[HTSkywalker]

I compared the DT779 to the K550 and the AKG is much nicer

 

[TheGiantHogweed]

Mini xlr - 3.5mm cables seem a bit harder to get hold of at the moment. in the UK, there used to be some sold that likely were put together in the UK from 3 seperate company's parts. A Switchcraft Mini XLR socket, a Neutrik Rean 3.5mm plug and some Van Dmme cable. You could choose any length, but it was nearly £20.

Neutrik make really good quality connectors so I went for a 3.5mm plug and mini xlr socket from this UK site here:
https://custom-lynx.co.uk

https://custom-lynx.co.uk/product/rt3fc-b/
https://custom-lynx.co.uk/product/c...r-plated-balanced-patch-cable-ptmc-per-metre/
https://custom-lynx.co.uk/product/nys231bg-ll/

As you can see, it doesn't cost much if you wire it up yourself. These are very good components. Certainly better than many of the available mini xlr cables. You can also buy this ready made - and specify any length even to the millimeter. This is more expensive though:
https://custom-lynx.co.uk/product/c...5mm-trs-mini-jack-lead-black-gold-connectors/

I got a right angle 3.5mm connector. Ugh this was not nice to wire up with this thick cable. The straight connectors are so much easier to wire up.


Here is my result anyway:

Short, chunky cable for my very portable headphones!

 

[HTSkywalker]

Mini xlr - 3.5mm cables seem a bit harder to get hold of at the moment. in the UK, there used to be some sold that likely were put together in the UK from 3 seperate company's parts. A Switchcraft Mini XLR socket, a Neutrik Rean 3.5mm plug and some Van Dmme cable. You could choose any length, but it was nearly £20.

Neutrik make really good quality connectors so I went for a 3.5mm plug and mini xlr socket from this UK site here:
https://custom-lynx.co.uk

https://custom-lynx.co.uk/product/rt3fc-b/
https://custom-lynx.co.uk/product/c...r-plated-balanced-patch-cable-ptmc-per-metre/
https://custom-lynx.co.uk/product/nys231bg-ll/

As you can see, it doesn't cost much if you wire it up yourself. These are very good components. Certainly better than many of the available mini xlr cables. You can also buy this ready made - and specify any length even to the millimeter. This is more expensive though:
https://custom-lynx.co.uk/product/c...5mm-trs-mini-jack-lead-black-gold-connectors/

I got a right angle 3.5mm connector. Ugh this was not nice to wire up with this thick cable. The straight connectors are so much easier to wire up.


Here is my result anyway:


Short, chunky cable for my very portable headphones!

The upper head padding looks comfy, where did you get it from ?

 

[TheGiantHogweed]

Yea it is obvious we have our own personal tastes. I still own some Audio-Technica ATH-AD700s. They really lack weight to the bass, but the notes are certainly present. The treble however is actually that bit brighter than the DT880s, but the peak is higher up in the spectrum and is far more pleasant to my ears. They have the best treble of any of the headphones I've tried. All of mine are treble heavy and that includes 2 pairs of AKG K550s. Then the K702s were pretty sharp too. I generally like this.

My DT880s are much more balanced so I mostly use them now for home listening. Still like my K550s though. They sound great for closed back headphones, but the admittedly sound a bit artificial at times.
To me on Oluv's recordings, the HD58x's sound far closer to the original recording than the K702s do. Is this just maybe how he hears things if you think the K702 sounds more realistic?

The upper head padding looks comfy, where did you get it from ?

https://www.amazon.co.uk/SCR-Compat...ine+hd280+pro+headband&qid=1627467354&sr=8-10

This isn't the exact thing I got, but it it is still the same design. It is the headband pad for the HD280 pro's. It happens to fit the K550s almost perfectly. The only thing it changes is that you have to increase the headband size by 2 or 3 numbers. Well, that and making it much more comfortable!

 

[HTSkywalker]

https://www.amazon.co.uk/SCR-Compat...ine+hd280+pro+headband&qid=1627467354&sr=8-10

This isn't the exact thing I got, but it it is still the same design. It is the headband pad for the HD280 pro's. It happens to fit the K550s almost perfectly. The only thing it changes is that you have to increase the headband size by 2 or 3 numbers. Well, that and making it much more comfortable!

Thanks

 

[Venasa]

I love my 550s but am thinking of upgrading. Any suggestions? Soundstage is everything to me the wider and deeper the better, and I appreciate good separation. As a 550 lover I am clearly not a bass head, I don’t mind warm or neutral presentation. I have some Crossfade2s as well which are fine but nothing special.

 

[TheGiantHogweed]

I love my 550s but am thinking of upgrading. Any suggestions? Soundstage is everything to me the wider and deeper the better, and I appreciate good separation. As a 550 lover I am clearly not a bass head, I don’t mind warm or neutral presentation. I have some Crossfade2s as well which are fine but nothing special.

I have had K550s for about 8 years now including both the MKI an MKIII. I often find that when I use them on public transport that the vibrations make the bass incredibly lacking. But my FiiO X3 has good EQ and lets you boost the bass or treble by as much as 10DB. The bass being at around 100hz. This makes then sound a bit more flat at least. But if far too much when just listening at home.

