[wolfen68]

I'm a little perplexed on the recabling opportunities for Grados in general.....

I've always seen the interest in aftermarket cables cables for Sennheisers. I assumed this was prevalent for two reasons:

1. Senns are "socketed" and easy to trade cables, and
2. Senn stock cables were lousy and needed improvement.

The mood I've always seen here regarding Grado recabling has been that it is not really worth it and that the original cable was good enough.

It seems with people modifying HF-1's, there is a sudden wave of belief that a better cable on a Grado DOES make a difference. Larry of Headphile states that he believes the cable is a least 1/2 the improvement going from a stock to a modded HF-1.

Since I see that (overall) improvement as pretty significant, why don't more people recable their Grados? For that matter, why not recable an RS-1 and really improve on that can? The stock cables are kind of a weird length anyways...recabling could offer a user the "perfect length".

I realize that headphile will not recable an RS-1, but there are other places that offer cables.....why is no one doing this? Try a search on RS-1 recabling....almost nothing out there.

 

[augustwest]

The main reason I would consider re-cabling my Grados is not because of any improvement in sound quality. I'm happy with how they sound, but I might consider a "re-cable" to try and eliminate/minimize the irritating cable twisting problem.

- augustwest

 

[kmcdonou]

The reason no one is recabling the RS-1s is that you would have to separate the wooden cups to remove the existing cable. Since the cups are glued together, that could cause some serious problems.

 

[wolfen68]

Quote:

Originally Posted by kmcdonou The reason no one is recabling the RS-1s is that you would have to separate the wooden cups to remove the existing cable. Since the cups are glued together, that could cause some serious problems.

From what I've heard, the cups come apart pretty easily.

 

[Purgatos]

Quote:

Originally Posted by wolfen68 From what I've heard, the cups come apart pretty easily.

It's the getting them back together part that seems to be the problem.

 

[NotoriousBIG_PJ]

If it was easy to do, people would be doing it. Theres also the matter of getting a cable small enough to fit in the holes.

I found there to be great sonic improvements by recabling a grado. The stock cable is not much better then the stock senn cable (the comparison has been done using my old ps-1 cable hehe).

Biggie.

 

[kramer5150]

The RS1 earcup is all one piece. Basically the driver is glues into it, using some kind of VERY adhesive glue. On the HF1 the Driver housing is 2 pieces, held together with hot melt glue. Doesn't take much more than a hair dryer to pull the HF1 earcup apart.

PM doobooloo he has the only DIY RS1 recable I have ever seen. His looks very clean too.

 

[fureshi]

from what i remember of doo's post, his rs1 were pretty old also so it was easier to flake off the glue. i just looked at mine and i have no idea how i'd get the driver off without damaging either the driver itself or the wood.

 

[kramer5150]

You probably could splice out the "Y" and recable everything from there on down. Not sure if that would be enough of a difference though. And you'll be adding a solder joint to the conduction path.

Garrett

 

[kontai69]

Quote:

Originally Posted by wolfen68 why not recable an RS-1 and really improve on that can? The stock cables are kind of a weird length anyways...recabling could offer a user the "perfect length". I realize that headphile will not recable an RS-1, but there are other places that offer cables.....why is no one doing this? Try a search on RS-1 recabling....almost nothing out there.

Here is a past thread discussing the logistical problems in recabling the all wood Grados (RS 1/2, MS-Pro)...
http://www6.head-fi.org/forums/showthread.php?t=159785
Larry himself replied in that thread, basically saying that it was too risky a procedure. I don't blame him one bit since he would be financially responsible to replace a $700 headphone should anything go wrong.

 

[robm321]

Quote:

Originally Posted by wolfen68 I'm a little perplexed on the recabling opportunities for Grados in general..... I've always seen the interest in aftermarket cables cables for Sennheisers. I assumed this was prevalent for two reasons: 1. Senns are "socketed" and easy to trade cables, and 2. Senn stock cables were lousy and needed improvement. The mood I've always seen here regarding Grado recabling has been that it is not really worth it and that the original cable was good enough. It seems with people modifying HF-1's, there is a sudden wave of belief that a better cable on a Grado DOES make a difference. Larry of Headphile states that he believes the cable is a least 1/2 the improvement going from a stock to a modded HF-1. Since I see that (overall) improvement as pretty significant, why don't more people recable their Grados? For that matter, why not recable an RS-1 and really improve on that can? The stock cables are kind of a weird length anyways...recabling could offer a user the "perfect length". I realize that headphile will not recable an RS-1, but there are other places that offer cables.....why is no one doing this? Try a search on RS-1 recabling....almost nothing out there.

cuz Grado's sound good the way they come - Senns you have to replace and add all kinds of crap to get them to sound good

partially kidding.

 

[VR6ofpain]

Quote:

Originally Posted by wolfen68 From what I've heard, the cups come apart pretty easily.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Purgatos It's the getting them back together part that seems to be the problem.

Funny when the RS-1/2 are a one piece housing!

You just remove the driver from the housing, which could be tricky.

 

[Xanadu777]

Quote:

Originally Posted by VR6ofpain Funny when the RS-1/2 are a one piece housing! You just remove the driver from the housing, which could be tricky.

The quickest way to take them apart is with a 5lb sledge. Getting them back together, another story...

 

[wolfen68]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Xanadu777 The quickest way to take them apart is with a 5lb sledge. Getting them back together, another story...

Quote:

Funny when the RS-1/2 are a one piece housing! ...

Sure guys...make fun of the guy who doesn't know how to take an RS-1 apart

 

[Elephas]

Grado RS-1 recabled (click thumbnail to view)