The vintage Ortho thread

Discussion in 'Headphones' started by gurubhai, Jun 24, 2016.

  1. Lamp Man

    Lamp Man New

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    I just ordered a couple pairs of these, and I look forward to listening! Any info not mentioned in this thread that I should be aware of?
     
  2. Lamp Man

    Lamp Man New

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    Gurubhai, I'd like to see what you did with the dampening so I can try it out myself. That's assuming of course that it won't bother you too much. Thanks in advance!
     
  3. Scubadude

    Scubadude Almost "Made"

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    Tracked down a pair of Technics EAH-820s which I expect to receive soon. Read mixed opinions but at least Popular Mechanics gave it a thumbs up in 1980. Should be a fun project to clean up and see if can be made any good.
     
  4. dBel84

    dBel84 Friend

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    The Technics drivers are a very cool design and have great potential.

    [​IMG]

    The constraints of the cup can be a little challenging to optimally modify them to achieve exceptional sound but the "bones" for greatness are there.

    ..dB
     
  5. Armaegis

    Armaegis Friend

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    Are those circles due to contact with the magnet?
     
  6. dBel84

    dBel84 Friend

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    no one really understands the circles - a common theory ( as good as any crop theory ) was that it allowed some additional extension of the driver in full swing to enable some reasonable bass reproduction..dB
     
  7. Armaegis

    Armaegis Friend

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    Are there other diaphragms which have that? I seriously doubt it has to do with driver extension. I'd put more stock on it being a manufacturing blip, maybe due to a stamping process.
     
  8. dBel84

    dBel84 Friend

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    It was purposeful , and clearly a stamp. The purpose will remain a mystery.
     
  9. gurubhai

    gurubhai Friend

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    I was under the impression that the stamp's purpose was to increase the compliance in the center so that its movement is restricted to remain in line with the rest of the driver.
    Not sure if it actually works though.
     
  10. Ariamella

    Ariamella New

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    I feel like I should contribute to this thread, so here's my Status OB-1 with YHD-1 driver mod!

    Think I'll call it the OB-YHD-1 or something...

    Anyways. I cut out the original driver housing and sealed the YHD-1 drivers with newplast onto the baffle, with a few squares of sorb on the baffle plate. I also put an octagon (cause I'm too lazy to cut circles) of Hobbs rough silk right behind it and an octagon of 100% AC behind that. Also, I accidentally tore the paper stuff covering the baffle vents on one side so I just tore the other side to even it up.

    It has a smallish soundstage but otherwise, it sounds...actually really damn good. Low end's definitely tightened up compared to how it used to be. Perhaps a bit bass-light by my standards, but that would still be a good level of bass to most people as I like my bass, and they definitely still thump when the song calls for it! Mids are as good as ever and the highs are clear and transparent while not being peaky and nasty.

    Pictures: https://imgur.com/a/w1pQQ
     
  11. Abhishek Chowdhary

    Abhishek Chowdhary Friend

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    @Ariamella - Very neat job!
    The YHD-1 driver looks almost same as that of YHE-50. @gurubhai did something similar with YHE50 drivers in some Sony's low end Z series shell. Results were quite good.
     
  12. Ariamella

    Ariamella New

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    Thank you! They're basically part of the same family of Sawafuji-style 38mm ortho drivers iirc, and honestly anything's an upgrade from that acoustic abomination they call the stock YHD-1 shell.
     
  13. dBel84

    dBel84 Friend

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    Interesting that the YHD1has been getting attention recently. I posted this over at HF a few days ago

    Here are my modded YHD1

    [​IMG]

    They truly are first rate and compete with today's new generation of orthos.


    ..dB
     
    Last edited: Mar 9, 2021
  14. Ariamella

    Ariamella New

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    It's funny cause I got the OB-1 to stick YH-100 drivers in at first but then I realized that it'd be almost a drop-in for my trusty old YHD-1 which was lying completely unused.

    Now I need to find another can to stick those 55mm drivers in. Maybe the Takstar Hi2050...
     
  15. Azimuth

    Azimuth FKA rtaylor76, Friend

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    Anyone else have or tried the Fostex T20v2?

    I am wondering because I just started modding these again and they sound fantastic.

    I picked up a pair a couple years ago for $20 and started modding them, but then changed jobs, had a kid, and moved on to other projects. I never had a decent amp to drive them when I got them two years ago anyway.

    Mods I have done:

    - added felt behind the driver on the rear cup
    - added modeling clay around the housing of the driver
    - removed the foam plug
    - covered up most of the ports except for a small slot
    - stuffed cotton behind the driver
    - added SH840 pads
    - added Mr. Speakers leather comfort strap

    They sound a bit U shaped and need a bit more tuning in the bass as the bass bleeds into the low mids a bit. The extention is fantastic though. Not nearly as harsh as Alpha Dogs.

    Soundstage is very open and clear. Very close in sound to HD650s and not quite as L-R separate as other planars. It has a very good center image. I almost echo Hands comments on the T20v1 modded, even with the slight dip in the 4K range. I do not like this dip as it takes away the impact of the snare drum and since I am a drummer, this is not cool. It makes the drummer sound like they are playing a bit softer than they really are. I am going to continue to work and tweak them, but holy crap these things sound good.

    Overall, these are almost my go to now. Real sleepers. I wish I had a rig to test these on.
     
  16. Azimuth

    Azimuth FKA rtaylor76, Friend

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    I will also add the T20v2 is not the same as the T20RP MKII.

    The T20v2 is the circular driver. I am actually not sure Fostex changed much between v1 and v2 other than the housing. I thin the driver remained the same.
     
  17. gurubhai

    gurubhai Friend

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    T20v1 was supposed to have lesser bass than T20v2, whether the reason was due to a change in driver or due to change in damping foam (v1 has denser) isn't clear.

    Fostex T20v2 was the first ortho I tried years back, made me switch from my trusty old HD580. A solid entry to vintage orthos although I have migrated to Yamaha orthos since then.
     
  18. richard51

    richard51 Mr. Sorbothane

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    I just bought the Fostex T10 thanks to gurubhai and armaegis and must say that I am very pleased by this quality at low cost.... If I can ask a question, anyone of you has compared the T20 versions with the T10 ? If so I am curious of your impressions...thanks for this interesting thread...
     
  19. Philimon

    Philimon Friend

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    Fostex T10 on the bay.

    Dismantled YHD3 for cleaning occluded vents then modding. Not easy to open this one because glued together. Much scratches and broken tabs.

    @dBel84 @rhythmdevils Closed cell foam, like non-porous? Isnt that sealing cups basically?

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
  20. rhythmdevils

    rhythmdevils MOT: rhythmdevils audio

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    Always open cell foam. Must be able to breath through it. And felt against driver using foam to keep it firmly against the driver. The og mod involved felt lining the back of the cups too. Happy modding!

    I use different stuff but hush hush :)
     

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