Removing the HD650 foam over the drivers.

[cheechoz]

Has anyone removed the foam over the HD650 drivers. I was reading Vertigo-1's review, and he mentions that it opens up the highs a bit. If you've done it, then how would I go about removing the pads and then the foam?

 

[Absorbine_Sr]

I did it with my just recently purchased 650's. Just pull firmly but gently at the pad - it wil come away from the earpiece. Then the foam just lifts out. I did what someone else suggested and cut a piece of pantyhose to fit where the foam was. I didn't want any mung getting into the drivers. Then the foam earpads just snap back in.

Can't wait till the wife finds those pantyhose.....

 

[chopstxxx]

I just did it yesterday as well. To my ears they sound much better and the veil is lifted. I listen to a lot of rock so the extra brightness gives the music a little more punch.

 

[cheechoz]

Fantastic!!! I just removed the foam, and let me tell you, It's a day and night difference to my ears. Tomorrow, my cardas cable comes in, so now I know theres hope for me and my Senn after all!!!!

 

[practitioner]

Would removing the foam increases the chances of the drivers being damaged? I'am really tempted after reading Vertigo-1's HD650 review.

 

[Patu]

Man that was a super easy mod. Took 1 minute.

I have to make deeper comparsion between foam/not foam but now I'm worried that will the driver be damaged more easily when there's no cover for it?

Those who have used 650s for longer time without foam please tell us about your experiences.

 

[nspindel]

I removed the foam from my 650's last night, but tbh I put it back in. I'm very worried about damaging the drivers. Perhaps the panty hose idea is a good one. "Oh honey, I need a pair of your panty hose. I prefer black...."

 

[Vertigo-1]

There's still a screen over the driver itself, so the driver isn't really completely exposed to the elements. What I do notice is that dust does seem to build up behind the earpads without the foam in place, so maybe now and then you should pull the pads out to blow the dust out if you decide to remove the foam.

 

[cheechoz]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vertigo-1 There's still a screen over the driver itself, so the driver isn't really completely exposed to the elements. What I do notice is that dust does seem to build up behind the earpads without the foam in place, so maybe now and then you should pull the pads out to blow the dust out if you decide to remove the foam.

Yeh, no doubt, and thanks for the great write up! I am to careful anyway, to let anything, besides dust, get in there. Nothing that a good can of compessed air can't fix.

 

[Patu]

Quote:

Originally Posted by cheechoz Fantastic!!! I just removed the foam, and let me tell you, It's a day and night difference to my ears. Tomorrow, my cardas cable comes in, so now I know theres hope for me and my Senn after all!!!!

A night and day difference? I think that's a bit of exaggerating. I can hardly hear any difference after removing the foam. There might be some little improvement in high end but that's it. I don't know am I willing to expose the drivers to all the dust and crap for that.

How would you characterize the differencies?

 

[Naga]

holy crap, it really does bring some details back to the picture !

 

[cheechoz]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Patu A night and day difference? I think that's a bit of exaggerating. I can hardly hear any difference after removing the foam. There might be some little improvement in high end but that's it. I don't know am I willing to expose the drivers to all the dust and crap for that. How would you characterize the differencies?

Well, I might be exaggerating a bit, but if you look at my sig, you'll see that most of my cans are pretty much on the brighter side. Listening to a stock HD650 after my selection of lovelies, makes me question whether I will keep them or not. The difference that a little bit of treble gain makes to my ears, is a night and day difference, IMHO! Also, I don't plan on taking my Senns on any hiking trails or camping trips anytime soon, so I'm not worried about getting any crap inside or around the drivers. Your point is well taken though!!

 

[Patu]

Quote:

Originally Posted by cheechoz Also, I don't plan on taking my Senns on any hiking trails or camping trips anytime soon, so I'm not worried about getting any crap inside or around the drivers. Your point is well taken though!!

Me neither but I'm still afraid that some hairs ore other little tiny crap might drift to the drivers. Is this silly or what? Because it sure doesn't make the sound worse so it anyway would not be a bad thing to remove the foam.

What to do?!

EDIT: Well I decided to remove the foam. If someone come up with any problems with drivers getting dirty or something then please inform about it right away.

 

[cheechoz]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Patu Me neither but I'm still afraid that some hairs ore other little tiny crap might drift to the drivers. Is this silly or what? Because it sure doesn't make the sound worse so it anyway would not be a bad thing to remove the foam. What to do?!

Well, I guess you can ask yourself if the sound is that much better. If you feel it's not, then heck, leave them on. You can always upgrade the cable, which I am doing.

 

[Mastergill]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Patu Me neither but I'm still afraid that some hairs ore other little tiny crap might drift to the drivers. Is this silly or what? Because it sure doesn't make the sound worse so it anyway would not be a bad thing to remove the foam. What to do?! EDIT: Well I decided to remove the foam. If someone come up with any problems with drivers getting dirty or something then please inform about it right away.

Don't worry, i use my Senns like that since 3 years now with absolutely no problems. If you use them regularly no dust will settle on the drivers. If you plan to store your Senn for more than a month, just put the foam back.