[Silver Wolf]

I'm gonna eventually do this mod but probably double-sided.

How do you do the holes for the jack(s)? Looks like there is not much room to spare.

Also, does anybody know why 4 pin mini XLRs have 4 pins Is that for the lazy single-sided modders?

lol I doubt mini 4pin connectors/jacks etc where designed for headphone use, more likely just a compact 4pin studio jack for microphones or A/V purpose etc but they lend themselves well to headphones due to compact size obviously.

I went single sided on mine because I have a range of AKG/ Beyerdynamic cans that already have a 3pin and it's just easy to mod for balanced then with a socket change and cables will be inter-usable between them all. Headband cross-over cable is personal choice to upgrade/improve. Your correct as in little room for the jacks etc, any of these mods you have to make sure when fitted stay clear of driver fitment/don't impair driver fitment. When you look inside you will see the driver (or spun mesh disc that driver is housed on/locks into) sits upon a ledge just inside the ear cup, any jack you fit needs to be clear of this ledge and the driver platform/disc.

So if doing yourself try and keep all work (if using a retaining nut then it's size/where it sits has to be accounted for also, gluing sometimes may be easier) below that ledge or when re-fitting driver platform into ear cup it wont sit flat and things wont fit/seal etc. I made my hole simply with a Dremel (rotatory tool) with a die grinding head and just did it free-hand slowly. Original cable stays and grommets etc were all re-used.

 

[TrollDragon]

I'm quite sure I anchored my Tiny XLR sockets in with epoxy, the nut wouldn't fit if I remember correctly.

One thing to be EXTREMELY careful about is the driver solder tabs, they can be very easily pulled out of the plastic once heated and that can snap the hair like voice coil wire.

 

[gimmeheadroom]

I'm quite sure I anchored my Tiny XLR sockets in with epoxy, the nut wouldn't fit if I remember correctly.

One thing to be EXTREMELY careful about is the driver solder tabs, they can be very easily pulled out of the plastic once heated and that can snap the hair like voice coil wire.

I found two variations of mini XLR sockets. I bought both kinds. It looks like one has the nut inside the housing and the other outside but I haven't opened the packages to take a better look.

https://www.thomann.de/intl/rean_tiny_xlr_rt4_mpr.htm
https://www.thomann.de/intl/neutrik_rean_tiny_xlr_rt_4_mp.htm

I thought I had seen a pic of the drivers that showed the wiring was much heavier than Sennheiser for example. I wonder if there were revisions along the way?

 

[TheGiantHogweed]

I found two variations of mini XLR sockets. I bought both kinds. It looks like one has the nut inside the housing and the other outside but I haven't opened the packages to take a better look.

https://www.thomann.de/intl/rean_tiny_xlr_rt4_mpr.htm
https://www.thomann.de/intl/neutrik_rean_tiny_xlr_rt_4_mp.htm

I thought I had seen a pic of the drivers that showed the wiring was much heavier than Sennheiser for example. I wonder if there were revisions along the way?

https://www.head-fi.org/threads/the...scussion-thread.613707/page-179#post-15616841

This is what I did with my AKG K550s when I fitted the rean mini xlr in your 2nd link.

The 4 pin isn't really needed. You could either have this on one or both sides. And just connect the ground + right for the right side and ground + left for the left side. I don't really get why anyone would use 4 pins.

This is the cable I made for them:




I myself didn't bother doing a double entry as I'm used to the cable only going in the left. But I also don't think it is worth doing a serious upgrade when you just go in on one side. Not everyone, but I have seen a lot on this forum that do mods with such expensive cable that only goes into one side, then has to go through the stock wire to the other driver. To me that would just make one of the drivers an upgrade. Even so, I think only the first upgrade makes a big difference. I wouldn't want to start spending much over £20 - £30 on modifications.

