Orthodynamic Roundup

[Philimon]

I used an Etsy 3DPrinting service to print this for my spare YH-1. $25shipped, ABS plastic. You can view the files better by using the 3D viewer on the page (change tab to “files”). Thanks @Asciisuki . Will update after they arrive.

This pad adapter would be nice to try with stock YH-1 enclosure if youve not the ability or not the inclination to solder.

 

[Cifems]

I present the "VIE SHAIR: Pain-Free Sociable Headphones", successfully kickstarted in 2017 the year of our lord.
If you need to put 'pain free' in your tagline, something has gone horribly wrong.
Now, before this post gets reported for being off topic, please look! Planar magnetic drivers.. by Yamaha!
...maybe. The audio module and codec is definitely by Yamaha, and I have an article that states they also "specially-made the hardware of the headset".
I hope it's not too outlandish to jump to the conclusion that Yamaha also provided their orthodynamic experience.
The driver design is somewhat similar, two magnetic plates with holes sandwiching a diaphragm, but the differences are also obvious. Besides the octagonal shape, the traces aren't circular and the diaphragm feels like just flexible PCB-type plastic, quite stiff.

Sound:
It's bluetooth, and I could not get the outdated Android app to sync correctly. There's a 3.5mm jack, but it's for a microphone. No wired mode.
So, I ripped out all the internals and converted them to wired.
They sound horrible.
To be fair, I definitely messed up the internal acoustics by removing the bluetooth PCBs. And I'm also missing whatever EQ/DSP would be applied by the app or audio module.
But generally, treble is harsh, bass & mids recessed. However, they responded well to EQ and even attained decent bass levels despite lack of a seal. Or any pads at all, lol.

Comfort:
Honestly, it's okay. The weird cage thing looks jank but evenly distributes pressure and is quite bearable. Obviously very breathable, good for warm climates. I did not wear them for more than an hour but they were fine for that period.

 

[dBel84]

It's been a while.... Got looped back in by request to repair a driver and saw some old friends .

Very intrigued by @Cifems discovery. This is the first time I have seen a modern planar with traces on both sides of the diaphragm. That is a really interesting design.

Was just thinking that I needed to revisit some old ideas, mostly listen to iems (planar) but have most all of my vintage collection still.

.. dB

 

[bananasplit 00]

K245 with HP-50A sounding better than ever with these new pads

Haven't had time to give the HP-1 and HP-3 their new pads but they look like they will be a lot nicer to use

 

[santsant]

Hello anyone know about this headphone? And is it still related to the yamaha ortho series? It is currently being auctioned at my local forums, the seller said it is dynamic driver though he might be wrong because he is just a reseller.

 

[llovizna]

Hello anyone know about this headphone? And is it still related to the yamaha ortho series? It is currently being auctioned at my local forums, the seller said it is dynamic driver though he might be wrong because he is just a reseller.

Those are vintage Russian (Soviet) orthodynamic headphones.

 

[bananasplit 00]

Hello anyone know about this headphone? And is it still related to the yamaha ortho series? It is currently being auctioned at my local forums, the seller said it is dynamic driver though he might be wrong because he is just a reseller.

Those look very similar but not quite the same as a pair of Yamaha HP-1, but that's all I know

 

[khbaur330162]

Those are vintage Russian (Soviet) orthodynamic headphones.

Yes, they are a TDS-5 (ТДС-5).

No, they are not really related to Yamahas, however, they are a 55mm pinched ortho, so they do belong in this thread for sure.

 

[santsant]

Thanks for the information, i guess no hurry to get it then.

 

[khbaur330162]

I took a tip from @Drakkard and bought some of that Corriedale Wool (I believe he linked one with needles or something, this is a bigger box than what you'd ever need all for under $20).

