Massdrop Beyerdynamic DT 177X GO - Wireless Mod

Just wanted to share my shorty balanced cable + 177X GO + ES100 BT rig.

I can't find a thread for the Massdrop Beyerdynamic DT 177X GO. Did we really neglect to make a thread here??

In case you don't know about them, Massdrop did a collab with Beyerdynamic and in my mind it really filled an open slot in the closed back headphone world. Technically competent, very fun and enjoyable with included sheepskin pads (also comes with stock velour). More bass with the sheepskin pads, switch to velour or Brainwavs pleather perforated for more treble/less bass in tilt.

Modified the original DT 1770 PRO design:

• Impedance lowered from 250 ohm to 32 ohm for use with more devices
• Sound signature has additional damping to specifically do two things: lower the upper mids peak similar to Amiron Home for a less-piercing presentation, smooth the bass to lower mids transition (still a lot of bass but the dip to make it even more punchy is removed so it sounds more linear)
• New cable connector at the cup to allow for custom mini-4-pin XLR balanced cables to be made

All of those changes make this headphone more transportable to be sure...and even portable?


Hart Audio Cables ended up making two very well-built and reasonably-priced custom balanced cables for me.
1. 7.5" of cable in between the plugs works, but is a bit tight for clipping the ES100 BT puck to the frame horizontally.
2. 9" of cable between the plugs is perfect for a relaxed fit that does not bug my shoulder like I thought it might.

Note: that is a right angle TRRS 2.5mm balanced plug on the cable and mini-4 pin XLR female plug at the cup end.

Voila: I run the ES100 with the Earstudio app in 2x Voltage Balanced mode. Very happy with this "wireless" headphone:




Just in time for mulling about the house a lot.

 

How are you attaching the ES100 BT? When you wear them, do you feel like you're part of the Borg collective?

 

There are a few things I would like to see revised on the ES100, but the spring-loaded metal clip is a great feature. That’s how it attaches, easily. I’ll post a pic tomorrow. (Boo plastic attachments. I have one of the original Apple Shuffles and I still love the ability to affix the player to clothing one-handed, without breaking stride.)

Other headphones have made me more self-conscious, LOL. These are so luxe and good-sounding that I am basically gonna wear ‘em even if they are larger than my noise-cancelling Sony’s...

(Oh, I should say that these do leak more sound than some of my other closed back headphones if you are planning to wear these in bed late at night with your partner.)

 

This is a really cool mod and doesn’t look too obscure. I just for some reason cannot come to really enjoy these. I find the highs too in your face. I’m going to bust them out tonight and give them another shot.

 

Which pads are you using? Sheepskin are warmer/bassier. You can also put in a ply of tissue between pad and driver.

 

I actually have the BrainWavz XL fenestrated pads on them currently because I found that it really helped for my overall tastes. It made them more comfortable and helped a bit with the highs. That said, you lose the noise isolation. I got them to try on a flight or two instead of my Sony’s but yea...worldwide pandemic. I haven’t tried the velour. My skin doesn’t agree with velour it just gets itchy.