I've built works for at least one genre or another. I also think that my experiments with color have been pretty successful and eventually I'll have a whole rainbow of earphones to listen to.

 

[lordearl]

I've been busy and finished three more sets.

400 Ohm Graphene


120 Ohm Be Composite


300 Ohm Multi Layer Diaphragm


So far, I haven't run into a driver I don't like. Everything that I've built works for at least one genre or another. I also think that my experiments with color have been pretty successful and eventually I'll have a whole rainbow of earphones to listen to.

Wow!

These look incredible! Where are the shells from?

 

[Punslayer]

These look incredible! Where are the shells from?

The shells are just generic Clear MX500 Shells. I've ordered them from a couple of different stores and dye them on the stove, along with the wire for the cables. Actually, the second pair uses these translucent black shells and this brown wire, also dyed.

I finished another pair today using this 18 Ohm titanium driver.

These drivers seem to work with my tube amp, in spite of the low impedance. The seem to sound a bit similar to the 120 ohm Be driver above, but I've been making them a bit fast and need to spend some time listening to get familiar with each driver.

 

[lordearl]

Great idea to dye them!

I might try 3D printing the shells. Does anyone have STL file(s) for shells like this?

 

[BCool]

Great idea to dye them!

I might try 3D printing the shells. Does any have STL file(s) for shells like this?

If you want MX500, I modeled one here. Or you could try the Val39 which is s good copy of the Qian39.

 

[lordearl]

If you want MX500, I modeled one here. Or you could try the Val39 which is s good copy of the Qian39.

Looks great!

Any chance the bass port can be modeled as well - or is that a bit tricky?

 

[BCool]

Any chance the bass port can be modeled as well - or is that a bit tricky?

The model is done, I just haven't gotten around to uploading it yet. There are also a bunch of other potential improvements that I want to test out.

I'll also add that I haven't had the chance to test print the model yet (my printer's packed up ready for a house move) so I can't guarantee quality.

 

[lordearl]

The model is done, I just haven't gotten around to uploading it yet. There are also a bunch of other potential improvements that I want to test out.

I'll also add that I haven't had the chance to test print the model yet (my printer's packed up ready for a house move) so I can't guarantee quality.

Happy to test it for you, if you like?

I've got a 3D printer here but sadly no idea how to make models! I only know how to print!!

 

[BCool]

Happy to test it for you, if you like?

I've got a 3D printer here but sadly no idea how to make models! I only know how to print!!

That would be great! Also depending on your slicer you might be able to just add a hole for the bass port.

 

[BCool]

I've updated the model with a bass port here

 

[jogawag]

I've updated the model with a bass port here

This would be the version with the bass port that was not attached to the Val39. That's fantastic!
I envy you because I don't have a 3D printer.
I would love to see a picture of the output from the 3D printer.

 

[lordearl]

I've updated the model with a bass port here

Brilliant, I'll get it printed!!

 

[jogawag]

If you want MX500, I modeled one here. Or you could try the Val39 which is s good copy of the Qian39.

Are there any plans to make a PK shell that is compatible with 15.4mm?
I have always thought that the PK shell that is compatible with 15.4mm is superior to the Val39 because it has a bass port from the start.

 

[Punslayer]

Two more from me.


This is a 75 Ohm Bio composite driver. It's a pretty cheap driver, but sounds quite nice to me.


This one is a 300 Ohm version of the Blue Be/LCP driver from Huayunxin. I notice that they have a couple of new drivers. I'd like to give them a try, but they're quite spendy so I will probably wait at least until I've housed all the drivers I currently have.