Headphone case sources? (Looking for a nice case)

[414353]

I'm about to pull the trigger on a pair of what I call "investment" level headphones (AKG K712pro) and I would like a nice case to store them in. I'm looking for something nice, but inexpensive (south of $40 let's say). I don't want ones like on Amazon as they look cheap and too small.
A nice foam-filled aluminum case or similar would be more to my liking. (It can come with or without foam) Anyone have any ideas?

 

[ProtegeManiac]

Not at that price - I searched for "padded aluminum case" on Amazon and the ones below or near enough $40 might not fit the earcups, some might but you'd probably have to cut out the padding nearly if not all the way through to the hard case. Larger ones aren't just deeper, they're also larger in all dimensions, making them bulky overall.
 
Anyways go check them out, I might be overestimating the diameter of the earcups.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0045ERPVE/ref=twister_B005K6FGTO?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
 
Anyway, is this for carrying it around? Those cases are designed for that so a larger case can also fit an amp.

 

[414353]

Thanks. Yes, the size of the earcups is a concern as for fit. 
I should wait until my Takstar Pro 80s arrive to 1) see if they really come with a case and 2) get measurements of said case to see if the AKGs would fit or not and go from there.
 
No, I'm not really concerned with carrying them around, I don't know when I would need to do that. I'm concerned about safe storage for very expensive headphones like the AKG K712. (Very expensive to me anyway). I don't use headphones often so hanging them so they can collect dust or fall off of something to a hard floor is not such a great idea.

 

[ProtegeManiac]

If it's for storage and protection from dust and impact, you have to take into account that you can't put it inside the box right after use otherwise just a single drop of sweat can turn it into a Petri dish. At minimum the bacteria can multiply and you end up with a funky smelling headphone; leave it in that dark but now moist box interior long enough and it will be really rank, with fungi or mold growing. Dust is a far better alternative compared to that.
 
As for impact protection, as long as you keep the cables out of the way and whatever surface they'll be on is either dedicated just to the audio gear or at worst on the same table as your computer - which in either case you'd be careful with, and not one where you would haphazardly toss stuff onto or you have a bag on and swing around and drag something off it - I don't really see how it can just get knocked off the table. 
 
Of course, what you can do is get a padded box, set it on the table with the top open and resting against the wall,and then just put the headphones in its slot after use. It can't easily get knocked over since it's basically like being in a trench, and then close it only after some time to let moisture evaporate first. Or not close it at all, anyways dust is something you can clean off with a small cloth and a hand vacuum, compared to mold that at minimum would waste the earpads. AFAIK AKG sells those asymmetrical earpads for $45 each.

 

[414353]

  If it's for storage and protection from dust and impact, you have to take into account that you can't put it inside the box right after use otherwise just a single drop of sweat can turn it into a Petri dish. At minimum the bacteria can multiply and you end up with a funky smelling headphone; leave it in that dark but now moist box interior long enough and it will be really rank, with fungi or mold growing. Dust is a far better alternative compared to that.
 
As for impact protection, as long as you keep the cables out of the way and whatever surface they'll be on is either dedicated just to the audio gear or at worst on the same table as your computer - which in either case you'd be careful with, and not one where you would haphazardly toss stuff onto or you have a bag on and swing around and drag something off it - I don't really see how it can just get knocked off the table. 
 
Of course, what you can do is get a padded box, set it on the table with the top open and resting against the wall,and then just put the headphones in its slot after use. It can't easily get knocked over since it's basically like being in a trench, and then close it only after some time to let moisture evaporate first. Or not close it at all, anyways dust is something you can clean off with a small cloth and a hand vacuum, compared to mold that at minimum would waste the earpads. AFAIK AKG sells those asymmetrical earpads for $45 each.

While I never wear headphones when it's warm and I'm only good for 15 minutes max at one sitting (I am trying to increase that out of necessity). Even though we are talking about velour ear pads as well, that also does not mean there would never be sweat or anything. You bring up a very very good point. (I hate leather, vinyl or whatever it is. First thing I'm doing with my Takstars is swapping the ear pads).
 
As for ear pads for the AKG K712, one can get them on Amazon for far less than AKG. 
 
I'm using headphones with my stereo systems, I don't use my PC as a source or for listening to music. So, I guess I don't need to worry about them getting knocked around or abused. It's just that they are investment level cans to me and I want good protection. I'm not going to worry about dust. I may hardly use them because they are so expensive.

