Just listened to some Fostex T50RPs today... WOW!

[bluemonkeyflyer]

It was actually a cable from my M80s I was planning to try =P I'll be using the stock cable most of the time (Unless I get round to modding them) with my desktop setup, but a smaller cable would be nice for using them on the go.

I had a minor issue with only one of over 25 sets I've modded. A bit of alcohol on a Q-Tip took care of drop outs that were present on just one set.

I tried the V-Moda cable...Meh. It tangles more easily than the stock cable and offerrs no improvement in sound, IMO. I like the stock cable better than the V-Moda cable, by far.

 

[kalbee]

I don't think the M80 cable will work. 


This one will though - http://v-moda.com/audio-only-cable/


The stock cable is really bad :/ Don't be surprised if you get a bunch of noise at the jack or even some channel imbalance problems, some deoxit or a new cable are usually what fixes that.. The new cable being a more long term solution. I'd suggest one of those vmoda cables, even if you are gonna keep stuff stock. Actually, I'd suggest the v moda cable and shure pads if you are going to keep it stock

http://www.amazon.com/Shure-HPAEC840-Replacement-Cushions-Headphones/dp/B002Z9JWZS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1353770184&sr=8-1&keywords=shure+pads

Regardless of what you do, happy listening.

 

Issues with the stock cables can be fixed, unless, they've truly been damaged at the jack during shipping (considering the complete lack of spacers in the T50RP box to prevent anything from moving), which is still treatable.
What I am wondering is, why would the M80 cables not work?
AFAIK TRRS works on the T50RP, so if anything you will lose function of the microphone by using the 45 degree plug on the headphone side. Unless M80's use different cables, then I don't know. I am under the impression that all V-MODA's have some sort of those 45 degree angle plug implementation.

One definite advantage the stock cables have over any other cable is that it offers the most seal to the headphone jack on the left cup. Unless you've done other treatments to it. Also if you'd like to keep the functionality of the locking mechanism.
Either way, stock cables or V-MODA audio only cables are both ridiculously long for portable use. I had to wrap the V-MODA cables down to length, possibly disfiguring it permanently. Looks like I have a inline mic now but I don't.

 

[chrislangley4253]

I just googled the M80.. it seems to use a different cable in pictures. I could be wrong.

 

[dustdevil]

Quote:

Uhhh, there are actually three versions. One really old with some gross pads that work terribly. One with new pads, but lighter colored gold rods and different paper on the back. One with new pads and darker colored gold rods and different paper on the back. Honestly, it's probably a toss up on which one is better and not worth worrying about.

Well I still want to know the difference between them in terms of sound.
 
Quote:

With those materials... You aren't gonna be able to accomplish much. You are going to at least need some fiberglass/cotton and some stiffened felt. That being said, they really don't sound as bad stock as people make them out to be on here.. They are worth 100 bucks stock, just they have a lot of room for improvement with modding. Basically, you should definitely try harder to get your hands on some modding materials.

 Right cotton is another material that I can get my hands on, and I have yet to find some transpore tape around my place

 

[chrislangley4253]

Quote:

Well I still want to know the difference between them in terms of sound.
 
 Right cotton is another material that I can get my hands on, and I have yet to find some transpore tape around my place

 
The first version with the crappy pads was known for being bass light, because of the crappy pads.. The difference between the last two, I don't know. I know LFF commented saying the older ones were easier for him to tune, but that he could work with the new ones too *shrugs*

Hopefully someone else can chime in and give you the answer you want.

The type of cotton seems to be really important, everything seems to be really important. Why did I get into this? Because I love it, I'm just gonna keep telling myself that X.x

 

[eltocliousus]

BlueMonkeyFlyer was helping me last night convert my custom T50RPs to DBV#3 (the man is brilliant!) and adjusting for the naked drivers/Stax pads that I had.
After A -> Bing the Stax and Shure pads for about half an hour, I can confidently say the Stax pads have more bass, it's a more boomy, full bass, compared to the Shures punchy bass. I would have thought the Shures would have the more bass but it didn't, anyone know why this is? I think it might be due to the seal the Stax pads have compared to the Shures, the Stax almost surround the cups completely, and are layered twice inside near where the baffle meets the cup. I actually prefer the punchy bass of the Shure, but I'm kind of obliged to use the Stax now, I also think the strong point of the Stax is comfort, and while offering good sound, I feel the Shures have a better all-around bass, I believe this is due to DBV#3 being made with Shure pads in mind
 
Anyway, I have my DBV#3 done, with two layers of transpore tape to account for the naked driver and STAX pads, stiff felt over the cup vents and the rest is pure DBV#3, all thanks to Bluemonkeyflyer, can't say enough good words about him, oustanding chap. And I can say that DBV#3 sounds absolutely fantastic.
 
Cheers.

 

[micmacmo]

Quote:

After A -> Bing the Stax and Shure pads for about half an hour, I can confidently say the Stax pads have more bass, it's a more boomy, full bass, compared to the Shures punchy bass. I would have thought the Shures would have the more bass but it didn't, anyone know why this is?

