Submitted by Kiiran_B t3_10lmz7n in headphones

I read somewhere, that removing the white padding behind the driver increases imaging performance. Would this increase soundstage or make the DT 880 pro a true open back headphone?

Anyone have any experience doing this?

Thanks!

1

Comments

You must log in or register to comment.

pinkcunt123 t1_j5xv0zg wrote

Where did you get that nonsense?

The only mod you should do to the 880 is a removable cable mod.

−1

plmon24 t1_j5xy3h0 wrote

Don't want to open my DT880 again to double-check, but I read about a bunch of dampening material on the driver inside that the DT990 didn't have.

I don't specifically recall if I removed any white padding, but I did remove a lot of those dampening materials. I felt the DT880 sounded overly dampened to get its more neutral tonality. Similar to how Dan Clark's Aeon Flow can tame the treble with the felt filters, but it crushes detail in the process.

Removing the dampening materials made it sound in-between a DT880 and 990. Not quite as bright as the 990 and a bit more linear bass response than the 990's big midbass hump. Less "soft-sounding" than the 880.

However, I didn't feel like the soundstage changed a whole lot, not as big as the 990.

2

pinkcunt123 t1_j5y0cbw wrote

Yes, but if thats what you want just use EQ!

Modding the headphone to change FR is an ass backwards way of changing tonality. EQ can accomplish more, whilst being less of a hassle.

−1

audiochef68 t1_j5y15yk wrote

Yes the best mod is to plug them into a tube amp....

2

Kiiran_B OP t1_j5y3f9g wrote

I'm no expert, but when I eq'd them, they still seemed sibilant, when I put the paper mod inside, the sibilance was gone and the overall sound was the same; no need for software or tweaking and it was super easy. I think modding definitely has a place, just looking for some info on it.

2

Kiiran_B OP t1_j5y3nua wrote

Interesting, Joshua Velour describes the 880s as having a kind of 'globe' of sound while using them, and I agree with him. Just wondered if there was a way to alleviate that.

I love my 880s, just wish they had a wider soundstage (I think I'm using the correct terminology, I'm a novice in this field).

1

kazuviking t1_j5y71m9 wrote

The white padding material is for tuning reasons, removing that would create resonances and increase the treble. Don't touch it unless you have a measurement rig.

1

Lelouch25 t1_j5yx3bo wrote

DT880 Pros were my first pair of hifi headphones. I can't be bothered to pick them up since I've gone to planars. The DT 880s really do have this really high treble that I believe would be worse if any dampening material is to be removed. The bass is very flat but overall have a nice balance compared to mid centric HD600s.

Maybe just change out the grill itself to an more open one.

1

Kiiran_B OP t1_j5zih1j wrote

See, I don't know if the grill is that blocked off in itself, I thought the dampening ring was what did that, the general consensus seems to be not to mess with it at all, but the tinkerer in me just wants to find out šŸ˜‚.

1

Kiiran_B OP t1_j610rm6 wrote

I watched that video last night šŸ˜‚. I didn't personally understand why you would completely close off the inside though, his end result was lower highs if I remember correctly, which is fine, but it seemed a lot of work when the paper mod works pretty well.

I'm completely ignorant in this field though, so maybe I'm missing something.

1

Lelouch25 t1_j61btsy wrote

Is the paper mod placed inside the cups? Then Iā€™d imagine that would decrease clarity. Anyway maybe they sound the same but the guy shows measurements of before and after so there is a measurable difference.

You of course can copy his method with similar materials if you like. šŸ˜‡

1

Kiiran_B OP t1_j62novh wrote

Yeah it just goes over the driver itself, I couldn't tell a difference back then, DIY audio heaven shows graphs before and after, lows and mids remain the same from what I remember, treble peak was reduced. I'm guessing like you say, detail was reduced, so I might test it without the paper again.

1