 

[VGoghs earfrmsc]

A cheapish HP stand from e-bay and HP cover to protect them, might be worth considering.

 

[ProtegeManiac]

Quote:

Originally Posted by solitary man /img/forum/go_quote.gif

 

As for ear pads for the AKG K712, one can get them on Amazon for far less than AKG. 

 

Just make sure they're authentic AKG earpads and not some random replacements that just fit. Earpads not only affect the sound, like how worn out and squished earpads boost bass and treble on the HD600, but in the case of the K7-- AKGs (except for the K7XX, which uses the K612 earpads I think), the earpads have a specific shape. They are thicker towards the rear to position the drivers away from firing smack straight into the ear canals, which apart from each ear not hearing the other channel is the source of the lack of imaging in headphones. They also angle the drivers to mimic the toe-in angle of speakers.

 

I did a quick search and Amazon doesn't even show any results for the authentic earpads, while the replacements are thinner all around with just a hint of being thicker on one side. That could just be a trick with the image though, as I ordered generic Beyer earpads that were asymmetrical in the photo but arrived symmetrical. Even if they were asymmetrical front to rear, they could be asymmetrical left to right (ie the two earpads might not have the exact same shape).

 

K701 earpads

 

 

AKG replacement earpads on Amazon

https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_2?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=AKG+earpad&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3AAKG+earpad

 

Even the mounting mechanism is different. The AKG K7-- series uses a plastic clip system, the replacement shows a flexible sleeve that wraps around a lip on the earcup, which is what many Beyers use. Not which one the K27- and K24- uses but I'm going to guess these were mainly designed for those given the thickness (or lack thereof). Basically putting these earpads on the K7-- headphones can be a lot like putting narrower wheels and cheaper rubber made for a ricer on a Corvette because the run-flat Goodyears (or comparable 275-wide tyres) are expensive.

 

 

Here's the relative position of a headphone that angles the driver vs one that doesn't. Black line has angled drivers, kind of like how one positions speakers; red lines are smack over the ear canals, and you don't position speakers like they're outflanking pincers of Panzer divisions. Other headphones like Beyerdynamic's T1 and T5P, and Sennheiser's HD800 and HD700, have a chassis designed to angle the drivers and therefore won't need to rely on earpads which are on the front line of wear and tear (just like with tyres as in the analogy above).

 

 

Here's another example of an asymmetrical earpad, I think from an Audezee:

 

 

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by VGoghs earfrmsc /img/forum/go_quote.gif

A cheapish HP stand from e-bay and HP cover to protect them, might be worth considering.

 

He's already crossed them off his list due to the likelihood of knocking them over. I avoid it too since I keep my bags in my bedroom where the audio system is, and even if I'm packing stuff that's normally kept in another room, I bring it there to pack. One careless swing with a packed backpack or bike messenger and I'll knock it off. Actually happened with my Grados on a banana hanger. Barring something like the Omega and then taped or blutacked to the table, the clumsy should try not to use stands. If anything, there's that Sennheiser headphone hanger, but you need to drill the wall (or table) to screw them in.

 

[414353]

 

 

Just make sure they're authentic AKG earpads and not some random replacements that just fit. Earpads not only affect the sound, like how worn out and squished earpads boost bass and treble on the HD600, but in the case of the K7-- AKGs (except for the K7XX, which uses the K612 earpads I think), the earpads have a specific shape. They are thicker towards the rear to position the drivers away from firing smack straight into the ear canals, which apart from each ear not hearing the other channel is the source of the lack of imaging in headphones. They also angle the drivers to mimic the toe-in angle of speakers.

 

I did a quick search and Amazon doesn't even show any results for the authentic earpads, while the replacements are thinner all around with just a hint of being thicker on one side. That could just be a trick with the image though, as I ordered generic Beyer earpads that were asymmetrical in the photo but arrived symmetrical. Even if they were asymmetrical front to rear, they could be asymmetrical left to right (ie the two earpads might not have the exact same shape).

 

K701 earpads

 

Even the mounting mechanism is different. The AKG K7-- series uses a plastic clip system, the replacement shows a flexible sleeve that wraps around a lip on the earcup, which is what many Beyers use. Not which one the K27- and K24- uses but I'm going to guess these were mainly designed for those given the thickness (or lack thereof). Basically putting these earpads on the K7-- headphones can be a lot like putting narrower wheels and cheaper rubber made for a ricer on a Corvette because the run-flat Goodyears (or comparable 275-wide tyres) are expensive.

