*Simple Mod for Sony MDR-EX 71 To Clean Up and Reduce Bass*

[draco]

Ok, this is very simple to do. I've done it on my over-the-ear headphones, too.

All you need to do is take a small piece of tape (probably clear would look the best ;) ) and place it over the small holes on the back of the earbuds. This will keep the small little speakers from having ports to move air out of, reducing the amount of movement of the drivers and air movement, thus reducing muddy bass. It's basically like taking a band pass box for a sub-woofer, or a ported box, and plugging the hole to created a closed box. Same idea. It makes for punchier, tighter, cleaner bass, and makes it less loud and overpowering. Plus, it blocks out more ambient noise because you're blocking most incoming air with covering the ports.

This is just something I've found helpful for my Sony earbuds, and other headphones as well. Hope this is useful.

[draco]

P.S. Let me know if how it works out for you, if you try it. :)

[c.you]

Hmm, I shall try this with mine and see how it is.

[Capital R]

I tried this a few hours ago, and I could tell that there was a slight improvement in sound. The only thing is, the tape doesn't seem to stick to the plastic/rubber well enough to stay on for extended periods of time. Thanks for the suggestion, though. I'll try some duct tape or something later and see if that is any better. Scotch tape doesn't cut it well enough for me.

[androu]

worst idea ever!

[draco]

Originally posted by androu
worst idea ever!

Thanks! Glad you like it!:p

[-James]

Why is it the worst idea ever?

[androu]

sorry, i didnt mean to be so dismissive. And I meant to add a cheeky smiley face thing.

Obviously everyone has there own opinion and ideas that work for them, and that is cool. Reading it back, it does look a little nasty, so, I apologise.

Mainly I think that it is a bad idea just because of the impracticality of using tape that will come off, make the area sticky etc. But then I suppose you could fill the holes in with glue.

Ive had another idea for the sonys though. Has anyone tried putting the flex sleeves (clear hard ones) from the Shure e2 on the sonys. I tried this and it was surprisingly good. The seal and isolation was better, and because of those holes at the back, you didn’t get the pressure building up on the eardrum which is the cause of much discomfort with using the flex sleeves with shure earphones.

[Street_a_Licous]

Hm, what about carefully covering those holes with hot wax? Careful, so the inside of the headphones are not filled, just the outside...

[dj_eddie]

I dont know how much you guys know about speakers, but if you look at subwoofers in a car setup, you can find subwoofers that are designed for ported boxes and ones that are designed for sealed boxes.

If the MDR-EX71's are designed with holes in the back, then thats for a reason. If the speakers do not get enough movement, then it could cause come kind of load, be it magnetic or whatever.

If anyone reading this knows more about speakers than me, or if i sound like i dont know what im talking about, please advise if i am wrong. I just thought i'd share what i think i know about speakers from experience in car installs, and how i think its related to any size speaker.

Cheers,

Ed

[c.you]

Originally posted by androu
sorry, i didnt mean to be so dismissive. And I meant to add a cheeky smiley face thing.

Obviously everyone has there own opinion and ideas that work for them, and that is cool. Reading it back, it does look a little nasty, so, I apologise.

Mainly I think that it is a bad idea just because of the impracticality of using tape that will come off, make the area sticky etc. But then I suppose you could fill the holes in with glue.

Ive had another idea for the sonys though. Has anyone tried putting the flex sleeves (clear hard ones) from the Shure e2 on the sonys. I tried this and it was surprisingly good. The seal and isolation was better, and because of those holes at the back, you didn’t get the pressure building up on the eardrum which is the cause of much discomfort with using the flex sleeves with shure earphones.
Yeah, I've tried these with my sony ex71's also. Its so much better than the sony sleeves. The seal and isolation is better tenfold. I wonder if they'd work as good with the ultra flex sleeves. Hmm going to have to try.

[david_uk]

why would you want to reduce bass??

[david_uk]

why would you want to reduce bass??

if you want less bass, just use the iPod standard earphones!

[draco]

Originally posted by david_uk
why would you want to reduce bass??

if you want less bass, just use the iPod standard earphones!

some people feel these earbuds have too much bass. Mainly, it just cleans up bass and lessens the muddiness.

[dj_eddie]

if they have too much bass, then use the EQ settings to reduce the amount of bass.........why tamper with the hardware when you can acomplish the same result with software??

If you bugger something up with the EQ you change it back, though if you stuff up the earphones, your just wasting your money!!!

[thebrain]

I personally use the e2c soft flexsleeves on both my ex71 (sold) and my apple in ear (school phones), they are much better than the apple and sony sleeves, much more secure.

[dj_eddie]

Here is a response i got from Sony regarding the earphones.

===========================================

Ref: JB/1772234

Dear Mr xxxxxxxx,

Thank you for your enquiry.

We do not recommend modifying the earphones in anyway, this includes blocking the holes on the rear of the earphones. Making such modifications could damage your earphones, and will void the warranty.

Regards,
Customer Contact Centre
Sony Australia Limited

For more information on our products and services please visit our website at www.sony.com.au