"Open Alpha" T50 3D printed headphone project from MrSpeakers
Oct 27, 2021 at 11:37 PM Post #811 of 979
Cheers...Im all for stupid ideas haha, what did you have in mind ?
Using DCA Stealth as an inspiration and doing a strange implementation of the 1/4 wave resonators to control echos. I might be able to pull it off with the main baffle, trying to get a 17mm-ish long tube to fit somewhere near your ear is difficult. Nevermind accounting for altitude differences making slight changes in the speed of sound, so you need sightly different length tubes.

I'm not a good modeler in CAD, and I have 0 equipment for measuring cans atm heh
 
Nov 1, 2021 at 7:16 PM Post #814 of 979
Hey everyone, love the enthusiasm and passion from everyone in this thread. I want to have a set of Open Alpha’s made but I’m not confident in my craftsmanship so would like to issue someone’s talents if anyone is willing to help out!. Please PM me to discuss further if you’re interested!
 
Nov 5, 2021 at 10:26 AM Post #815 of 979
I've decided to use this project as a way to resuscitate my T40 build from several years ago, which is in the "iterate until you finally break the damned thing" category right now.

I don't have enough screws. If I'm going to buy new screws, what's the way to go?
 
Nov 5, 2021 at 3:40 PM Post #816 of 979
First of all thank you for all of the information, templates, files (hopefully), and generosity in this thread.

I’m hoping to start two sets at the beginning of the year. One as a Christmas gift for my dad and one for myself.

I would love to see your files gb160 once you’re finished. I’m not much of a modeler, but I have 3d printed quite a bunch along with other things. This will be my first dip into audio though. Thanks again for all of the guidance!
 
Nov 5, 2021 at 3:46 PM Post #817 of 979
First of all thank you for all of the information, templates, files (hopefully), and generosity in this thread.

I’m hoping to start two sets at the beginning of the year. One as a Christmas gift for my dad and one for myself.

I would love to see your files gb160 once you’re finished. I’m not much of a modeler, but I have 3d printed quite a bunch along with other things. This will be my first dip into audio though. Thanks again for all of the guidance!
I'll put the stl files up when I get time this week mate, I was going to tweak a few things slightly, but I've put them together now and they sound just great and screw together very nice and tight.

I'll also put some links for the threaded inserts I used, the cheap Chinese ones are ok for fixing the ring to the baffle, as they can be inserted from the rear so they can't be pulled out...but for the 4 main inserts that hold the baffle to the cup you really need the higher quality inserts, they cost a little more but its definitely worth it.

Overall I'm very pleased with them, all that's left now is to pull them all apart and sand/paint them...I'm confident these will stand the test of time and handle my constant tinkering much better.
 
Last edited:
Nov 11, 2021 at 11:25 AM Post #818 of 979
I just printed a baffle in my LED resin printer, and there's no way I can give up my office for the week it would take me to get the process dialed in and run all six parts.

And Shapeways is expensive enough (approx. $150) that I could almost buy a cheap filament printer.

Are there Head-Fiers selling home-printed versions of the parts? If so, plz PM me with a price!
 
Nov 11, 2021 at 1:17 PM Post #819 of 979
Here are the stl files for heated inserts guys:
Exactly as stock except using a 3.5mm connector, and implementing heated inserts obviously..

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/ddzghyfh2r1nj1k/AABnAwMfcxCW52jYTvR4MSwSa?dl=1

Ive included an stl for the front slider cover, as I managed to strip the thread from my original ones, so might come in useful to someone.

Inserting heated inserts into the cups for beginners: (skip this part if you know what you're doing here)
So I've used 2 different heated inserts on my build, these ones are highly recommended for inserting into the cup as they take a ridiculous amount of force to pull out:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07PP2SDST/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o09_s00?ie=UTF8&th=1
I used an old soldering iron (set to around 230) which did the job fine, I know there are special tools and soldering iron bits available for doing this, but I had no problem with an iron.

My method for the cup inserts is to have a perfectly flat piece of metal on a hard surface nearby, then one insert at a time, (if you're using the inserts I've linked to then they should sit nicely in the cup hole), gently place the soldering iron tip into the insert from directly above, dont push down, just use the weight of the soldering iron...when the insert is about 80% submerged quickly put the iron down and flip the cup onto the hard flat surface and push down hard, there will be enough heat to finish the insert and the result will be a perfectly straight, perfectly flush insert.


