K701 mod for a guy with a big head?

[nadavnaz]

I've received my k701's yesterday, together with a KICAS caliente amplifier (which makes the 701 sound amazing, bassy yet airy. delicious).


I HAVE A BIG HEAD. Those of you who have the k701 know how they work. You put them on and the earpads extend to the height you place them. Well, mine don't extend quite enough compared to the size of my head. It kind of pulls my earlobes up.

Do you guys have any ideas how to solve this problem? Besides cutting my earlobes off or having my upper part of the skull removed? (which i've considered as well).

This combination sounds really fantastic, any of you guys which doesn't have much love for the k701 will be pleasantly surprised with them through the Purity Audio KICAS Caliente.

 

[djevoultion]

You could try stretching the k701 over a box similar in size to your head? Leave it there overnight. This helped make the AD900 more comfortable for me.

 

[nadavnaz]

Quote:

Originally Posted by djevoultion /img/forum/go_quote.gif You could try stretching the k701 over a box similar in size to your head? Leave it there overnight. This helped make the AD900 more comfortable for me.

I don't know if that'll help. I might try it though, see if it does something for me... Any other advice?

 

[lucky]

My solution was to remove the upper restraining clips on each side and refit zip ties to ensure a minimum open width. I did it five minutes after unboxing my K701.

Sample pictures:

 

[nadavnaz]

That looks great, but is it reversible? + what stops the headphones from extending out of place or something like that?

It would be like dying to ruin 260$ worth of cans!

 

[lucky]

1. It's reversible if you reglue the mounts back or send them in to AKG.

2. That's what the headband itself is already for.

3. I didn't consider my pair ruined when I did it. If you can't risk it, don't try it.

I've since sold the K701, but if I buy a pair again, the first thing I do (again) will be the mod.

 

[K_19]

Before I skinned the K701's, I used the above zip tie method. Works well in relieving the downward tension and keeping it extended to its full position (but didn't help much in relieving the "bump of death").

If you are feeling really adventurous, and not planning to sell the K701 any time in the future, you can attempt to cut off the bumps like I did (see the picture album in my profile to see pics, it's a pretty easy process). That will relieve around 4-5mm of extra room that the bumps previously took, allowing for more room. If the middle bump bothers you like it has for so many people, it's the best way to alleviate it, but it is obviously not reversable. Anyway, the K701 now fits snugly over my big head and is now one of my most comfortable headphones.

 

[lucky]

^ The way you used zip ties was not the way I did, because I never felt the bumps once my mod was done.

 

[nadavnaz]

Nah, I won't kill the bumps. Looks too ugly for my taste. (yes, i'm snobby I like how they look too much that I'm willing to hurt my head for long periods of time in order for it to stay pretty).

If there was a simple way to move the upper brace a bit upwards I'd love that. Is it even possible to move it? Or can I just remove it?

 

[lucky]

The mod K 19 did was clearly not the one I did. If you look at his picture, the upper braces are still there.

If you look at mine, they're gone.

 

[nadavnaz]

Yeah, I see that... But you're looking at a picture of the BUMP removal surgery.


I have one other idea, it's less risky but less productive. I'll explain later and take some pictures. If it works it could be great for some. It might not though..

 

[K_19]

Yeah, when I mentioned the zip tie method I actually tied the bottom frame down to the top frame (this mainly removed downward pressure). Didn't notice that lucky had removed the top part. Sorry for the confusion there.

Removing the top frame would work well, but I've got a weird head shape... it's BIG and is very oval sized and pointy near the top (probably the reason why the top bump hurt so much... also because I happen to have a shaved head, so it's a double whammy). So the bump had to go...

 

[nadavnaz]

I wish I had a medium sized average shaped head.

PS. it's getting real romantic here with my K701 and KicasCaliente...

 

[Fungi]

I had the same problem as you, and did the common zip tie mod where you lock it into maximum extended position. I have since taken the zip ties off since the elastics are stretchier now

Also, you don't have the bumps-pain yet? If you do, just keep massaging the bumps so they get softer, or just suck it up until you get used to it/your head changes shape. I definitely have a slightly K701 bump imprinted head now

 

[nadavnaz]

I'll try that but I doubt it will help... Only lucky's mod could do the trick for a guy like me, and I wouldn't dare doing it to phones like the AKG's.


I'll just keep on hurtin', thanks for the help anyway guys!

(half a smile, because it's uncomfy)