Ferbose
Headphoneus Supremus
- Joined
- Jun 27, 2004
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Since I got my Benchmark DAC1 to drive my AKG K501, I have been extremely happy about listening to violin recordings in bed. Somehow violin just sound more like violins when I use K501 in bed (years of childhood violin lessons makes me sensitive to the violin sound). Since K501 is of total open design, it occured to me that absorption or reflection caused by the pillow may account for this change. I decided to experiment with partially blocking those holes in the K501 ear cup. Not having too many materials or tools in hand, I decided to use 3/4 inch Scotch magic tape to cover those holes.
Initial experiments quickly revealed that the tape position can definitely alter the sound signature of K501. After many experimentations, I found a tape configuration that appears to improve some sonic qualities of K501 without degrading others. Here is a photo of my favorite tape configuration:
It is just two pieces of Scotch tape for each ear cup: one in the middle and one in the rear.
So what does this modification do sonically?
In a nutshell, these tapes make the transient response better on K501 across the frequency sprectrum. It does not affect bass extension, but there is more impact due to stronger transients and makes the bass tighter and punchier. In the mids and highs, the edge of the sound is more resolved. Although K501 sounds neutral and detailed, the tapes make it even more so, to a level I never thought possible. Compared to tweaked K501, I discovered that untweaked K501 is slightly blurred in the mids and has a bit of ringing in the highs. These first effect makes K501 sound thin and the latter makes it a tad too bright. Please take note, all the effects I am discussing here are very subtle. I mean K501 is somtimes a tad thin and bright, and the tweak takes that tad away. The final effect is a fuller and warmer sound, making K501 even more neutral, IMO. The punchier bass, fuller and warmer sound did not come at the expense of details or imaging. I found that some tape configurations can increase bass extension of K501, but at the price of muffling the highs and compressing soundstage, which is undesirable.
Those who love K501 sound often praise its soundstage, detail and neutrality. Those who appreciate K501 less often point out that it lacks bass volume in the lowest octave and may sound too thin or bright for their taste. I agree with both camps. For the most part I enjoy K501, but I aspire for more bass quantity at times (bass quality is just fine). Also, K501 does appear on the brighter and thinner side of neutrality, as I compare violin sound on K501 to live concerts (about 10 times per year for me). 95% of the times I enjoy the tonal quality of K501, but with untweaked K501 I knew it is not perfect.
As for tape-tweaked K501. It does not have more volume or quantity in low bass. But bass transients are more pronounced and I can hear more of a kick. This may also be due to a slight increase of frequency response in mid-upper bass, but I have no way of verifying. Anyway, perceived bass response of K501 does improve. It is subtle but significant. With the tape tweak, I think K501 is still imperfect in the low bass category, but the flaw is less obvious and often can be forgotten or forgiven. Yes, stop worrying about that bass and bring on the mids and highs. The tape tweak helps me get into that state of mind.
As for mids and highs, I already explained that tape tweak makes K501 a tad warmer and fuller. This is difference is quite subtle, but the final result is quite stunning. This may sound contradictory, but let me explain this firther and please bear with me.
My ultimate test for headphone tonality is how well they reproduce good recordings of good violins (Stradivari and Guarneri). Since I played violin as a child and still attend many classical concerts (>10 per year), I am quite familiar with what violins sound like. I have listened to Stradivari and Guaneri violins about ten times in last three years. And I can say that, with the tape tweak, Stradivari and Guaneri violins sometimes sound just as good on my headphone system as they do in concert. Before you jump to the conclusion that I am just spitting out egomaniac audiophile BS, let me explain why I dare make such a claim. You see, I cannot afford the best seats in concerts. My seat is never sonically ideal and always too far away to hear the inner details. Violin is not that loud, and there is always background noise in concert. What I hear in concert is far from ideal. On the other hand, in my entire violin collection (>50), only one recording makes great violins sound like great violins (Tacet #36: What about this, Mr. Paganini? Violins of Amati, Guadagnini, Guarneri, Horvarth, Stradivari, Vuillaume). So, compared to a non-ideal seat in concert, great violins sound just as good on my Benchmark DAC1+taped K501, when the recording quality is "A+." If the recording quality is just "A," or if the concert seat is better, my headphone system can't compete--fair enough, isn't it?
Using the live performance of great instruments as a standard, I am very satisfied with the performance of my tape-tweaked K501. Of course, K501 is not perfect (pianos don't sound like pianos on my k501 and I think it is mainly becuase piano does not resemble a point source of sound at all). But I amalready flabbergasted by the tonal accuracy of it. The tapes, which literally cost only two cents, take me to a sonic level I could have only dreamed of. I highly recommend K501 owners try this at home, becuase it is simple, inexpensive and reversible. There is nothing to lose. Since everyone hears differently, my favorite tape configuration may not be optimal for everyone. Two cents of my opinions and tapes may or may not work for you
I would love to hear if this tape tweak works for other K501 owners out there, and if there are other cheap, reversible tweaks for K501 that I can try.
