E MU Teak

Compared to previous mod4: cymbals less shimmery. A little more closed sounding. Maybe too much cotton in cups? I didn't do anything to thin out the the cotton roll - just cut to shape. I didn't listen much to previous mod either. I wrote (AHL) in graph because I'm going to try this with stock pads too since it might help with 3k. Just wish stock leather was nicer like AHLambskin.

 

Next thing to try is micropore tape over some of the driver vents. Aim for symmetry or an alternating pattern. This is one part I still play with to taste. You can also use some felt on the wood areas around where the cups screw into the baffle to control the tuning through the baffle vents from the back side.

 

The L/R difference in bass might be from me not applying equal manual pressure when measuring. The stock pads are less flat and look less seal assured...

Will do. Felt filter baffle outer circle vents, then some micropore on baffle inner circle (driver vents).

BTW the cotton I used is the Rite Aid sterile cotton roll stuff.

 

This is with stock pads. I am going back to AHL because stock pads are difficult to get a consistent seal for measurements. Will get some AHL measurements.

I used some rough sponge material used for cleaning since I don't have craft felt. I also took out the cup cotton and replaced with wool, because I felt the last mod sounded a bit closed-in. Wool fixes because it does nothing. Will stick with cotton but thin out a little.

I was expecting bass to go up, but does not sound it. Too bright.

 

LOL I did not mean to line the baffle with felt. Aside from opening a few holes on the stock baffle paper, you shouldn't have to add anything. I meant these parts for the felt -

 

lol

The reason for felt lining wood edge is to create a gap? Are you certain felt liner to be sufficient? Isn't there a good chance it'll just get squished and become pretty air tight after screw down? I've ordered longer screws+nuts for that, so I could hold off on time consuming felt cut outs if unnecessary. M2 variety pack includes 6-20mm.

One of my cup screw holes is blown. Screw just keeps spinning... Will look for some wood fill solution and ask Lawton for a recommendation.

 

Fill the hole with glue (or the equivalent for wood) + drill a new one = Screw is tight again.

 

Ah yes, the joys of Foster modding. I just use different screws entirely that seem to hold better. The felt is meant to reduce high frequency reflection through the baffle vents, if you use thin enough felt it won't create a seal or add any distance - the lip on the edge of the cup is there to provide space. Yes it's time consuming as all hell, hence why I can't do such things for free.

 

Quick listen: Highs no longer unpleasant. Bass is good, want more.

Channel balance I thought was going to be bad because I didn't cut those felt inserts so symmetrical.

 

Summary:
E-MU m5redo Impressions: Thin and lean.
Comparison to modded 6XX: Not incredibly different, but 6XX has a little more warmth. I'm a warm-poo bass-head now?

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For impressions I decide to compare to my modded 6XX. Volume matching by ear aka none.
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E-MU m5redo notes:

1. Guess I'm Doing Fine - Beck - Sea Change (MOFI)
- computer music app volume approximately at 1/2
- Vali2 approx. at 8 o'clock low gain (where it always stays)
- needs more bass (this becomes motif)
- turn down volume because Beck's voice is too loud
- everything else fine

2. Hunter - Bjork - Homogenic
- turn down volume some more (because louder in comparison to last song)
- needs more bass
- left/right percussion sound thin

3. Pusherman - Curtis Mayfield - Superfly
- needs more bass (generally the first and main and sometimes only reaction to every song - I am simple)

4. This Ain't No Picnic - Minutemen - Double Nickels On The Dime
- 1/3 volume
- needs more bass
- electric guitar a little weak
- cymbals a little more present than I like, but its hard to tell with bass down.
- vocals too sound a bit off, missing some body

5. Atomic Punk - Van Halen S/T (WB)
- electric guitar definitely pushed back in composition, cymbals are way more present in comparison
- needs more bass

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Modded 6XX notes:

5. Atomic Punk - Van Halen S/T (WB)
- almost max volume
- want guitar a little more forward
- want less cymbals
- want more bass
- surprised it didn't sound hugely different besides volume. I thought 6XX would be perfect besides bass roll off. What is happening here?

4. This Ain't No Picnic - Minutemen - Double Nickels On The Dime
- sounds similar to E-MU, but a little more correct. I am now a basshead?

3. Pusherman - Curtis Mayfield - Superfly
- turned down volume to 3/4
- no immediate response of "needs more bass", would like a little more though
- cymbals not offensive, all sounds pretty well here
- would like less cymbals but hard to say if thats the real problem

2. Hunter - Bjork - Homogenic
- needs more deep bass
- left percussion sounds a little more weighted (better)
- sounds warmer overall (better)

1. Guess I'm Doing Fine - Beck - Sea Change (MOFI)
- sounds good, maybe ears adjusted
- more deep bass please


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* I didn't listen to whole songs, just probably 1-2minutes of each, all in quick succession.

 

You can see changes here are too subtle for my ears to easily detect. Looks improved.

I applied some micro-pore tape over driver baffle vents. Chose alternating pattern sorta, but L/R are mirrored. More vents open on backside (towards back of head).

Would like to get more bass. @E_Schaaf I saw there were a few way different ways you addressed this successfully in your TH900 thread but not sure what mod you settled on as best. What do you recommend here? Thank you again!

 

Looking pretty good so far, nice job! Next things to try are popping a few holes in the baffle. Outer ring of holes, each one will make an audible difference so I suggest one at a time. Then, I might suggest lightening up on the cotton in the cups and additionally try to blend into a more continuous circles instead of four bunches. You can also try double-layering the micropore on the driver vents, I've noticed some tapes are less impeding than others and you could get a little more transient focus by doubling up. After that just a matter of pads and front foam rings.

I notice on the Lawton cups they have that internal bowl of foam. That does get in the way a bit, it's best if the damping kind of slopes in from the outside of the cup to the center, so it's not covering the driver vent area with too much density but kind of hugs the sushi mod in the middle. Hard to communicate but I trust you'll figure it out.

 

So, what was final result of these mods? Endless happiness or the novelty wore off?

 

Philimon has been banned for a while. I doubt he will get back to you.

 

Actually I found his thread on HF and apparently he broke his headphone, so the story ended there.

Thanks for the heads-up!