Hifiman Cups swap - Complete

Discussion in 'Modifications and Tweaks' started by Ksorota, Jan 30, 2021.

?

Which drivers to place into NOS HE5 wood rings

  1. HE6

    66.7%
  2. HE5LEX

    33.3%
  1. Ksorota

    Ksorota Friend

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    A few months ago I acquired an HE6 4 screw, after taking a break from high end headphones all summer and sticking mostly to the JAR HD600 and modded Monoprice LP. I then was able to pick up a LFF Code LEX from @E_Schaaf that was in need of some repairs and was taken aback by their sound signature and needed to get them back into top condition which began my hunt for some replacement parts. The code LEX is an airier, more lively version of the HE6 and really fits my preference. Direct comparison between the two makes the HE6 sound a bit subdued or dark (both out of GSX mini).

    As to the repairs needed to this great sounding and functional headphone: The headband is a bit bent, one of the yoke "buttons" is missing and the earcup screw nuts are no longer mounted on one cup. So it seemed like a simple headband replacement was all I really needed (along with some replacement mounting nuts) to bring it back to like new condition. I asked Hifiman to help me out with the mounting nuts, but they did not have any available...none the less I set out to dismantle the headphones. With a new headband on order, I set to remove the rest of the screws and realized how not simple it was going to be.

    Example of good cup, screw removed without trouble
    Good cup.JPG

    Example of bad cup, nuts disconnected from cup
    unbolted.JPG

    Example of worst case scenario, sheared off screw
    sheered.JPG

    I was able to drill out the sheared screw, but now am left with 1 good connection point and 3 "holes" to deal with.

    Code LEX looking for a new home
    IMG_5584.jpg
    While looking for some replacement nuts to glue into the cups I came across a listing for a wood cup HE560 (one cup cracked and filled) and thought that it would be a perfect replacement for my HE5 LE...I worked out a deal with the seller, who turned out to be @sealand1 on this board and after a few days they arrived in immaculate condition.
    cracked cups.jpg
    This is a very comfortable and great looking headphone. I have actually not listened to it yet, but will by the next time I post.
    IMG_5585.jpg

    While the 560 deal was closing, another member (thanks @jaker782 ) put up an ad for a Code X3 with bonus items that included a set of NOS HE5 wood cups...after another deal for just the cups and another few days, I find myself with a whole bunch of options in front of me and the beginning of new project.

    IMG_5587.jpg

    My current plan is to replace the Code LEX cups with the new HE5 wood rings, install onto the new "old style" HFM headband and hard wire the Draug 3 cable shown in the last photo to it for a final completed headphone. Phase 2 will be to move the HE6 drivers into the HE560 cups and headband for increased comfort and hopefully sonic performance due to having a solid wood cup as its foundation.

    Over the next few days I will make the swap and document the steps with photos and any special notes as both a cool mod and also a sort of loose guide for someone else to follow. It seems that many of the old threads that complete this mod are missing photos or do not show the steps between start and completion.

    If anyone has any recommendations or tips, I am open to them, but overall it seems like staight forward swap now that I do not have to worry about stripped screws! The only struggle I am having is whether i should put the HE6 into the good cups and the LEX into the cracked ones?! Both headphones are going to stick with me for a while since they compliment each other so well, so I suppose it does not really matter.

    Stay tuned for more details and photos....coming soon.
     
    Last edited: Jan 31, 2021
  2. penguins

    penguins Friend, formerly known as fp627

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    FWIW - I've found that messing with cup materials or even just various forms of dampening (which may be equivalent to changing the woods or the mass or whatever physical factors) for the HE6se cups makes a pretty significant difference. Good luck with whatever you choose to do.
     
  3. Ksorota

    Ksorota Friend

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    Over the last two days I completed the swap and although I had a bit of a mishap with one of the wood cups, the result is a very good looking and great sounding headphone that I plan to hold onto for a long time.

    First Step was disassembly and prep. and making sure to keep the right from the left properly marked. (in this case it was a combination of tape and orange marker.

    IMG_5592.jpg

    IMG_5593.jpg

    IMG_5594.jpg

    Once I had it all organized and marked off it was time for assembly. But a test fit showed me that the black rings from the original HE5LE were a bit too large for the wooded HE5 cups. I have to assume it was due to wood shrinking as it dried out because it was a very tight fit for the drivers as well. I had to notch out a little more of the fiberglass where the driver went in next to the mounting screws. The mounting screws stuck out much farther than It seemed like they should have.

    IMG_5597.jpg
    So I filed those down a little, then also filed down the black ring.
    IMG_5604.jpg


    Next step was running the wires. Easy as it sounds...just run them into the correct cup through the newly accessed hole (after removing stock connector). Note. the stock connectors are held in with a bit of hot glue which easily comes loose with a bit of razor blade work.

    IMG_5595.jpg

    I forgot to take photos of the newly soldered connections, but here is the final assembled cup...after the incident.

    IMG_5599.jpg
    Yup, good sized crack at 2 o'clock...after I tightened the ring and driver down all was good...then a bit of manipulation to get it into the new headband and I heard the pop.

    For the right cup I spent more time sanding down the inner ring and did not experience a similar experience. The crack has been filled with wood filler and while not perfect, is in a good spot to not be noticed all the time.

    IMG_5605.jpg
    Both cups ready to go. back together

    And of course final assembly.

    IMG_5608.jpg



    Overall, its a very basic and easy job to do. I will likely be doing this again on my HE6 and not necessarily for different cups, but for a newer headband and a hardwired setup since I stopped thinking the SMC connectors were not so bad.

    Lastly I have taken a few measurements of the Code LEX vs. my modded HE6 mainly for fun and for those who are interested. This is an EARS measurement using ZMF cowhide ORI pads
    HE5 vs. HE6 Feb 1 2021.jpg
    Orange line is HE6 and Blue is Code LEX (average of 5 measurements 1/24 smoothing with SBAF comp curve)
     
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    Last edited: Feb 1, 2021

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