Koss KPH30i appreciation thread
Dec 31, 2020 at 3:22 AM Post #211 of 354
In the Z-review, he mentioned that after the Grado mod was done, he needed to crank up the volume (he was also using a class-A rebel amp while testing them). I'm planning to use these for casual listening, directly from my cell phone. So, I'm now wondering if I need an amp to drive them properly after swapping out the pads.
Take our the stock pads when doing so and you should be good, while the kph30i does scale well , you dont need an amp for it
 
Jan 4, 2021 at 5:18 PM Post #212 of 354

This mod (above) did not work. Fit was fine. Performance not so much. Went back to trial and error route.
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Jan 9, 2021 at 8:00 AM Post #213 of 354
So far. This is the best modded version I came up with. With hybrid pads, various foam variants and silver/silver-plated cable, this cans are killer. I could describe the sound but it won’t do you any good.
This headphone can compete with headphones up to $400. And beats many of them.
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Jan 9, 2021 at 12:41 PM Post #214 of 354
So far. This is the best modded version I came up with. With hybrid pads, various foam variants and silver/silver-plated cable, this cans are killer. I could describe the sound but it won’t do you any good.
This headphone can compete with headphones up to $400. And beats many of them.
DF859B11-02FD-4085-9447-CB0A316C3516.jpeg

Awesome! Which elements do you think contribute the most to the sound quality? How much do the pad changes alone contribute? That's pretty much all I would have the skittles to do.
 
Jan 9, 2021 at 9:12 PM Post #215 of 354
Awesome! Which elements do you think contribute the most to the sound quality? How much do the pad changes alone contribute? That's pretty much all I would have the skittles to do.
In this mod I was trying to achieve few things. Better comfort than “Grado” pads provide. Retain soundstage to some degree that those Grado pads provide. Make them more presentable and leak less sound to the outside.
What I did was use Grado pads as a foundation. Had to be trimmed on sides and cut flash with the driver on the ear side. All that to fit the hybrid pads. Pads are great as far as sound quality goes. From half a dozen pads that I have tried, these are the ones to get. Not sure what they are replacements for as I bought them for this particular project exclusively. These few steps everyone can do with some scissors and patients.If you’re happy with the results, there’s no need to get crazy with farther tuning. For me, bass was a bit muddy and top end a bit recessed. So I enlarged round opening for driver on Grado pad. It helped but then top end became a bit too sibilant. Not a lot but bothersome still. So I glued extra thin hard felt around the driver, covering all exposed plastic. Inside of the driver cup was sprayed with think coat of liquid rubber. Original tuning foam was reused as in stock. Memory foam was used on the outside to get some better bass definition. Bringing presentation a little closer and improving imaging. Right now, I just finished painting all plastic parts and added some other things. I’ll post a pics tommorow.
 
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Jan 9, 2021 at 9:17 PM Post #216 of 354
Here are some pics to help visualize it.
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Jan 9, 2021 at 11:54 PM Post #217 of 354
These are the pads. I did remove screen foam on these pads as well.
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Jan 10, 2021 at 2:10 PM Post #218 of 354
Few pics.

Wood “diffuser/cover” added. Mostly esthetics. Just tested it. Doesn’t affect the sound in any significant way.
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Side view. Also added wooden extensions for cable going into headphone-shell. Makes it more secure that’s about it.
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Hammered gun metal paint finish
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Inside the cup.
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Already mentioned memory foam running on the outside part of the shell. Helps with imaging and cleans up bass a bit
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Enjoy.


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Jan 27, 2021 at 12:36 PM Post #222 of 354
Jan 29, 2021 at 4:21 PM Post #223 of 354
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Jan 29, 2021 at 5:41 PM Post #224 of 354

Welcome David! Somewhere in this thread I linked the ones that bought, but those look like the correct ones!
 

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