Orthodynamic Roundup

[szerecsen]

As for me, I like gambling. Magn@t RTee10 in da house. This is a very well sounding and extra comfortable pair of headphones. Needs serious amplification. Internet is lacking a decent picture of these cans, so here it goes.

 

[bananasplit 00]

Heya,

Brand new to the forum, but i found it and this thread as i was looking at getting myself some higher impedance phones for cheap and ended up with a pair of Yamaha HP-50A for only a few euro

Will obviously mod to stereo right away, might make the cable detatchable even just for kicks, but i am unsure as to what other mods i should do. Some of the mods i've read about in this thread seem really simple(like just putting a thin piece of cloth some open cell foam behind the driver) and some seem extremely involved and use a bunch of very specific materials(like Post #25,237).

The earcups might need to be replaced, the pictures were taken in very bad lighting and i couldnt really tell, reading in this thread it seemed fairly simple but i am unsure as to how to find something that would work.

I havent recived them yet, should come in next week, but i really look forward to taking a listen to something different than dynamic drivers!

Seeing as these are ~130 ohm after being stereo modded i dont belive they will run from just my phones output very well so these will initially be run from a DIY hybrid amp i built and later likely a better hybrid amp or an entirely tube amp depending on what projects i end up working on first.

Also, anyone have any opinions in how these would compare to my Sennheiser HD558? Couldn't find much in terms of graphs, found one for a modded pair and it looked somewhat similar to the HD558s graph but that dosn't have to mean they sound similar

 

[RetroE83]

It's been a while since I posted here. I've been meaning to do this for a while. Here are my quick raw measurements (HPN calibration) of my Fostex T20 V2, mostly stock (with reflex dot/sticker (2.5 cm diameter) on back of each driver damping paper, no additional mods inside cups), Sony MDR-MA300 earpad, Superlux foam to tame highs. MiniDSP EARS connected to Hidizs S9 AKM and Topping A50s. I didn't open the cups again to take pictures of the drivers since I'm worried of wearing out the screw threads any further

 

[GREQ]

It's been a while since I posted here. I've been meaning to do this for a while. Here are my quick raw measurements (HPN calibration) of my Fostex T20 V2, mostly stock (with reflex dot/sticker (2.5 cm diameter) on back of each driver damping paper, no additional mods inside cups), Sony MDR-MA300 earpad, Superlux foam to tame highs. MiniDSP EARS connected to Hidizs S9 AKM and Topping A50s. I didn't open the cups again to take pictures of the drivers since I'm worried of wearing out the screw threads any further

I recall getting pretty good results with genuine Shure SRH840 ear pads, with no extra mods required.
I recall it should be bassier than what you're getting there.
You might be missing some bass potential, but really that's up to your taste in the end. Bass is probably fine for most people, but I think could be more linear.

I would suggest using a more reasonable scale on both axis on the graph.
For example, on the X-axis, I use 10-20kHz
And on the Y-axis, I would use a spread of 70-90dB

Your current Y-axis makes it look quite 'flat' and neutral, but really the values are just crushed by the large volume of unused graph space, making the data more difficult to read.
It looks like you're getting too much energy between 1-2kHz, and a strong 'null' value at 4kHz, which should appear MUCH more strongly if you apply a miniDSP headphone calibration file to the graph.

Treble is looking fantastic though great extension.

I'm getting my guesses by overlaying a miniDSP EARS RAW measurement of the HD650 (yellow) over a scaled version of your graph to match my scale.
It's not the most accurate way, but we're both using the same EARS rig, so hopefully it should give some insight.

 

[khbaur330162]

Heya,

Also, anyone have any opinions in how these would compare to my Sennheiser HD558? Couldn't find much in terms of graphs, found one for a modded pair and it looked somewhat similar to the HD558s graph but that dosn't have to mean they sound similar

I have never heard the HD558, but knowing Sennheiser the HP-50A's should trade blows in the detail retrieval department if not come out slightly ahead. Tuning shouldn't be that far off, they both roll off in the bass and are attempting "neutral", but HP-50A's might sound a little smokier or thicker. With a little modding you can transplant HP-50A's into a 45mm driver enclosure which will basically turn them into circumaural headphones (more comfortable), increase spatial queues, and also increase detail and air without sacrificing much bass impact.

 

[RetroE83]

I recall getting pretty good results with genuine Shure SRH840 ear pads, with no extra mods required.
I recall it should be bassier than what you're getting there.
You might be missing some bass potential, but really that's up to your taste in the end. Bass is probably fine for most people, but I think could be more linear.

I would suggest using a more reasonable scale on both axis on the graph.
For example, on the X-axis, I use 10-20kHz
And on the Y-axis, I would use a spread of 70-90dB

Your current Y-axis makes it look quite 'flat' and neutral, but really the values are just crushed by the large volume of unused graph space, making the data more difficult to read.
It looks like you're getting too much energy between 1-2kHz, and a strong 'null' value at 4kHz, which should appear MUCH more strongly if you apply a miniDSP headphone calibration file to the graph.

Treble is looking fantastic though great extension.

I'm getting my guesses by overlaying a miniDSP EARS RAW measurement of the HD650 (yellow) over a scaled version of your graph to match my scale.
It's not the most accurate way, but we're both using the same EARS rig, so hopefully it should give some insight.

