Orthodynamic Headphones & all things planar

[iaudio]

gurubhai, Hp-50s:licklips: Yummy:licklips

 

[gurubhai]

The LFF's suspension mod looks good need to try this out.

As I am in the US currently, so getting replacement parts is a breeze.

BTW, I have gone ahead and have mass loaded the baffle with blue tack and have damped the cups using stick on felt sheets. The mod, along with continuous burn in has improved the sound significantly.

Didn't notice your location earlier, sorry.

Some Tips for T50RP modding:

1.) Do not remove the stock damping paper (at the back of a driver)
In fact, try finding paper of similar type & put couple more layers below the foam.

2.)Also try the 'Creatology craft foam' for lining the cups instead of felt.

3.)Good sealing pads are important for getting a good bass-response out of them.

gurubhai, Hp-50s:licklips: Yummy:licklips

There hasn't been much interest.But I could send them to you, if you wish.

 

[doors666]

I am interested in trying the hp50. I have never tried any ortho hps, or any other good headphones, i currently have only koss porta pro. Will essence st be able to drive these without issues?

Just went through the entire thread, most of these look like vintage headphones. I guess to purchase any of these, ebay will be the best option. Could someone please give me some idea as to what would be reasonable prices for some of these. I am kinda out of AV funds right now, so budget is a big constraint.

I am also planning to go for a O2 amp. Anyone tried that amp. ehha looks good but no budget.

 

[gurubhai]

Essence ST has a decent headphone section & would have no issues in driving these.

A friend here has the O2 amp & he says that it is pretty good improvement over the Xonar's headphone out. I personally haven't heard it yet.

EHHA cures upgraditis, so in the long run it may be a better investment.
I won't promote it any more though due to the obvious conflict of interest.You can speak to the other owners of EHHA on this forum(anm, Brendon & audiodoc) for un-biased opinion.

 

[iaudio]

Gurubhai, how does the audinst mx1 do with orthos?

 

[gurubhai]

Haven't heard that one & I can't find the headphone out power specs after a quick google search.
However, the buffer opamp in Audinst is AD8397 which is known to have a rather powerful output.

 

[vivek.saikia]

1.) Do not remove the stock damping paper (at the back of a driver)
In fact, try finding paper of similar type & put couple more layers below the foam.

2.)Also try the 'Creatology craft foam' for lining the cups instead of felt.

3.)Good sealing pads are important for getting a good bass-response out of them.



There hasn't been much interest.But I could send them to you, if you wish.

Thanks for the tips gurubhai.
The stock damping paper at the back of the driver is intact.
I will try out the craft foam to see if it improves the sound even more.
I have inserted cotton pads under the ear cushions and have heard tremendous improvement in the bass extension, so, I know what you are talking about the earpads. The shure earpads seems to be a good replacement.

Now something about the sound. After two days of burning in and all the mods , I can now safely declare that Fostex T50RP are the best sounding "system" I have ever heard (including the stereo system I have ever owned/auditioned).

I am happy that I got introduced to orthodynamic headphones because of this forum. :yahoo:

 

[gurubhai]

Introducing people to planar sound, that's the whole purpose of this thread.
Glad to know you are enjoying them.

About HP50, I suppose we can wait for a few days to see if anyone else decides to join in.

 

[doors666]

Essence ST has a decent headphone section & would have no issues in driving these.

A friend here has the O2 amp & he says that it is pretty good improvement over the Xonar's headphone out. I personally haven't heard it yet.

EHHA cures upgraditis, so in the long run it may be a better investment.
I won't promote it any more though due to the obvious conflict of interest.You can speak to the other owners of EHHA on this forum(anm, Brendon & audiodoc) for un-biased opinion.

I am not sure I know the whole story, how is it a conflict of interest.
Anyone else that has heard both. if EHHA is a lot superior to O2, I might wait a bit and go for that.

Introducing people to planar sound, that's the whole purpose of this thread.
Glad to know you are enjoying them.

About HP50, I suppose we can wait for a few days to see if anyone else decides to join in.

Thanx gurubhai, but the problem is after listening, if i really like it, i might want to buy one and its not available. Most of the good ortho headphones being mentioned are vintage models. What are some of the good current options apart from the fostex. I have been wanting to buy good hp for some time and thought that someday i would get the hd650 and that should be the end of it, but it doesnt look like thats the case.:lol:

 

[gurubhai]

Conflict of interest because I am the one selling the EHHA .

The HP50 variants(HP50S/HP50A) aren't really rare & I can help you get one if you end up liking it.
The one I have offered for loan is a bit rare since its the original HP-50. It has a dual-entry cable instead of single entry cable in HP50S/A. It also does not have the vinyl cover on the headband.

HP-50

HP-50A

 

[iaudio]

Gurubhai, I am dying to try out the hp50s that you have so generously offered but resisting because of two reasons:

1. This time around, I 'd rather try after getting a proper hp amp.
2. The courier guys here are not accepting headphones/iems etc! So I wont be able to send it back to you!

 

[gurubhai]

Can't you use speed post?

 

[iaudio]

Not really tried that option. Usually use Bluedart DTDC, Professional. Quite paranoid about getting robbed by courier guys and the like, what with all the horror stories on TE.

 

[esanthosh]

@gurubhai,

Is this HP50 on loan different from the ones I have tried?

iaudio was ok. But ever since I asked his FX500 for a loaner, he has gotten more and more paranoid about couriers .

@iaudio,

While I have not used it domestically, I found my experience with Speed Post (Sent ZO2 v2 back for replacement with ZO2 v3, Tandem RMA) to be better than the time I tried to send back TPs to sachu. Do ask around to see if this is possible. Why miss an Ortho?

PS: You can always bring FX500 here along with the Ortho. I do have a dedicated headphone amp, just not the power (most of the day) to turn it on

 

[gurubhai]

^Yes, this one is a completely new mod. The emphasis has been on getting close to a more neutral sound(the one you tried was a bit too rolled off up top even for my tastes).

Speed post has been rather nice to me. I sent a couple of headphones & some other stuff abroad & it has been very fast & efficient, not to mention cheaper too.

 

[esanthosh]

Then, I am in for the loaner :licklips:

@iaudio,

Any progress on the amp front?

 

[gurubhai]

Ok, three sounds so much better than two for a loaner program.

@iaudio : You don't have to worry about courier guys. There are times these things happen but most of the times they don't. In any case, I am the one who should be worried not you.

 

[iaudio]

esanthosh, You know how much of bad luck I have had with head fi last year! Couldnt afford another loss!
As for the amp front, my audinst mx1 purchase is on the back burner, as I got a DAC in between!
So head amp budget has shrunk! Looking at something from Fiio, but will that make the cut with Orthos like hp50?
I will check the speed post option. I would love to be in the loaner program.

 

[gurubhai]

Guys, Can you please send me your address/contact details?
I'll work out the tour itinerary after that.

 

[Audiodoc]

I believe the FiiO E9 will be able to drive orthodynamics with ease. It has enough power though I prefer the EHHA by a large margin.