I'm going to try this minimal (but dramtic) mod to my genuine Korean-made 90s, which are the best 90s of my collection, and jaw-dropping in every possible way without any mod other than a standard 72 hour aggressive burn-in. Next will be the genuine Japanese version and then the most recent genuine set, the Malaysian build, when it comes next week.
In sum: what a great discovery this forum. I'm not by nature afraid of messing with any gear, but until my cheap Chinese clones came along, I thought the 90s couldn't get much better, especially the Korean made version. If $10 junk (admittedly based on a really decent, simple design, of course) can sound like $100 heaven, this forum has made my day, week and probably a few months.
QUOTE]
I am extremely happy with my modded 90s. If you have not modded yours and wonder how they would sound with the kidney shaped openings sealed, then simply press them with your fingers, in towards your ears so that a seal is formed between the phones and your skin. Do this while music is playing and you will not believe how much better the phones sound when you press them in, rather than when you dont't, and more air is free to escape from the kidney shaped holes. If you like the sound with the phones pressed in towards your ear, then just seal them (I did it with bathroom silicone sealer) and you will get the dame effect without having to push the phones in to your ear all the time.
Then continue and remove the foam plugs from inside the phones as alread described in this thread and you have an incredible pair of earphones. What stands out to me is the power of the sound. Even with just my Sony mp3 player it is extremely punchy and dynamic. This is a high end sound for peanuts.