= Hifiman Regrilling Mod =

[rgmffn]

@mysticstryk & coletrain104 - I forgot to ask you guys which design model you have. I have the newer design with the 2.5mm plug and no backing plate on the magnets. It's my understanding that these have a little better soundstage. If you have the earlier release design, then this dust cloth removal mod may get you slightly different results. The backing plate being the biggest culprit, I'd say. 

 

[mysticstryk]

 
@mysticstryk & coletrain104 - I forgot to ask you guys which design model you have. I have the newer design with the 2.5mm plug and no backing plate on the magnets. It's my understanding that these have a little better soundstage. If you have the earlier release design, then this dust cloth removal mod may get you slightly different results. The backing plate being the biggest culprit, I'd say. 
 

 
I have the newer revision.  That is why I'm trying to get the same grills from Hifiman, just so I can paint them.  Then I'm going to get a different colored dust cover.  Just want to personalize my 400i a little bit.  The only thing I'm doing that will change the sound a little is modifying some HM5 angled pads to fit.
 
BTW, Hifiman got back with me.  For a pair of grills and the plastic rings that come attached to their pads it costs $26 shipped.

 

[Guidostrunk]

Check out Organza fabric on ebay. Makes great cloth for grills, and comes in a great selection of colors.

I have the newer revision.  That is why I'm trying to get the same grills from Hifiman, just so I can paint them.  Then I'm going to get a different colored dust cover.  Just want to personalize my 400i a little bit.  The only thing I'm doing that will change the sound a little is modifying some HM5 angled pads to fit.

BTW, Hifiman got back with me.  For a pair of grills and the plastic rings that come attached to their pads it costs $26 shipped.

 

[mysticstryk]

Check out Organza fabric on ebay. Makes great cloth for grills, and comes in a great selection of colors.

 
I was actually looking at that exact type of fabric at walmart.  Probably cheaper on ebay though.

 

[The Third]

Question; Why when the HE-400 is so engaging people decide to mod it to make to make it more airy and open. Why not buy an open headphone instead of ruining the engagement of the HE400?

 

[mysticstryk]

Question; Why when the HE-400 is so engaging people decide to mod it to make to make it more airy and open. Why not buy an open headphone instead of ruining the engagement of the HE400?

 
So what kind of headphone sounds like a modded 400?  Probably an impossible question to accurately answer.  Some prefer the slight changes that come from a mod over the stock headphone.
 
MrSpeakers and ZMF have made a business out of modding one particular headphone. (and many would say the modded versions are FAR superior to stock)

 

[Astrogoth]

Question; Why when the HE-400 is so engaging people decide to mod it to make to make it more airy and open. Why not buy an open headphone instead of ruining the engagement of the HE400?

 
 
Because we can?

 

[Razzcal]

So I just recently bought a pair of HE400S headphones, coudn't resist at the price they were being offered at a local electronics store as they were permanently ditching the model from their inventory Also oredered a pair of FocusPads, and will probably do this mod too.
 
I've been trying to figure out a good mesh to use for the grills and stumbled upong the InspiredLaserDesign fan grills, which I assumed wouldn't work. But now that I've seen some people on this thread use them (with awesome looking results), I'm considering those. However, I noticed that none of the headphones with InspiredLaserDesign grills had the plastic mounting ring in place. So I'm wondering is it because the grill is too thick to fit under the mounting ring. Perhaps someone who has actually used them could shed some light on this?

 

[Razzcal]

I noticed that none of the headphones with InspiredLaserDesign grills had the plastic mounting ring in place. So I'm wondering is it because the grill is too thick to fit under the mounting ring. Perhaps someone who has actually used them could shed some light on this?

 
Okay, so seems I didn't read the thread carefully enough, since upon closer reading I found that it is indeed the case that the grills are too thick to use with the plastic mounting ring. So I'll rephrase my question. Do the guys who have used those InspiredLaserDesign grills think that it would be possible to file it down around the edges so as to fit under the ring, or would that make it too fragile? Also how thin must the grill be to fit under the mounting ring?

