THE END ALL OF GRADO MODS THREAD!

[kwitel]

Its been done hundreds of times before-lets do it again.
I LOVE MY GRADOS-AS DO MANY OTHERS.
But the bowls are giving me itchy ear disease and the cans just feel cheap on my head. Ive been reading different types of mods for months now.
Id like every audiophile to list ANY and ALL mods that they know, with an obvious emphasis on what has worked.
Im most interested in:
1)Pad Mods
2)Headband
3)Cable
Obviously, feel free to include whatever else has worked for you...
The pad situation is pissing me off-it seems nothing eqautes to bowls as far as sound quality; im very dissapointed in the $30 I dropped on the flats. Still waiting to get the 414's.
I just finished the headwize sock mod (for the time being)http://www.headwize.com/projects/sho...=grado_prj.htm
-so far so good. SUPER COMFY. Doesnt compromise the original state of the bowls-u can always go back. Not sure how I feel about quality just yet.
WITH THE HUGE JUMP IN GRADO SALES-WHY CANT WE GET SOME KILLER HIGH-END COMFORTABLE PADS THAT DONT SACRIFICE SOUND!!!!???
What about a comfortable headband???
Its like driving a Rolls with burlap seat covers, no A/C and no Radio!
Im super annoyed...attention all inventors...drop some science on me!
I WANT TO HEAR ALL IDEA AND COMMENTS!
And pics are great too...they make the projects for people like me who want to copy them so much easier.

 

[akwok]

Headphile.com.

 

[Kameleon]

Looks like someone needs to use the search function, rather than relying on us to do your work for you.

I'll start you off:

Beyer headband mod
C-pads
headphile recable

 

[Dr. Frost]

Can't figure out searching, I must have a problem or something but any info you could post I would find helpful too. Love the sound, hate the cheese-grater feel on me tender ears (youch!).

 

[kwitel]

No ones asking anyone to do any work-just a friendly thread to see if I can compile some wisdom in one place.

 

[flecom]

ALL CAPS IS PRETTY ANNOYING ISNT IT?

but ya, woddie mods are pretty neat-o, cable mods are a must, different pads, and the beyer headband is great... i have DT990's and they are probably the comfiest headphones i have

 

[VR6ofpain]

Quote:

Originally Posted by flecom cable mods are a must

Says who? I know RnB180 recabled his SR-80's and said it made about zero difference, and he recables everything. I believe the cable Grado uses is pretty top notch, if not enough for them. The only thing I hate about the cable is the annoying molded Y.

 

[[AK]Zip]

Quote:

Originally Posted by VR6ofpain Says who? I know RnB180 recabled his SR-80's and said it made about zero difference, and he recables everything. I believe the cable Grado uses is pretty top notch, if not enough for them. The only thing I hate about the cable is the annoying molded Y.

I recabled mine and I defiantly hear a difference. Granted I probably use different materials then he does so that is probably why. With my cable the bass became tighter and more controlled and the highs were no longer harsh.

-Alex-

 

[iSleipnir]

In the interest of placing all of these mods in one place here is the list of mods that I know of.

Here is list of multiple mods courtesy of headwize
http://www.headwize.com/projects/sho...=grado_prj.htm

Headphile offers a lot of high-end mods, be it woodies or c-pads
http://headphile.com/

Leaving grados stock pads in some lukewarm soapy water overnight is supposed to soften the pads which, as many people know, are covered with sandpaper when they arrive

For alternative pads there are the flats and comfies/softs offered by todd the vinyl junkie, which a lot of people like as a grado alternative
http://toddthevinyljunkie.com/produc...%20Accessories

for non grado pads there have people people who use the sennheiser 414 pads which must be cut to fit the grados.

Recently there have been some people that have acquired some radioshack pads and have been using those. It was on the forum a couple of days ago but I can't seem to find it. Anyone want to help me out?

The beyer headband mod is simply buying a beyer dt770 or 880 headband from the company and placing it over teh current grados headband. Unfortuanatly this seems to be the best option if/until grados offers leather replacements on the headphones 325 and under.

Thats about all I got for you. Good luck.
-Slep

 

[VR6ofpain]

Quote:

Originally Posted by [AK]Zip I recabled mine and I defiantly hear a difference. Granted I probably use different materials then he does so that is probably why. With my cable the bass became tighter and more controlled and the highs were no longer harsh. -Alex-

Actually you used smaller gauge silver plater copper wire with teflon and neutrik connects...sounds like exactly what he uses (and what I use...along with many others). I bet if you could switch back and forth to make A/B comparisons, you wouldn't feel the difference is so noticeable. Though neither of us can prove our case...hell Stereophlile still writes long articles about wiring and how it sounds, and how you cannot really measure it.

 

[[AK]Zip]

Quote:

Originally Posted by iSleipnir Recently there have been some people that have acquired some radioshack pads and have been using those. It was on the forum a couple of days ago but I can't seem to find it. Anyone want to help me out? -Slep

That is what I use because all others hurt my ears. For pictures look in my sig and if you want more just PM me. Also, they were only $4 right in the store. Just walk in and ask for replacement headphone ear pads. I got the largest size and they fit fine.

-Alex-

 

[[AK]Zip]

Quote:

Originally Posted by VR6ofpain Actually you used smaller gauge silver plater copper wire with teflon and neutrik connects...sounds like exactly what he uses (and what I use...along with many others). I bet if you could switch back and forth to make A/B comparisons, you wouldn't feel the difference is so noticeable. Though neither of us can prove our case...hell Stereophlile still writes long articles about wiring and how it sounds, and how you cannot really measure it.

Well for starters I did compare mine to my friends stock Grado's. So either the cable or the mesh grill made a difference and I really really doubt its the mesh grill. My friend was the first to notice it when he tried mine out. Also, the wires I used this time are not Teflon insulated, but that shouldn't make a difference in sound...

-Alex-

 

[EdipisReks]

Quote:

Originally Posted by [AK]Zip So either the cable or the mesh grill made a difference and I really really doubt its the mesh grill.

the wire grill is the basic difference between the SR-125 and the 225, so don't underestimate the change it can make.

 

[[AK]Zip]

Quote:

Originally Posted by EdipisReks the wire grill is the basic difference between the SR-125 and the 225, so don't underestimate the change it can make.

That is what I am saying. There is no way the grill can make a difference. I just don't see it. Visual difference? Yes defiantly, but no way it can make a difference in sound quality.

-Alex-

 

[cracker123]

I ordered some H414 pads for my 325i, I need to mod them. Hopfully they work out, I will mostly be playing classical/vocal stuff.