[mt877]

I hope 14.2

I hope 14.2 mm becomes a more common standard, 15.4mm is just a touch too big for longer uses

FiiO is using 14.2mm drivers, but that doesn't mean the shell size is reduced much compared to the MX500 shell. Here's some measurements I posted a little while back.

The good ole PK shell remains the 'king' of small diameter driver shell size. The only smaller earbud that I measured was a Yurbud shell. It measured 14.38mm diameter. I have no idea of the size of the driver. The thing is, is that the Yurbuds are supposed to be used with some silicone sound enhancers which direct the sound into your ear canal. Those enhancers increase the size of the Yurbuds.

Yincrow X6 (MX500 shell) - 16.80mm	Yincrow RW-3000 - 16.88mm	Yincrow RW-2000 - 16.88mm	FiiO FF3 - 16.50mm
FiiO FF5 - 16.50mm	Yincrow Calf - 16.32mm	Yincrow Rhino - 16.32mm	Shozy BK (PK shell) - 16.10mm

 

[twiceboss]

Any measurements for yinman 600 other than the one the Squig?

 

[sunsun89]

Want to share my another DIY project using my own design.. Earbud Chimera variant Basstube 2pin 15.4mm, using my fav driver EMX500

 

[mt877]

Want to share my another DIY project using my own design.. Earbud Chimera variant Basstube 2pin 15.4mm, using my fav driver EMX500

Very creative and going beyond the normal DIY build. You give 3 thumbs up, so I'm guessing they are sounding very good.

 

[mt877]

I can't say I have a lot of knowledge about the various models out there. The 2 that I have are the Sharp mt877 and the very last pinnacle minidisc player, the Sony MZ-RH1. The problem with most old tech is finding batteries. Fortunately replacement Ni-MH replacement batteries are still available for the Sharp, but you have to be sure to get a player with the charging base and wall wort power supply. The Sharp also has an AA battery adapter which can be used as a backup power source or to extend play / record time in combination with the Ni-MH battery.

When the MD format was coming to a close due to CD audio and DAT recorders coming into vogue, Sony made a last heroic effort and released the pinnacle MZ-RH1 player / recorder and of course I had to get one even if it was the most expensive and last MD player to be produced. Skip to the present... You can't get batteries for this player anymore, but no fear I have a DIY solution posted on head-fi for a replacement battery build for this wonderful player.

Since the Sharp mt877 and the Sony MZ-RH1 MD players are the only ones I have experience with, they'll be my recommendations too.

Now to bring this post back on topic...

Here's the buds that came supplied with the Sharp mt877. Unfortunately the voicecoil of the right side is open. I thought it was the cable, but I measured the voicecoil directly and it was open. I have a couple different 32 ohm drivers on order and will try to get these buds running again, well at least reuse the shells and upgrade the cable.

I'm quoting a post I made on Aug. 13, 2022. The Sharp MD earbuds that came with my Sharp minidisc player needed to be repaired. The right driver died and it took me nearly a year to do the rebuild and upgrade the cable. The original drivers are 14.8mm and measured 32Ω. After going through a few different drivers, I found some 14.8mm / 17Ω drivers that fit these shallow Sharp shells. After a few tuning sessions, I got these buds to sound top notch. I don't know / remember how the original drivers sounded, so can't give any comparisons, but I have to say the rebuilt buds are giving me some excellent listening pleasure. I had a heck of a time getting the new cable to pass through the very tight shell, but I managed to do it and the results speak for themselves.

Here's the before and after...

Before:

After:

 

[WoodyLuvr]

I'm quoting a post I made on Aug. 13, 2022. The Sharp MD earbuds that came with my Sharp minidisc player needed to be repaired. The right driver died and it took me nearly a year to do the rebuild and upgrade the cable. The original drivers are 14.8mm and measured 32Ω. After going through a few different drivers, I found some 14.8mm / 17Ω drivers that fit these shallow Sharp shells. After a few tuning sessions, I got these buds to sound top notch. I don't know / remember how the original drivers sounded, so can't give any comparisons, but I have to say the rebuilt buds are giving me some excellent listening pleasure. I had a heck of a time getting the new cable to pass through the very tight shell, but I managed to do it and the results speak for themselves.

Here's the before and after...

Before:


After:

@mt877 awesome save! Nice work!

For those that don't know the MD series of earbuds was a lengthy series of various shell types and drivers that were bundled with various MD machines (players/recorders) under a few brand names from 1993 until about 200 perhaps 2006. This cannibalized model, pictured above, as stated by @mt877 were bundled with Sharp's MT-877 MD recorders and few other MD model in late 2000.