 

[Guidostrunk]

They're as thick as the depth of the cup where the stock ring fits. When inserted, they're perfectly flush with the back of the cup.
If you do the fan grill mod, make sure you take your time grinding down the ears on the grills. It's easy to over grind and they won't stay in the opening.
When I did mine , I used the stock ring as a template for the fan grill , to make marks on the tabs, and used a dremel for the grinding process. Total time to do both grills was about 20min. Here's what my 500's looked like before I sold them, when finished. I also stretched, and hot glued black sheer material on the back side.

So I just recently bought a pair of HE400S headphones, coudn't resist at the price they were being offered at a local electronics store as they were permanently ditching the model from their inventory Also oredered a pair of FocusPads, and will probably do this mod too.

I've been trying to figure out a good mesh to use for the grills and stumbled upong the InspiredLaserDesign fan grills, which I assumed wouldn't work. But now that I've seen some people on this thread use them (with awesome looking results), I'm considering those. However, I noticed that none of the headphones with InspiredLaserDesign grills had the plastic mounting ring in place. So I'm wondering is it because the grill is too thick to fit under the mounting ring. Perhaps someone who has actually used them could shed some light on this?

 

[Guidostrunk]

You would literally have to file the edge to approximately a 32nd to a 64th of an inch. Basically the thickness of the existing mesh grill. I'm sure with patience, and some carpentry skills, and proper tools, it could be done.

Okay, so seems I didn't read the thread carefully enough, since upon closer reading I found that it is indeed the case that the grills are too thick to use with the plastic mounting ring. So I'll rephrase my question. Do the guys who have used those InspiredLaserDesign grills think that it would be possible to file it down around the edges so as to fit under the ring, or would that make it too fragile? Also how thin must the grill be to fit under the mounting ring?

 

[Razzcal]

Okay, thanks.. Maybe I'll give it a shot one day, probably try a basic dollarstore mesh of some sort first though

 

[Oregonian]

   
Okay, so seems I didn't read the thread carefully enough, since upon closer reading I found that it is indeed the case that the grills are too thick to use with the plastic mounting ring. So I'll rephrase my question. Do the guys who have used those InspiredLaserDesign grills think that it would be possible to file it down around the edges so as to fit under the ring, or would that make it too fragile? Also how thin must the grill be to fit under the mounting ring?

Are you talking about using the original stock grill AND an inspired designs grill?  If so, keep in mind the main reason we are using the ID grills is for the openness of the sound, not for looks.  The looks is just a nice side benefit.  Some gents have gotten some Organza (think that's the name) fabric and you could glue it to the back of the ID grill and likely still fit in the mount location. 

 

[Razzcal]

 
Are you talking about using the original stock grill AND an inspired designs grill?  If so, keep in mind the main reason we are using the ID grills is for the openness of the sound, not for looks.  The looks is just a nice side benefit.  Some gents have gotten some Organza (think that's the name) fabric and you could glue it to the back of the ID grill and likely still fit in the mount location. 

That's not what I meant. I'll naturally be taking the stock grill out, but I would like to keep the mounting ring that clips on to the housing and keeps the grill in place. Apparently with the InspiredLaserDesign grills you can't use the mounting ring, and have to rely on friction alone to keep them in place, at least unless you file off most of the thickness of the grill at its edges. I'd really prefer to have the mounting ring in place since it keeps the grill in more securely and makes it easier to make the finishing look good. So I'll probably stick to thin metal grills, at least for starters.

 

[Razzcal]

And I toatlly agree that the cool looks are just a bonus, not the main point. So I probably won't bother with the effort required for the ID grills. They just caught my eye as a good-looking and relatively low-cost option. Maybe I'll try them out some day if I feel like I have extra time on my hands and want to try out my skills and patience