HD650 KISS mod

Discussion in 'Modifications and Tweaks' started by purr1n, Dec 6, 2016.

  1. AstralStorm

    AstralStorm Friend

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    I've applied a KISS-alike mod except instead of Creatology+Dynamat Extreme combo I used thick layer of BASF Comply foam. (In form of Comply wraps.) The chunks on the sides were left as is mostly, with a slightly increased thickness of the hard foam layers.

    Interestingly enough, the use of this kind of silicone foam is much more effective on the magnet and nearby surrounds than creatology + dynamat extreme. It's slightly smoother sound yet as a result of additional highs peaks absorption. Not a huge difference but I'd take anything. I did not cover the magnet hole with foam, only the whole magnet and unvented plastics on its sides.
    The extra thick creatology-like foam layer improves bass handling a bit still too.

    Main problem is that this foam is expensive if bought as Comply Wraps. I think it is BASF BISCO BF-1000 foam, can someone find a reasonable retail source for this?
     
    Last edited: Oct 21, 2018
  2. ookic

    ookic New

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    I've got a pair of V1 black driver HD650, and I'm curious to try out this KISS mod! Should it result in the same effect on my headphones as it does with the white drivers'?


    Sorry I haven't gotten an answer for you! But, would you be able to share some pics? You said you used a thick layer - - Did you stack the Wraps on top of each other?
     
  3. likearake

    likearake Acquaintance

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    Bit of an old post so apologies...

    Does this mean that for earlier HD650s you did the KISS mod but without attaching the folded foam disc at the back, as well as performing the coin mod at the front? Or are you referring to something different?
     
  4. iFi audio

    iFi audio MOT iFi Audio

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    Not something to be used then, eh?
     
  5. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    I did the M mod for prior iterations of the HD650 which seemed to have a more damped and boring character.

    M mod does mean complete removal of foam in the back and coin mod.
     
  6. AstralStorm

    AstralStorm Friend

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    Well, it's not that super expensive, and there are equivalent foams - compared to the silly sorbothane feet for instance where there is no equivalent and a cheaper material will be inferior. You can use any soft sound and vibration dampening high density open cell foam for this pupose. I just had way too many wraps on hand.
     
  7. elmoe

    elmoe Friend

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    Just did this mod on my HD6XX and I have a ton of Dynamat/Creatology leftover (already stuck to each other, uncut). If anyone needs some I'm happy to ship your way for the cost of shipping.
     
  8. lcmusiclover

    lcmusiclover Friend

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    PM sent
     
  9. elmoe

    elmoe Friend

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    I'm just realizing that I can probably fit enough of this to mod a pair in 1 envelope, and I'm not going to charge people for the price of a stamp.

    If you live in the US, I'm happy to throw some in an envelope and ship your way for free. Just PM me your address.

    edit: lcmusiclover I have some in an envelope for you and will ship it out today/tomorrow
     
  10. elmoe

    elmoe Friend

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    I have enough left to mod ~4 pairs, first come first serve!

    Edit: 3 pairs left
     
    Last edited: Jul 14, 2019
  11. tommytakis

    tommytakis MOT: E.T.A Headphones

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    I just received my KISS- modded HD650 from @Gaspasser

    This is an early first impression but holyyy shiettt this sounds amazing... this mod basically removes all the nitpicks I had from from both HD650 and HD600 and brings the best of both worlds. Idk why I was always hesitant to mod my hd650...

    - no shouty vocals like on the HD600, which is why I always preferred the HD650 over the 600
    - less mid bass bloat, muddiness than the stock HD650 and slightly more extension
    - more treble presence and removes that Sennheiser veil, similar to stock HD600. The modded version loses a bit of smoothness from the original, but I think I'm totally happy with the trade off


    Now I'm curious to try the SBAF modded HD800 w/ SDR... I can't wait to compare the KISS HD650 w/ the Verite on the DSHA3f. HD650K is the underdog raised from the slums that I want to root for costing a fraction of the price of Verite
     
  12. elmoe

    elmoe Friend

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    Agreed, very little downfall if any from doing the KISS mod. Now that I've been listening to it for about a month, I highly recommend it.

    It took my already excellent 6XX and really helped with the bass bloat, added more overall bass, and cleared up that infamous Sennheiser "veil" almost completely.
     
  13. tommytakis

    tommytakis MOT: E.T.A Headphones

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    yep... it instantly made me doubt my kilo buck headphone purchases, realizing this hidden gem for the fraction of the cost
     
  14. elmoe

    elmoe Friend

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    I haven't bought a pair of headphones since. Not sure I want to spend thousands on sidegrades.
     
  15. RobS

    RobS RobS? More like RobDiarrhea.

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    LOL dude tommy your impressions are spot on. Throw the other headphones in the trash. HD650 is f'ing righteous.

    Just did the mod tonight on my old pair. Love hearing my favorite guitarist not sound he is playing with a blanket over the amplifier. The midrange is punchier, energetic and vocals are just right without that shouty shrill of the HD600. Dialing back the midbass bloat makes the midrange shine and pop.

    I get a tiny bit of subbass channel imbalance but it ain't worth adjusting. I didn't care to be precise with cutting the dynamat strips or use that creatology foam. I can live with it. Also only had one layer of foam after removing the spider.

    Love the mod purr1n, thanks for the simple instructions!
     
    Last edited: Jan 3, 2020
  16. Itamar

    Itamar New

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    For modding my HD6XX -
    Are there any sound deadner mats like the second skin or dynamats that can be bought from china (through ebay/ aliexpress) that are as good or close enaugh to do the job?
     
  17. OmarCCX

    OmarCCX New

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    I'm pretty bad at DIY stuff, does anyone offer a KISS service?
    Last time I tried my hand at modifying headphones, I'm pretty sure I ruined a pair of T50RPs. Someone on ebay loved the sound though.
     
  18. k4rstar

    k4rstar Britney fan club president

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    just wanted to add that this mod works well on the black screen HD600 too. my rear foam disintegrated as I removed it so I cut a sliver off the front foam insert instead, just enough to cover the magnet hole.

    I am repeating what has already been written 50 times before removing the rear foam and spider without applying dynamat is super-not-recommended, it spoils the sound.
    applying dynamat tightens up transients, adds focus and immediacy to the sound. the teeny bit of foam over the magnet keeps the transients and bass levels from becoming unruly on some recordings.

    thanks to @tommytakis for hooking up dynamat. my arts and crafts skillz are not the sharpest @OmarCCX and I did this in about 30 minutes, you can do it yourself.

    spider removed and dynamat applied. note the brass ring in the magnet assembly of the early HD600:
    [​IMG]

    tiny piece of foam cut from top edge of front foam piece, glued with a small dab of gorilla glue:
    [​IMG]
     
  19. OmarCCX

    OmarCCX New

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    I'll give it a go now that winter's here and going outside is not an option.
     
  20. Gizmo1k

    Gizmo1k New

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    if anyone has extra supply's for this mod let me know. I'm interested in doing it but don't want to shell out for a full sheet of Dynamat. I'm happy to throw venmo or paypal someone's way if they are willing to ship to me.
     

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