HiFiman HE1000 MODS

After more thought,
I cannot in good conscience recommend anyone modding the inside of this unit...

As it is too dangerous for the driver,
Which is a huge super thin clear sheet covering whole driver area,
So you can be fooled to think there is nothing there and the membrane can be stretched or damaged by touching or air blown.

Yet I remain convinced that I have a true fix for both this unit and also the HEX,
So both can be achieved to have more detailing and liveliness without Soundstage loss.

I had a mishap with my stupid soft case, so I could not display the HE1000 mod at last headfi NY meet,
As the driver got damaged inside the soft case..
It seems that one driver can go inside the other and smash the inner magnetic strip,
So care must be taken to use a hard case for transportation.

I have since just modded my new replacement and although it is not fully broken in yet,
It is already more lively and detailed than my other headphones.
I still have to compare to my HD800 which is bottom line my most lively.

Anyways I will eventually write up the mod in a carefull way for those willing to take the risk of an "internal mod"

 

I'm still loving your mod, just FYI. I absolutely think it transforms the headphones and I wish any critic of the HE1000 online could hear them with the mod. Thanks!

 

So what happened, what's the new mod?

I've been playing with the felt strip mod on the driver covers and wow does it ever make a cool difference. I keep going back and fourth about which I prefer, but I can tell you, it's an awesome idea and I highly recommend anyone try it on their HEK.

Updates and pics on the archive mod though, would love to know what could have gotten any better!

 

Ok
Once I reveal the new mod Sunday,
I will then post the new mod after.

I still not like idea of users opening the unit and not knowing the pitfall dangers of handling the insides,
So I will see how I can describe a proper instructions.

 

I can't wait =)

 

I am a bit dissapointed that my replacement HEK model is using plastic pieces in place of the aluminum that helps the sockets in place.

I do not know which is being used now,
But the plastic is not uniform, or as perfect shaped, because the rear internal side is thinner.

This created a loose fit, so a very tiny bit of loose play in the socket on one side.
The other side was perfect, so I must determine it as a quality control issue.

When using the heavy aftermarket silver cable, it place more weight and stress on socket, so socket mover maybe 1mm.
This was enough to make the internal wiring disconnect from solder joint on socket.

I had to take apart and reinforce the plastic rear side by melting with hot glue for a thicker rear side, to conform to proper dimension.

I Can't Believe they got cheap and stop making the solid aluminum pieces for cheap plastic, on a $3k headphones.

It could be the other way around.
They may be using aluminum now instead of plastic.
I simply don't know which model is older.

My first model was purchased at end of last year so fairly new.
My replacement model could have been an earlier produced set I dunno.
All I know is that two different types of material used to hold the sockets,
A metal (aluminum ), and a plastic.

 

You may have read by now, but your replacement may have been the first production units of the v2 edition. I'm curious if the new ear pads actually influence the sound in a positive way or if it's just a different presentation. Either way I'm happy with the build quality of my original unit, looks like they are trying to go a bit cheaper in costs unfortunately. Still love the headphones, just not the company's sales department

 

Yes maybe they phased in some V2 parts. .
Like plastic and maybe even pads

I remember my old pads were very full of lint thick.
New pads look nice but I never had these new so can't tell.

The old unit metal was much more flexible.
I will need to weigh my unit,
And compare with another.
Doubt if it version 2, most likely a mix.

I will need some close ups of old & pads to compare with new.

Edit although I had this for about 2weeks,
I cannot speculate on sound because my tube amp is under construction again

 

I just checked some photos on what I believe are the new pads and it looks like the seam is now on the bottom,
Where as the old pads have the leather seam on the top.

 

Thanks for sharing, Maxx134. Does this MOD work well with tape MOD in HF by CurraWong?

I applied tape MOD but only on the cutting edges of plastic even more on the black rings, and two more strips on the waveguides on the units. The concept somewhat different from CurraWong is to prevent diffraction in the cutting edges but not inner-reflection. I don’t want to eliminate any bass quantity as well. The modification is successful and the treble became very clear without obvious bass reduction.

But, here comes a small problem. I found there is somewhere laidback and soft in the very narrow frequency. Maybe 500Hz or its multiple frequencies. I’m willing to solve it with applying another MOD. Would you please share with us if you apply both on HE1000? Thanks.

 

Hello OK sorry for delay.
I will write in general, but first I suggest the mod stips on first page to see if you like.