 

 

Here's the relative position of a headphone that angles the driver vs one that doesn't. Black line has angled drivers, kind of like how one positions speakers; red lines are smack over the ear canals, and you don't position speakers like they're outflanking pincers of Panzer divisions. Other headphones like Beyerdynamic's T1 and T5P, and Sennheiser's HD800 and HD700, have a chassis designed to angle the drivers and therefore won't need to rely on earpads which are on the front line of wear and tear (just like with tyres as in the analogy above).

 

 

He's already crossed them off his list due to the likelihood of knocking them over. I avoid it too since I keep my bags in my bedroom where the audio system is, and even if I'm packing stuff that's normally kept in another room, I bring it there to pack. One careless swing with a packed backpack or bike messenger and I'll knock it off. Actually happened with my Grados on a banana hanger. Barring something like the Omega and then taped or blutacked to the table, the clumsy should try not to use stands. If anything, there's that Sennheiser headphone hanger, but you need to drill the wall (or table) to screw them in.

Yes, I learned about the angle of the drivers on the AKGs. I guess ear pads are a lot more complicated than they look. All I know is that I absolutely refuse to pay $90 for ear pads. Of course, I don't know that I would ever need to replace them in the first place anyway on the AKG K712s.
Uh oh, I just double checked on the ear pads and my bad, there are no replacement ear pads for the k712 on Amazon (I might have been thinking of something else). Also can't get them from AKG because there is no service at AKG (I've checked and tested). One can't even bring up a dealer list, the website simply does not work and they don't care.
Looks like I need to re-think purchasing the K712. Might not be a good choice after all in spite of how it graphs and such. (I was thinking it would be a nice upgrade from my Senn HD518s, but maybe not).

 

[ProtegeManiac]

Quote:

Originally Posted by solitary man /img/forum/go_quote.gif

Yes, I learned about the angle of the drivers on the AKGs. I guess ear pads are a lot more complicated than they look. All I know is that I absolutely refuse to pay $90 for ear pads. Of course, I don't know that I would ever need to replace them in the first place anyway on the AKG K712s.

 

Earpads are the first to break down in properly used headphones since they're the ones most exposed to wear - compression primarily and then there's moisture. The headband design on the AKGs however minimizes the effects of compression since the self-adjusting headband assures there's really no way to wear them too tight, unlike what some do for the HD6x0. Still, they will lose their shape at some point, and will then need to be replaced.

 

That said I've been alternating between two sets of HD600 earpads and prolonged the life of the older set - I wash one, use the other for a month or so, then wash that one and put another set in. My old earpads are nearly as thick as the newer pair but the fabric is now tearing.

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by solitary man /img/forum/go_quote.gif

 

Uh oh, I just double checked on the ear pads and my bad, there are no replacement ear pads for the k712 on Amazon (I might have been thinking of something else). 

 

K701 and K702 earpads are available from Headphone.com - it's likely they might carry the K712s once they're available. It's likely the K712 earpads aren't widely available yet as it's a newer model and their priority is to put the earpads on the units leaving the factory rather than put the earpads up for sale now at a time when none of the owners of the K712 would have already put in a lot of wear on them.

 

BTW they're on sale so you might want to grab some K701 pads as spares. It might be because they're stopping production of the K701 and K702 and after this earpads will only be available through AKG, with Headphone.com stocking Kx12-series earpads. Just make sure to check in the K712 thread if the mounting system is identical otherwise they might fit but clip positions might put the fat side of the pads elsewhere.

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by solitary man /img/forum/go_quote.gif

Also can't get them from AKG because there is no service at AKG (I've checked and tested). One can't even bring up a dealer list, the website simply does not work and they don't care.

 

Yeah it's really nothing like Sennheiser's website where you can order parts - it got to a point where some guy ordered every part of the HE60 and then assembled an entirely new unit (with no serial number on the headphone itself of course). From what I've seen so far in the forums, if you email AKG, they'll direct you to your local/regional distributor and then you'll be at their mercy. If you happen to live in the worst places you're better off ordering from other sites, as long as they're original earpads.

 

To be fair to AKG though despite how convenient Sennheiser's website is there are still distributor jurisdictions that are in play and if you're out of luck you're still at their mercy. I couldn't order earpads from the local distributor, and just trying to talk to them will make me tear my hair out or stomp over to their office. My first attempt: I called up, they said they didn't have them, but I can order and they'll have them in the next crate...which at that point they have no idea when it'll be coming. Second attempt just last year: I saw Sennheiser opened up concept stores, so I asked there, and they redirected me back to the distro's new office; called them up to ask, and the guy who answered just seemed discombobulated at why somebody would be looking for earpads that he barely muttered that he'd go ask someone else; seconds later I heard the *click that ended the call. I called again to give whoever answers a piece of my mind, but nobody did, making it seem all the more deliberate.

