Some "DIY" Open Backs
Sep 11, 2023 at 1:01 AM Thread Starter Post #1 of 8

treys1

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Similar to my closed backs that I am working on, got a set of opens put together today.

I'm actually pretty happy with the tuning on these right now, but haven't metered them yet, just listening so far!
  • 100mm Rosewood cups.
  • 50mm Wool / Carbon Drivers
  • OpenHeart Cable
  • Angled Sheepskin Pads
I've got a hefty amount of deadening material around the outside and a nice chunk of 20ppi foam directly behind the driver.

I'm really digging the sound of these!

PXL_20230911_015250057.jpgPXL_20230911_015446284.jpgPXL_20230911_015821842.jpgPXL_20230911_021828162.jpgPXL_20230911_031123006~2.jpg
 
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Sep 29, 2023 at 10:43 PM Post #3 of 8
And a set with some "D9200" drivers in 300ohm (also from Aliexpress) and rose wood:

PXL_20230929_045118829~2.jpg
 
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Nov 11, 2023 at 9:46 PM Post #6 of 8
Any impression of the drivers you can give? I've got the Peerless 50mm right now going into a project but I'm thinking of grabbing some Aliexpress units over the 11.11 sale.

  • The Peerless drivers are awesome in the open backs, amazing value. I did close up some of the vent on the back to tame the bass a bit.
  • D9200 - Meh, they were EXTREMELY hard to tune as they are boomy when you open them up and stuffy if you close them. I got them in a good spot, but prefer the Huayunxin 300ohm Beryllium.
  • Huayunxin 300ohm Beryllium - I really like these drivers and have swapped over from the D9200. That said, tuning was a bit of a chore. I opened all the holes on the back with an Xacto knife then went back over them with the #2 tuning paper rings that you can buy. Like this, they are some of my favorite drivers in open back.
  • QIGOM K100 300ohm Beryllium - Sound pretty good, but the Huayunxin are close enough that it is not worth almost double the price. That said, I couldn't really get the Huayunxin where I liked them in my closed backs, the K100 hands down is my favorite in the closed backs. I have tried the 64 and 300ohm K100 in closed backs and they measure nearly identical when tuned the same.
 
Nov 25, 2023 at 5:08 AM Post #7 of 8
Excellent work!

You gotta wonder why not more people are experimenting like this.

Materials for this kind of projects are readily available nowadays. And it seems at rather reasonable prices. Will keep an eye on.

May I ask.
Your better, more succesful attempts, how would they compare to a well-known commercial model?

For example, how would they compare to the sound of an HD600 or a Fidelio X2?
 
Nov 25, 2023 at 8:43 PM Post #8 of 8
Excellent work!

You gotta wonder why not more people are experimenting like this.

Materials for this kind of projects are readily available nowadays. And it seems at rather reasonable prices. Will keep an eye on.

May I ask.
Your better, more succesful attempts, how would they compare to a well-known commercial model?

For example, how would they compare to the sound of an HD600 or a Fidelio X2?

Someone that has been doing the head-fi thing longer than me has a set that I built and he compares them to a mix of Kennerton and Audio Technica's sounds.
 

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