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impassion
63
May 13, 2016
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For those interested, I wanted to suggest a mod in order to bring out the magic of the AKG K553.
After taking off the pads, you'll notice a greyish ring that circles the driver on each can. Remove this, and grab some electrical tape.
Noticing the three vents underneath the plastic ring you removed, place 2 small pieces (one over another) on the hole closest to your temple (forward vent). Press until sealed firmly. Next, place 1 small piece over the next vent directly opposite the forward vent ( top rear) doing the same. And finally, you're going to leave the bottom vent open. Throw on the pads, and begin to hear something completely different.
Extraordinary clarity, profound punch/focus/low end, immense soundstage, and a dynamic presence that feels alive.
May 13, 2016
Stereoguy
66
May 14, 2016
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impassionSo, you covered what sounds like acoustic ports that were perhaps designed into the headphones to tune the drivers to a particular acoustic signature, much like the ports found on conventional speakers - the length and opening proportions critical to the intended sound.
My question though is what inspired you to alter or modify those particular openings and how much trial and error did you invest in this experiment as you disassembled, re-assembled, listened - to arrive at what you felt was an improvement?
You did re-assemble them again to listen under the same conditions rigt?
Kudos to you! I admire your ambition and passion.
May 14, 2016
impassion
63
May 14, 2016
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StereoguyI had purchased a couple sets of Brainwavz pads (velour and hybrid), along with some K271 pads (velour and pleather) I already had, in order to attempt to adjust the signature of the K553. The design of the K553 is excellent in my opinion with regard to construction, intuitive adjustments and shaping, and materials. Great weight, great feel, highly adjustable and well built.
The problem for me is in the signature. It is by default (to my ears) warm and somewhat indistinct in articulation, slightly compressed albeit with a large soundstage, and lacking significant clarity. I have four AKG headphones currently: K271 MKII, K7xx, Q701, and now the K553 Pro, so having considerable experience with the other three sets, I was somewhat disappointed in the signature of the K553.
I also own the Fostex T40RP MK3, so I understood the necessity of the distance (closer is better) to the drivers for former and so it is the same with the K553. Brainwavz velour and hybrid have little benefit to me with respect to clarification of the frequency range, as they impart too much distance to be of benefit ( in addition to material issues with respect to frequency dampening/diminishment).
The stock K271 pads I have are about half the thickness of the Brainwavz pads (which are quite high quality by the way: very well made), but it still wasn't there. So in the process of exchanging pads back and forth, I managed by accident to remove a third of the left plastic spherical laminate that was covering the three open vents (ports). So rather than attempting to re-adhere the seal, I removed both, put on the K553's default pads and listen.
Profound treble and upper mid-range prominence. So going from there began experimenting in closure of the ports in order to see what was possible in changing the signature. I only used electrical tape, because as the default plastic (?) ring is really a very fine weave, I thought perhaps this added to the diffusion, and so wanted a firm seal in order to establish frequency prominence relative to the ports.
This took about 30 minutes give or take to come upon what I mention in the post, and when I heard it, I have to say I was ecstatic, overjoyed really. The signature now has gravity, terrific focus, clarity and presence, profound punch, and a beautiful responsiveness which extends across the range (to my ears) and so the K553 for me has come alive.
Sorry about the length if you got this far, and thanks for asking, and the compliment.
May 14, 2016
6EQUJ5
459
Jun 2, 2016
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impassionNice find, I did some testing and if you cover the center holes you can get more thump but will lose some vocal clarity. Tested on the song "Get Low" by Ying Yang Twins you can really hear the difference when covering the center holes.
It would be easier if there were pictures or a diagram so I made one. I believe there is an extra hole in the left driver marked "7" in my pictures unless it's just me with an extra hole. I used 3M Scotch shipping tape for my test as I don't have any electrical tape lying around. You can use the diameter of an AAA battery and stick it to the 3M Scotch shipping tape and cut around it to fit it over the holes.
TLDR; Bass Mod: 1. Remove white ring 2. Cover holes 1, 2, 4, 5, 7, and leave 3 & 6 open (see photo)
More Thump! (If that's all you care about) 1. Same as bass mod but cover holes marked "A" & "B" (put penny on tape, cut around it, you can now easily cover it)
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Jun 2, 2016
impassion
63
Jun 2, 2016
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6EQUJ5Thanks. The image here shows the mod I have described. Very simple, and the results I have described in my previous posts are astounding. The sound is exceptional, but in order to hear it, the K553 must be modded with this tape, in this way. The image shows the left driver (and so this would be duplicated on the right driver as well). Thanks for the input and the pictures.
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Jun 2, 2016
6EQUJ5
459
Jun 12, 2016
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impassionI finally got my hands on some electrical tape and there was no difference in sound signature using electrical tape or using two pieces on top of each other. My original test with 3M Shipping Tape had no sound signature difference from the current test setup using electrical tape.
Jun 12, 2016
impassion
63
Jun 12, 2016
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6EQUJ5Thanks for the comparison, good to know. However, I did notice changes in dynamics/frequency response when differentiating layers of tape. Maybe that's just me.
Jun 12, 2016
andytroshin
0
Jun 16, 2016
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impassionNo it is a common physics. Less acoustic dampening - more ringing effects since you have changed impulse response from aperiodic to oscillatory motion of the air inside the caps.
Jun 16, 2016
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