 

How did I get earpads? I'm lucky enough to have a brother in California who asked a friend to carry them in his luggage, which I ordered from Sennheiser USA's website. I did exactly the same thing a couple of months ago with the headband pads. And to think that after my first attempt they kept saying I should contact my local distro...well, ours is a joke, and while I mentioned this to a rep from Senn SG, I'm not sure how far they've gone to make the local distro work real product support. Heck I just hate the local distro enough (really nothing like Shure's local distro who even sent the tips packet to a store near my house, and actually labelled with my name so nobody else can get it) I didn't bother checking that when I needed headband pads (of course, that I was told somebody was flying in a week before their flight made me go with the fastest method).

 

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by solitary man /img/forum/go_quote.gif

 

Looks like I need to re-think purchasing the K712. Might not be a good choice after all in spite of how it graphs and such. (I was thinking it would be a nice upgrade from my Senn HD518s, but maybe not).

 

Well to be fair to AKG if you live in North America for example you have Headphone.com, and AFAIK the only real difference is that you have to call product support because you can't just order from the website. Otherwise there's Headphone.com, even if you might have to slap on K702 earpads instead. Either way it won't be a totally crappy distributor nor would you deal with customs import fees and international shipping.

 

Also, look at it this way - compare it to my decision and how wrong I was looking back on it now in terms of product support. I was choosing between the AKG K701 and Sennheiser HD600 before, and I went with the latter because I found a barely used unit for under $200 and I thought, $60 for the pair of earpads would be cheaper than $90. What I didn't take into account were:

 

1. I'd put more wear into the HD600 earpads due to compression, as I didn't realize until one year after that it's alright to bend the metal headband frame outwards to relax the clamp, especially at the bottom of the earpads. The AKG self adjusting headband basically ensures you cant wear them too tight unless your head is really huge, and I've only seen one pair in a meet that had really worn out pads. At worst, a JBL showroom here had the pads on backwards and I fixed it for them.

 

2. The Sennheiser distributor sucks (see above) and while they handle their pro audio gear also they also handle other electronics. The AKG distributor specializes in pro audio products - they run a chain of pro audio stores here and they carry brands like JBL, Ibanez, Xoom, CryBaby, Neutrik, Klotz, Amphenol, (I actually buy plugs and custom cables from there), and here's the clincher - SHURE (see above).

 

If I really thought all that through at the time, I'd have just paid $400 for the brand new K701 at the pro audio store just for the product support, since I can just drive over to a dealer (or take the train direct to their HQ) to have the cable repaired when necessary (K701 had a fixed cable; HD600, K702, etc have removable cables). Plus it was a choice between an easy to stain, might stain yellow white vs tacky blue marble. Don't get me wrong, I love the HD600, but I really hate how the local Sennheiser distributor handled product support.

 

[414353]

Hmm, Did not think about tight fit. My HD518s don't get tight on me, so there would be no issue regarding that with the K712s.
 
Odd that the pads are not around seeing that the K712 has been out for 2 years now, at least. as far as I know.
Yes, I think I need to call the folks at Headphone.com and ask about the pads. I think the k712 is a different mounting system then the 701s and 702s, but I need to verify. If the mount is not different then it may be wise to pick up a set of the 701 pads or something.
 
That said though, I am still re-thinking my choice of getting the K712s. Since they are so questionable to me due to lack of support from the manufacture and such, I would not mind finding something similar, if I can that is less expensive.

 

[ProtegeManiac]

Quotem

  Hmm, Did not think about tight fit. My HD518s don't get tight on me, so there would be no issue regarding that with the K712s.
 
Odd that the pads are not around seeing that the K712 has been out for 2 years now, at least. as far as I know.
Yes, I think I need to call the folks at Headphone.com and ask about the pads. I think the k712 is a different mounting system then the 701s and 702s, but I need to verify. If the mount is not different then it may be wise to pick up a set of the 701 pads or something.
 
That said though, I am still re-thinking my choice of getting the K712s. Since they are so questionable to me due to lack of support from the manufacture and such, I would not mind finding something similar, if I can that is less expensive.

