[Joe Bloggs]

When I was playing around with my Somic MH463, I noticed that in the pics posted by Boris there were vents around the driver on the side facing the ear:

(above and below the driver)
 
If such vents were not present, the driver should make an airtight seal with the ear (to the extent that the earpads seal the ear), making it possible to reproduce subbass down to DC frequencies.
 
I tried sealing the vents with tape and it boosted the subbass substantially (as heard playing sine tones with one side taped and the other not;  unfortunately I did not take notes as to exactly how many dB louder that side got at x Hz).
 
I am especially curious as to how such a mod would work out with the Audio Technica AD series...:

with a big 53mm driver *surrounded* by even bigger vents on all sides, leaking all the bass away and making for a rather bass lean sound, by all accounts.
...because I'm interested in acquiring an AD500 for the reputation the ATs have for comfort, but I do like my bass

 
If you want to try this mod, just remove the earpads to expose the driver assembly and put some tape over all the vents around the driver. (duh?)
 
Interested in hearing your results!  The best way to quantify the change in sound would be to do the mod on one earcup first and play some bass frequency sine tones before and after modding one side to check the level difference between the two cups (before and after, because the channels may be imbalanced to begin with).
 
On the other hand, are there any other recommendations for comfortable circumaural open cans with big deep cups (coz I have big ears and wear glasses) that are bassy?  And a bargain price is always welcome

 

[MrViolin]

might try it if I get an adxxxxx series

 

[graphidz]

I wonder if this will also work on AD700?

 

[Joe Bloggs]

Sure, I took the pic from a AD900 and from the looks of it the AD700 is built the same way.  You have it with you? Try it and tell me what you hear

 

[pngwn]

I have an AD700 and AD900x. Might try this to see what happens. I'll keep you guys updated!

 

[Joe Bloggs]

I did some more reading and it seems the stock pads on the ADs don't seal much if at all and would be the first target for a bass mod?

http://www.head-fi.org/t/588703/audio-technica-ad700-bass-monster-in-disguise

 

[graphidz]

@Joe
I would but since I never have any experience modding headphones I won't be doing it as of now. Plus it's still under warranty so...
 
@pngwn
Nice! Will wait!

 

[pngwn]

This mod would in no way void the warranty. It's just removing the earpad and taping over some of the holes around the driver; completely reversible.

 

[waynes world]

Quote:

This mod would in no way void the warranty. It's just removing the earpad and taping over some of the holes around the driver; completely reversible.

 
So, what are you waiting for?

 
Thanks to you, I'm loving the bass with the ad900x + E12. But it's intriguing to think that simply taping the vents might provide even more bass. Also intruging is the link that Joe provided discussing putting cling wrap around the circumference of the pads to increase the bass. Cool!

 

[pngwn]

My greatest concern with this mod would be the effect on other aspects of the sound. Currently not home right now so I can't mess around with either of my cans at the moment. I'm most interested to see how it affects the AD700 bass, but I'm not particularly dying for more AD900x bass, especially with the E12 and some very generous EQing in foobar. Still, will be interesting to note the results.