Inserting heated inserts into the baffle:
These are cheaper ones that are fine for mounting the ring to the baffle, as they are inserted from the cup side of the baffle:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B08H563S9W/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Use the same approach to inserting the baffle inserts as above, but because the surface of the baffle isn't flat, instead of flipping over onto a flat surface to finish the insert off, just have a small flat metal object to hand to finish the insert off when it is 80% submerged, again this ensures a straight, flush insert.
I had this set lying around so you dont need all of them, just the M2.5x3.5x3mm ones...remember these need to be mounted from the rear of the baffle, after you have inserted them let them cool down for a few minutes, and before doing anything slowly screw a longer 2.5mm screw all the way through from the same side you inserted them. This will push out any filament that might be blocking the insert and the hole when you mount the baffle.

The screws I have are from this set:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B075WY5367/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
The screws used for mounting the ring to the baffle are M2.5x8mm
The screws used for mounting baffle to the cups are M2.5x6mm
All screws should be fitted with a M2.5x6x0.5mm washer, I can't link to the washers as I have an old selection box full of them and I have no idea where they came from.

Be careful if not using these exact screw lengths as you could screw straight through the cup.

As far as tightening goes, personally I keep screwing until I start to feel resistance, and then do a quarter turn more. Obviously it would still be possible to over tighten these, because you'll just start to crush the 3d material you used to print.

I felt it best to leave the driver mounting as normal, as without modifying the drivers themselves I couldn't see a way to improve this, so mount the driver to the baffle exactly as per the initial instructions.

Personally I've cut reusable silicone gaskets that sit between the ring and the baffle, and between the baffle and cup, if you dont go down this route then obviously seal/glue these parts as per the initial instructions.

Any questions then just ask, any improvements or suggestions are welcome.

Good Luck !

Edit: Sorry I should point out, in your 3d printers settings, set perimeters to greater than 2, I've set mine to 4 for extra strength around the inserts.
 
Last edited:
Nov 11, 2021 at 5:35 PM Post #820 of 979
I forgot to post here lol.

Urushi green and a handbraided 8 strand cable.
 

Attachments

  • IMG_0366.jpg
    IMG_0366.jpg
    2.1 MB · Views: 0
  • IMG_0367.jpg
    IMG_0367.jpg
    2.2 MB · Views: 0
  • IMG_0368.jpg
    IMG_0368.jpg
    1.9 MB · Views: 0
Nov 11, 2021 at 9:57 PM Post #821 of 979
Nov 18, 2021 at 5:39 AM Post #824 of 979
Hi everyone,

I'be been reading this thread and I am really looking forward to starting my own build very soon. It's amazing that this thread is still so active after five years, Thanks for all the contributions in here. During planning I had two questions come up and I would really appreciate your thoughts:

1. If desoldering and soldering on the drivers is the most critical step of the process, why would I even do it? Couldn't I just use the wires attached from stock and just solder the new connectors to the other end after removing insulation etc.?

2. Do any of the more experienced audiophiles in here have any thoughts about running the Open Alpha balaced vs. unbalanced? Would it be worth to probably pay a bit more for the cable?
 
Nov 19, 2021 at 12:13 AM Post #825 of 979
Hi everyone,

I'be been reading this thread and I am really looking forward to starting my own build very soon. It's amazing that this thread is still so active after five years, Thanks for all the contributions in here. During planning I had two questions come up and I would really appreciate your thoughts:

1. If desoldering and soldering on the drivers is the most critical step of the process, why would I even do it? Couldn't I just use the wires attached from stock and just solder the new connectors to the other end after removing insulation etc.?

2. Do any of the more experienced audiophiles in here have any thoughts about running the Open Alpha balaced vs. unbalanced? Would it be worth to probably pay a bit more for the cable?


1: 100% that's exactly what I did, just left the stock wires soldered on the pads... As long as I could always, 2 of my sets of drivers have been through a lot and I'm surprised they are still working heh.

2: meh, balanced vs unbalanced. If you have a balanced amp, go for it. I didn't notice a big difference. You'll see a bigger difference between amps, vs balanced/unbalanced imo. Trying making your own cable too! It's pretty easy honestly, and cheap which is nice
 

Users who are viewing this thread

Back
Top