[pimfram]

Being the curious person I am, I wanted to compare my father's old HD-414s to my SR225is. Soon thereafter, I realize the right driver is producing no sound

Apparently they quit working a while ago, and he hasn't messed with them. Is this more likely a cable issue or a driver issue? I see there are replacement cables available for a reasonable price (~30 bucks), and I think they'd be worth that. I have tried removing the right side cable but it seems to either be stuck or I need to to something aside from yanking on it, for it to be removed.

Any insight toward either issue would be appreciated.

 

[Kees]

Most probably the cable failed. You already found the replacement I see. You can remove the old cable by pulling the plugs out. Hold the plug in one hand and the housing in the other and pull it straight out. Sometimes it takes some force.

 

[pimfram]

Holy crap. I would never have imagined it would take so much force! I have some nice marks on my hands from warping the cable around my hand and pulling as hard as I could.

Is it really worth the money to spend $40 on new pads and new cable on these? I know they are not exactly stellar by today's standards, but they sounded good last time I listened to them a few years ago. Maybe he'd like a new set of SR60is or something.

 

[Kees]

If they are the original HD414 they sound pretty good, even for today's standards, but they are rather difficult to drive because they are a whopping 2000 Ohm impedance....
They are also a piece of headphone history: they were the first open headphones on the market.

 

[pimfram]

Yeah, I saw the independence was 2000. No wonder my onboard audio couldn't power them worth a damn. I'm going to go ahead and fix them up, should be a nice late Christmas gift.

 

[lecky]

I've some 424s which is much the same but with different housing and pads, they sound pretty OK driven from the speaker terminals of an amp. With lesser amplification there's no bottom end to speak of, with strong amplification they improve. They're fun, but I don't use them much.

 

[pimfram]

I got the replacement cable today (backorder takes a while, apparently) and the left driver is still dead. I really hate to throw these away, especially since I was fixing them up for my father. Anyone have any info on how to repair or know anyone who would repair these? It doesn't look like there is any easy way to open them up and take a look inside.

 

[nikongod]

you dont want to take them apart.

have you tried hooking them up backwards? IE left cable tip into OTHER cup.

are you 100% sure you have the tips in the right way 'round? are they set all the way in there?

The 414's in 2000ohms are actually nicer than many people give credit for. If these are not salvagable they come around on ebay all the time.

 

[pimfram]

Yeah, definitely hooked in the right way, the channels are different sizes. I did take them apart and have no idea what I'm looking at. Seems like a red hair-like wire is connected to a small wire terminal on each side. Way over my head, connecting them directly to a source doesn't work, either. I'll see if I can get some pics taken and hope for the best.

 

[pimfram]

Not great but as good as my phone can take

http://i50.tinypic.com/1678ahj.jpg
http://i47.tinypic.com/2j0l113.jpg
http://i50.tinypic.com/erbvis.jpg
http://i48.tinypic.com/2wm06c3.jpg

For what it's worth, the thin red wires fell off in the process of taking the pictures, so they're no longer there.

 

[kool bubba ice]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kees /img/forum/go_quote.gif If they are the original HD414 they sound pretty good, even for today's standards, but they are rather difficult to drive because they are a whopping 2000 Ohm impedance.... They are also a piece of headphone history: they were the first open headphones on the market.

Yes.. Definatly a collectors item. I'd like one to go along with the first closed headphones on the market..

 

[kool bubba ice]

I have vintage headphones from the 50's-80's.. Never had a driver problem. It's always the cable. Had to get 2 of my DT48a recabled. 1 340.And my DT480 needs a recable. And why 2,000 ohms???

 

[dclancy]

Was talking with a guy from work, mentioned something about Sennheiser, he said he owned an old pair, thinks they're the 414.
What's a fair price on these. Want to make him an offer, but he's good people so wouldn't want to screw him.
Hey Kool, let me know what, if any, changes in the sound sig for the 480's you notice after the recable. Been meaning to do one myself, but only got as far as re-terminating to a mini as I primarily use it on my laptop. (sound surprisingly good from a bad source!)

 

[nikongod]

Quote:

Originally Posted by dclancy /img/forum/go_quote.gif Want to make him an offer, but he's good people so wouldn't want to screw him.

I would offer between $50 and 80 he will be superhappy to have cashola for something he dosnt care about, you will be at least decently happy to have a neat headphone.

Many of the newer cables (cardas, I think newer HD580/650) fit the 414, which is good because the stock 414 cable is about the worst cable ever made.

 

[dclancy]

Thanks for the input!