[Acix]

Quote:

Thanks!
 
Ground is most definitely needed. In every stereo audio connection it's left right ground (I think). Or tip ring sleeve, in a trs connection.

 
 
You're right about the stereo equipment, but not sure about the hps.

 

[hoichi]

Quote:

Can't wait to hear these with the J$s!

When I google for JMoney pads, the first few links that come up are rants about how bad they are. Maybe someone's just petty, but it got me cautious.
BTW, there's also Lawton Audio angled pads. I dunno if they fit the 8.35s though: there's a model for Denons Dx000s and one for the Fostex TH-900. The other reason I'm hesitant is if I add those $100 pads and $50 to $70 cable, plus shipping, plus some leather for the headband mod, I'll end up spending more money on mods than on the cans themselves. The result will be probably worth it but still
Then again, since I'm about to sew the headband anyway, maybe I'll try sewing the pads as well. I guess the trickiest part is getting the padding right.

 

[Marleybob217]

Quote:

Too bad I was really thinking about softy Beyer pads (velour). Seems like I will try the Maestro's 41-6050 oval pads.
 
Btw guys have you heard MrSpeakers new Alpha pads? Do you think it can fit on GMP 8.35D? They seem incredibly comfy I would like to give it a try.
 
https://www.mrspeakers.com/image/cache/data/mrspeakers/Edd_Alpha_Side_Square-500x500.jpg

Wow, I love the tilt on those pads! That should really improve soundstage!

 

[Marleybob217]

Quote:

When I google for JMoney pads, the first few links that come up are rants about how bad they are. Maybe someone's just petty, but it got me cautious.
BTW, there's also Lawton Audio angled pads. I dunno if they fit the 8.35s though: there's a model for Denons Dx000s and one for the Fostex TH-900. The other reason I'm hesitant is if I add those $100 pads and $50 to $70 cable, plus shipping, plus some leather for the headband mod, I'll end up spending more money on mods than on the cans themselves. The result will be probably worth it but still
Then again, since I'm about to sew the headband anyway, maybe I'll try sewing the pads as well. I guess the trickiest part is getting the padding right.

I've never heard bad experiences with the J$ pads. Atleast they sound really good with the hifiman headphones. I will know soon enough if they sound good on the gmp 8.35D.

 

[Marleybob217]

Quote:

 
 
You're right about the stereo equipment, but not sure about the hps.

Sure it is, if I don't attach that cable there is no signal. I'm no specialist, but a current always has to be able to flow in a circle. So left/right signal goes in the driver and out via the ground/shield. Remove the ground and there is no sound.
 
Anyway I'm definitely enjoying these headphones more now they're balanced. Soundstage depth is so much better

 

[R-Audiohead]

Quote:

Sure it is, if I don't attach that cable there is no signal. I'm no specialist, but a current always has to be able to flow in a circle. So left/right signal goes in the driver and out via the ground/shield. Remove the ground and there is no sound.
 
Anyway I'm definitely enjoying these headphones more now they're balanced. Soundstage depth is so much better

I think you're slightly confused, but that's okay.
 
Seems like you're digging the sound.  I've considered balancing my SP-1.  You must've done a twin XLR config if you have independent grounds?

 

[Marleybob217]

Quote:

I think you're slightly confused, but that's okay.
 
Seems like you're digging the sound.  I've considered balancing my SP-1.  You must've done a twin XLR config if you have independent grounds?

I'm not confused, I just can't explain it well enough I guess. The grounds aren't independent. They just aren't chained. The ground is split, as is normal with most headphones.
 
The stock version had the ground go in the left driver first, and then into the right driver, a chain. Then again the current flows out through the ground, so I'm not sure why this results in a weaker signal.
 
The beyerdynamic dt770 pro is also soldered in this way, and I too noticed a pretty big decrease (probably only 1~2 db) in sound pressure through the right driver.

I'm thinking I'm also experiencing some 'brain burn in', remember when I couldn't listen to these headphones without a thin membrane of paper filtering the sound (with the ovals)? I removed the paper a while back because I thought the sound was muffled...
 
I do highly recommend doing the balanced cable modification. You would think that having two drivers playing at the same spl is quite important, for about any aspect of the sound!
Fun fact: I've noticed I'm getting  Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response (ASMR) since this cable mod... Probably due to the enhanced stereo effect.
 
 
If there is anyone out there that wants this mod done, but can't for any reason, you can send your headphones to me and I will do it for free.
Seriously I'll solder any cable for any headphone, it's so much fun!
Don't think there's anyone out there that trusts me enough though

 

[R-Audiohead]

Quote:

I'm not confused, I just can't explain it well enough I guess. The grounds aren't independent. They just aren't chained. The ground is split, as is normal with most headphones.
 
The stock version had the ground go in the left driver first, and then into the right driver, a chain. Then again the current flows out through the ground, so I'm not sure why this results in a weaker signal.
 
The beyerdynamic dt770 pro is also soldered in this way, and I too noticed a pretty big decrease (probably only 1~2 db) in sound pressure through the right driver.

I'm thinking I'm also experiencing some 'brain burn in', remember when I couldn't listen to these headphones without a thin membrane of paper filtering the sound (with the ovals)? I removed the paper a while back because I thought the sound was muffled...
 
I do highly recommend doing the balanced cable modification. You would think that having two drivers playing at the same spl is quite important, for about any aspect of the sound!
Fun fact: I've noticed I'm getting  Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response (ASMR) since this cable mod... Probably due to the enhanced stereo effect.
 
