o0CosmoMemory0o
100+ Head-Fier
HD540 Reference II
HD560 Ovation II
Ref II pad pair cleaned with fresh foam tucked in
A Ref II pad pair with fresh foam sewn in
Sewn clean Ref II pad pair
Glad to read that you finally have a chance to listen to this headphone.
I use a single-ended oxygen-free copper cable with mine and I don't feel that it holds the design back in any way. That's just me though.
Balanced connnectivity uses phase and inverse phase lines to cancel out interference common to both, thus reducing noise and possible EMI. For a headphone, the cable length is actually quite short compared to what lengths may be used for speakers. Balanced configuration is only of any significant benefit when the interconnect lengths are large. I think the headphone cable I use is 3m in length, not really long enough to require balanced transmission. You'd probably need cable lengths much over 5m to probably be able to hear any difference. You'd need a lot of cable area in order to pick up enough EMI to diminish the audio signal audibly. Also, altering cable material and length from the original choice risks also drastically altering the cable capacitance, which itself could affect how the signal propagates through it. I predict that different cable materials could subtly alter the tonality that the drivers present to your ears.
Alternatively, you may experience an improvement in performance. I'm not confident that you will though.
Hi all, first post here so bear with me. I've rediscovered my old HD540s (I guess their ref 1 as I bought them about 1982). Joy. However the earpads have disintegrated... scanning a few posts and contacting some suppliers I get that:
1) The HD540 pads and HD250 equivalents are no longer available.
2) That some alternatives can be used...so
Can I get the latest/definitive answer on replacement pads. Can HD560 or HD430 pads be used if modded etc. What options are there for replacements ? I'm in the UK.
The HD430 pads will work, and is actually the "official" replacement pads for HD540 declared by sennheiser after the discontinuity of the original ones. Those on HD560 wouldn't fit.
I have kept a few pairs of attachment rings for anyone who wishes to modify HD560 pads to use with the HD540.
If you want my honest opinion about using HD250 or HD430 pads with the HD540 headphone, don't use them... Both of these earpad types are designed for use with a closed capsule design and really butcher the HD540 performance, to my ears. If you dissect both of these pad types, you will see that they have thick fabric layers to make them acoustically inert by providing high damping of any sound, to prevent any sound leakage. This confines the dispersion sphere of sound to each ear, greatly reducing the stereo image size.
For best results, use the original pad or a HD540II velvet pad, gut the old foam out carefully, clean the skin thoroughly, put in a new doughnut shaped foam then stitch up. Gives the best result at the lowest price, I think.
Hello HD540 Friends. Here's a question for you. I love using my HD540 Ref Gold (300 ohm). They are old now, like me, but I get lost when I put them on, emerging at least a stolen hour later after being in the music without let or hindrance. One joy at least of living alone and being single, maybe. Anyhow, feeling the need to preserve these beautiful relics of more than 20 years, what might anyone suggest as something I could try, without breaking the bank, and more importantly, not being terribly disappointed. Suggestions on a post card please, to this thread....
Avoid cleaning the exterior with solvent based products if you want to keep them looking new (isopropyl alcohol and naphtha based liquids will slowly dissolve the paint).