markl Mod for Denon AH-D5000 (With Pics!)

[markl]

Hi folks,
Yes, if you know me, you know how much I love the R10. Ever since I first got this headphone back in 2001, I've been looking for something "better". It seemed a fool's errand, but I had hope.

The modified Denon D5000 is not perfect, but for me, it does enough things right to make me question the necessity of the R10.

The chief thing, is I never thought I'd get to hear another headphone with such a neutral, natural tone (with that teeny tiny extra warmth that makes it perect). If you've read many of my reviews, you know that this is almost everything for me. The Denon is as close to "neutral" and "natural" as you can get so long as you forgive its over-active bass.

So my choice is a phone with a slightly under-active bass (R10) vs. one with an over-active bass (Denon).

But I would like to make clear that this R10 is NOT some pristine, as new beauty. It does NOT come with the box or manual, and is well-used overall, and sold AS IS.

 

[IPodPJ]

I'm really glad you gave them another chance Markl. It sounded like you had written them off completely after you first got them. Glad you let them burn in more as suggested. I'm sure your reviews will go far on Head-Fi.

You should have recabled them when you had them open.

I haven't seen anyone on Head-Fi recable theirs yet, only the D2000. I might do that one day, though. But the cable on the D5000 is better than the D2000 anyway.

The D5000 is a great reference can everyone should own if they can. If not, the D2000 is a great choice too.

 

[johnsonad]

Quote:

Originally Posted by IPodPJ /img/forum/go_quote.gif I'm really glad you gave them another chance Markl. It sounded like you had written them off completely after you first got them. Glad you let them burn in more as suggested. I'm sure your reviews will go far on Head-Fi. You should have recabled them when you had them open. I haven't seen anyone on Head-Fi recable theirs yet, only the D2000. I might do that one day, though. But the cable on the D5000 is better than the D2000 anyway. The D5000 is a great reference can everyone should own if they can. If not, the D2000 is a great choice too.

The D5000 cable is really well made and doesn't need a recable IMHO. I recabled my D2000 and guess what I got, D5000 sound or pretty close to it. It's the quality (a little warmth) of the cable and the wooden cups that sold me on the D5000. Anyone else up to this mod this weekend?

 

[IPodPJ]

I won't do the mod because I don't want to void the warranty, and I'm afraid I'll screw it up. But if I can get another pair of earcushions I will mod those. I just have no desire to remove/relocate the actual driver components.

Markl,
Why did the silk screening come off of your earcups? Did you have to handle them roughly? I've rubbed mine with my fingers and it doesn't come off. Seems like people have a problem with the gold ink, though.

I just ordered a Beyer DT880/990 headband pad as suggested by another user. It's supposed to tighten up the fit on the D5000. On my head, I move the earcups down 1 notch on the frame for comfort. But they sound better when they aren't lowered at all. So hopefully the Beyer headband pad will work. It's a cheap $9 fix, and will strengthen the headband.

 

[johnsonad]

Quote:

Originally Posted by IPodPJ /img/forum/go_quote.gif But if I can get another pair of earcushions I will mod those.

They are pricey so you know. Denon quoted me something like $115 for a pair or was that the D5000 cable? Either way they were higher than I expected.

 

[IPodPJ]

I can believe it for the cable, but if they charge $115 for the earcushions, they've got some set of balls. It's not real leather, even though it looks like it.

 

[slwiser]

Whatever happened to that Ultrasone Edition 9 review? Has it came out yet? Wil it? and when if it does?

It would seem someone like Larry could very well capitalize on this D5k modification and make some money.

 

[IPodPJ]

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnsonad /img/forum/go_quote.gif It's the quality (a little warmth) of the cable and the wooden cups that sold me on the D5000.

Likewise. And this time I wanted a top-of-the-line headphone model. They are one of the few audio products I've purchased that sound better than I anticipated. Worth every penny of the $497 I spent on them, and the $29 two-year extended warranty as well.

 

[markl]

Quote:

Do you recommend any particular type of sponge or HD foam for this particular mod ?

I just used the same old sponges you get at the supermarket that come cheap in a multi-pack. Just a normal kitchen sponge.

Quote:

Why did the silk screening come off of your earcups? Did you have to handle them roughly?

Not at all, just in doing the procedure I handled them enough that a lot of the lkettering rubbed off. So I took an old shirt and finished the job. I was appalled at how easy it was to rub off with my shirt. Another sign of how poorly made the Denon is, I'm afraid.

Quote:

Whatever happened to that Ultrasone Edition 9 review? Has it came out yet? Wil it?

LOL. Yes, I've been too distracted by too many things lately. Thankfully I have no deadline.

It's about halfway written, I just need some more time to finish. I will post a link in the Headphones section once it goes up.

 

[markl]

Quote:

It would seem someone like Larry could very well capitalize on this D5k modification and make some money.

I think this would be key, but in reading his site, he seems not to think much of the Denons and I believe he says he won't be modifying any more.

If you could take that driver out of the Denon and stick it into a much better more sturdy headphone frame with some of his wooden cups, that might be the ticket. But again, if I read his site correctly, he's not doing that sort of thing anymore.

 

[slwiser]

Sounds like another opportunity for someone handy.

 

[robm321]

I now have interest in the D5000. Mostly because of the R10 statement. Never saw this one coming

 

[uraflit]

this makes me want to get a d2000... i dont mind the "bit" of more bass and rattling at all =D

 

[naamanf]

Did the mod to my D5000s also used cotton balls behind the drivers. I definitely like it now after the mod but could still use a bit of work. Definitely opened up the head stage and got rid of the bass bloat. The mid range detail also seems have improved. The only gripe would be that the upper end has a bit of harshness to it now.

Maybe when I get a sponge I will try that and see what difference it makes. I also think that maybe a piece of surgical tubing or foam could be used instead of the cotton.

Overall worth doing unless you like that bass of the D5000.

$100+ for the ear pads is a joke. Someone should definitely try and make a replacement that does the job with real leather or a material like the Beyers.

 

[markl]

naamanf,
That's good feedback. I suspect that the sponge will damp the vibrations considerably more than cotton. But I would be careful how many times you go in and unscrew those scres, I feel there is danger they mat come loose and not want to tighten.

The idea of using surgical tubing under the pads is an interesting one.

WRT to upper end harshness you are experienced, I haven't noticed this. Actually, one of my teeny tiny nits with the Denon vs. the Sony R10 is that the Sonys have just a touch more high-end sparkle than the D5000, which is actually flatter and probably more neutral.

At this stage, I'm thinking I'm going to get another D5000, have it re-cabled, and then do this mod again, and maybe add some more Blu-Tak into those little cracks and crevices behind the driver inside the ear cup that are still exposed. I'm also going to look where else some Blue Tak might be inserted to further damp it. I'm also looking at trying different replacement pads from other headphones to see if I can move the driver even further away from the ear.