Oh really? I do have some srh840s laying somewhere that I’ll have to try alongside my light mod. But yeah, bass is quite light but not anemic; I think get more upper bass with K500 with Brainwavz Round Hybrids.

With my current mods, treble is quite clear, airy and not fatiguing.

Thanks for the insight on the graph adjustments! I’ll have to apply them. On a side note, I’ve been mostly measuring IEMs as of late, so headphone modding has taken a backseat On the orthodynamic iem front, I’ve been finding modern releases quite interesting - I have a Salnotes Dioko and Letshuoer S12. I have yet to settle on ear tips that roll off the upper treble to agreeable levels, but I digress.

I’ll overlay my HD580 on another with your graph axis recommendations when I have the time. I might also throw in Technics EAH-820 into the mix with worn earpads

 

[szerecsen]

Gentlemen, anyone tried those earpads available for b&ou70 on eb@y? Are those any good? They seem...hmmm...poor quality...thanks.

I now have them installed and they are pretty good quality. Somewhat larger than the original pads, 86x65mm. Soft pleather.

Cheers

 

[bananasplit 00]

HP-50As landed in my mail today!

Definitely need to run these with an amp in stock form, but I am somehow missing the correct tube for my hybrid amp so I can only get about the same volume out of it as my phone can(swapped in 12AT7 for 12AU7, but please do not do this. I built this amp and checked it would function in simulations before swapping. In this very specific case it was fine but this is not something you can generally do. It clips very bad at reasonable volume.) , but they seem to like the amp because they sound much more full with than without! Will have the right tube tomorrow and hopefully I'll also stereo mod them tomorrow

 

[AsciiJC]

Custom chassis designed by me (inspired by ETA headphones) using yamaha hp1 speakers.
I used dampening material on the back but i honestly like them naked more!

 

[bananasplit 00]

Stereo mod performed, with detachable cable and the ability to swap for a balanced cable if I wish in the future The condition of everything inside was mint, the foam, the white piece and the black piece were all looking like new almost and the earpads are also in good nick but probably a bit deflated compared to original.

As for the sound I've got to say that these might be the best headphones I've listened too. These have no right to be this good, I just don't want to stop listening....

Everything seems so well balanced and the spacial reproduction is astounding.

I will definitely sit down and compare them to the rest of my headphones but initial impressions is that these aren't just good for something that was tossed in with a synth or whatever, these are good good. Will be really interesting to compare them to my Sennheiser HD558s especially

 

[bananasplit 00]

After a while of listening and A-B comparisons i would say the HP-50As have the edge in SQ over my Sennheiser HD558s. The bass rolloff is significantly less and lower and the highs are more detailed and dont get swallowed up by the mids as much. The HD558s are on another level when it comes to comfort though and dont need an amp if i want to use them with my phone. My laptop(Surface Laptop 2) can drive either without struggling though.

When using my hybrid tube amp the HP-50As get even further ahead as the background goes almost entirely black where as with the HD558s the background is more of a dark grey. Also inherent to the design of that amp is that the HP-50As will have a lower bass cutoff because of their higher impedance. Not that this is really noticable though as the HD558s roll off themselves before the amp does

Compared to my WH1000XM3s the HP-50As are again clearly on top for SQ, but loose in comfort and useability. I dont think i have used worse headphones for commuting but it was fun to compare Coud barely pick up my music at full blast from my phone over the metro and people talking

I am super happy that i got these headphones! It is so fun to listen to music through them. Music just sounds... right? They do great for everything from metal to electronic music to punk rock and jazz. The sub bass is there without a huge kick-hump and the top end is really briliant without being uncomfortably sharp. I am extremely impressed to say the least! Not sure how much use they will get like they are now though because they really hurt to wear after 45 min or so as they are on ear headphones and clamp quite a bit :/

 

[khbaur330162]

After a while of listening and A-B comparisons i would say the HP-50As have the edge in SQ over my Sennheiser HD558s.
[...]
The HD558s are on another level when it comes to comfort though and dont need an amp if i want to use them with my phone.
[...]
I am super happy that i got these headphones! It is so fun to listen to music through them. Music just sounds... right?
[...]
Not sure how much use they will get like they are now though because they really hurt to wear after 45 min or so as they are on ear headphones and clamp quite a bit :/

Transplant them! You can have these drivers in a comfortable frame, believe me. The Audio Technica ATH-M50 is a good foster phone. If you can find one with broken hinges for cheap I can help you restore them.

 

[bananasplit 00]

Transplant them! You can have these drivers in a comfortable frame, believe me. The Audio Technica ATH-M50 is a good foster phone. If you can find one with broken hinges for cheap I can help you restore them.

With any further mods I am scared to ruin the sound honestly , but i do have been on the lookout for some ATH-M50Xs in rough shape that i could get for cheap. I was also told by a friend that i should just try and find the thiccccest memory foam pads in the right dimensions so i might do that if i cant find any M50s soon-ish That would mean they are still over ear though which i am not really a fan off to begin with

 

[szerecsen]

The one on the left is not an ortho. Now I know. Some filters applied. I was in the mood. Sorry.

 

[GREQ]

The one on the left is not an ortho. Now I know. Some filters applied. I was in the mood. Sorry.

Wow, any chance of getting a glimpse at the driver?... even though it is kind of off topic...