What is this mod you're speaking of please?
Im intrigued
Im intrigued
What is this mod you're speaking of please?
Im intrigued
I think insulating tape might leave a residue depending on the quality of the tape.
I just cover the bass ports with a tiny square of transparent tape. I think insulating tape might leave a residue depending on the quality of the tape. I tried covering the whole faceplate, but I found the tape edges to be uncomfortable if they touched my ears.
The "Tape Mod" = covering the bass adjustment hole w/tape (supposedly) does beneficial things to the SQ, i.e. reduces the mid-bass bloat and smooths out the mids and highs.
I don't find it to smooth out the mids and highs lol. It actually increases the mids/vocals significantly and makes the treble more upfront and aggressive. It does quite the opposite of smoothing them out .
Two things: first, I spent a bit of time today trying various tips for my IE8 (Monster hybrids, Sony hybrids, small silicone bi-flange that I think came with the IE8, and Comply T-500), and I keep coming back to the Comply. They just seem to have the best mix of bass response, isolation, clarity, and comfort of all the ones I've tried. I saw the recommendation for the Hifiman RE series bi-flanges, and I might give those a go too. Naturally, I'm open to any other thoughts anybody has! (I have a set of custom tips I had made for them, but they were uncomfortable and difficult to get in and out, so I haven't used them in a while).
Second, I just saw the reference to the 'tape mod' and tried it out, and WOW-- it really does make the bass SIGNIFICANTLY less overblown and wooly!! I've only been listening for a few minutes, so we'll see how it works in the long term, but so far, I'm very impressed!! Major kudos to whoever figured this out!!!
Who here is crazy enough to punch holes in the IE's back plate to covert it to a semi-open iem? ME! I put 3 holes per IEM.
Initial impressions : EPIC. The sound stage is a lot massive and improved the treble and holographic-ness of the sound. Sounds like an open can but still blocks outside noise unlike open cans.
Other observations :
- I though the hole would make its bass bloated like maxing out the bass port. Apparently, it doesn't. Even with holes, the bass port still controls the bass. Which is a good thing!
- Bass didn't reduce, but sounds much more deep. (probably attenuated some of the excess mid bass?)
Worth a try if you are fine having reduced outside-world isolation. As for me, I never really liked closed headphones and this mod has made me use the IE8s again instead of open cans at home!
pictures to follow. it doesn't look pretty though.