Need some help Installing new ear-pads to HD800

Discussion in 'Headphones' started by The Alchemist, Jul 29, 2017.

  1. The Alchemist

    The Alchemist MOT: Schiit - Here to help!

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    I got some new ear-pads off of eBay, they were from China so I got them for only $1.04 after winning the auction, and by the looks of them, the pads look very well made. I also bought a new headband cushion that is really nice compared to the one that was on there.

    My question is, is there a tutorial somewhere on the site that can show me how to replace the ear-pads on the HD800?

    If not, if someone would be so kind would you send me some pics with instructions on how to replace the ear-pads?

    I am even starting to get a lot of static and distortion in the right channel of the HD800, and I have no idea what could be causing it. I used them today, no problems. But just about an hour ago I listened to the HD800 again and there is crackling and distortion. I never listen to music super-loud or anything, so I don't think it is a blown driver, but I cannot be sure. These are by far my favorite headphones and if something happens to them, I doubt I will ever be able to get another pair so I am very concerned what could be causing the distortion and static on the right channel of the HD800.

    I tested my other headphones with the same setup and they sound great, only the HD800 has this distorted, staticy sound to them in the right channel and I am getting worried, I can't afford to buy a another pair of HD800.

    If anyone has any ideas on what might be the issue or if anyone has a solution I would sincerely appreciate it!
     
  2. Daveheart

    Daveheart Friend

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    It's reasonably simple, but here are some YouTube videos. Seeing it can be better than an explanation.





     
  3. The Alchemist

    The Alchemist MOT: Schiit - Here to help!

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  4. The Alchemist

    The Alchemist MOT: Schiit - Here to help!

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    I am starting to get a lot of static and distortion in the right channel of the HD800, and I have no idea what could be causing it. I used them earlier today, no problems. But just about an hour ago I listened to the HD800 again and there is crackling and distortio in the right channel/Driver.

    I never listen to music super-loud or anything, so I don't think it is a blown driver, but I cannot be sure. These are by far my favorite headphones and if something happens to them, I doubt I will ever be able to get another pair so I am very concerned what could be causing the distortion and static on the right channel of the HD800.

    I tested my other headphones with the same setup and they sound great, only the HD800 has this distorted, staticy sound to them in the right channel and I am getting worried, I can't afford to buy a another pair of HD800.

    If anyone has any ideas on what might be the issue or if anyone has a solution I would sincerely appreciate it!
     
  5. Dino

    Dino Friend

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    Can you put the Left cable into the Right earcup and vice versa and see if the static and distortion moves to the left channel? If so, it is probably a short in the cable.
     
  6. The Alchemist

    The Alchemist MOT: Schiit - Here to help!

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    Good idea, let me try that
     
  7. The Alchemist

    The Alchemist MOT: Schiit - Here to help!

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    I did as you have suggested @Dino and even after switching the left cable to the right earcup, the static and crackling persists. I even tried different cables (Stock cable) Balanced Cable etc.) Man I am freaking out, for the longest time I dreamed of owning a pair of HD800 and I absolutely love them, and now this is happening. There is simply no way I could afford another HD800.

    I don't know what to do now, I can't stand the thought of being without my HD800 :(

    Like I sated in my last post, I do not listen to music at extreme volumes or anything like that so I don't know what would be the problem. And as stated above, I tried the stock cable, and a Sennheiser Brand balanced cable, but the results are the same. Every other headphone I use sounds great, but the HD800 is giving me these issues as stated above.

    Dammit (excuse my language I try not to use profanity, but the HD800 are my absolute favorite headphones, I don't know what to do.
     
  8. Dino

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    Is the the static and crackling still on the right channel when you switched the cable?
     
  9. BenjaminBore

    BenjaminBore Friend

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    Shit, I'm really sorry to hear about your HD800 @The Alchemist .

    I would try taking a bright light and seeing if anything has gotten inside and is touching the driver, even a hair might cause trouble.

    Sennheiser stuff is easy to take apart, and easy to buy spares for. In the UK you can buy a driver for £200, and I think Sennheiser offer a flat £200 fee for repairs.

