I'd like to make this post a small tribute to the man and headphone that started this thread, Mr Wualta and the Yamaha HP1 respectively. His advice and encouragement is much appreciated, let it be known.
I recently acquired a HP1 and must say it sounded splendid from the very first note. Modding was far from my mind, and several weeks later I still think it's performing well. Further damping with wool felt might improve things even further, but I don't want to risk loosing the sense of space and airiness. It's balanced from bass to treble with a very smooth reproduction across the spectrum. No disturbing peaks and valleys. And the ortho transient management is all there: check out the Brazilian drums and percussion on Sergio Mendes' early records Fool on the Hill and Crystal Illusions - wonderful. The sound of these recordings with an orchestra captured in the studio acoustics is seductive. Also wonderful vocals by Lani Hall and Karen Phillip. This CD is a good introduction:
However, the HP1 wasn't in pristine condition. The headband was broken and wrinkled, and the movement of the cups restricted.
The plastic rim of the suede headband had cracked, a common problem with the HP1, so I thought I'd try to fix it. It wasn't as bad as on the photo below, but still obvious enough to be irritating.
I figured I neeed a strong, thin and flexible support to glue between suede and plastic, something like this:
Yes, an ordinary nylon cable binder. I cut the end off, trimmed the ends with a sharp knife and fixed it between the rim and the suede with super glue.
I also wanted to get rid of the wrinkles and to get the suede and the plastic rim into the right shape. I used the nearest thing I could find for support - a remote control. The plastic rims are spaced with a tooth pick.
A minute or so in the hot steam of the shower made the headband damp and supple.
Next step was to dry the headband with a hair dryer. This makes the plastic rim soft so it adapts to the shape of the headband, and stretches the suede. Be very careful not to overheat the plastic rim. When it cools down it stays in shape. The HP1 now looks fine.
But it squeeks. Faust3D writes in wikiphonia:
"That ball joint pivots in a small, loose-fitting metal socket inside the earcup and makes loud, annoying clicking and clunking sounds as the headphones are settled on the listener's head. The sounds are carried through the entire structure; it's a sensation not unlike flicking a plastic ruler held clenched in the teeth. Not a problem if the listener holds still, but disconcerting, especially at first. Performing the damping mods described elsewhere usually solves this problem."
Lubrication will help, and is also good for preventing accidental breakage if a joint gets stuck. Graphite is the thing. All you need is a knife, a pencil and an old envelope.
With the damping foam in place in the cup there's no risk putting some graphite powder in the joint. Move it around a bit and it's done, a quiet and soft joint.
The problem with the HP1 is to find a place to keep it where headband and joints are protected. The best solutions are often simple.
Yes, a plastic ruler and convenience tissue, sold in rolls.