 

[gimmeheadroom]

I don't like single-sided cables, I don't want the crossover wire. To me it's much cleaner to go dual, the jacks are less than 5 euros for 2 pieces and I already have a bunch of Audeze cables. Really the mod should cost 5 euros and it's just labor.

 

[TrollDragon]

I found two variations of mini XLR sockets. I bought both kinds. It looks like one has the nut inside the housing and the other outside but I haven't opened the packages to take a better look.

https://www.thomann.de/intl/rean_tiny_xlr_rt4_mpr.htm
https://www.thomann.de/intl/neutrik_rean_tiny_xlr_rt_4_mp.htm

I thought I had seen a pic of the drivers that showed the wiring was much heavier than Sennheiser for example. I wonder if there were revisions along the way?

IMHO the nut on the inside is a much cleaner installation, you would have to play with spacers inside to use the external nut variation. A little JB Weld or similar epoxy will hold secure the socket threads in place.

The connecting wires I used were enamel coated litz, the drivers only handle 100mW max so there is no need for heavy wires.

 

[TrollDragon]

The 4 pin isn't really needed. You could either have this on one or both sides. And just connect the ground + right for the right side and ground + left for the left side. I don't really get why anyone would use 4 pins.

My T50RPs have dual 4 pin sockets. This allows for a dual wire balanced connection or a single single sided SE connection just using only the left side. I guess it's all about preference and convenience, I use the T50RP mobile and the single sided cable is short and easy.

 

[cayne]

My T50RPs have dual 4 pin sockets. This allows for a dual wire balanced connection or a single single sided SE connection just using only the left side. I guess it's all about preference and convenience, I use the T50RP mobile and the single sided cable is short and easy.

Wow, that looks minutely built!

 

[TheGiantHogweed]

My T50RPs have dual 4 pin sockets. This allows for a dual wire balanced connection or a single single sided SE connection just using only the left side. I guess it's all about preference and convenience, I use the T50RP mobile and the single sided cable is short and easy.

I think I see an original FiiO X3!

Still use mine a huge amount. Probably on average 30+ hours a week. I love the button interface even if it is dated. I've learned to navigate most of the menu while it is in my pocket. It's not really powerful enough to drive my 600ohm dt880s directly though! They go loud enough with my FiiO A3 with the line out though.

 

[TrollDragon]

I think I see an original FiiO X3!

Still use mine a huge amount. Probably on average 30+ hours a week. I love the button interface even if it is dated. I've learned to navigate most of the menu while it is in my pocket. It's not really powerful enough to drive my 600ohm dt880s directly though! They go loud enough with my FiiO A3 with the line out though.

Good eye it is indeed an OG X3. I should upgrade it but I really like that Wolfson sound. I run a FiiO E12 with it for harder to drive headphones like the T50 or DT880.

 

[jonathan c]

I had not listened via the Beyerdynamic DT-880 (600 ohms) for some time. For this headphone (high impedance, mid-low sensitivity), the amp for the job had to be Woo WA2 (OTL). And what a job!

[RFT EZ81 (foil getter), Raytheon 6080 WC, Genalex/Gold Lion 6922 (cryo treated)]

 

[iFi audio]

I had not listened via the Beyerdynamic DT-880 (600 ohms) for some time. For this headphone (high impedance, mid-low sensitivity), the amp for the job had to be Woo WA2 (OTL). And what a job! [RFT EZ81 (foil getter), Raytheon 6080 WC, Genalex/Gold Lion 6922 (cryo treated)]

Let me just say that each time I see your setup, it makes me smile

 

[gimmeheadroom]

Let me just say that each time I see your setup, it makes me smile

Only because you're imagining replacing all his gear with iFi components

 

[jonathan c]

Only because you're imaging replacing all his gear with iFi components

“Ispi with my little eye no iFi gear….”

 

[gimmeheadroom]

“Ispi with my little eye no iFi gear….”

Hah! I knew it looked wrong when I typed it but I couldn't figure it out after 12 hours of work today. Blinded by science..

Fixed, thank you.