I would never apply anything on the driver, only the edges.
I do not recommend anyone going near the driver with tape!
All you need is one touch and you risk breaking the driver membrane...
Especially With tape.

Now think of if you have to return to fix,
Or an upgrade to V2...
You cannot leave unit with tape..

So You now also risk touching the membrane by trying to peel off the tape.
And don't even think of metal tweezers anywhere near that driver!

So in good conscience, I cannot advise anyone putting tape on the driver.

I recommend the inner ear pad plastic edges, and maybe the surrounding edges.
We cannot afford to have the tape to fall off, and go into the driver...
So I have not checked on the tape material to do that tape mod yet.

I will add my latest mod to first page hopefully by tomorrow, since many V1 owners will feel left behind with a version 2 out.

I already noted what the sonic differences of the new V2 headphone "should" be:
1- increased detailing due to closer proximity of driver to ear pad.
2- more bass impact and slightly more frontal presentation due to new angled pads.

Any tonality changes should be the result of the pads, and so just upgrading the pads on V1 owners would give similar tonality..

Yet to replicate the closer proximity effect, modding will be needed to be done to the coupling area of the pads to driver.
So the tape mod helps address this, in this regard.

My upcoming mod also involves more frontal presentation, and more accurate than the strips,
by causing driver to push it's sound more forward, than out the rear.
In other words, it is an type of rear back wave pressure damping mod.
Not a sound filtering mod.

It sounds more delicate a procedure, but much safer in long run than trying tape.

I actually do intend to try some form of the tape mod.
I believe the pad itself is the main culprit of inner reflection from the inner plastic.

 

I observed that between Tyll's measurements of the pre-production sample and the production sample the transient response of production one shows 66% quicker to stop the transient impulse (pre-production:15ms; production:9ms), but then the plot shows a reverse waveform starting from 13ms which means an odd-order of reflection occurring. There is about 11ms of time difference between main transient impulse peak and this "reflection" peak, which means 37cm more transmitting path. I have no idea that what order of inner reflection is this peak, at what frequency is it, and it still exists such high peak after so many reflection, but truly the inner reflection impacts acoustic clarity and detail revealing.

 

This is very keen of you to notice.
I have finalized my mod and will separate it into two parts,
One is easy on front, the other is very delicate on back, and requires to not even turn your head or blink an eye away from your screwdriver...

I will encourage all to so at least the easy part.
Both will exceed what is available and no I not using any tape mod.
Should have zero inner reflections and more neutral tonality after the easy frontal part.
The rear part gives a touch more presence.

This was all finished late today way after member Serious came over to enlighten me on measurements and tonality.

My mod is not bright as before and as neutral as it's Gona get.

It involves using material inside area of gap space between driver and pad.
It is the best solution I know for this right now .
I really want to compare this to another HEK now.
I will do write-up tomorrow as it is now almost 12am here.
Stay tuned.

 

thinking about the slight treble emphasis, yet the laid back nature,
I went ahead and looked to fix them.

On the pursuit of looking for a better mod than Currawong inefficient "tape mod",
I could not find any material that cold solve this reflection problem of the gap of space from the driver-to-pad.
It is about 1/4 inch, or 6mm deep space..

Anyways, I took a step back and try to look at this from a fresh viewpoint.
It is not tape, or material, or mods that was needed, but an acoustic coupler from the driver to the pad to "fill in" this area of distance and reflection...

So I have found the ideal solution material which does FIVE things:
1-acoustically couple driver to pad.
2-eliminate reflections.
3-improve treble linearity.
4-improve detailing and nuance.
5-improve bass impact.
6-improve solidity of image.
7-eliminate need for V2 purchase.


Will post soon later today!

 

The new mod deserves its own thread I am starting.

 

I can't wait! I can't wait!
Can I use Grado's foam filling in the gap between ear pad and green plastics?

 

You are on the right track.
The mod will use very similar tactic.
The write up took longer than expected..
It should be up today .

 

Maybe, it's some kind of psychological bias, but the effects of this mod blew my mind! I can't believe such a simple mod could have such a big impact. Thanks a lot to people like @Maxx134 who took the time.. You ROCK man!

 

This mod can substitute my Organza rear material ,
While you should add the 2.5* mod (foam ring inside) , for more slam and detailing . . .

Link:
http://www.superbestaudiofriends.org/index.php?threads/hifiman-he-1000-version-2-5-mods.2664/