 
That's been my impression too, except I was using 003/HM5 pads. I think the cavity on the earside of the driver (created by the pads) is just as important as the cavity inside the cup. The bigger the cavity, the more room in which the bass can resonate, hence more bass. Plus, I think moving the driver away from the ear diminishes the   treble at a greater rate than the bass, so the perception is of greater bass.
 
I made a previous observation about the diameter (not the depth) of ear hole in the pad. If the diameter of the hole is small (as in the stock pads), the ability to convey bass will be poor, regardless of the depth of the hole. Conversely, the bigger the diameter of the hole, the better the bass. At least in my experience.
 
How big is the hole in the Stax pads, diameter wise, relative to the Shure pads? (From what I've seen, the depth of the Stax pad is much deeper than the Shure pads, correct?)

 

[onefatsurfer]

I have been using scotch double-sided photo and document tape instead of transpore tape, with good results.  I will pick up some transpore tape, though, to see if there is any difference in sound quality.  
http://www.amazon.com/Scotch-002-2-Inch-300-Inch-Document/dp/B000XAJFC6/ref=sr_1_11?ie=UTF8&qid=1353944150&sr=8-11&keywords=scotch+double+sided+tape
 
My thoughts are that since the tape is not being used for anything other than holding the paper and felt to the driver, and the tape is stuck directly to the plastic driver housing/plastic grid, there shouldn't be any difference in sound quality, so long as the adhesive in the tape holds the felt/paper at the same stiffness.  BMF, your thoughts?

 

[onefatsurfer]

So, I think I am going to give up on making ear pads for the moment.  It's freaking hard to sew such tight radii when you're not good with a sewing machine, LOL.  However, my wife and I made a nice, comfy suspension strap:
 

 

[bluemonkeyflyer]

Quote:

I have been using scotch double-sided photo and document tape instead of transpore tape, with good results.  I will pick up some transpore tape, though, to see if there is any difference in sound quality.  
http://www.amazon.com/Scotch-002-2-Inch-300-Inch-Document/dp/B000XAJFC6/ref=sr_1_11?ie=UTF8&qid=1353944150&sr=8-11&keywords=scotch+double+sided+tape
 
My thoughts are that since the tape is not being used for anything other than holding the paper and felt to the driver, and the tape is stuck directly to the plastic driver housing/plastic grid, there shouldn't be any difference in sound quality, so long as the adhesive in the tape holds the felt/paper at the same stiffness.  BMF, your thoughts?

 

I agree. It does not matter what you use to secure materials to the driver as long as your tape or glue is applied only to the metal grids and outer plastic perimeter. I like 3M Scrapbooking Removable double sided tape but I'm sure yours if just as good for this use. You just have to be careful to not accidentally cover some of the open grid spaces with tape or you will inadvertently increase the dampening factor and erroneously conclude that this mod stinks!

 

Where I use Transpore with excellent results is for treble reflector duty. I just finished a DBV #3 build with Transpore (instead of a paper treble reflector). I have a 3/4" spool (27 mm wide) and cut a strip 40 mm long. I centered it from side to side directly on the 40x40 mm stiff craft felt. I placed the felt onto the back of the driver with the Transpore "face down" in a North-South orientation, so the Transpore is between the stiff felt and the white driver material.

 

Really good news is I used Rite Aid "First Aid Rolled Cotton" in this DBV #3 mod and it sounds excellent. I separated the cotton roll into its 20 layers, divided it in two sections of 10 layers each, and used one 10-layer section to cut 7x7 cm squares. This resulted in ~ 2x7x7 cm cotton, trimmed the corners to fit the cups and cut slits to accomodate the 4 shock absorber posts. Separated 2 inch thickness of J&M fiberglass into three equal thicknesses and used one of these for the mod. I installed 1x7x7 cm fiberglass (measured After compressing it), similarly trimmed and slit as my cotton overlay. Finished cotton weight=1.5 g. Finished fiberglass weight = 1.25 g.  Scroll to the bottom of Post #1 HERE for photographs and method for preparing Rite Aid "First Aid Rolled Cotton."

 

[MuZo2]

http://www.mayflowerelectronics.com/black-friday-sales.html
They have modded and unmodded pair on sale for black friday. Any other location where they are selling at lower prices?
 

 

[chrislangley4253]

Exciting stuff BMF. I have to get my hands on some of that Rite-Aid cotton!

Also, nice looking headband!

 

[FraGGleR]

If anyone wants some of the Rite Aid cotton, let me know.  I now have 4 rolls of it due to Rite Aid's continued shipping errors...

 

[FraGGleR]

Finally got my hands on a new pair of stock T50RP's courtesy of a fellow Headfier.  Maybe I am crazy, but I really like the sound stock.  Well, not quite stock.  I swapped the pads out for some LCD-2, Rev 1 earpads.  I might keep these as is for a while.

 

[eltocliousus]

FraGGieR, how many pairs of LCD-2 pads do you have? I've been looking for someone to trade with me, Stax pads for LCD-2 pads, to hear the differnece.