 
If there is anyone out there that wants this mod done, but can't for any reason, you can send your headphones to me and I will do it for free.
Seriously I'll solder any cable for any headphone, it's so much fun!
Don't think there's anyone out there that trusts me enough though

 
So you're using a common ground then?  Not balanced... it's just that the drivers are no longer wired is series.  Am I understanding you correctly?
 
Traditional stereo speakers are "balanced" devices themselves and the current runs across them.  You'd run a +/- configuration to each, and not a separate ground.  The circuit is grounded in the amplifier...
 
A balanced headphone wiring configuartion essentially does that same thing.  Why it became a standard to wire headphones differently than speakers is still a little be beyond me.  Maybe some ergonomical or economical reason.
 
I'm sure it's just a matter of semantics.

 

[Marleybob217]

Quote:

 
So you're using a common ground then?  Not balanced... it's just that the drivers are no longer wired is series.  Am I understanding you correctly?
 
Traditional stereo speakers are "balanced" devices themselves and the current runs across them.  You'd run a +/- configuration to each, and not a separate ground.  The circuit is grounded in the amplifier...
 
A balanced headphone wiring configuartion essentially does that same thing.  Why it became a standard to wire headphones differently than speakers is still a little be beyond me.  Maybe some ergonomical or economical reason.
 
I'm sure it's just a matter of semantics.

Correct, it is not balanced at all in that sense. It is balanced in a way that the two drivers are wired in the exact same way. I don't now what the actual term is though.
 
Does it really matter that much to have a seperate ground for speakers?
It's probably ergonomics and economics. Most portable audio users don't give a cr** about sound quality let alone balanced grounds. So why not use the cheaper version.

 

[Marleybob217]

GMP 8.35D + J$ Beyer Pads
 
After using this combo for a day and a half I have to conclude that this is a fantastic combination.
 
The J$s are very deep pads, so the ear is not touching the driver. Having some space between the ear and the driver does some amazing things to the sound.
 
Everything opens up, treble extends better (just like when going from stock pads to ovals),. soundstage is obviously bigger in all directions. And the most welcome thing is that the glaring sound is reduced, I mean the peak in the upper mids.
Because of the better soundstage etc, the sound is much warmer and the timbre is much more natural and much less artificial (obviously).
 
There is one downside, that is some induced sibilance. It's not unexpected with more detail overal, but the peak lies around 10KHZ. And a 2 db cut in this region solves the problem.
Bass is a bit less punchy, but also a bit warmer, so this isn't really a downside, but it's not positive perse.
 
So I really recommend for you to look for some deeper leather pads. The Brainwavz hm5 pads (http://www.mp4nation.net/brainwavz-earphones/brainwavz-hm5-spare-earpad-1pc) should work nicely, these are also noted to work well with the hifiman line-up, just like the J$s.

 

[Acix]

Quote:

GMP 8.35D + J$ Beyer Pads
 
After using this combo for a day and a half I have to conclude that this is a fantastic combination.
 
The J$s are very deep pads, so the ear is not touching the driver. Having some space between the ear and the driver does some amazing things to the sound.
 
Everything opens up, treble extends better (just like when going from stock pads to ovals),. soundstage is obviously bigger in all directions. And the most welcome thing is that the glaring sound is reduced, I mean the peak in the upper mids.
Because of the better soundstage etc, the sound is much warmer and the timbre is much more natural and much less artificial (obviously).
 
There is one downside, that is some induced sibilance. It's not unexpected with more detail overal, but the peak lies around 10KHZ. And a 2 db cut in this region solves the problem.
Bass is a bit less punchy, but also a bit warmer, so this isn't really a downside, but it's not positive perse.
 
So I really recommend for you to look for some deeper leather pads. The Brainwavz hm5 pads (http://www.mp4nation.net/brainwavz-earphones/brainwavz-hm5-spare-earpad-1pc) should work nicely, these are also noted to work well with the hifiman line-up, just like the J$s.

 
 
Sounds good, can you post some photos... do the Brainwavz hm5 pads fit the 8.35?

 

[Tiemen]

^
I had Beyer leather pads on my GMP 8.300 D. For me the biggest downside was a obvious nasal tone to voices, especially male vocals.
How's that with the Jmoney pads?

 

[Marleybob217]

Quote:

^
I had Beyer leather pads on my GMP 8.300 D. For me the biggest downside was a obvious nasal tone to voices, especially male vocals.
How's that with the Jmoney pads?

No nasal tone at all, voices sound much more fleshed out. But other than that, there's not that much difference with voices.

 

[Marleybob217]

Quote:

 
 
Sounds good, can you post some photos... do the Brainwavz hm5 pads fit the 8.35?

I will do that tomorrow, bit sick today
 
I think they will fit the GMs. They fit the hifiman line-up, and hifiman pads fit GM headphones
 
I'm actually not using the J$s on the GMs, as they were originally meant for my hifiman he-400. So I'm also looking for a pad that resembles the J$s to use with my GMs.

 

[AmberOzL]

Guys,
 
With stock pads, driver-ear distance is quite small. With GM 41-6050 pads the distance gets bigger right? Can someone confirm? Tomorrow I am sending my cans to Thomas to get them repaired. I am also looking for pads that more comfortable. The hole in the middle of the pad is bigger than the stock ones, that's already very good for me. Also the distance between driver and ears is bigger too I hope.
 
Any suggestion from GM ear pads or I will get 41-6050.