= HE-560 Enhancement Mod (v1.5) =

[Soundsgoodtome]

Had a gut feeling by holding out on that last bit of enhancing (mod 3). Looking forward to the silicone variety.

http://www.amazon.ca/Permatex-80050-Silicone-Adhesive-Sealant/dp/B0002UEPVI

Best part is that it is permanent until you don't want it to be, then it's as simple as prying the two surfaces apart with some elbow grease, and peeling the solid silicone off. In theory at least.

 

[jerg]

   
You think it might improve the sq at all? I'm thinking itll be a good way to widen soundstage - for the fact that its quite a bit deeper than the Focus Pads. Wonder if thatll mess up bass, make it more boomy or something. 

I know it will change the sq, probably quite a bit. For better or for worse? No idea.
 
Back years ago I compared LCD3 earpads against the older Hifiman earpads, and found the Audeze pads more light-sounding and lacking in bass impact, but more airy / neutral also. But that was on HE500s. It's up to you if you want to brave it and eat $100 to test what you wanna test.

 

[mandrake50]

Got the silicone glue today, jumped right in to try it. Really dig the results! This is a true perfect seal, unlike the double-sided tape method, and the bass impact/extension shows.

I took the chance and took some photos documenting this adhesion method, as well as photos for a few other changes / implementations I've done to my HE560s since the v1 mod was posted. Pretty busy this week but will write it up and append to first post guide, either this weekend or over next week.

Glad it worked for you.
I have not tried it yet for this application, but I have for many other things... gaskets on engines for one. It spreads and seals well... and comes off relatively easy.
The key is to not use too much... the less you use and still get good coverage, the less it gets where it shouldn't be. Also follow the directions that say to let it cure for 24 hours before stressing the joint at all.

 

[Zulkr9]

Does this mod work for the HE-500 

 

[nicholars]

For a simple mod to increase the sub bass (on the HE400i I am looking at getting) can you just add double sided sticky tape between the pads and cups to give a better seal and increase the bass? I have not used the HE400i yet but from reading reviews I will probably want to mod them to get more sub bass out of them if possible... But after my previous Jergmods on the HE400 fell apart (my fault not the mod lol) I would prefer to keep it as simple as possible, is it as simple as removing the pads, applying double sided tape and sticking them to the cups (like it was on the HE400)?

 

[ThurstonX]

  For a simple mod to increase the sub bass (on the HE400i I am looking at getting) can you just add double sided sticky tape between the pads and cups to give a better seal and increase the bass? I have not used the HE400i yet but from reading reviews I will probably want to mod them to get more sub bass out of them if possible... But after my previous Jergmods on the HE400 fell apart (my fault not the mod lol) I would prefer to keep it as simple as possible, is it as simple as removing the pads, applying double sided tape and sticking them to the cups (like it was on the HE400)?

 
I think one big part of the bass mod is filling the crescents in the mounting rings with something, either Creatology type foam or even the silicone people are talking about now.  I'd be careful with the latter.  I think it'd be worth trying the fill and stick mod.  I doubt it would ruin the sound to the point where you'd feel compelled to undo it, but it could be undone carefully without damaging the pads/mounting rings.
 
This assumes, of course, that the mounting rings are the newer design with those crescent-shaped gaps to fill.

 

[jerg]

I mean I guess it's feasible to rip out the "skeletal" mounting rings from the current hybrid pads, and glue in older mounting rings, but that'd be extremely frustrating to do. The earpad pleather lip is elastic and will not want to be reglued completely.

 

[jerg]

Ah what the hell, just spent a few hours revising the guide to version 1.5.0.
 
Figured I might as well do it sooner rather than later, wax on wax off, as they say.
 
 
The key differences between v1.5 and v1.0.1:
 
- shelf-liner discs now have central holes for the sake of treble
- putty used to enhance driver/cup seal under the baffles
- Focus-A pads instead of Focus pads for tonal reasons, also means no more tedious cutting out the tiny little damping holes yay!
- silicone glue instead of double-sided tape for a SUBSTANTIALLY better and more secure air-tight coupling between earpads and cups
- reinforced the notion of aluminum baffles
 
 
 
Enjoy!

 

[daltonlanny]

Very interesting mods.
Thanks Jerg!

 

[daltonlanny]

If anyone out there has a new pair of Focus A pads, or a pair of Focus A pads in great shape, that that would be willing to sell, please let me know.
Same goes for the aluminum baffle rings.
Thanks.

 

[manishex]

Thanks Jerg!
I will try the silicone seal on the he-400is, need to get the crescent foams first. When I tried using the shelf liner, I felt it was too bright for the he-400i although increased, hopefully the bass improvement and hole will balance it out more, still not sure whether to include it.

 

[Soundsgoodtome]

Where does one get the Alu baffles? Or is that just an idea atm?

 

[ThurstonX]

Where does one get the Alu baffles? Or is that just an idea atm?

 
http://head-direct.com/Products/?act=detail&id=238

 

[Soundsgoodtome]

Oh! Nice that Hifiman is providing mod parts now. Now if they can only bring the focus-a back!

 

[jerg]

Oh! Nice that Hifiman is providing mod parts now. Now if they can only bring the focus-a back!

My guess is that demand has been so high for the Focus-A pads that they misjudged its demand and ran out of stock.