Effects? I've got a lot going on with the rig tonight, but I'm really liking what I'm hearing. First, some back story. I stole some wool damping discs from a stock Bang & Olufsen U70 housing and used them to damp my favorite YH-100 mod a while back. I really liked the quality that the wool had for some reason, it was softer and more organic than even the Arctic Bamboo Cotton I had been using. Fast forward to @Drakkard mentioning wool batting for housing filler and after some determination I decided to take the plunge. I find the image to be a little softer again, it has this airy wool quality. I dig it.

I also upgraded my amp's tubes and they are veritable monsters so tonight is turning out to be quite a session.

If anyone wants just a small sample of wool for one headphone I could send some in an envelope probably, just hmu in a PM.

 

[bananasplit 00]

Finally got around to swapping the HP-1 and HP-3 pads. Didn't take any pircures of the HP-1 when I did them but here is a comparison of the before and after on the HP-3. Muuuch nicer to wear now, but now the lack of any headband padding is really shining through so I'll look into putting a band of felt or something there next.

The HP-1 are quite nice to wear now but being on ear they are not my favourite to wear. The seal is almost too good, they are like suction cups on my ears almost I'll post a picture of them later as I forgot to take one when doing them a few days ago.

As for the sound, can't tell a difference on the HP-3 before and after. On the HP-1 it got a little bit darker, not as much high end sparkle, still pretty flat sound and maybe a bit more bass.

 

[bananasplit 00]

Here are the HP-1 with the new pads, they are indeed very thick

 

[GREQ]

After quite a few years NAD RP18 'development' is still ongoing...

I'm quite enjoying this new leather ear pad combination.
(fenestrated inside)

My RP18 drivers are still inside a modified fully open-back Beyerdynamic frame + rounded woven steel mesh grills
Not much damping needed for tuning.

(measured on miniDSP EARS)

Sound is very lush with emphasis on bass.
Treble is a bit weak with these pads, so I just turn it up on my pre-amp.

Definitely my favourite sounding RP18 mod so far.
Very relaxing, slow and warm. A good complementary planar to my fast, linear and aggressive HE-500.

 

[khbaur330162]

My RP18 drivers are still inside a modified fully open-back Beyerdynamic frame + rounded woven steel mesh grills
Not much damping needed for tuning.

Dang, those are purdy. Nice job on the mods.

You say development is still under process so here goes.

I have had really good luck with these pads:

Very similar pad to what you recently discovered @GREQ however instead of fenestrated leather it has breathable mesh. I find it even cleaner sounding than fenestrated leather (less ear chamber reflections). No harm no foul if you're not into it, just thought I'd mention. Might be a nice pad to have for the collection because it is unique imho, and it has served a purpose for me with my Yamaha mods.

 

[GREQ]

Dang, those are purdy. Nice job on the mods.

You say development is still under process so here goes.

I have had really good luck with these pads:


Very similar pad to what you recently discovered @GREQ however instead of fenestrated leather it has breathable mesh. I find it even cleaner sounding than fenestrated leather (less ear chamber reflections). No harm no foul if you're not into it, just thought I'd mention. Might be a nice pad to have for the collection because it is unique imho, and it has served a purpose for me with my Yamaha mods.

Cheers!
Well... I don't think any of us ever reall stop trying to squeeze more out of any of our headphones, eh?

That's almost identical to the last pad I used, which was the same shape, but fully pleather.
Definitely looks good. Very nice suggestion!
I think I'm going to stick with this round one for now, just because it sounds so lush/slammy - I really like this bass energy - and there's definitely no other headphone I own that can use this pad.

Also, angled pads on this Beyer frame isn't very comfortable.
There's just not enough swivel.
So I'm also enjoying the extra comfort.

My modding/listening strategies have changed a lot recently with the addition of a pre-amp with tone controls.
I feel like I was just limiting myself before with excessive 'purism'.
Now I've got great bass and treble, and far less modding and stress needed to get there.
Before with raw RP18 modding it always feels like a see-saw balance between bass OR treble... never both.