    You can also sell the bum driver on ebay afterward to recoup some costs. I bought two new drivers for my HD650 with matching dates of manufacture, and then I sold the old drivers for £18 and the capsules for £15. You can sell almost anything if it's at the right price, though it may take a while. The former sold in a few weeks, the latter a few months.
     
    Last edited: Jul 30, 2017
  10. The Alchemist

    The Alchemist MOT: Schiit - Here to help!

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    Yes :(

    Thank you @BenjaminBore - I actually looked very closely at the driver when I was changing ear-pads, and I did not see any hair or debris in there that could effect the driver. The only thing modified on my HD800 is @Marvey 's Z28 Mod where he installed resonators, but I seriously doubt that has anything to do with it for a few reasons:

    1) I have been using his mod that @Marvey made for me for well over a year and never experience any issues.
    2) If it had something to do with the mod, one would assume both channels/drivers would be experiencing the same crackle and distortion.

    SO I seriously doubt @Marvey 's mod would have anything to do with it.

    I'm sorry , I am just very upset as these are my all-time favorite headphones, and if something happens to them, I may not ever be able to get another pair, and Sennheiser charges through the roof to do any repairs.

    I am sorry everyone I am just frustrated and upset about the whole thing.
     
  11. BenjaminBore

    BenjaminBore Friend

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    That's okay, I'd be upset too.

    Everything works perfectly until the moment it doesn't. Until we can figure out what's wrong I wouldn't dismiss anything. Personally I follow the rule that once the probable has been eliminated, one must look to the improbable.

    Any mod, especially that close to the driver, has a higher chance of causing issues than something in stock form. Even if it may not be obvious why.

    If you've nothing left to loose I would remove the mod. Maybe blow very gently in the exposed area too to check for hidden debris.

    EDIT: Tyll has a video demonstration for installing a resonator that may help: https://www.innerfidelity.com/conte...-and-delightfuland-french-diy-response-page-2
     
    Last edited: Jul 30, 2017
  12. Ice-man

    Ice-man Friend

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    I would take the dust cover off the effected side and put a bright lite and a magnifying glass to look for a stray hair. It can cause the issue that you speak of. Are you first owner?
     
  13. The Alchemist

    The Alchemist MOT: Schiit - Here to help!

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    @Ice-man - no I am not the first owner. It was given to me so I really have no idea how many owners it had.
     
  14. Dino

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    You should try the rest of the @Ice-man post. That was where I was heading after it was determined that the problem was in the headphone itself.
     
  15. The Alchemist

    The Alchemist MOT: Schiit - Here to help!

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    I will do that. Thank you for the advice @Ice-man and @Dino I sincerely appreciate you trying to help me solve this problem.

    Thank you!
     
  16. Ice-man

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    I would seriously be surprised if it were a driver or electrical issue. I had the hair on the driver issue about 3 times or so in the past five years with various headphones. The hd800 is just about bullet proof. Aside from people who have done a hard-wire mod, I haven't heard of someone just out of the blue having this kind of issue.

    Let me know how it turns out.
     
  17. Shardnax

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    Any updates on this?

    Have you inspected the plug holes for the cord to make sure nothing got in there and they look undamaged?
     
  18. The Alchemist

    The Alchemist MOT: Schiit - Here to help!

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    I do not think it is the headphones at this point, I haven't had the issue in a while. I think it was the source, it never occurred to me at the time but I was using one of the first beta versions of JRiver 23 when I went back and used my stable version of Jriver MC 22 issue is gone so i suspect it was the beta version of JRiver beta 23
     
  19. Dino

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  20. The Alchemist

    The Alchemist MOT: Schiit - Here to help!

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    Kinda but I don't think there is a way to fix it, I guess that is just how they are. My head is very small and HD800 are supposed to fit a little loosely anyway I was told so I guess that is just how they are. I know that if you extend the earcups down they move closer together, but if I do that they go way past my ears so I pretty much have to keep them almost at the very top of the headband where they are furthest apart. I guess there really isn't much I can do about it.
     

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