K 240 Monitor to DF modification

[Shoewreck]

While fixing my K240 Monitor I noticed two small holes next to capsule output leads:

It was quite obvious to me that the main difference between DF and Monitor is dampening, so I tried to obstruct the holes with sticky tape:


I can't A/B this with a "true" DF to check if that was the exact hit, but modified K240 Monitor seems to be a step in the right direction, gaining clarity, neutrality, and tight bass.

 

[Adda]

Good job!

This makes me wonder why AKG made the monitor with those holes

The drivers of your monitor doesn't look like the drivers of my DF though.

 

[Shoewreck]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adda /img/forum/go_quote.gif The drivers of your monitor doesn't look like the drivers of my DF though.

Could you post a photo of your DF drivers? I have the front view on my avatar, but can't remember how does their rear look.

The holes are there for more bass, because everyone seems to want it.

 

[Adda]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shoewreck /img/forum/go_quote.gif Could you post a photo of your DF drivers? I have the front view on my avatar, but can't remember how does their rear look. The holes are there for more bass, because everyone seems to want it.

I'll see if I can get my old camera to work and see if I can snap a pic, but don't hold your breath.
I will take the DF's apart anyway and have a look, at least I can describe how it looks.

But since the monitor is a monitor it should be neutral not bassy :-S

 

[Shoewreck]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adda /img/forum/go_quote.gif I'll see if I can get my old camera to work and see if I can snap a pic, but don't hold your breath. I will take the DF's apart anyway and have a look, at least I can describe how it looks. But since the monitor is a monitor it should be neutral not bassy :-S

I probably have a pic on my PC, but no one knows where exaclty and I could probably have deleted it...
Monitor is probably just bassy enough not to overdo bass on track. I tried once mixing with DF - the next day I got that track redone with Monitor.

 

[Adda]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shoewreck /img/forum/go_quote.gif I probably have a pic on my PC, but no one knows where exaclty and I could probably have deleted it... Monitor is probably just bassy enough not to overdo bass on track. I tried once mixing with DF - the next day I got that track redone with Monitor.

So the difference in bass is quite small then.

Well the camera works but since I'm out of solder I couldn't take the DF's apart all the way so I couldn't get a good pic.
But the Monitor looks much more similar to the DF then I remembered, I might have confused it with the K242HD's.
But there are differences: on the monitor I see a small line across from the red wire on your pic, I couldn't find that on the DF, also the three dots that are set up in a triangle formation, seems to be metal on yours, mine are just plastic, lastly the dot in the middle of the driver is less prominent on mine.
The internals of these drivers could still be the same though.

 

[Adda]

Oh another thing, your profile pic was a DF driver, it seems like it's surface is chrome, but my DF has smoky transparent membranes on the drivers that have a yellowish/brown tint and it's surface is matte.

 

[Shoewreck]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adda /img/forum/go_quote.gif Oh another thing, your profile pic was a DF driver, it seems like it's surface is chrome, but my DF has smoky transparent membranes on the drivers that have a yellowish/brown tint and it's surface is matte.

So was my. Chrome looks due to lighting, tint lost due to AWB.

 

[Adda]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shoewreck /img/forum/go_quote.gif So was my. Chrome looks due to lighting, tint lost due to AWB.

This just keeps getting more and more interesting, what is AWB, some kind of cleaner?
Mine have som metallicness too but it looks like it's beneath the surface, but yeah the camera might hide that detail.

 

[ericj]

automatic white balance

 

[Adda]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ericj /img/forum/go_quote.gif automatic white balance

Haha camera feature, well yeah

 

[Shoewreck]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adda /img/forum/go_quote.gif So the difference in bass is quite small then.

Not very small. The Monitor makes you pay much more attention to bass.
Quote:

But there are differences: on the monitor I see a small line across from the red wire on your pic, I couldn't find that on the DF, also the three dots that are set up in a triangle formation, seems to be metal on yours, mine are just plastic, lastly the dot in the middle of the driver is less prominent on mine. The internals of these drivers could still be the same though.

I haven't disassembled both K240 at he same time, but as far as I remember there was very little difference. It's obviously not the same driver, but they are similar.
It's most likely the vents that make drivers different. The holes I've covered didn't even have a dampening material inside - i could see the diaphragm through them. I'd be glad to know whether DF also has these holes or not.
The four longer vents are covered by a dampening material. Putting some foam over them would also tame bass. DF may probably have a thicker dampening material there, but I'm not sure.
Given all the drivers are sharing a similar construction, even the newer "Studio" and "HD" models may be tuned to a more DF-like presentation.

 

[Adda]

^

I'll have another look after I have had some late dinner.

 

[craiglester]

I have seen a DF with a thin layer of felt over the driver, and one without. They didnt' sound much different though. The holes in the baffle and the damping felt were the same though.

 

[Adda]

The DF has eight of those holes on the back of the driver, there is some kind of white damping meterial at the bottom of each hole that is very thin.