Grado Balancing Question

[The Monkey]

I just chopped off the 1/4" plug on my HF-1. Leaving me with 1 white, 1 red, and 2 blue wires. My question is this: how do I know which ground is which? Can I test continuity without prying open the earcups (I'd rather not do that tonight)?

 

[nikongod]

yes, with a ohm-meter

 

[grandenigma1]

Quote:

Originally Posted by nikongod /img/forum/go_quote.gif yes, with a ohm-meter

What he said... just a quick note... Red in the case or Grado is the left channel and not the right as is the case with every other company.

 

[The Monkey]

Quote:

Originally Posted by nikongod /img/forum/go_quote.gif yes, with a ohm-meter

Yes, but what am I actually testing? For example, should I be able to read continuity from right + and right return?

 

[grandenigma1]

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Monkey /img/forum/go_quote.gif Yes, but what am I actually testing? For example, should I be able to read continuity from right + and right return?

Yup.

 

[The Monkey]

.

 

[n_maher]

When you find a single wire (one end of one blue to its other end) you'll read zero ohms of resistance. For some of the other measurements you may actually be reading the resistance of the driver. And like GE said, Grado likes red to be left for whatever reason.

 

[The Monkey]

Quote:

Originally Posted by grandenigma1 /img/forum/go_quote.gif Yup.

Thanks!

 

[The Monkey]

Quote:

Originally Posted by n_maher /img/forum/go_quote.gif When you find a single wire (one end of one blue to its other end) you'll read zero ohms of resistance. For some of the other measurements you may actually be reading the resistance of the driver. And like GE said, Grado likes red to be left for whatever reason.

So here is what I just did (and bear with me guys, remember I'm just a stupid attorney):

I stripped each wire and used my Fluke to ring out red to each blue wire. Red to the first blue wire was silent. Red to the second blue rang. So can I assume that the red and second blue go to the same driver?

 

[nikongod]

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Monkey /img/forum/go_quote.gif So here is what I just did (and bear with me guys, remember I'm just a stupid attorney): I stripped each wire and used my Fluke to ring out red to each blue wire. Red to the first blue wire was silent. Red to the second blue rang. So can I assume that the red and second blue go to the same driver?

yes. the red and blue wire that meet are the same channel. if you are putting a 4-pin on something, i would love to hear it at the meet tomorrow. what are you reterminating anyways?

FWIW, i would NOT use the continuity tester on a fluke on a headphone. first off, it only works when continuity is "better" than 40 ohms, second, i think it uses CURRENT across the leeds. the impedance meter dosnt seem to use current. mind you this assessment/recommendation is VERY unscientific, and based on gut instinct. you can hear the driver move FAR with the contunity checker, but not with the ohm-meter..... it probably wont do any harm either way, but why take risks?

 

[The Monkey]

Quote:

Originally Posted by nikongod /img/forum/go_quote.gif yes. the red and blue wire that meet are the same channel. if you are putting a 4-pin on something, i would love to hear it at the meet tomorrow. what are you reterminating anyways? FWIW, i would NOT use the continuity tester on a fluke on a headphone. first off, it only works when continuity is "better" than 40 ohms, second, i think it uses CURRENT across the leeds. the impedance meter dosnt seem to use current. mind you this assessment/recommendation is VERY unscientific, and based on gut instinct. you can hear the driver move FAR with the contunity checker, but not with the ohm-meter..... it probably wont do any harm either way, but why take risks?

Thanks for the advice, well taken. I'm reterminating my HF-1. I'd use a 4-pin, but for the fact that my Desktop Balanced uses three pins, unfortunately.

 

[grandenigma1]

yup ohm meter is your best bet for the future... at least you didnt do the 9v battery method

 

[The Monkey]

Thanks for the help, gang. Job is done. Not the prettiest ever, but that will just motivate me to do a full recable.

Very very preliminary impressions with the balanced desktop are that I sense an airier presentation with (maybe much) better horizontal extension. But perhaps more pronounced sibilance.