 
There's the HE400i, earpads are cheaper too although I dont think they're angled (hence the price - easier to manufacture). Response is flatter from 1khz down to 30hz, the flattest in the price range (and really only other HiFiMans can have something similar) although the original HE400 has a problematic response elsewhere. There's a graph of the HE400i elsewhere but it's hard comparing them if they aren't taken with the same set-up and with the same compensation values, much less superimposing them all onto one graph as needed.
 

 

[414353]

Yes, the HI 400s are less expensive than the AKG 712 and from what I have read they sound pretty good.
That said though, I just spoke with the folks at Headphone.com and was put at ease about the pads for the k712. While it is true that there are no pads available and the mount is the same for the 712 as the 701 and 702 the pads are entirely different and could effect the sound greatly.
I'm also told though that I should be able to get at least 2 years out of the pads (more in my case). They also agree about AKG's lack of support and how useless they are. They also do not understand why there are no pads available for the 712s or even the 812s as both have been out for at least 2 years or more. Oh well.
 
Anyway, I feel better about the K712s now and based on graphs I would be happier with them sound-wise and that is the most important.
They also told me that leaving them lying on a table is not good. They suggest a headphone stand (omega style being best choice due to the headband system on the AKGs) and a light cloth cover or something if one wants.

 

[ProtegeManiac]

  Yes, the HI 400s are less expensive than the AKG 712 and from what I have read they sound pretty good.
That said though, I just spoke with the folks at Headphone.com and was put at ease about the pads for the k712. While it is true that there are no pads available and the mount is the same for the 712 as the 701 and 702 the pads are entirely different and could effect the sound greatly.
I'm also told though that I should be able to get at least 2 years out of the pads (more in my case). They also agree about AKG's lack of support and how useless they are. They also do not understand why there are no pads available for the 712s or even the 812s as both have been out for at least 2 years or more. Oh well.
 
Anyway, I feel better about the K712s now and based on graphs I would be happier with them sound-wise and that is the most important.
They also told me that leaving them lying on a table is not good. They suggest a headphone stand (omega style being best choice due to the headband system on the AKGs) and a light cloth cover or something if one wants.

 
Good to hear you can get the pads without much more trouble compared unless compared to Sennheiser's distributor websites. As for the stand, doesn't the interior packaging function as one? AFAIK the K701 came with a silver stand on the bottom of the box which doubled as interior packaging on that side, and the K702 had the same I think (except light silver matches white better).
 

 

[414353]

   
Good to hear you can get the pads without much more trouble compared unless compared to Sennheiser's distributor websites. As for the stand, doesn't the interior packaging function as one? AFAIK the K701 came with a silver stand on the bottom of the box which doubled as interior packaging on that side, and the K702 had the same I think (except light silver matches white better).
 

No, from the unboxings I've seen, the K712 Pro comes in a cheap cardboard box with the headphones in a plastic bag and a cheap so-called transport bag, not much better than the plastic bag and that's it. Very surprising for what is considered to be 1) a flagship model and 2) high-end headphones. The $70 Takstar Pro 80s come with their own nice high end case and a bag and everything. One would think high-end, flagship headphones would be treated with more respect. They could have at least done the stand like they did for the 702. I mean considering the cost of the K712s, I would expect them to be treated better.

 

[ProtegeManiac]

Quote:

Originally Posted by solitary man /img/forum/go_quote.gif

No, from the unboxings I've seen, the K712 Pro comes in a cheap cardboard box with the headphones in a plastic bag and a cheap so-called transport bag, not much better than the plastic bag and that's it. Very surprising for what is considered to be 1) a flagship model and 2) high-end headphones. The $70 Takstar Pro 80s come with their own nice high end case and a bag and everything. One would think high-end, flagship headphones would be treated with more respect. They could have at least done the stand like they did for the 702. I mean considering the cost of the K712s, I would expect them to be treated better.

Yeah plus you can remove the cable on those, although it wasn't really an issue on the K701 anyway. Looks like you'll just have to get a case. One other option though - you can just make one. Since you don't need a lid you can make one out of wood, kind of like a cigar box, but it won't need to be deep enough to fit the K712 - just enough to have some foam lining in it and still be deep enough that you can't accidentally swipe the headphones off the table. Line the sides too in case you do swipe it by accident.

 

As for the finish you can just use spray paint since it's the easiest, but of course if you can apply varnish then it'll look a bit better (heck maybe even line it with velvet or something over the foam bass).