[Phenom24]

Great news!
Sometimes the most satisfying fixes are the easiest, and the least expected. I agree, 3.5mm would be the best option, just because you'll have the widest choice, and best range of prices.
But the weekend is fast approaching, so go and make some time to enjoy your 'new' headphones!
I'm pretty sure there are guides in this thread how to convert from SMC to 3.5mm. If not, Google would be able to help.

thank you very much! and balanced cables can also be connected to 3.5mm?

 

[SeanHasAPairOfDuals]

thank you very much! and balanced cables can also be connected to 3.5mm?

No doubt wiser heads than me will be quick to correct me here, I think what you want are 3.5mm XLR plugs. The XLR will work with your balanced cable, and be 3.5mm.
What I have no idea about is how to attach the XLR plug to your balanced cable, and then converting your plugs in the headphones themselves.
I'm happy enough with the SMC setup I have, I'm not a teenager with perfect hearing anymore, so that sort of work (as minor as it might be for others to do) is just too little return for the very high risk of me breaking stuff.

 

[Sebbai]

(I've converted 3 pairs of older SMC HIFIMAN to 3.5 mm)

3.5mm connectors, requires the least amount of drilling. The miniXLR will be a tight fit, avalable surface inside the driver housing is the issue.

Every cable can be converted to balanced operation, just replace the connector for a balanced connector (4-pin XLR, 4,4mm or 2.5mm are the most common).
Every driver (except electrostatic headphones, STAX) has 2 connection points, one for (+) signal and one for (-) signal. So that means there is 4 wires inside every headphone cable.

I used this on my HE6


https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4001063855295.html

 

[bagwell359]

(I've converted 3 pairs of older SMC HIFIMAN to 3.5 mm)

3.5mm connectors, requires the least amount of drilling. The miniXLR will be a tight fit, avalable surface inside the driver housing is the issue.

Every cable can be converted to balanced operation, just replace the connector for a balanced connector (4-pin XLR, 4,4mm or 2.5mm are the most common).
Every driver (except electrostatic headphones, STAX) has 2 connection points, one for (+) signal and one for (-) signal. So that means there is 4 wires inside every headphone cable.

I used this on my HE6


https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4001063855295.html

What ga are the wires you used?

 

[Sebbai]

What ga are the wires you used?

I’m not sure they are pure silver cables donated from a customer of mine. But really you can use whatever AWG you’d like, the 3.5mm connector I linked above have good spacing between the solder points

EDIT: Considering you’d use a standard gauge for headphones, that said I think HE6 and HE500 do deserve a good gauge, and cable to deliver the current/voltage they so desperately need

 

[bagwell359]

I’m not sure they are pure silver cables donated from a customer of mine. But really you can use whatever AWG you’d like, the 3.5mm connector I linked above have good spacing between the solder points

EDIT: Considering you’d use a standard gauge for headphones, that said I think HE6 and HE500 do deserve a good gauge, and cable to deliver the current/voltage they so desperately need

I figure 18 would be the biggest Stock is probably 24 or 26 I would think Depending on the dielectric yours look ~22

Thanks

 

[tyk103]

24/96 Hifiman Arya Organic

 

[r343]

Installed Utopia pads and never heard HE500 with this level of clarity and imaging precision, quite impressive, bass focus tilts more to sub-bass than mid compared to focuspads.

Later when i've have time will add dust-proof mesh to pads too.

 

[Phenom24]

Hello, please tell me if a few hairs got on the membrane or other debris, then this can cause changes in the sound?

 

[Nimzerz]

Hello, please tell me if a few hairs got on the membrane or other debris, then this can cause changes in the sound?

Yes, I have had several hairs get in mine before and they always resulted in some buzzing at some frequencies. It was most noticeable on tracks that used instruments creating relatively pure tones like synthesizers or pianos. It is possible to get them out but you have to be extremely careful and use non-magnetic tools when doing so. I got all of mine out without damaging anything.

 

[Phenom24]

Good day! please help me choose ear pads for the 500, you previously posted options from zmf here, but there is no way to buy them in Ukraine, but I found several options in the country, has anyone had experience with them (I will show them in the photo)?

 

[Phenom24]

does it have no vibrations and rustling from the hair, and it does not affect other aspects of the sound?

 

[leeperry]

Installed Utopia pads and never heard HE500 with this level of clarity and imaging precision, quite impressive, bass focus tilts more to sub-bass than mid compared to focuspads.

Later when i've have time will add dust-proof mesh to pads too.

SMC connectors are your hugest SQ bottleneck here by very far as these weren't designed for analog audio, slapping mega pricey pads on SMC is a total waste IME.

 

[r343]

SMC connectors are your hugest SQ bottleneck here by very far as these weren't designed for analog audio, slapping mega pricey pads on SMC is a total waste IME.

Those pads are used ones with some QC issues, did not buy them HE500 but instead of disposing them did the mod, anyways i think they improve sound compared to stock.

I don't like SMC connectors but haven't had courage or tools to change them to 3.5mm or else.

 

[bagwell359]

So I went today with a few headphones to sell including the 500. Well, it didn't so I started taking it around vs a LCD-5, ZMF Caldera, HEK Stealth, Audeze MX-4, and a few dynamics. I'm not going to say it beat any of them, but it was also outclassed by none of them. I'd take any of them, but having them along with, not instead of these. One fellow said he rued the day he sold his.

So until one of us is gone, it stays.