Happy listening and tweaking
Initial experiments quickly revealed that the tape position can definitely alter the sound signature of K501. After many experimentations, I found a tape configuration that appears to improve some sonic qualities of K501 without degrading others. Here is a photo of my favorite tape configuration:
It is just two pieces of Scotch tape for each ear cup: one in the middle and one in the rear.
So what does this modification do sonically?
In a nutshell, these tapes make the transient response better on K501 across the frequency sprectrum. It does not affect bass extension, but there is more impact due to stronger transients and makes the bass tighter and punchier. In the mids and highs, the edge of the sound is more resolved. Although K501 sounds neutral and detailed, the tapes make it even more so, to a level I never thought possible. Compared to tweaked K501, I discovered that untweaked K501 is slightly blurred in the mids and has a bit of ringing in the highs. These first effect makes K501 sound thin and the latter makes it a tad too bright. Please take note, all the effects I am discussing here are very subtle. I mean K501 is somtimes a tad thin and bright, and the tweak takes that tad away. The final effect is a fuller and warmer sound, making K501 even more neutral, IMO. The punchier bass, fuller and warmer sound did not come at the expense of details or imaging. I found that some tape configurations can increase bass extension of K501, but at the price of muffling the highs and compressing soundstage, which is undesirable.
Those who love K501 sound often praise its soundstage, detail and neutrality. Those who appreciate K501 less often point out that it lacks bass volume in the lowest octave and may sound too thin or bright for their taste. I agree with both camps. For the most part I enjoy K501, but I aspire for more bass quantity at times (bass quality is just fine). Also, K501 does appear on the brighter and thinner side of neutrality, as I compare violin sound on K501 to live concerts (about 10 times per year for me). 95% of the times I enjoy the tonal quality of K501, but with untweaked K501 I knew it is not perfect.
As for tape-tweaked K501. It does not have more volume or quantity in low bass. But bass transients are more pronounced and I can hear more of a kick. This may also be due to a slight increase of frequency response in mid-upper bass, but I have no way of verifying. Anyway, perceived bass response of K501 does improve. It is subtle but significant. With the tape tweak, I think K501 is still imperfect in the low bass category, but the flaw is less obvious and often can be forgotten or forgiven. Yes, stop worrying about that bass and bring on the mids and highs. The tape tweak helps me get into that state of mind.
As for mids and highs, I already explained that tape tweak makes K501 a tad warmer and fuller. This is difference is quite subtle, but the final result is quite stunning. This may sound contradictory, but let me explain this firther and please bear with me.
My ultimate test for headphone tonality is how well they reproduce good recordings of good violins (Stradivari and Guarneri). Since I played violin as a child and still attend many classical concerts (>10 per year), I am quite familiar with what violins sound like. I have listened to Stradivari and Guaneri violins about ten times in last three years. And I can say that, with the tape tweak, Stradivari and Guaneri violins sometimes sound just as good on my headphone system as they do in concert. Before you jump to the conclusion that I am just spitting out egomaniac audiophile BS, let me explain why I dare make such a claim. You see, I cannot afford the best seats in concerts. My seat is never sonically ideal and always too far away to hear the inner details. Violin is not that loud, and there is always background noise in concert. What I hear in concert is far from ideal. On the other hand, in my entire violin collection (>50), only one recording makes great violins sound like great violins (Tacet #36: What about this, Mr. Paganini? Violins of Amati, Guadagnini, Guarneri, Horvarth, Stradivari, Vuillaume). So, compared to a non-ideal seat in concert, great violins sound just as good on my Benchmark DAC1+taped K501, when the recording quality is "A+." If the recording quality is just "A," or if the concert seat is better, my headphone system can't compete--fair enough, isn't it?
Using the live performance of great instruments as a standard, I am very satisfied with the performance of my tape-tweaked K501. Of course, K501 is not perfect (pianos don't sound like pianos on my k501 and I think it is mainly becuase piano does not resemble a point source of sound at all). But I amalready flabbergasted by the tonal accuracy of it. The tapes, which literally cost only two cents, take me to a sonic level I could have only dreamed of. I highly recommend K501 owners try this at home, becuase it is simple, inexpensive and reversible. There is nothing to lose. Since everyone hears differently, my favorite tape configuration may not be optimal for everyone. Two cents of my opinions and tapes may or may not work for you
I would love to hear if this tape tweak works for other K501 owners out there, and if there are other cheap, reversible tweaks for K501 that I can try.
Happy listening and tweaking