From the Flathead Timeline:

1993 - MD / ΔΣ - MiniDisc Earbuds; <32Ω (these earbuds were only bundled with MiniDisc devices from 1993 until 2005 under the Kenwood, Onkyo, Pioneer, and Sharp brand logos. Various drivers were used; all 32 ohms or lower in impedance. Over ten various plastic shell types were used in various colors: black, metallic silver, clear transparent, and mixed. From early-1997 to mid-1998 MD models used a shell design that is known as the pre-Sennheiser MX200/MX300 type shell OEM'd by Foster. From mid-1998 until late-2000 MD models then used the same shell as the Senn MX300 also OEM'd by Foster. By 1999 only Sharp was still using the MD model line. In 2001 the Sharp MD model shell switched over to the Foster designed Senn MX500 shell type. Then in early 2002 the Sharp-MD model adopted balanced wiring with a 4-pole 3.5TRRS jack and was referred to as the "Sharp-MD-BalancedEarphone" (yes, one word). When Sharp's first Auvi ΔΣ 1-Bit MD player (MD-DS8) debuted in late-2002 the "MD" on the back of the shell was replaced with the "ΔΣ" delta-sigma symbol going forward until 2005.

 

[mt877]

@mt877 awesome save! Nice work!

For those that don't know the MD series of earbuds was a lengthy series of various shell types and drivers that were bundled with various MD machines (players/recorders) under a few brand names from 1993 until about 200 perhaps 2006. This cannibalized model, pictured above, as stated by @mt877 were bundled with Sharp's MT-877 MD recorders and few other MD model in late 2000.

From the Flathead Timeline:

1993 - MD / ΔΣ - MiniDisc Earbuds; <32Ω (these earbuds were only bundled with MiniDisc devices from 1993 until 2005 under the Kenwood, Onkyo, Pioneer, and Sharp brand logos. Various drivers were used; all 32 ohms or lower in impedance. Over ten various plastic shell types were used in various colors: black, metallic silver, clear transparent, and mixed. From early-1997 to mid-1998 MD models used a shell design that is known as the pre-Sennheiser MX200/MX300 type shell OEM'd by Foster. From mid-1998 until late-2000 MD models then used the same shell as the Senn MX300 also OEM'd by Foster. By 1999 only Sharp was still using the MD model line. In 2001 the Sharp MD model shell switched over to the Foster designed Senn MX500 shell type. Then in early 2002 the Sharp-MD model adopted balanced wiring with a 4-pole 3.5TRRS jack and was referred to as the "Sharp-MD-BalancedEarphone" (yes, one word). When Sharp's first Auvi ΔΣ 1-Bit MD player (MD-DS8) debuted in late-2002 the "MD" on the back of the shell was replaced with the "ΔΣ" delta-sigma symbol going forward until 2005.

Excellent synopsis of these bud types. Unfortunately you don't see these vintage buds available on eBay. I guess either people tossed them if they broke or maybe it's just that MiniDisc players catered to a niche market. Anyway, I'm glad I was able to salvage the shells and will enjoy them for years to come.

 

[harishl20]

Want to share my another DIY project using my own design.. Earbud Chimera variant Basstube 2pin 15.4mm, using my fav driver EMX500

Interesting shell design but I wonder how the fit will be, especially for small ears. Overear bud wearing never fit properly with normal MX shell, would be interesting to try this on.

 

[Billyak]

IEB, in ear bud

 

[kanett]

How many percent of people don't use foam on their earbud?

If so, it is mandatory for the manufacturer to adjust low fr lower and hi fr higher to compensate consumer who are mostly gonna put on the foam?

 

[baskingshark]

How many percent of people don't use foam on their earbud?

If so, it is mandatory for the manufacturer to adjust low fr lower and hi fr higher to compensate consumer who are mostly gonna put on the foam?

It depends on the earbud actually, I use some with donuts, some with full foams, some without foams, depending on the earbud model. Some I even use double foams or a silicone ring.

Foams not only affect sound, but fit/comfort/ergonomics. So using various foams are a way to get a better fit (we all have individual ear anatomies), as well as adjust the sound - for example full foams warm the signature and increase bass in contrast to donut foams.

Everyone has different ear anatomy (affecting pinna gain), different hearing health, different volumes played at (Fletcher Munson curve), different sources, in addition to the above different foam usage, so it is gonna be very hard for a manufacturer to cater to everyone under the sun.

 

[jwilliamhurst]

Everyone has different ear anatomy (affecting pinna gain), different hearing health, different volumes played at (Fletcher Munson curve), different sources, in addition to the above different foam usage, so it is gonna be very hard for a manufacturer to cater to everyone under the sun.

Amen

 

[FlacFan]

How many percent of people don't use foam on their earbud?

If so, it is mandatory for the manufacturer to adjust low fr lower and hi fr higher to compensate consumer who are mostly gonna put on the foam?

11.4567892%

Seriously...who would ever know the answer?

Cheers.

 

[BrunoC]

IMO earbuds needs foams. I always wear foams on them, sometimes two on each side to warm the sound or improve the fit.
Seriously, how can you get decent bass without foams? Also, the upper mids and treble should be peaky and piercing as hell.
Unless a specific earbud is tuned to be used without foams, I just don't see the point.

 

[FranQL]

11.4567892%

En serio... ¿quién sabría la respuesta?

Salud.

LOL