[DynamicEars]

That's good to hear but I want to know the stem size, too. Are they 4mm, 4.5 mm, 5mm or 5,5mm wide at the top?

5mm. I just measure them. Nozzle grill replacement size = 4.7mm if you are interested with the mod

 

[gergely999]

5mm. I just measure them. Nozzle grill replacement size = 4.7mm if you are interested with the mod

is there any glue behind the grill?
or just a take the grill out, take out the cotton, put back the grill movement?

 

[DynamicEars]

is there any glue behind the grill?
or just a take the grill out, take out the cotton, put back the grill movement?

There is residue on the side of the grill, you can take off the cloth mesh but it will be non reversible. I suggest to buy replacement grill from aliexpress and keep the original grill so you can put them back as original state, like what i did.

 

[hydroid]

Alright enough with the joke already!
They are the H40 themselves ~ The modded ones!

I just keep using the H40 (its close to half a year by now) and somehow still realize how good the H40 tuning is with that grande presentation, the coherence and the big soundstage.
As i wrote last time with my impressions, that the bass is a little big for me, and somehow a bit bloated, just a little bit with mid bass hump. And details are not their strength (they are quite good but not spectacular like their soundstage)
Actually i have been think about this sometimes ago, but i didn't bother and let the day pass.
So 2 days ago, out of my curiousity, I cant help it, since the nozzle grill holes also smaller than usual, they tend to be blocked someday.
Short story, I open up the grill out of my curiousity.

lift up the grill with needle from the edge



And... i found out that there is a mesh damper stick on behind the metal nozzle grill. Believe it or not, this kind of mesh damper is effecting sound more than cables, or eartips.
I know they intended to tame the harshness, to smoothen trebles and high mids but from my experiences, the bad side effects is shadowing the good effects.
This kind of damper, the mesh cloth made bass frequencies bloated, because they reduce air flow as much, the mesh cloth blocked the air way. Think of tape the vent holes or blocking the entire nozzle. Bass will become bigger, but bloated, boomy.
They really need to stop using this kind of damper. Or at least, don't block entire surface, make the damper like donut shape, leaving the center portion uncovered.

Learn from big boys please, JVC and Sony how they make details yet clear, smooth, and precise. They are using sponge, from the cheapo MH755 until top end M7/M9, I guess same with Z1R too.
JVC does it different way, take a look on FDX1 filters, yes a rolled cotton on side of the nozzle, that is their secret damper. Main point is don't ever block the entire surface, never block the air.
This is not my first time, Been doing this to a lot IEMs, particularly with similar mesh dampers.
THe BQEYZ Spring 1 (see my Spring 1 review), various KZs (if you want it to be mentioned, but they need serious other damper), BLON BL-03 (see BLON thread).
Even the BQEYZ themselves finally take the suggestion, and Spring 2 is born, without mesh cloth.

there is a mesh cloth damper behind


Then I changed the grill with spare grill nozzle, the 4.7mm net grill is way to go. I would using cut of sponge or cotton if they are go wild (harsh).
5 minutes tricks change your $200 IEMs sounded like $500 ones, goes from $300 sounds. Seriously.
I was scared how good the H40 in their full potential, the mesh cloth hold theirs.
HOLY MOLY!!! i was expecting some upgrades, i can guess on its clarity, and maybe slight tightness in bass, but they go far beyond my expectation!!

left : after grill mod, right : original grill (small holes and mesh cloth under the grill, bad airflow)


+++Bass is 1 of the best bass now in their class, that sub bass focused, mid bass tightness and speed, they are very agile and fast. Great rumbles and texture and very very clean. Winning point is here. The quantity is reduce a little bit so basshead please be warned,
but they go from bloated quantity to great quality bass, with very good proportion between sub bass and mid bass, no more mid bass bloat. You have to hear them by yourself, this bass section is the major improvement you can get with this mod.

++clarity. definitely become much clearer sounds, close your eyes, guitar strings are there few steps from you.

++coherence and tuning. Tuning become more proportion, its like Blessing 2 tuning based on FR, with bit uplift subbass still with their decent note weight, more balance, less shouty upper mids but more highs extension

+speed. faster transient, catching up every single notes, precisely, handles busy tracks better.

+details. Add more of micro details, not quite a jump but definitely better than original with mesh cloth.

+soundstage. Same width, or maybe slightly bigger but only a hair differences, but they added depth and sounded more natural yet airy

++imaging. Imaging become much more precise and sharp in a good way. Big improvement from original slight blurry imaging.

+separation. become more clear with air in between instruments

+highs extension become more better but a bit intense and not so forgiving to bad records

*same forwarded and smooth mids, not shouty at all

-more intense highs, especially 6-8khz so treble sensitive people need to place cut of cotton inside (dont block entire nozzle)


seriously they improved almost in every sectors, especially the sub bass and mid bass, and they are 100% reversible if you dont like it.
Ok FAQ, what is the cons then? I want to say nothing, sounded like too good to be true, but really they are not harsh at all. Their tuning of pinna gain is definitely less than 10db. That explains much.
I was prepared to damper the 3,6,8khz but i didnt need to. from songs that i tried on past 2 days, only around 5% that give me sibilances, but they have bright recording. you can add cotton a bit if you want to your preferences, just make sure dont block entire nozzle.
Maybe the only downside they sounded more "RAW", so they more unforgiving to bad recording, again especially on 7-8khz, ocassional sibilances

So are they become much better? how better?
Yes they are, much much better, take with grain of salt since i cant A-B comparing, but from my memories, they are on similar or catching level of IT04, Sony Z5, better than blessing 1. And leave entry level midfi like Spring 1, i3, NX7 Pro behind there with definite gap.

