I tried the mod with electric tape
(doesn't leave residue) ELECTRICAL TAPE LEAVES RESIDUE. DO NOT USE. I tried the 6 mod first, and noticed everything sounded warmer, and the bass was definitely reduced. However, I realized the extension was lost. I ran it through
"Love letter to Japan" by The Bird and the Bee and the deep reverberating bass beat in the middle of the song was reduced to a basic bass drum. Overall impact was reduced, even in the mid and high frequencies. Also, soundstage and imaging became more congested somehow. Someone mentioned that the sound became more nasal, and i did notice a bit of that. It didn't sound fun. It's like the M50 had a cold
If I could compare, I would say it sounded like the AD700 with a congested soundstage. Not horrible, but it's not what I look for in a pair of headphones.
I removed some of the tape, and tried a 4 mod ( OXOOOXO top and bottom). This was an improvement. The bass started to have more extension and everything sounded less nasal. But there was still the problem with everything sounding like there was a veil over it. I tried another combination:
I call it the "Y" combo. Top: OXOOOXO Bottom: OOOXOOO. Everything sounded alot better. There was warmth, and there was detailed bass. However, I noticed the soundstage still was congested. All the sounds were mushed together. I tried another combo.
I covered the top and bottom middle holes ( OOOXOOO top and bottom), and for some reason everything was nasal again!!! I realized that if you cover the middle hole, the sound is "nasalized". Anyone have some kind of explanation with this?
I tried only covering the top middle holes (OOOXOOO top only) to test it, and it didn't sound nasal. It sounded only slightly different from unmodded. The soundstage was a little more congested.
Using the same combo, but on the bottom hole, the soundstage sounded better, but there was a slight noticable veil over everything. Also, bass impact was softened, meaning less punch.
I then tried the original suggested 2 mod (OXOOOXO bottom only) to see if that's better, since that doesn't use the top hole at all. Everything was good, except this nagging veil over the mid bass, and lack of bass extension past 80hz or so. Some percussion was also too sibilant. I don't like this mod either.
I tried the same configuration, but at the top (OXOOOXO top only). This time, the bass was extended farther, and everything had good detail overall. The sound was very slightly dark. Vocals were a little warmer. But not much really. I think it's better for me than the other 2 mod.
Then I had a thought.. what if i cover just the outer holes? I call it the X mod (XOOOOOX top and bottom). My instant impression was the soundstage was bigger than the top-only "2mod". However, the bass lost detail. There was extension, and actually there was more bass impact and punch, but it was more boomy. Not tight at all.
I reverted it back to no mod, and I fell back to safe-land. I already like the sound. I was hoping for a little bit more warmth in the mids though.
Maybe a good combination with the right material of tape will do it?
EDIT: Found out Electrical tape leaves alot of residue once it's left on for a while.
DO NOT USE!