I also would be interested in knowing of an upgrade on the K550s that doesn't lack any of their spacious sound, but has a bit more impact to the low end. In my case, having headphones that fold flat so they can slide into a laptop bad is pretty important too! It will probably be hard to find headphones that are ideal in every way for me that sound better tan the K550s.

 

[HTSkywalker]

I love my 550s but am thinking of upgrading. Any suggestions? Soundstage is everything to me the wider and deeper the better, and I appreciate good separation. As a 550 lover I am clearly not a bass head, I don’t mind warm or neutral presentation. I have some Crossfade2s as well which are fine but nothing special.

It all depends on your budget to be able to help you, you can go all the way to the soundstage king HD800S

 

[TheGiantHogweed]

Not sure why, but despite me not changing any headphones or speakers recently, I am starting to feel I want more bass impact from the K550s, as I mainly do use them on public transport where vibrations take a lot of it away. But even in quiet places, they are still quite thin sounding. I love their open and detailed sound though.

If anyone remembers or has any links to any mods done my members in the past, I may well try them. I however want to stick with the original pads. Would rather find out if there is anything you can do in the driver housing to increase the bass a bit without ruining the sound.

Thanks.

 

[HTSkywalker]

Not sure why, but despite me not changing any headphones or speakers recently, I am starting to feel I want more bass impact from the K550s, as I mainly do use them on public transport where vibrations take a lot of it away. But even in quiet places, they are still quite thin sounding. I love their open and detailed sound though.

If anyone remembers or has any links to any mods done my members in the past, I may well try them. I however want to stick with the original pads. Would rather find out if there is anything you can do in the driver housing to increase the bass a bit without ruining the sound.

Thanks.

Well the K550 are a nice all rounder giving a feeling of open cans to closed ones as well as good bang for the bucks. Anything outside this envelope will cost more. BTW below are 2 nice pads replacements:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07BL2W1Z...olid=17R8K5IOB5545&psc=1&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B076SGPZ2...colid=17R8K5IOB5545&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it&th=1

 

[TheGiantHogweed]

Well the K550 are a nice all rounder giving a feeling of open cans to closed ones as well as good bang for the bucks. Anything outside this envelope will cost more. BTW below are 2 nice pads replacements:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07BL2W1Z...olid=17R8K5IOB5545&psc=1&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B076SGPZ2...colid=17R8K5IOB5545&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it&th=1

I actually have the brainwavs XL pads, but despite many saying they give them more bass, that is only the case if you have a bad fit with the originals. Basically, I've noticed that the larger area there is between the driver and your ear, as well as the diameter, it results in less bass and sharper sounding highs. Due to them being thicker, if you have a poor fit with the originals, i can understand these being better, but I noticed that they make the headphones sound even thinner than they are.


The velour pads I expect would make them sound like a pair of tweeters on your ears. I've learned this before that having soft foam material, or even some holes in the leather / pu leather on the inside can reduce bass significantly on headphones. I once tried my velvet akg k550 pads on the K550s, and the bass wasn't really audible and they just sounded unpleasant.

I only really like the sound of the original pads, so if I was doing mods, I would want it to be relating to the driver and the housing.

 

[HTSkywalker]

I actually have the brainwavs XL pads, but despite many saying they give them more bass, that is only the case if you have a bad fit with the originals. Basically, I've noticed that the larger area there is between the driver and your ear, as well as the diameter, it results in less bass and sharper sounding highs. Due to them being thicker, if you have a poor fit with the originals, i can understand these being better, but I noticed that they make the headphones sound even thinner than they are.


The velour pads I expect would make them sound like a pair of tweeters on your ears. I've learned this before that having soft foam material, or even some holes in the leather / pu leather on the inside can reduce bass significantly on headphones. I once tried my velvet akg k550 pads on the K550s, and the bass wasn't really audible and they just sounded unpleasant.

I only really like the sound of the original pads, so if I was doing mods, I would want it to be relating to the driver and the housing.

In fact originals were the best sounding but sadly no factory replacement. I replaced them with a recommended pair of pads which are discontinued now on Amazon but never the same original sound. As I own 2 other pairs of cans Ananda and Elear am not looking for additional pads.

 

[TheGiantHogweed]

In fact originals were the best sounding but sadly no factory replacement. I replaced them with a recommended pair of pads which are discontinued now on Amazon but never the same original sound. As I own 2 other pairs of cans Ananda and Elear am not looking for additional pads.

I purchased these a while ago and am waiting for them to arrive:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B08M3SG1HM/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

They look identical, but i hope they will be!

Still want to look into sound modifications though.

 

[HTSkywalker]

I purchased these a while ago and am waiting for them to arrive:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B08M3SG1HM/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

They look identical, but i hope they will be!

Still want to look into sound modifications though.

Good luck with that

 

[TheGiantHogweed]

Good luck with that

Indeed. I've used this forum so much less since the interface change (if you were around then as i can't remember the year). It's search feature to find old threads is awful compared to what it used to be. I am sure there are K550 mod threads somewhere, but this forum used to be far easier to navigate. I may end up searching on google for the headfi threads!