I compared them with my Sony M7, they are catching closely now, crazy $200 vs $600 comparison. M7 have better layering obviously, its their speciality. But the clarity, the overal tuning and balance,
the Bass quality, the coherence, the note weight they are very close now, just slightly below M7. Before i can heard the gap easily.
One more info, I bought my H40 at full price, not review unit - same with my Sony IER-M7, Im trying to share this info objectively, I don't want to overhype it.



Seriously from IEMs i modded (and mostly they are better) only H40 give me this goosebumps. You have to try them yourself. and please do
especially @Dsnuts , give them a shot and compare them with Blessing 2 and Mofafest Trio. What? I'm not kidding.

*Note : H40, 150 hours+, default cable single ended, DX160 high gain, azla sedna short M with deep insertion (ps : now the spiral dot++ also pair great with this set, before i said too softening, too bouncy feeling)

I've done this as well and my listening session becomes more satisfying (Hiby R3 pro on balanced and standard small spiral dot). I'm not gonna consider this as an upgrade since unmodded H40 is already great IMO. Just suits my preference I must say.
Now my H40 has less bass boominess but maintains the bass quality. Bass is tighter.
To my ears, mids and highs did not changed a lot.
Most important is H40 didn't become harsh and the mod is reversible.
Thanks for sharing

 

[DynamicEars]

I've done this as well and my listening session becomes more satisfying (Hiby R3 pro on balanced and standard small spiral dot). I'm not gonna consider this as an upgrade since unmodded H40 is already great IMO. Just suits my preference I must say.
Now my H40 has less bass boominess but maintains the bass quality. Bass is tighter.
To my ears, mids and highs did not changed a lot.
Most important is H40 didn't become harsh and the mod is reversible.
Thanks for sharing

I write improvements with + / ++ / +++ to differentiate them. The bass section made a lot differences to my ears, they are not bad at all from the beginning per se, but i knew they have slight bloat, and smear, and blurry texture. Now become much more defined, texture is great, very tight and agile. Before, the bass is not better than NX7 pro bass or A6 bass (they have quality bass also) but now, they are better than them, thats why i called one of the best bass on their class.

mids i indicate as * not + so i agree with you also that mids have similar presentation but on clarity side they have improved, so goes with details, there is slight improvement but i wont call them detail monster IEM.

Tuning and imaging have more benefit also, i rate as ++ where imaging become sharper and clear, almost holographic, where tuning overall become more balance (before was a bit heavier on bass side)

improvements on every aspect made them sounded like a great upgrade to me, especially in the bass section.

and more importantly as you said, they arent harsh at all and 100% reversible so its a worry free mods.

No problem at all buddy, just sharing what i found and i like them so much better now. Have a good and safe day!

 

[pr0b3r]

If only the driver flex could be solved by an easy mod like that, I would be completely sold. Still, I regard the H40 as a monster of an IEM in its class.

 

[DynamicEars]

If only the driver flex could be solved by an easy mod like that, I would be completely sold. Still, I regard the H40 as a monster of an IEM in its class.

Sadly nope, driver flex still happen if you not insert them carefully.

 

[pr0b3r]

Sadly nope, driver flex still happen if you not insert them carefully.

That can't be helped, at least most of the time. It occurs to a lot of other IEMs regardless of the price bracket. Still, good work for trying out that mod. Pretty brave step since one will never know what's going on inside that mesh grill until you open it. Kudos to a successful mod and thanks for sharing!

 

[lapmic]

At least it's a sign that you get a good seal. But anyway, if I do as shown in the picture attached then most of the time I don't get the driver flexed.

 

[pr0b3r]

At least it's a sign that you get a good seal. But anyway, if I do as shown in the picture attached then most of the time I don't get the driver flexed.

Or just open your mouth halfway, slowly insert the nozzles into ears while also pushing them slightly into one side of the wall of the ears. I avoid driver flex on insertion with this method.

 

[scottsays]

H40 is a great choice. D10 is good but I dont find the tuning to be as versatile as the H40. Look forward to your take on them.

The H40 arrived LAST Monday from Penon Audio--DHL express--took about 4 days--super fast delivery and I have had them burning in for a full week---

My initial impressions--WOW--confirms pretty much everything everybody else has said--the sound is RICH-powerful-very full and engaging. VERY happy with them.
Bass is excellent--The high end is just so airy and 3D without being sibilant and fatiguing--really impressed. It is amazing that these cost $ 200------5 years ago to buy
something of this quality would have been 3x as much (?) -----my only regret is I did not get these sooner---These are the real deal and an absolute BARGAIN for the price---

Cayin N6II Amp E02-- and Hiby R6 Pro 4.4 balanced cable Symbio Foam Large Tips--super comfy

 

[ChrisOc]

I tried to resist for months, mainly because the comparisons I have seen put the ISN H40 and TRI i3 so close, I thought it had to be one or other.

I eventually realised that resistance is futile! Ordered from AE a few days ago. Looking forward to receiving my set of ISN H40 soon.

 

[hydroid]

I tried to resist for months, mainly because the comparisons I have seen put the ISN H40 and TRI i3 so close, I thought it had to be one or other.

I eventually realised that resistance is futile! Ordered from AE a few days ago. Looking forward to receiving my set of ISN H40 soon.

H40 is unavoidable you won't regret it..

 

[audio123]

H40 is unavoidable you won't regret it..

It is a must for any collection.

 

[DynamicEars]

..and you all must take out the cloth mesh damper seriously, unleash the true H40 potential!