Sony MDR-EX71SL?

[RyanR84]

I just imported these to the UK (cost me around ??32) and I'm pretty peed off with how terrible the sound quality is. It sounds, not distorted, but like theres a great hissing on every track. I'd really like to use these phones as I just blew ??32 on them and I can't return them.

Anyway I heard theres some sort of mod that could make the sound better with these earphones, anyone help me out?

Thanks

[MikeM]

Hissing? I've never heard of that one. Do you have the iPod EQ on? Turn that off. Sound check? Volume adjustments from iTunes? Do you use low quality files?

The mod to them has to to with their muddiness and lack of soundstage. You can use cellophane tape to cover the silver holes and a pin to open the internal sound hole very carefully if you want to play with them. I suggest the tape first.

[crazyu]

I did the same, got lured in for the white EX71's from Audiocubes, the sound after a couple of months use is unbearable (they started bad and didn't get any better). I opted for Sennheiser PX200 for home/train/plane listening & MX550 for street listening. Run them in for about 100 hours using white noise to get the best out of them - it really works. Try looking here:

http://www5.head-fi.org/forums/

& when you're ready to buy:

http://www.proaudiosystems.co.uk/

http://www.dolphinmusic.co.uk/d2/?page=shop/index

http://www.superfi.co.uk/

[Doug Gilmour]

I have had mine for a while now. In total 8 months over 3 pairs (had to return from an unrelated issue) these new ones are now 4 months old and I have never experienced any sound problems at all. No hissing, no clipping, nothing. Perhaps you should run Mp3Gain to see if it normalizes. Even without that mine are still perfect...You may have a faulty pair. Also turn off the EQ.

Hope that helps,

-Dan